Student Leadership 19

It is time to attempt a review of our approach to student leadership.

Firstly, the principles and purposes of leadership need to be understood, developed and practiced.

Then, leaders put leadership into practice through their own giftings, personalities and situations – there is no “model” leader.

Importantly, the development of Leadership involves faith, knowledge, values, respect, character and skills – all of which have to be intentionally cultivated.

That development will include knowledge and understanding, opportunities for action and guided reflection.

The Biblical model shows us that Leadership involves teams of people. We are designed with particular giftings, but no-one has all the giftings – this is God’s wonderful design to cause us to be dependent upon Him and inter-dependent with one another. So “lone-wolf” leadership is not our goal.

Leaders will undertake tasks and actions which will steer growth and change, causing development and improvement.

Leadership also has a strong emphasis on developing people; developing a culture of respect and shalom. Therefore, leaders will help to develop a focus upon gratitude and celebration, courage, discipline and correction, lament, compassion, justice and mercy

At early levels of schooling, engaging in activities like Class Meetings with clear guidelines and purposes give all students opportunities to understand and practice leadership.

Our pedagogical practices throughout the whole curriculum should provide opportunities for courageous curiosity and critique.

Mentoring is very useful in helping young people to understand their own giftings and to be challenged in faith and practice. Mentoring should not be restricted to teachers only; many administrative staff or local pastors could become effectively involved.

As students progress through school, more informal and formal opportunities to lead should be provided. This leadership should be more extensive than simply managing an event. It should involve purposeful and positive culture enhancement.

At middle and upper levels of schooling, student leaders become representatives of the school community. They must therefore have the heart, the understanding, the character and skills to do this well.

Paul, encouraging his young friend Timothy, says

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” [1]

Let us pray this for our young people.

Blessings
Brian

 

 


[1] 1 Timothy 4:12