It’s a big weekend for 40,000-plus young people in Churches of Christ
Puppeteers Anna Grace Rampy, Tollie Boone, Maddie Hunter, Tessa Aly, Dakota Villers, Ryan Jackson, Anna Kate Horn and Ann Elise Jackson (not pictured) from the Bellevue Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn., celebrate their team winning first place at Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes last year. (Photo by Diane Boone)
This weekend, 40,000-plus young people in Churches of Christ will convene at Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes and Leadership Training for Christ events across the nation.
Read The Christian Chronicle’s in-depth feature from last year on the history of Lads to Leaders and LTC events and the similarities and differences between the two approaches. Also, see our map and breakdown of the 16 event sites in 12 states. (A change this year: Lads to Leaders’ Indianapolis event has moved to Louisville, Ky.)
Also, read the Chronicle’s 2011 editorial on the blessings of these leadership training events.
Reader feedback: Are you headed to a youth leadership training event this weekend? Leave a comment to tell us where you’re going, what you or your children are doing, and why you’re excited. If you have photos to share, please let us know and we’ll contact you with information on how to submit them.
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FeedbackWe’re headed to the Hyatt in downtonw Dallas for LTC. Our son is participating in chorus and giving a speech. We look forward to this event every year because we come away feeling so blessed and renewed. I’ll try get some good photos of our group to submit.MelissaMarch, 29 2013I am not, but a close friend is going to an event in Orlando and will be one of the judges.TinaMarch, 29 2013Churches absolutely must have some kind of leadership/service training. We have lived in Tennessee where our kids were involved in Lads to Leaders and in Oklahoma where our kids experienced Leadership Training for Christ. Both are excellent. Thanks Christian Chronicle for your attention to these events.Richard MayMarch, 29 2013Our kids are SOOO looking forward to it. Our son and daughter are both giving speeches and in chorus, and our son is doing bible reading and our daughter is in girls’ chorus as well. They both did several pre-conference events as well. It is a great way to help train the servants of the next generation.dewey leggettMarch, 29 2013Our congregation in Lumberton, Texas, has about 50 people attending Central Texas Leadership Training for Christ in Houston this weekend. It truly is a great way to give our young people a chance to work all year developing their talents to serve the Lord in so many ways. To God be the Glory! We thank our adults who guide them each year.T.R. McCainMarch, 29 2013We are headed to Kansas City. Our son sings in the chorus and participates in puppets. He looks forward to it every year. Great for him to see how many other children are involved in the Church of Christ! Last year everyone sang “God is Love” in the lobby. It was breath taking to hear a hundred or so voices echoing in the atrium/lobby of the hotel.MelissaMarch, 29 2013Going to Opryland Hotel in Nashville where 10000 will gather for spiritual uplifting. Kids showing Christ in their lives and talents. Praise the Lord!!!Mark BrewerMarch, 29 2013The youth group from our congregation, Sunset Church of Christ in Carlsbad, NM, are headed to Dallas for LTC….I don’t have any kids participating in it any more as all 5 of our kids are now out of high school but I sure enjoyed them being involved in it when they were still eligible.DarlaMarch, 29 2013My grandson, Dillon, is participating in Lads to Leaders in Louisville, Ky. He is doing bible reading there. Our local church youth group is in Nashville, TN and participating there. A great work to prepare future church leaders.MelindaMarch, 29 2013[…] then the Christian Chronicle just ran a�story on both�LTLL and Leadership Training for Christ (LTC). LTC is an alternative program to […]Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes and Leadership Training for Christ | One In JesusMarch, 29 2013We are at the DFW Hyatt with 30 parents and young people. We have used the current years theme of Going the Extra Mile for numerous events throughout this past year including our VBS and a Youth Rally. It has been amazing to see the ways our youth have put this into practice. When we had left over food at our Thanksgiving dinner for those in our community who don’t have family to celebrate with, our youth fixed plates and began taking them to houses where they knew they would be needed. LTC provides a great experience and training for your youth. It is especially encouraging for kids from rural congregations to see the large groups of kids their age.Stephanie SkeltonMarch, 29 2013I am wondering if it is appropriate on such a big weekend where there are so many potential visitors to your churches to be having students away at an event?ChrisMarch, 29 2013Interesting question, Chris.
In many cases, I think the groups are back at their home congregation for Sunday morning worship. I know that’s the case with the group from my church that participates in LTC in Rogers, Ark.Bobby Ross Jr.March, 29 2013Our 4 yrs old daughther says: “Is a big church with a lot a people like walmart” Our convention is in Hyatt Airport at DFW.Omar CorpusMarch, 29 2013This event really hurt my small congregation’s Easter outreach every year. We would always have lots of visitors on Easter Sunday, but no children’s classes would be offered (because all of our kids and teachers would be gone), and half of our (already small) congregation would be at the LTC event.
Why hold this event on the one Sunday (Easter) when churches – small and large alike – will have the most first-time visitors to an assembly? What is that teaching (or NOT teaching) our kids? Sorry, but I’m not a fan of LTC and won’t be until they change this.wesMarch, 30 2013Wes I completely agree with you! I think the churches that participate in LTC miss a big opportunityChrisMarch, 31 2013Just returned from Opryland Hotel in Nashville with Lads to Leaders convention. All 7 of my grandchildren participated and had a fun, spiritual uplifting time. Easter is perfect for us, they all hunted eggs and did Easter Stuff last week end.Mattie DuBoseMarch, 31 2013I went to the Nashville convention. 15th year! So proud of our group.PaulApril, 1 2013We simply have it announced that our youth are at the Lads to Leaders convention. It showdown that our youth are involved and hard working.PaulApril, 1 2013And the big opportunity is that our youth are growing and working in the church.PaulApril, 1 2013One thing I find interesting about these events is that they have girls doing things they will never be allowed to do in most Church of Christ worship assemblies (lead worship, preach, etc.). It would be great if this would lead to positive change, allowing our sisters to use their gifts in the assembly.JeffApril, 2 2013I think the leadership programs are great, however the name Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes is degrading to our girls. An “ette” is a lesser-than. Also, the word “leaderette”is stuck on the end as a blatant afterthought. Leadership Training for Christ is all inclusive in its name.SarahApril, 2 2013What wonderful programs that involve an entire congregation and promotes Bible study at home with parents and children. The present and future of the Church is in good hands and it’s children are being trained up in The Way they should go.janice beelerApril, 3 2013Had a great time in Nashville! It is a 10 hour drive from Washington, PA, but the kids love to go and work on their events! This is our 5th year and we are beginning to place in events now that we know what is expected. The kids brought home lots of ‘bling’! Most importantly, they know the book of Proverbs better than most church leaders! Next year…the book of Acts! Can’t wait to start teaching!Ken ArmstrongApril, 4 2013
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