Why Student Leaders are Important

By Doug Franklin September 9, 2011

So much is being said about students dropping out of church. Many are leaving at the end of high school and not returning until their mid 20s or later. The question we as youth workers must ask is: “Why did they leave in the first place?” Believe me; I am not looking to place blame. I just want to know what is affecting these students and what our ministries can do to stop it from happening.

I believe the answer to “Why” is found in what students identify with. Do your students see their youth group as a ministry of the church to students or as the students’ ministry to the world? The question is an important one because it’s the difference between just attending and being owners. Owners don’t walk away. They have an investment, a stake in the goal.

Student ministries need to make owners of students. The best way to do this is to start a student leadership team. A student leadership team will allow students to set goals, resource projects, cast vision, rally the troops, lead ministries, and be responsible for the success or failure of the group. Leadership teams have the potential to transform students thinking. This is why we created Leadership Journey, an all inclusive student leadership team curriculum. We want to help you start and lead a student leadership team. After all, leadership has the power to change everything.