A Vacuum of Youth Leadership
This week we are promoting the opening of the institute for Next Gen (iNG) in Minneapolis at North Central University (NCU).
Coming this Fall 2023, we are starting a new institute that will focus upon educating and preparing and resourcing Next Gen leaders globally. With both an educational and a mentoring emphasis to prepare students for Next Gen leadership, and, a resource to Next Gen leaders around the world, the iNG will use the campus and the media and events to shape Next Gen leadership.
Here's a little history of the problem we are facing. Every week I get multiple requests for a Next Gen hire. The vacuum is massive. We do not have enough young leaders to fill the available positions around the country.
For various reasons we are losing the longevity game.
-Young leaders moving on from Youth Ministry or Children's
-Young leaders planting churches -Young leaders taking Executive positions with churches
-Young leaders leaving the ministry altogether Longevity and a life-long call to Next Gen is not a priority in the high majority of young leaders.
But, we have to change that. And I believe that proper education and preparation has a lot to do with longevity. Here are some important questions as we move forward with the turnover of present Next Gen leaders, and, the lack of Next Gen leaders being prepared.
Is Next Gen ministry as we see it today relevant for the future of the church?
Why are the theology statistics plummeting in the Millennial and in the Gen Z sets?
Could the lack of theology in young adult, youth ministry, and children's ministry be a family problem and not just a Next Gen issue?
Is there evidence or proof that a specific approach or model of Next Gen ministry is most effective?
Could social media be the trigger for a revival in the church?
Has Next Gen ministry slid too far down the cultural hill or into the cultural hole?
iNG Defined
1. The iNG will educate Next Gen leaders and use the classroom to share proven methods for success in ministry to young people. Who will graduate with a degree called Next Gen Leadership. There is something special that happens in the on-campus culture at one of America's best Christian University settings. The iNG will use the classroom, the chapel, and the intern/practicum relationship with multiple organizations in the Twin Cities to prepare every student.
2. The iNG will use the campus and academic setting to mentor and coach Next Gen leaders in a personal way by building relationship with the next wave of young people who will be coming into youth leadership. One of the most exciting values of the iNG is the personal relationship between the professor and the student. This will take place with students in the classroom, at Chapel, or lunch, or in homes, or the many events scheduled throughout the year, and even on ministry trips scheduled.
3. The iNG is going to provide current-in-practice resources to all Next Gen leaders globally through the following ventures: Weekly podcast and manuscript on a Next Gen topic, weekly social media presence, weekly video meetings with Next Gen leaders around the world, monthly events/pop-ups to the local church and around the world.
4. The iNG plans to graduate 100 elite Next Gen leaders in the next 10 years who will step into church, para-church, and other organizational positions to work with young people. That is a significant plan and we have several strategic approaches to both RETAIN some of our great young leaders already on campus, and, RECRUIT 100 of the next great leaders.
5. The iNG will communicate a current vision for Next Gen leadership and be a thinktank for partnering with Next Gen leaders around the world. It is a high value at the iNG to keep the relationship with our graduates at NCU and other generational leaders around the country. We want to see Next Gen leaders in the field in the classroom via live lectures or video.
Finally
How can you get involved? If you are a student, or, presently a Next Gen leader, here's what you can do.
As a student wanting to get involved in Next Gen leadership, that can take place by coming here to Minneapolis as a student at NCU and in the Next Gen Leadership major. Follow the linktree in our social bios for easy information on how to do that. We promise to educate and prepare you to be one of the next great leaders in youth leadership.
As a present Next Gen leader in the church, para-church, or other organizational setting, follow us on the socials for weekly content that will give you resources to stay current in field. There are so many young people in Next Gen ministry across the country who have a call to youth leadership on their life.
Please promote the iNG to your students who want to work with Next Gen. And please visit Minneapolis so that we can get you with our students and for you to experience the culture of NCU.
Be looking for content weekly! Hit us up on the socials! Connect with us and let us know how we can serve you!