God is surprisingly picky about not putting youngins' and the wounded on the front lines of battle. Still, current leaders always end up giving way to the next generations as they age, but who should we look to as examples of up-coming leadership? Philippians 3:16-17 says, "Let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained [...] join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us."
So we should look up to those who have it together spiritually. But is it ok to pick young leaders? Absolutely, but when Paul selected Timothy, look at what parts of life Timothy had to be upstanding in: "Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe." (1 Tim 4:12)
So yes, we should be urging our young people to become leaders, and even looking to them for the example of how to walk—but only if they truly walk the walk in basically EVERY FACET OF LIFE, private and public! It's a tough challenge, so let's help people live up to it!
"For the entire Law is fulfilled in in this one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."—Gal 5:14