Comments on: MAKING ROOM AT THE TOP: Why Young Eagles Don’t Stay

By: Larry Osborne

Larry Osborne — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:05:33 +0000

David
In my book Sticky Teams I talk about some of the specific things that can be done and avoided when it comes to Young Eagles. In a nutshell, the thing that needs to happen is that young eagles must be granted significant roles AND influence. It’s not enough to use their gifts but not listen to their advice. The thing that needs to stop in most churches is the tenure driven (I was here first, wait-you-turn) mentality. Young Eagles often have to go elsewhere to fly – and even to start new churches – because in most established churches they can’t have leadership or directional influence until the old leaders die. And by then, the Young Eagles are no longer young.
Blessings
Larry Osborne

By: davidclaytonsr

davidclaytonsr — Mon, 07 May 2012 19:45:32 +0000

So what ate the specific tangibles you do to avoid this trap? What do you offer. I would really be interested because we are in this trap
David

By: Jim Kennon

Jim Kennon — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 17:22:01 +0000

I have found it interesting that at the age of 53, and after 26 years of church leadership, this issue is weighing more and more on my heart. We older eagles must be intentional in raising up and encouraging the younger eagles. Thanks for the reminder.

By: Mikhail Grishchuk

Mikhail Grishchuk — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:23:05 +0000

Kyle, thank you for the advice!
I am one of the leaders of the youth, but I don’t have much say in the church leadership, because I’m 19 years old, but on the youth level we are trying to balance out the relationship, and we cease every opportunity we can to be active in church.
Another GREAT hurdle for us is the fact that I go to a Russian speaking church in Missouri, where the older people are solid on not switching the language while many young people don’t understand enough Russian to get anything from the church.

North Coast Church, larry and Chris have been a great encouragement for me!
The teaching is great! I have listened to every single sermon that’s available online/app store, some of them over five times! My goal before I die- visit Noeth Coast church!
Thank you for the great word you speak, may God bless you!

By: Kyle Steven Bonenberger

Kyle Steven Bonenberger — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:11:10 +0000

Mikhail,

The advice of Gamaliel in Acts 5:38-39 comes to mind.

“let them alone, for if this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God!”

Sometimes “young eagles” understand a piece of God’s heart that the older generations miss.

My thoughts? Listen to Larry. He’s right. Let the young eagles fly. If the young guns fail, it can become a great teaching moment of unity for them and for the whole church. But if God is actually the one behind them… you don’t want to be the one that tried to stop it.

Kyle

P.S. Larry please blog more… I need the help for my ministry

By: Larry Osborne

Larry Osborne — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 22:58:48 +0000

Sadly, there isn’t much you can do if you are not in a leadership role – which is why it is so important for those who are in leadership to protect and allow young eagles to fly.

By: Mikhail Grishchuk

Mikhail Grishchuk — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 17:52:12 +0000

Larry, this is an interesting thought, but what can be done from a young eagles perspective?
I am a part of a young church where I see a big split between the youth and the older people. The youth and regular services are dramatically different and what it’s going to lead to sooner or later is a break up. I pray to God that won’t happen!
Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks.

By: RawFaithRealWorld

RawFaithRealWorld — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 19:54:59 +0000

Larry,
I was very moved reading this post. As someone who lives locally and teaches music to a lot of people at NC, I really appreciate the fact that you and Andy Na have always had a heart to train and equip younger people for ministry… and actually let them participate. That is such a rare gift for them to be given these days in the church. They have so much to offer. They also have so much to learn and most of them are hungry to have real relationships with people who are older. My heart and passion is to help equip them for ministry and to support them as they fly. Thank you so much for creating an environment where that can happen.

Linda Baley

By: Wayne Lanier

Wayne Lanier — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 19:02:04 +0000

Larry,
Awesome post. This is the biggest topic on the table for us at the 11 year mark in a church that has had rapid and large growth. To keep our focus on bringing up the next generation.

Your continued insights on this will be much appreciated.

It’s actually getting a lot more fun to watch the young eagle’s starting to fly. I’ve come to realize that I need to be more of a dad in their lives. (that has been a little weird to get use to at 42) I remember the day our lead pastor stoped me in the hallway and asked said that to me, “I really need you to be a dad to the young guys”, it took me a few days to grasp it; but I’m really starting to see how that flows.

I realized it was the people that helped me learn how to fly that had the most influence and impact on my life.

What a great truth for long term kingdom impact.

Thanks Larry

By: Developing Next Generation Leaders « Jeske's Law

Developing Next Generation Leaders « Jeske's Law — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 19:55:40 +0000

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