Below you’ll find the show notes for episode 82, Navigating Leadership: Advice for Young Leaders and Those Serving Under Them, from the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Podcast.
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Navigating Leadership: Advice for Young Leaders and Those Serving Under Them
I recently received an email from a young leader in her 20s. She wants to lead well. She shared that she is struggling to lead the older women in her congregation.
While she didn’t share any details, I can imagine she’s gotten some pushback from the older women in her church. There’s a tendency for us to become set in our ways and unwilling to change things we think are working. It can also be hard to take direction from someone significantly younger than you.
Today I want to talk about both sides of this equation. I’ll share some tips for younger leaders and then we’ll flip things around and talk about tips for older women that are serving under young leaders.
Shoutout to the leaders in the Women’s Ministry Toolbox Facebook group. When I asked for advice on this topic they had some great suggestions. The tips I share aren’t just from me, they are from other leaders too.
I Was a Younger Leader
The first time I formally stepped into women’s ministry I was a young leader in my 30s. I spent quite a bit of time wrestling with God about stepping into the role of Women’s Ministry Director because I felt like I was too young. If I’m being honest, part of me didn’t feel old enough to be the Women’s Ministry Director. There were so many older, wiser women in our church who surely would do a better job. I learned a lot of lessons in those early years, but I was also blessed with prayer partners and friends who confirmed God was calling me into that position.
The second time I served as Women’s Ministry Director I co-led with a younger woman. There was great beauty in that partnership. The leader prior was much older than either of us. She chose to step off the team and let us lead in the way we felt God was directing. That definitely made things easier. We divided up responsibilities and would meet together before meeting with our team.
Biblical Examples of Younger Leaders
The Bible includes several examples of young leaders including David, Joshua, and Timothy.
In 1 Timothy 4:12-16 Paul tells Timothy, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.”
May God’s Words be an encouragement to you if you are a young leader. God doesn’t discriminate based on age.
8 Tips for Young Leaders
- Make the time to develop relationships. Meet older women in your church for coffee or lunch. Ask them to share their testimony with you. Ask them about their favorite women’s ministry events. Try to discover what’s most important to them.
- Seek to understand the different ways generations connect and communicate. For example, some of your older women may prefer emails rather than text messages. If your older women love icebreaker games or fancy décor, find ways to incorporate those things at some of your events.
- Be teachable. Seek out leadership training, but also be receptive to redirection and correction from the women in your church and from your church staff.
- Seek out a mentor, if you don’t have one already. Being able to get a perspective from someone older can be incredibly helpful. Give them permission to hold you accountable.
- Ask good questions. Most people want the opportunity to share their opinions and want to feel that they have been heard – even if in the end you feel the Lord is leading in another direction or you disagree.
- Share how you arrived at the decisions you’re making. Sometimes an explanation is enough to get others on board. Once they hear that you’ve spent time in prayer, the Word, and sought wise counsel it will be easier for them to support you.
- Make changes slowly, unless the Lord has directed otherwise.
- Remember, you are there because that is where God has placed you – at this time and for all the women in your church!
If you are an older woman in the church, Titus 2 directs us to teach the younger women. There may be occasions when the younger woman is in a position of leadership over you. How can we come alongside them and encourage them?
7 Tips for Older Women Serving Under Young Leaders
- See this as a great blessing and answer to prayer! Young leaders that love God and want to follow Him are a great thing!
- Pray for them and with them. They need your prayers and support.
- Use your words to build them up. Encourage them with your words. Send a text praising the work they’ve done on a specific project or event. Never, ever talk badly about them to other women.
- Be kind and patient with them. Be gentle if you are correcting them. Remember, we all make mistakes as we’re learning.
- Enjoy their energy, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas. This may be exactly what your women’s ministry needs to reach more women.
- Be godly examples of the faith for her and all the women in your church.
- Be willing to try new things and new ways of doing them.
Thank God for your young leader, pray for them, use your words to build them up, be kind and patient, enjoy their enthusiasm, be a godly example, and be willing to try new things.
Today’s Toolbox Task:
Are you the young leader or the older woman serving under a young leader? Read back through the list of tips and select at least one to focus on in the next week.
What a blessing it is to serve alongside women of various ages!
Older women, may we remember the example of Paul to be an encourager to young leaders. And young leaders, may you remember Paul’s words and walk in the confidence of your calling knowing that God is with you.
You may also find it helpful to explore:
Bridging the Generation Gap: How to Engage Younger Women in Your Women’s Ministry
10 Things You Can Do to Reach Younger Women in Your Church and Community
Women’s Ministry Makeover
Catherine Rose Lamani says
I am an older leader working with both old and young women. I enjoyed reading your comments above on Navigating Leadership.
Cyndee Ownbey says
Thank you, Catherine! I’m glad you found it to be helpfu!