Too Young To Lead

Posted by Scott Williams
47 Comments
January 5, 2011
dream BIG. think BIGGER. | Leaders | Leadership | Life Application | Next-Level Leader

#11. Top 11 Posts of 2011

I was recently doing some consulting with a team of sharp ministry leaders.  During the course of our conversation, the discussion of someone being “too young to lead” came up.  This is actually a frequent conversation that I have with leaders.

There are varying opinions on the continuum of being too young and it carries on through all stages of a leaders life.  There are 20 year olds not ready for XYZ position and 40 year olds not ready for ABC executive position.

My thoughts are simple:  It’s the person, experience, capacity, potential and belief in the person that matters — not the age.  The more important question than, “Are they to young to lead?” is the question, “Are you too old, shallow-minded and stuck in your ways?”  that you can’t see that God is raising up King David type leaders at a much earlier age.

Believe in the next generation, open your mind, open your heart, drop your stereotypes and you will have a different perception about being Too Young To Lead.

What do you think?

  • http://nferguson.wordpress.com Nicholas

    Nice one Scott!

    It’s narrow minded to think that young people aren’t able to take on leadership roles.

    We need to help them see that they have a valid contribution to make to the world and usher them into taking on more responsibility – belief in them helps!

    That said, I think that as leaders we have a responsibility to help them discover and cultivate their gifts, whilst at the same time communicating clearly that it’s character BEFORE gifting that is of most importance.

    Everything around them says talent that equals fame is the most important thing – and that’s wrong thinking!

    Really appreciate your posts Scott – keep them coming!

    • Scott Williams
      We need to help them see that they have a valid contribution to make to the world and usher them into taking on more responsibility – belief in them helps

      Well said sir… True leaders help make other leaders!

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  • jimmy hankins

    It’s possible God knows what He’s doing.

    • Scott Williams

      (grin)

  • http://seekingpastor.wordpress.com seekingpastor

    Age isn’t the issure. Maturity is. Some never mature, some seem to be that way from birth. It’s their character not the calendar that determines a person’s leadership potential.

    • Scott Williams

      Character not Calendar… Uhh that will preach

    • http://www.brianandkrista.com Brian French

      Love that statement. Well said.

  • singingnewyorker

    The difference between Young King David & putting young people in leadership is one word – GOD. Leadership conferences & seminars are pushing this mindset. Clearly the scriptures gives requires that GOD has for those to be given responsibilities. Wisdom is something that comes with age. Character comes with experience. Discipleship takes alot of time. Pour your lives into young leaders, that takes time. If you put anyone into leadership before they are wise in serving people, the consequences will be life-long. Youth worship is just another business practice & model that has been embraced by the institutional church.

    • Scott Williams

      I’m not sure about embracing any institutional anything for the church or for the market place. I believe it and have seen it time and time again. God uses His people to believe in others, to develop others, to raise up others, to spot spiritual gifts in others…

      I personally believe the limitations placed on leadership and potential is more about history, perspective and that’s just how it’s supposed to be.

      I don’t believe every young person should be placed in every leadership role, nor do I believe that every old person should be placed in a leadership role strictly on the basis of their age. Nor do I believe that either group should not be placed in a role because of their age.

      I agree with your statement: The reason that I believe the right people, no matter the age can be placed in a significant leadership role is one word – GOD!

  • http://mkskeith.info mike skeith

    True leadership involves everything that we do. All day, everything we do has the potential to influence someone. I try to teach my nine year old that he needs to be a leader where he is at. If they grasp this early, there will be no doubt to anyone that they are leaders even in their late teens. Leadership is not a 9-5 job. It’s a life. Courage and conviction are traits I think are needed especially with a younger leader. I am 28 and these thoughts o too young creep up on me at times. I have to know they are lies trying to make me less effective, or I will become just that.

    • Scott Williams

      Well said… Believe and Believe In!

  • http://Tsmith0095.wordpress.com Terry Smith

    My church gave me a 20 year old with no real experience leading a chance at a youth pastor position. Today, I celebrate two years at that same church. I really love it and never expected to want to stay this long. But in all honesty, I may never want to leave. I was “too young to lead” in some people’s eyes, but I think God has used me and taught me in great ways over the past two years. And sometimes older persons aren’t that “easy to teach”. Know what I mean?

    • Scott Williams

      Awesome to hear how God is using you… Keep learning and keep leading.

  • http://tijuanabecky.livingproof.us Becky

    I don’t think there is ever a too young or too old to lead, I think it mostly depends on the person. Some young people are ready for a lead position while other aren’t, same with the older folks. I also think it’s hard when a young person or older person has the abilities and they aren’t given the chance because they’re told they are too young or too old. I agree with this post!

    • Scott Williams

      Thanks for your thoughts Becky! :)

  • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com Kyle Reed

    This is a nice fresh perspective on this topic. I often feel like my age sometimes holds me back from getting to do things. I am 24 and often feel like I cannot do or accomplish anything until I am in my 30′s.
    I think you nailed it on the head, it is about the person, not the age. And I think a lot of people use age as an excuse because they have not taken the time to invest in the younger generation and/or teach them how to lead.

    Thanks for sharing Scott

    • Scott Williams

      Go lead brother… All it takes is for someone to believe in you. The old thoughts that you need the experience before doing XYZ… How do you get the experience? Someone believing in you.

    • Scott Williams

      Go lead brother… All it takes is for someone to believe in you. The old thoughts that you need the experience before doing XYZ… How do you get the experience? Someone believing in you.

      • http://thoughtsaboutnothing.com Kyle Reed

        agreed. and thankfully people are starting to believe in me and encourage me.

  • http://www.cavelandchurch.com Chad

    God doesn’t choose leaders according to their birthdays , but rather their hearts and faithfulness.

    • Scott Williams

      Amen and Amen

  • http://www.godsoverflow.com Nick Carita

    If God says so, then it should be done… PERIOD! Wouldn’t that be disobedience by the pastor who thinks the person is too young?

    • Scott Williams

      Yes!!! Often times tradition, group think and history muffle our ability to hear what God is saying. Open hearts help to open our ears.

  • FalishaHough

    I really loved this. Your take on the subject really has me energized about new leadership opportunities!

    • Scott Williams

      Run after it like the energizer bunny

  • Mason Stanley

    It seems difficult to accept that a younger adult (20′s to early 30′s) can lead with out paying their “dues” first. Which is just another way of saying experiencing a number of victories and defeats. The problem with this paradigm, while it has validity, is that we have grown up in a completely different society. We grew up using a word processor and a search engine to complete our papers. Due to absent parents (for a majority of us, don’t make the exception the rule), wether a result of work or divorce, we started taking care of our selves (with our parents money) at an earlier age. So while we haven’t paid “their” (the infamous they) “dues” we have developed and paid some of our own.

    I’m not arguing that this qualifies us but rather demands we be judged on different economic scale when it comes to dues. Thus negating age as a factor.

    • Scott Williams

      Well said sir!

  • jimmy hankins

    Scott, don’t you (grin) at me! That’s my thing!
    Respect yer elder! And I’m a lot elder than ye are. (smile)

  • http://jonathanpearson.net Jonathan Pearson

    Love this post man! This is something that I’ve heard a few times myself. Now I have a better response! Good stuff!

  • Elena Haupricht

    All I’m going to say is..no matter how this is happening, what I am beginning to see, is God using some young people in a BIG way, and they are “getting it”, so to that..go for it and take as many people with you as you can…b/c it’s about time!!

  • http://gradualhusbandry.com Mary

    I remember hearing (when a young Christian 35+ years ago) that Chuck Swindol said that Christians should not open their mouths until they had been believing 20 years. I now almost totally believe that. It’s not that God cannot use whoever to accomplish whatever, but the discipline of having teenage children and sticking in a marriage and actively seeking God for long years just adds to wisdom. I look at people I know who are not married and have no children and they are selfish. That’s the reality. They didn’t have to go through years of laying their lives down for someone else. Coming to the end of yourself because of marriage or children or whatever life brings is an attractive option we need to promote.

  • http://headystories.blogspot.com/ Heady

    Just want to give a SHOUT OUT to all the YOUNG LEADERS and to those individuals giving YOUNG LEADERS opportunity.

    Often times it’s not that you’re too young but it’s my excuse not to give you the OPPORTUNITY because you might SNATCH my position. Just a thought.

    Go Win!

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  • Jenny

    I personally feel that Age doesn’t matter however, your walk with the Lord is what is important, There are Christian who have been Christian for 15+ years who are being feed on the milk of the word and haven’t even gotten to the meat, Then there are those who have been Christian 5 yrs who have a heart for God and seek his face and truly understand what it means to be obedient to the word and live it out.. I feel that it is different for every person, I have been a Christian for 5 yrs and I love the Lord he is my life and my all in all..Why, because at a young I experienced things that a child and teenager should not have too, Drinking, drugs, gangs, etc.. This gave me experience into the life I would not want no one to face. But God had a plan for me at age 23 I came to my crossroad and accepted Christ as my Savior, it was only that has kept me and will continue to keep me.. I am reminded daily of my past that God has cleansed and in return I continue to seek his face day in and day out.. I also want to tell others of the faithfulness of my love and my God,

  • Andrew

    I’m 45, but young in my walk with Christ an I let that keep me from the leadership GOD is trying to us me for. We think we need a ton of years under our belts to be leaders, if its GOD will go with it.

  • Jen

    Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (1 4:12 KJV)

  • http://Krohnus.tv Jason Krohn

    Love it Scott. I would like to underscore your point about believing in the next generation. I would say this:

    Believe in them enough to invest and sacrifice your time.

    Believe in them enough to have grace through their mistakes.

    Believe in them enough to have the tough conversations an challenge their thinking.

    Believe in them enough to equip them and set them up for the win.

  • Kartisia

    I like that opposing question “are they.. Stuck in their ways…” I think because youth are more open to diversity, I believe that with proper mentoring they have a greater reach with people… Their love and willingness to serve goes beyond the limitations older individuals sometimes possess. And because they are willing to get down in the trenches with others, they are able to reach more… We just have to ensure that they are being mentored so that they don’t get stuck in trenches….

  • http://kristina@fitmarc.com Kristina Reilly

    like your perspective. for me the answer is easy…. get out of the way because it IS the young who lead. to suggest a leader has to be a certain age is ludicrous and how shallow would one be to judge anyone’s position based on age? Hmph…that just reminded me of a valid point; who are we to judge?

  • Chris

    One thing workin with Boy Scouts will get you to understand is there is no such thing as to young to lead.

  • http://Princessjes.wordpress.com Princessjes

    You know I believe in raising up a generation of young people who will change the world!

    I honor those who believe in young people and challenge them to grow! It’s not about placing someone in a place with authority they are miles from being ready for. It’s about raising up & growing the gifts, abilities, skills, etc inside of someone to a place where they are equipped to lead well, and even better…raise them up & help them grow to a place with greater integrity & greater influence than you yourself even!

    *Thanks Bishop Scott for believing in me!

  • Anonymous

    Very good perspective. Age does not mater as much as potential.

  • Ivey Wisener

    This is a great post. I agree completely.
    I think many people have that age stereotype already placed in their minds to the point where they judge a person’s leadership based on age or other things before they have even seen that person’s leadership in action.

  • Marc Millan

    Bold and encouraging Scott. Thank you. I agree with you about potential or ability over age, sometimes the older generation or more seasoned leaders simply don’t want to have to mentor or help the younger leaders, when in fact they know, someone helped and believed in them once too.
    M_

  • Mason Conrad Stanley

    To quote Pretty Ricky, “age ain’t nothing but a number.” However, I do believe it can be an indicator. There are certain expectations (assumptions) that can be drawn from a person’s age. However, it is responsible, even reasonable, to verify the validity of these assumptions, whatever they may be.

    This works both ways, whether we believe a leader is too young to lead or too old to lead. 

    I love the way Andy Stanley put it in one of his podcast’s, “We thought because our numbers were down people were leaving the church, we thought we were doing something wrong. We came to realize it was just summer and people were going on vacation.”

    We must always be cautious in choosing our metrics. We must make sure they mean what we think they mean.

  • http://twitter.com/LimitsCruiser Bassam Mattar

    Scott again with a beautiful Paint of worlds Thanks Dood. With regarding to your Article I would like to contribute with my humble opinion it’s God -Allah الله- gift that each individual have cretin characters some ment to be leaders and others meant to be thinkers, and the good part of it that each individuel finds his start he just enjoy it no matter what kind of job or position is he at. to summarize that I see the live as a beautiful paint  where each one is taking the most beautiful part of it in his place. we just have to swim with the weaves.  

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