LEADERS' CORNER Helps for Lad and Crusader Leaders

Making Missions Stories Come Alive

Reading and telling missions stories is an important part of Lad and Crusader meetings. Missions stories can have a deep impact on boys as they gather for missions study. A story entitled dilip's Goat motivated Royal Ambassadors from all across the United States to give over $60,000.00 to buy milk goats for hungry people.

Many stories lost their impact because some RA chapters fall into a routine of a counselor or boy reading the story.

When Lad Leader or Crusader Leader magazines suggest for you to use a story from the Bible, Lad, or Crusader magazine, concentrate on presenting the story. Make the story come alive. See to transfer the excitement the writer had in creating the story to the boys that will hear it. The following ideas are simple methods to put a spark in story presentations for chapter meetings.

Prepare to "Tell" the Story

• Read the story over several times (even if you already "know" it) to get the feel of the characters.
• Find these parts of the story:
  1) Beginning
  2) Series of events (get these firmly in mind)
  3) Climax
  4) Closing
• Decide on opening and closing sentences.
• Change words that will make the story more understandable.
• Do not try to memorize the story.
• Practice telling the story over and over until you feel comfortable with it.

Telling the Story

• Speak distinctly and in a relaxed manner.
• Practice different tones and pitches of voice.
• Arrange room and sit where you can see everyone's eyes. eye contact is vital to good communication.
• Pause after the story for boys' reactions.

Story Presentation by Theme Characters

Have an adult, young adult, or Challenger (teen) dress in a costume which resembles a key character from the story being presented. While in costume, have the presenter to creatively read, tell, or act out the story.

Story Presentation by Puppetry

By use of hand puppets, creatively tell or read the story to a chapter. A person using a puppet does not have to be an expert to use this method. The addition of an animated puppet to the presentation will help to enhance the children's attention.

Story Presentation through Video

Video tape a person using one of the methods mentioned. Play the tape during a chapter meeting. (This idea is particularly useful if you have a willing and talented participant who can't make it to the chapter meeting.) Kids love videos. And the use of multimedia helps create interest.

Story Presentation by Audio Tape

Record a story from the Bible, Lad, or Crusader magazine on a cassette tape. (Or use a passage from a Bible book on tape (particularly, one using more modern, conversational language, like The New Living Translation) If possible, disguise your voice or use an animated voice. Play the tape to the chapter, having them follow along in the appropriate magazine.

Story Presentation Through Art

Read a story and make a list of key items and characters. Divide your chapter into small groups. Have each group draw one of the key items or characters of the story you will be presenting. As you read or tell the story, have each group display its art as you come to the item or character the boys drew from the story.

--adapted from the article by Karl Bozeman in the former Royal Ambassador Leadership, July/Aug/Sept. 1988 issue.

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