Link to Ted Edwards Home Page
As a Minister of Education, I am constantly considering how our congregation
at West-Ark can best help us grow spiritually so that we can each become the
strong Christian that our Heavenly Father intends for us to be. This awesome
responsibility is also a challenge.
I have often heard folks refer to our youth as "the Church of tomorrow" or
"the future Church." While it is true that our young people will be the
future leaders in the Church, the fact is -- they are already an important
part of the Church of today.
I feel we have the potential to really make a difference in the lives of our
young people by supporting them and praying for their spiritual well being.
Pray that they will become the types of leaders that will please our
Heavenly Father as the Church is strengthened to move ahead into the future.
Great spiritual leaders are not born that way, but rather they are made.
There is no instant recipe to be one of God's leaders because they can not
be grown overnight. It takes time as they grow in the soil of opportunity,
and they're nurtured by His loving, patient hands. Christ-like leaders learn
by doing and participating in ministry activities. They become strong in the
struggle with adversity as they deal with their own mistakes. Servant
leaders for Jesus are not focused on self, because they lose themselves in
service to others.
Leadership Training for Christ (LTC) is one tool that is successful to help
our 3rd -12th graders develop a personal faith on their own. Last year more
than 100 kids and adults from West-Ark joined over 2,000 youth in Tulsa on
Easter weekend for the Leadership Training for Christ Convention.
This Sunday afternoon at 5:00 p.m. we'll meet in Room 100 to discuss our
plans for the coming LTC. Lots of preparation needs to happen before we'll
be ready for the LTC convention in Tulsa on March 29-30, 2002. The theme
this year is "In His Image."
Leadership is a lifestyle and teaching that lifestyle is what "Leadership
Training for Christ" (LTC) is all about. We need adults who are willing to
serve as coaches and mentors for LTC. Remember that as you interact with our
young people, you will help to shape eternity for them.
See you in Bible Class!
Link to Ted Edwards Home Page