Are we ready to let a new generation lead? I’ve heard countless quips about youth being “the future of the Church.” I’ve heard the quick counter, “they are not the future – they are the Church today!” Yes, both are true, but are we ready to let a new generation lead? What are we doing to equip them? 

I remember holding my hand up high in a church board meeting as a 15-year-old. I was the youth representative on my congregation’s church board. The idea of having a youth on the board was not new to them. I’m just not sure they were prepared for that youth to speak! I remember holding my hand up, flopping it around, propping it up with the other hand, and wondering when I might get called on. The board chair seemed unsure of calling on me and seemed relieved when another hand went up. Ninfa Floyd was invited to speak, and she said, “I’d like to hear what Lee has to say.” 

Young leaders are chomping at the bit to make a difference in this world. Youth and young adults have visions of what the Church could be, often reminding us of our own dreams and expectations that we rationalized out of sight. If the church were a dog, young people are the nose – always sniffing out what comes next and guiding us into new possibilities – this is why leadership development for our youngest leaders is vital to the Church. 

Beyond the typical gifts of youth and young adults, this particular generation is ready to make their mark and have specific traits worth naming: Gen-Z, “Digital Natives,” are justice minded. They will advocate for the rights of all people, even those who disagree with them. This generation is pragmatic. They are mindful of financial realities, results oriented, and highly value authenticity. They are also used to a world that changes so quickly that you can’t really prepare for what comes next. You can only prepare yourself to be ready for whatever does come next. They have grown up in the midst of violence in places previous generations called safe spaces. They have seen misinformation go unchecked and unquestioned. They have watched the churches in the world be more divisive than uniting. They have watched the generations before them leave the church in frightening numbers. Still, we have young people who are willing and excited to lead. 

Twenty years ago, HELM added the “L” to our name, recognizing the historic role of young leaders in the church, communities, and change movements as well as the potential of our campuses and congregations to shape and equip each new generation. We now have HELM Leadership Fellows alumni who are leaders in the church and in business. They are impacting their community as change agents and as pastors. Many are also giving back, serving as mentors, donors, and expert presenters to help equip the latest cohorts of Leadership Fellows. 

Alongside the great tradition that has grown up around the HELM Leadership Fellows Program, we also welcome the Youth Leadership Symposium to HELM, equipping youth to lead in their local congregation. YLS helps them identify mentors to guide them, support them, or even raise their hand in a board meeting to make sure everyone is heard. YLS students learn how congregational polity works, how to plan and organize, and they dive deep into the challenges of leading in times of exponential change. 

As we begin registering a new cohort for YLS (in January 2025), we welcome our new class of Leadership Fellows who will matriculate on college and university campuses this Fall, ready to impact the world around them. They will all be learning, growing, exploring, and dreaming. We will be preparing them, resourcing them, and equipping them to lead. So, Church, are we ready for them? 

Rev. Lee Yates
Director of Scholarship & Leadership Programs
Higher Education & Leadership Ministries