United Methodist Men And Office of Civic Youth-Serving Agencies/Scouting Ministries

"Young people in America are vitally concerned about their religious faith."

"They are disappointed that the churches do not have many youth programs."

George Gallup, Jr., and David Poling, The Search for America's Faith

The General Commission on United Methodist Men and the national Association of United Methodist Scouters, with a concern for young people and families in today's world, and with their own personal objectives of

• bearing witness through work and action
• engaging in some special Christian service

are rediscovering that the Civic Youth Serving Agencies/Scouting program's) [BSA, GSUSA, 4-H, and Camp Fire] are exciting resources for the local church's ministry with children, youth, and families and an opportunity for personal service to others.

Churches provide the Scouting experience for more than 47 percent of all young people in Scouting (BSA). Research today shows that many more young people want the chance to be a Scout than have the opportunity.

For the church, Civic Youth/Scouting is a resource that focuses on the development of character and leadership abilities, training in responsibilities of citizenship, spiritual development and moral and physical fitness based on a belief in God.

A local church, through its Civic Youth/Scouting Programs, fulfills, in part, the mandate to be an authentic church in its community (Par. 202, The Book of Discipline, 1980). Scouting provides the local church with expanded opportunities for:

OUTREACH

• Twelve of every 100 Scouts have their first contact with a church through Scouting.

• Families often find a warm and friendly church home where their children are involved in Scouting.

• Scouting provides an attractive, year-round program of activities and outdoor education with concerned and caring leadership under the supervision of the church.

• Single-parent families find Scouting provides for a unique need.

NURTURE

• Learning is geared to the interests and abilities of young people.

• Leaders have more than twelve times as much contact with young people as does a Sunday school teacher.

• Leaders-have the responsibility and opportunity to help young people recognize and fulfill their responsibility to God and , to country, to others, and self.

• Leaders have the opportunity to promote spiritual development of youth.

SERVICE

• The Scout slogan is still "Do a good turn daily."

• The Scout Oath pledges the Scout "to help other people at all times."

• Service projects are a vital part of the advancement program, and often can be focused on the concerns of the church for the elderly, the needy, the persons with handicapping conditions, etc.

United Methodist Men can undertake three major roles to strengthen Scouting in the church's ministry while fulfilling their own personal objectives:

1. Help the local church use the Scouting program effectively as a resource for its ministry with children, youth, and families.

• Be sure the church's Scouting unit is administered and supervised by the local church's council on ministries.

• Volunteer yourself for leadership and recruit others for one of the many jobs available.

• Invite young people to join the church's unit(s).

• Encourage your local church to offer the whole Scouting Family

• Encourage your pastor to offer the God and Country study program for young people in your church.

2. Recognize, support, equip, and train United Methodist Scouters in their role of volunteer ministry in the church and community.

• Encourage unit leaders to attend and complete leadership and skills training..

• Sponsor a workshop in the community, district, or conference on "Scouting in the Church's Ministry."

• Ask your conference United Methodist Men to recognize all churches using Scouting with a Certificate of Appreciation at the next session of your annual conference.

3. Be a positive spiritual force in a liaison relationship with the Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the USA, Camp Fire Boys and Girls, and 4-H.

• Support BSA/GSUSA in their continuing efforts to keep Scouting God-centered.

• Include local, district, conference and national Scouting/Civic Youth Organizations and its leaders in your intercessory prayers.

• Support chaplainry services at the local Civic Youth/Scouting Ministries events, council's summer camp and the High Adventure bases.

• Support work of the Office of Civic Youth Scouting Ministry, The General Commission on United Methodist Men, the National Association of United Methodist Scouters and the Board of Discipleship.

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