History is replete with tales of young men and women who rose to spectacular heights of leadership. Yet Scripture cautions us in being too quick to enlist novices into important leadership roles. This is in part because spiritual leadership is based on character. Our character takes time to develop and mature. Young adults may not yet have had time to be fully seasoned. Likewise, experience teaches us many things, humility being one of the most important. As young leaders, we don’t yet recognize all that we do not yet know! Being elevated quickly has led to the ruin of many a potential leader.
At times people are promoted too quickly because their organization is desperate for talented leaders. At other times they are enlisted prematurely because the people themselves are consumed with ambition. We are doing no one any favor by elevating someone into a leadership role for which they are ill-prepared.
One of the best measuring sticks for choosing leaders is their track record. Are they leading their own home well? Have they been faithful in small things? Have they completed earlier tasks? Have they developed a solid reputation in the lower ranks? If leadership candidates have no previous track record of success, be cautious in elevating them too quickly.