Bright Idea

Number one problem in churches and non profit agencies these days is getting people to accept leadership and finding people who have the skills and knowledge to take over leadership roles.
We tried here in Kankakee to form a civic group that would groom younger generation to take over elected positions and it died a sudden death when the seniors told the freshmen "you take it from here".
In the past the chamber has conducted leadership training for young people in business. I have no idea if that's been successful (not much that chamber does is successful!)
We need a training program through the churches that would teach people how to become lay leaders even if they have never held positions of leadership before. If the training were for faith based people they might be more open to giving it a chance. Those same people would then make good candidates for non-profit boards.
In fact, my guess is that some denomination has already put together such a program and developed the curriculum, etc. I've looked at the UCC resources (called the Leaders Box) and they are a little pedantic and dry, but could probably serve as a starting point. It would still take the effort to pull it together and implement it, but if what is true in our church is true elsewhere this could be done!
How many people are scared off from taking those jobs because they don't feel they know enough or how to do it? This is not a community of sophisticated people but that doesn't mean there aren't people out there who have the potential and even the willingness if they had the confidence that comes from experience. I have always said what I enjoyed about my KCC job the most was the younger people I mentored. (And I was fortunate to have some outstanding mentors). Maybe I could mentor a group...that would be a worthy effort.
Ah, another challenge; just what I need!