Develop Your Student Leaders

Developing Student Leaders

Developing our most effective resources: teen leaders.

In the battle for this generation, we will find that some of the most effective resources and teachers we have are teenagers themselves. As youth leaders, it is important to learn to utilize the potential leadership of the teens in our groups and to work to develop their leadership as well.

There are a number of different ways to develop leaders in our youth groups. Although the prospect of placing teenagers in charge sometimes seems dangerous, it is a great way to develop them as leaders while they are young so that they can begin developing their peers. The question is, how do you make this happen?

Partner with Teen Leaders

In order to find potential teen leaders in a group, it is necessary to first evaluate the potential of the teens in the group. Gather them all together for a year-in-review session. While discussing the past year’s events and what seemed successful for the group and what did not, some of the teens will provide more ideas and more direction for the group. Find those in the group who seem to be the most innovative and creative regarding future decisions for the group, and consider them as potential partners in ministry.

While this is a great place to start, also consider each young person’s dedication to the group and each person’s desire to grow in ministry skills. Be sure to pray before assuming that any individual would make an excellent youth leader. These leaders have the potential of being the group’s best resources.

Leadership Track

Outline the program that the teens can commit themselves to, and they will feel as if they have more of a sense of purpose and direction in the ministry. Once this happens, they will begin to immerse themselves in the development of the youth ministry and each teenager in the ministry. Upon choosing the individuals that would make great teen leaders in your group, invite them to an exclusive meeting and let them know from the start exactly what they are getting themselves into.

As you outline the leadership track, consider what would be most beneficial for the leaders that you are working to develop. Give the participants plenty of assignments for the development of the youth ministry and also for their own personal self-development. Include growth plans with assigned scripture reading, quiet time outlines, and journaling plans for each individual, in addition to ministry opportunities. Incorporate outreach opportunities, special sessions on specific topics, and work days at church. Once they are provided with a schedule of assignments, interns will be able to follow through with exactly what is expected of them.

Once all of this is organized, they will also expect a high level of effort on the part of the youth leader! Commit to the development of them as young leaders. This is the best thing that can happen for them. They will not want to continue to pursue this extra growth if it doesn’t seem effective, and the number one objective is to build strong leaders. Without the youth leader’s commitment, this will never happen.

Leaders Gain Experience

For a hands-on experience, ask your potential leaders to prepare and present lessons for the youth group based on what they are learning in their program. When teens hear from their peers about the issues that the youth pastor normally speaks about, it helps them see that they don’t have to be twenty or thirty-something to understand these principles and put them into practice. The teen leaders could teach once a month or even at a youth night at the end of each season or year.

In addition, give leaders opportunities to travel to other groups for research. Interviewing other pastors and youth pastors will help them find out firsthand what is working with the youth in their community and what is not. This will also help as they plan and prepare teachings and services of their own.

As these leaders grow stronger, more grounded in their faith, and more capable of leading the group, give them opportunities to take over additional logistical responsibilities. This is the ultimate goal of developing youth leaders: to allow the youth pastor to focus more on the management of the group and less on all of the small details. By the end of a semester or year, teen leaders can effectively support the youth pastor as they plan games, send e-mails to the youth, plan for camps, or research teaching topics for the next year.

Sometimes it seems frightening to give the teens the keys to the car. But giving them the authority and opportunity to develop themselves as leaders is one of the greatest investments that a youth pastor can make. As soon as teen leaders are fully equipped and responsible for the discipleship of their peers, groups will begin to multiply as more and more teens are drawn to church for the depth of life, hope, and understanding that they see in their peers.


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