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February 20, 1998 My Fellow Bishops: Recently, I was appointed Chair of the Advisory Committee on Scouting and Civic Youth-Serving Agencies to the General Commission on United Methodist Men. I consider this a great honor and responsibility. As you are probably aware, the scouting ministry has been one of the most effective means for local churches to evangelize and reach out to the surrounding community. Thousands of youth continue to be served through church sponsorship of Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire and 4-H. The potential for future growth in church youth ministry can be accomplished, in part, through our continued support of these fine agencies. However, for quality growth to be effective at the local church level, it is important that each bishop invest some time in a few special events that gather pastors together with youth agency personnel in what we call Bishop's Dinners. Bishop's Dinners have been very effective in the past and it is our belief that they offer great results to the local church in the future. Our committee has set a goal, with your participation, of having two Bishop's Dinners each year per annual conference through the year 2000. With this kind of emphasis on our scouting ministry, local churches should experience increased membership growth and greater community awareness. A complete program outline is enclosed which will also be forwarded to the conference staff person(s) responsible for scouting, the Annual Conference Scouting Coordinator, Jurisdictional Scouting Coordinator and Conference Men's Presidents. So that our committee and the Office of Scouting can assist in supporting our conference efforts, we have enclosed a Letter of Intention for your consideration to complete and mail. As a young boy, I enjoyed many of the benefits that scouting offered and understand today that this ministry is more important that ever in the life of the community, the church and young people. Realizing that you, also, may have a history of relationship as a volunteer or having been a member of one or more of our civic-youth serving agencies, a Survey Form is also enclosed for your consideration and for our records. Please join me, the Office of Scouting and the General Commission on United Methodist Men in enthusiastically supporting this three year plan as a way of expressing our faith and support for local churches, the scouting ministry and invigorating our United Methodist commitment to community outreach and effective evangelism. In Christ's Service Bishop Joe E. Pennel, Jr. Chair, Scouting and Civic Youth Advisory Committee Enclosure "Every Man Shares in Evangelism, Mission and Spiritual Life" |
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