The Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church

archive--Scouting

The United Methodist Church seeks to minister to young people today through four agencies: Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Camp Fire USA and 4-H.

With more than 90 years of history for each, these agencies provide moral and ethical values, self-esteem, citizenship training, leadership skills, respect for others, career exploration and service to others, as well as a lot of fun. They can provide exciting programs, and the church can provide faith role models to work with them.

From the 2000 Book of Discipline, paragraph 255:
"Program Ministries - The ministries of the local church are offered so that people encounter God`s redeeming love for the world and respond by participating in God`s action in the world. To achieve this ministry, people need to be involved in a variety of small-group settings....

3. Civic youth-serving agencies and scouting ministries offer another setting for ministry to children, youth, their leaders and their families. These opportunities would include Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Camp Fire Boys and Girls (name since changed to Camp Fire USA), 4-H or other appropriate national organizations. The God and Country award program shall be available to all appropriate age-level participants of the local church education program including the church school, youth ministry and scouting ministries. The Scouting Coordinator shall relate to the church council, the superintendent of the church school, the coordinator of children`s ministries, the coordinator of youth ministries and the various youth-serving agency structures."

Other references are at paragraphs 1118.1 and 2302.5.

What can we do?
Instead of merely providing facilities, local churches need to see their scouting programs as opportunities to expand their ministries among the young people of their church and as an outreach to youth and their families who do not have a church home. Teaching honesty, integrity, respect and other values is best accomplished when the leaders take an active part in the church program. The church needs to see that good leadership is supplied, and it helps if the pastor also takes an active interest in the groups.

Local Church Scouting Coordinators
Each church needs to elect or appoint a local church Scouting Coordinator. That person is to work with these four agencies and incorporate their programs with the local church. We offer training to help them with ideas and resources to do this. Pastors, youth directors, United Methodist Men, youth agency leaders and all other interested persons are invited to participate in our training events.

Research has shown that 40 assets are important for development of youth. These assets are the basis of programs used in all four of the agencies. Scouting ministries in our churches use the popular programs of these agencies and teach these traditional values, including faith in God. Coordinators can help the church spread their ministry out into the communities. Recognition can be given to outstanding troops, individual youth, leaders and churches. Scouting Ministries Sunday celebrations can be held. Support is available in our United Methodist structure, including the national Office of Civic Youth-Serving Agencies/Scouting and the National Association of United Methodist Scouters. Many resources are available on the internet at www.umcscouting.org.

Offer God and Country religious education, as stated in the Discipline.
The God and Country religious education series, which also is based on the 40 assets, is an effective way to encourage the Christian spiritual growth of children, youth and families. It is a church program, encouraged by the agencies.

You are invited to join us in training events as we learn better ways to minister to youth and children, through our local United Methodist Churches, working with the programs of these four agencies.

District Scouting Coordinators in Missouri (all volunteers):

Gateway Central - Bob Vogt
Phone 636-394-6809
E-Mail: Bob Vogt

Gateway Regional - Bob Vogt
Phone 636-394-6809
E-Mail: Bob Vogt

Heartland Central - Dana DeWeese
E-Mail: Dana DeWeese

Heartland North - Jeff Cook
E-Mail: Jeff Cook

Heartland South - divided responsibilities

Mark Twain - Barbara Lovelace
Phone 573-633-2412
E-Mail: Barbara Lovelace

Mid-State - Bill Deuel
E-Mail: Bill Deuel

Ozarks North � none at this time

Ozarks South - Bob Thompson
E-Mail: Bob Thompson

Pony Express - Roscoe Moulthrop
E-Mail: Roscoe Moulthrop

Southeast - Nicholas Robinson
E-Mail: Nicholas Robinson

Southwest � none at this time