Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. (Proverbs 22:6)
In 2011 David Kinnaman challenged the church with his research recorded in his book, You Lost Me. In his work he documented how a whole generation was walking away from organized Christian fellowships. He sent shock waves through the churched community as he documented how significant percentages of children were disengaging from the church as early as fourth grade. I pondered those findings, particularly if there was a “how” church leaders and parents could reverse this trend. I asked myself a question, “How can we raise up leaders in the church?” I looked to the pages of Scripture and found many examples of leaders being called at a young age. Three of the most noteworthy are:
What if we provided leadership opportunities for a younger generation today, would they fall away or would they lead in the church? So I started a “What if…” list. What if. . .
That is the reason I am a Commissioned Minister today, I was an usher at age ten, sat on the Church Council as president of the youth group at age sixteen, taught adult Bible class at age eighteen and at age nineteen I represented my congregation at the Northern Illinois District – LCMS Convention where my church was received into membership of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. I thank God for those who trained me as a young leader.
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AuthorRichard Cohrs Archives
December 2016
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