Leadership Events
The YCLA has developed several unique programs for use in churches, school groups, and other fellowships.
Click here for a further list of YCLA events. These include "Living Monopoly," which emphasizes full dedication to God, and a dynamic class on communication, which teaches awareness of different God-given styles of speech.
Below is one example of a successful YCLA event.
Lead the Lemon
Lead the Lemon is an exciting and fun yet simple event for church or other youth groups. The goal is to introduce participants to the YCLA while teaching numerous key leadership principles. The event takes an average of an hour and a half. However, it can be easily tailored to fit your group's needs. For more info, for references, or to schedule an event in the Upstate South Carolina area, email
ycla@youngchristianleaders.org, or use the contact link below.
What To Do The main event is a nine-hole mini-golf match. Each member of the group brings a lemon to use as the "golf ball." They can pair up with others, or compete individually. Each must hit their lemon with a designated instrument - they must not use their hands. It is generally hard to get the football-shaped lemons into the holes, which consist of empty milk-jug halves turned sideways, or similar items. After the match, the group can use the lemons to make their own lemonade, followed by a time of refreshment. An interactive presentation is included between the mini-golf and lemonade-making. Or, the presentation may be added at the end of the event.
The Point Pushing is not an effective leadership strategy. If the lemon were pulled on a string, for instance, "leading the lemon" would be much easier. In leading others, the best way to do so is by example - to live what you believe, "pulling" others along in love toward your common destination. If people are forced to follow, they usually will not be committed for long. Jesus calls us to lead by service.
Also, the saying "when life gives you lemons, make lemonade" can be well-demonstrated in this event. The lemons may be explained to represent one's life, sugar as the choice to have a positive ("sweet") attitude, and water as the Water of the Word which God has given us to live by. While our lives sometimes may be "sour," and while God often may have to "squeeze" us some, we should remember that "He knoweth the way that I take - when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." (Job 23:10) In this case, the gold is liquid (lemonade)!
Lead the Lemon not only communicates the classic principle of servant-leadership in a creative way, it also integrates practical leadership advice. For example, the acronyms "L.O.V.E." and "S.E.R.V.E." are presented as a framework for how to address issues from a Biblical influence perspective.
For more info on doing a Lead the Lemon event in your youth group, simply contact us!