Challenge Them!

No matter what people tell you about students today they are looking for someone that will challenge them. Sadly, they are often prepared for very weak teaching and little accountability. They need to hear from you that you are going to really challenge them to think and that you are going to make them question some of the things they have always been taught and have believed. They want leaders that are really going to question and let them ask the questions that they often are afraid to ask...

...However, do not let them ask these questions unless you are ready and willing to answer them. You need to be transparent enough that they know that you did not hang the moon so to speak. Yet, they see the purity and Christ-likeness in your heart and in your actions. It is a difficult line to tow, but it is so rewarding when you see students' eyes light up because someone told them that there are things in their lives that they need to stop being a part of and there are things in their lives that they need to start being a part of. If you raise the bar, in most cases, they are going to work on reaching that new height, not give up and just head down the road to the next option.