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Scouting Ministry
Dear friends,
The aims and methods of the BSA scouting
program and our Methodist Youth programs have always been very similar in
the way they serve our youth and fit into our church programs. This letter
to you is an announcement to proclaim the existing
relationship between the BSA and the Church. The BSA has
re-shaped it’s relevancy to the youth of America and has now developed a
program that can be applied to any youth organization and has done so with
some amazing results. “Venturing” and God are literally turning our youth
ministries upside down, and you need to know about it.
The Boy Scouts of America is now being
approached by 4-H, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Camp Fire USA and the Girl
Scouts of America, to in effect, join forces within the guidelines of the
Venturing Leadership program. In addition, the BSA was renamed from “God
and Country to
P.R.A.Y. This program was developed for churches with the concept of
infusing leadership skills and direction of the Venturing program. This
means that the relevancy of the Venturing program affects
all ages, both boys and girls, from age 6 to 21. In
addition, because of these alliances, it is the hope of the United
Methodist Church that we might embrace
many of these other partner programs.
What is “Venturing?” Venturing is an applied
attitude more than anything else that empowers self motivation and
success. It is the essence of the scouting program and has been since its
inception in 1910 and is the primary reason for the success of Boy
Scouting. It is that “applied attitude” that is reshaping every youth
group it’s brought to (and I might add, keeping our youth directors on the
job). This program is already developed, for lack of a better term, it’s
basically “plug and play”. I encourage you to look. Imagine your youth
running their own program, SUCCESSFULLY!
I’ve been in scouting for 23 years and youth
ministry for 24. I am now the Scouting Ministry Specialist
for the SW conference of United Methodist churches. Please
talk this over with your church and give me a call or write. This is
something every church needs.
Ron Buckner – Scouting Ministry Specialist
817-676-6192 |