His first point - Intentional Leadership Development - was a zinger. Speaking at the spring M11 Conference in Louisville, Bob Broadbooks, USA/Canada regional director, outlined five strategic initiatives. As a lifelong learner and student of leadership theory and practice, I have enjoyed both learning and coaching. A library of books by practitioners and gurus from disciplines of business, organizational development, and psychology beckons for still greater understanding.

The Bible is the source of truth on the subject of leadership. From Paul's letter to the Roman church we read, "If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously" (Romans 12:8 NLT).

Old Testament figures such as Noah, Abraham, Joseph, Moses, and King David provide examples. Add in failed leaders like King Saul along with many kings of the divided Northern and Southern Jewish fiefdoms.

When Paul was instructing young Timothy in church leadership selection, he warned,
"If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?" (I Timothy 3:5).

Here the failed examples of Eli and Samuel come to mind as well as those of King Saul and David. Leadership begins in the home. Four decades back, as a young father and a hard charging automotive engineer, I came to a conclusion based on Mark's Gospel.

"For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world but lose his own children" (Mark 8:36, author's paraphrase).

Recently, I attended the 30th annual Association of Nazarene Sociologists and Researchers (ANSR) Conference to hear Christian Smith, a renowned professor and researcher in the sociology of religion. His book, Soul Searching: The Religious and Spiritual Lives of American Teenagers, deals with the topic of teen beliefs. Using rigorous research methodology, his conclusions were ominous.

His theory, Moralistic Therapeutic Deism (MTD), was not surprising or encouraging. Smith concluded that the vast majority of U.S. youth, regardless of their "pew," hold five core beliefs:

1. God exists, created and orders the world, and watches over human life.
2. God wants us to be good, nice, and fair.
3. The central goal is to be nice.
4. God doesn't need to be involved unless there's a problem.
5. Good people die and go to heaven.

With my Nazarene hackles rising, I dismissed this as "not in our church" nonsense. But then he produced a short video clip of a perky Nazarene teen from one of our Northwest churches. She asserted that she loved God and talked with Him daily. "See, we are better than that," I quietly and somewhat proudly huffed under my breath.

Then Smith asked, "What does Jesus have to do with it?" She completely blanked and responded meekly, "I don't know."

Being "nice Nazarene sociologists," the group excused or dismissed this by suggesting that perhaps she merely panicked in front of the camera. If so, why was her first answer so clear? Do our Nazarene kids really buy that non-biblical theology?

I continued to ponder that question the entire next day.

Smith also concluded that for every one adult involved in encouraging their spiritual development, the odds of a teen remaining true to Christian principles in adulthood increases by one percent.

Near the end of the afternoon session, ANSR held a brief round table entitled "Now What?" The purpose was to summarize what we had heard and what actionable behaviors would result. As expected, some of the discussion was about the Nazarene teen's response. It left a "kind-of-shocked" emotional impression"like a bad taste in your mouth.

When my turn came, I pledged to the group an action item involving my own granddaughter, a fourth generation pre-teen Nazarene and a product of Denver First Church (DFC). Asking her similar questions, I wanted to see where her head and heart pointed. A family vacation two weeks later would be the perfect place to explore her faith and knowledge. This was my commitment.

On our first quiet outing together, I asked Zoe if she wanted to play "Bible Quiz." I stayed with the standard children's church fact type questions. "What was in the little boy's lunch?" "Five loaves and two fish," she responded proudly. We continued for a few minutes and then went on to the more mundane - the beautiful swimming pools and some basic swimming techniques.

On the last full day, we decided to have our annual lunch near the beach - splitting a hot dog, fries, and a Coke. After a few warm up questions, I decided to go for it.

JD: Where did Jesus die?
Zoe: On the cross.
JD: Why did He do that?
Zoe: To save us from our sins.
JD: Why did He do that?
Zoe: Because He loved us!

Ooooo, I looked away - had something in my eye.

Way to go, DFC. Now on to the teens in my three-generational Sunday School class. I want to be a one percenter! Intentional leadership development begins in the home and continues in the Church.

Jerry Duff is a positive psychologist and teacher at the Tipp City, Ohio, Church of the Nazarene.

Holiness Today, November/December 2011

Please note: This article was originally published in 2011. All facts, figures, and titles were accurate to the best of our knowledge at that time but may have since changed.