Is Lads to Leaders/Leaderettes Good for Our Children?

The Lads to Leaders program was created in 1969 by Jack Zorn in Warner Robbins, Georgia. Now operating out of Pelham, Alabama, the program has grown to include over 15,000 participants in scores of congregations. Lads to Leaders has grown to the point that four conventions are needed for the events and awards. Those conventions will be held in 2006 in Atlanta, Orlando, Indianapolis and the largest convention–Nashville. The program stresses the need for our children of today to become the leaders of tomorrow, which is a lofty and worthwhile goal, but there are many who claim that the Lads to Leaders program is not the method by which this goal should be accomplished. Notice some of the arguments raised against this program.

1. One of the major complaints against the program is the “competition” aspect. Many events (e.g., song leading, speech, puppets and debate) are judged and 1st, 2nd and 3rd place trophies or ribbons are awarded. This means that many children do not get recognized for hard work. It also means that competition becomes the driving factor. However, there are several responses to this. One is that there is competition in every aspect of life. Our children are taught to be competitive on the ball field, when trying to get “first chair” in band, when striving to move up a position toward valedictorian and so on. There is another response that is much more important, however, and that is that we should not take the competition as the most important part of Lads to Leaders. It is true that some are very competitive and take it much too seriously, but they should not be used as the examples. I am always proud of my young people when they do their best, and when they obviously show improvement in a certain area. If they happen to get an award, that’s just “icing on the cake.”
2. A second objection is that Lads to Leaders is taking the job of the local congregation and her elders. The objection levied might go like this: “Our Bible school teachers, preachers, parents and elders should be training our children in matters spiritual. We should not have to get outside help to do so.” To a point that is correct. Each congregation should be teaching and training her little ones to grow spiritually. However, should we not take all the help we can get, so long as it is spiritual? Lads to Leaders is designed to be overseen by elders in each congregation. If they only want their children participating in certain events, that is their decision. It they want to work the program but not attend the convention each Spring, that is fine. Lads to Leaders does not force anything upon a congregation. They operate much like a Christian school; providing a service to aid a congregation’s growth, while maintaining the congregations’ autonomy.
3. A final objection is that Lads to Leaders promotes the intermingling of conservative and liberal congregations. Again, this is not necessarily the case, as each local eldership can decide how much the congregation will participate. Some do not like the fact that there is a worship service on Sunday morning of the convention where thousands gather, some of whom happen to be liberal (or conservative). It is not required that anyone come–they may leave Saturday night or early Sunday morning and worship elsewhere.

Overall, Lads to Leaders is a wonderful program. While no program is perfect, Lads to Leaders offers each congregation the ability to “tailor” the way she wishes to train her children. Simply put, it is an aid–a tool to be used.

On a personal note, I have seen Lads to Leaders work. We have many young people at 9th Avenue who have discovered a new talent, built up a talent or who have simply served others to the glory of God. Each year we take over 80 people (about 1/4 of our congregation) to the convention, and another 10-12 help throughout the year who cannot attend the convention. Young and old alike work the program. It is great at building intergenerational bonds. So long as the elders have a firm grasp as to what is going on and they are allowed to make the decisions that will be best for the young people of that congregation, the program works very well.

While objections might be given to the program, they cannot deny the fact that Lads to Leaders does a great deal of good for the kingdom.