Joel

Joel, aged 17 from London, completed the CPAS Growing Leaders – Youth Edition course.

'This year-long course, comprising monthly meetings and a couple of weekends away, focuses on teaching young people hugely important leadership skills, as well as training them for current and future leadership roles. It could be seen as putting into action the apostle Paul's spurs to Timothy to strive for great things despite his age. In this respect, such a programme has been a long time coming!

'The concept of Christian leadership, limited to clerical positions in the minds of many teenagers, is broadened by this course to encompass exerting influence in social situations - or team leadership in an office environment. The skills acquired can be transferred to various relevant roles: cell or CU leadership, youth work as well as life's many team-based situations and leadership demands.

'The practical aspects of the course add to its impact. Having a group of about a dozen members allows broader group discussion, smaller group-based games or Bible study, and prayer and accountability in pairs. As far as the teaching is concerned, comprehensive notes and PowerPoint presentations help to break down the trickier concepts, such as the various models of leadership (democratic, directive, personal and so on) and provide an academic analysis of leadership as a starting point for individual growth. We also spend time looking at Jesus' model of leadership, the disciples' role as followers and Paul's as a team leader.

'Besides the primary leadership-building purpose of the course, it encourages general spiritual development as vitally important for godly leadership. Exploring areas such as personal gifting, life calling and the importance of different spiritual disciplines gives shape to the leadership teaching and presents a framework for where and how we are to use it.

'I think the best aspect of the course, though, is the mentoring scheme that accompanies it. This encourages regular meetings with your chosen mentor, who is armed with a decade or two more life experience than you! Although the meetings can simply be based on issues relating to the course, they also allow the passing on of much wisdom relating to wider issues, especially upcoming life challenges such as university or long-term relationships. This reflects the pattern of the leadership course itself: imparting many general life lessons but with the added perspective of living as a Christian.

'In short, this course is a great step towards preparing young people for significant leadership roles both in the future and in existing positions in schools, churches and wherever they are led to lead. Taking part in this course has been a fantastic challenge and a good laugh, but most importantly it has equipped me as a potential leader in whatever circumstances the coming years hold for me.'

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