Scouting in the United Methodist Church
Boy Scouts of AmericaInnovation & Research1325 W. Walnut Hill LaneIrving, TX [email protected] Page 1 of 10
Background• IntheUnitedStates,theUnitedMethodistChurchisthelargestmainlinedenomination,thesecondlargestProtestantchurch,andthirdlargestChristiandenomination. o AccordingtotheUnitedMethodistChurch,thereareover40,000churchesacrosstheUnitedStates,Africa,Asia,andEuropewithapproximately11.2millionmembers.
o Accordingtothe2010Yearbook of American and Canadian Churches, thereare7.9millionU.S.membersin34,136churches.
• TheUnitedMethodistChurchisresponsiblefor: o 10pre-collegiateschools o 92four-yearandeighttwo-yearcollegesanduniversities o Oneprofessionalschool o 13theologicalseminaries• ThemissionoftheUnitedMethodistChurchistomakedisciplesofJesusChristforthetransformationoftheworld.Thisisafour-foldtaskwheretheUnitedMethodistChurch:
oReachesouttopeopleandwelcomesthemintothechurch oRelatespeopletoGodandhelpsthemdeepentheirrelationshipwithGod oNurturespeopleinChristianliving oSupportspeopleintheirministry• TheUnitedMethodistChurchhasnocentralheadquarters,butmanyofthechurch’sbiggestadministrativeofficesarelocatedinNashville,Tennessee.• TheUnitedMethodistChurchisadecentralizedchurchwiththefollowingbranches:. oGeneralConference,thechurch’shighestlegislativebranch,istheofficialgoverningbodythatconveneseveryfouryearstomakealldecisionsondoctrineandpolicy.Thevotingmembershipconsistsofanequalnumberofclergyandlaydelegateselectedbytheannualconferences.
oCouncilofBishops,theexecutivebranchofthechurch,representsthetopleadershipofthechurch.AllactiveandretiredbishopsaremembersoftheCouncilofBishops.
oJudicialCouncil,thechurch’sjudicialbranch,rulesonquestionsofconstitutionalityinchurchlawandpractice.
• Attheendof2010,theUnitedMethodistChurch’sinvolvementwithScoutingincluded: o235,672CubScoutsfrom5,136packs o127,419BoyScoutsfrom5,005troops o8,408Venturersfrom1,146crews
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Religious Principles and Key Terms• Book of Discipline:Fundamentalbookoutliningthelaw,doctrine,administration,andorganizationalworkandproceduresoftheUnitedMethodistChurch.OftenreferredtoasThe Discipline.• Annual Conference:BasicunitoforganizationwithintheUnitedMethodistChurch,roughlyequivalenttoadioceseintheRomanCatholicChurchorasynodintheLutherandenomination.Theymaybepartofastate,awholestate,orpartsoftwoormorestates.Currentlythereare62annualconferencesthatrefertothegeographicalareatheycoveraswellasthefrequencyofmeeting.• District:Oneof469regionalgroupsofchurchesorcharges,supervisedbyadistrictsuperintendent.• Episcopal Area:TheannualconferenceorconferencestowhichabishopisassignedbytheJurisdictionalorCentralConference.ThebishopliveswithintheboundsoftheEpiscopalareaandpresidesovertheworkofoneormoreannualconferences.Currentlythereare50EpiscopalAreasintheUS.• Connectional Table:Overseesthecoordinationofmission,ministries,andresourcesacrossthedenomination.Itiscomposedof47peopleandincludes: oEqualnumbersoflaypersonsandclergy oEqualnumbersofmalesandfemales oAtleast10percentyouthandyoungadults oAtleast30percentracial/ethnicminoritygroups oNolessthansevenmembersfromchurchesinEurope,Africa,andAsia• Bishop:Anelder(ordainedminister)whoiselectedtotheofficeofbishop.Abishopservesasageneralsuperintendenttothedenomination.• Resident Bishop:BishopappointedtoaspecificEpiscopalArea.ThisisthepresidingbishopofanyandallAnnualConferencesofthechurchwithinthearea.• District Superintendent:Anordainedministerappointedbyabishoptooverseethepastorsandlocalchurchesinadistrict.Primaryresponsibilitiesrelatetooverseeingtheworkofthelocalchurch,including: oPresidingatchargeconferences oSupervisingtheworkofthepastors oParticipatingwiththebishopinappointmentsofordainedministerstoservethedistrictsandchurches
• Elder:Apersonordainedtoalifetimeministryofservice,word,sacrament,andorder.HeorsheisauthorizedtopreachandteachGod’sword,toadministerthesacramentsofbaptismandHolyCommunion,andtoorderthelifeofthechurchformissionandministry.• Commissioned Elder:Recentseminarygraduatewhoservesthreeyearsinafull-timeappointment.• Deacon:Anordainedclergypersonwhoiscalledtoserveallpeople,particularlythepoor,sick,andtheoppressed,andtoequipandleadthelaityinministriesofcompassion,justice,andserviceintheworld.• Local Pastor:Alicensedpastor,approvedannuallybythedistrictcommitteeonordainedministry,whoisauthorizedtoperformalldutiesofanordainedminister,includingthesacraments,whileassignedtoaparticularchargeunderthesupervisionofadistrictsuperintendent.• Local Church Lay Leaders:Thelocalchurchofficial,electedbythechargeconference,whoservesastheprimarylayrepresentativeofthelocalchurch.ThelayleaderhasspecificresponsibilitiesdetailedinThe Book of Discipline.
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• Certified Lay Speakers:Serveintheirownorotherchurchthroughdistrictorconferenceprojectsandprograms.Theymayleadworshipwhenaministerisnotavailable.• Baptized member:ApersonwhohasreceivedthesacramentofbaptismintheUnitedMethodistChurchorhasreceivedChristianbaptisminanotherdenominationandlatertransferredtotheUnitedMethodistChurch.• Professing member:AbaptizedpersonwhohastakenvowsdeclaringtheChristianfaith.Professingmembersincludeallpeoplewhohavecomeintomembershipbyprofessionoffaithorbytransferfromotherchurches.
National Association of United Methodist ScoutersTheNationalAssociationofUnitedMethodistScouters(NAUMS)wasformedin1986toprovideresourcesforScoutingandCivicYouth-ServingMinistry.Itisassociatedwiththe:• GeneralCommissiononUnitedMethodistMen• NationalAssociationofConferencePresidentsofUnitedMethodistMen
Scouting Religious Emblems and RecognitionsP.R.A.Y’s2010ReligiousEmblemsReporthighlightstheUnitedMethodistChurch’suseoftheGodandCountrySeriesreligiousrecognitions.In2010,recognitionswereearnedby:• 2,441CubScouts• 2,209Webelos• 829BoyScouts• 356Venturers• 148adults
Youth emblems
God and Country Series—God and Me
Purpose•EncourageschildrentobecomebestfriendswithJesusandtelltheirstoryof“GodandMe”together
Eligibility• Youthinfirstthroughthirdgrade
Requirements• Designedtobecompletedinfourtofivesessions• YouthcompletessessionsonGodCreatedMe,JesusIsGod’sGifttoMe,ICanTalkWithGod,BecauseGodCaresforMe,ICanCareforOthers
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God and Country Series—God and Family
Purpose•HelpyouthunderstandtheimportanceoffamilyandGod’sroleinahealthyfamily
Eligibility• Youthinfourthandfifthgrade
Requirements• Designedtobecompletedinsixtosevensessions• Sessionsinclude: o WeareGod’sFamily o FamilyHeritage,SpiritualHeritage o OurTalentsandGiftsStrengthenOurFamilies o InGod’sFamilyWe’reLovedNoMatterWhat!BecauseWe’reLoved,WeFollowRules o BeinginGod’sFamilyHelpsUsWhenThingsAreTough o InGod’sFamily,WeShareasaResponsetoGod’sLove
God and Country Series—God and Church
Purpose•Givesyouthanopportunitytounderstandthechurch’sstructureandobjectives,andtoparticipateinserviceprojectsthatwillgivethemabetterunderstandingofthemissionofthechurch
Eligibility• Youthinsixththrougheighthgrade
Requirements• Designedtotakethreetofivemonthstocomplete• SessionsincludeMeetingChrist,WorshippingGod,andWitnessingandMinisteringforChrist• Mustcompleteavideoorphotoalbumtosharewhattheylearned
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God and Country Series—God and Life
Purpose•TeachesyouthtostudythelivesofmenandwomenintheBible,discoveringwhattheirlivesteachthemaboutGod,andchallengingthemtointegratethefaithofthoseintheBibleintotheirdailylives
Eligibility• YouthinninththroughtwelfthgradeswhodonotnecessarilyhavetobelongtoaBoyScouttroop
Requirements• Completionoffivesectionscovering: o HowGodcallsallkindsofpeople o Goddoesn’texpectustodoitonourown o EachofusmustmakeapersonalresponsetothecallofGod o Godgivesstrengthtofaceadversities o GodcanaccomplishgreatthingsthroughthosewhoarewillingtodoGod’swill
The Good Samaritan award
Purpose•RecognizeanindividualyouthwhodemonstratestheattributesoftheGoodSamaritandescribedinLuke10:25-37,ministrytoothersthroughoutreach,humanitarianassistance,oradvocacy
Eligibility• RegisteredmemberofaBoyScouttrooporVenturingcrewcharteredto,sponsoredby,ormeetinginaUnitedMethodistchurch
• Studentingradesseventhrough12orbetweentheagesof12and20• ParticipatinginoutreachministrywithinthecontextofthelocalUnitedMethodistchurchgivingtheaward
Requirements• Candidateshoulddemonstrate“significant”personalandselflesscontributionstowardothersorassistancetoindividualsinneed• Mustbenominatedbyanadultfamiliarwiththeyouth’soutstandingservice• RequiredsignaturesincludethelocalUnitedMethodistpastor,thelocalUnitedMethodistMen’sPresidentifchurchhasacharteredfellowship,andeitheraunitleader,youthministerorcoordinator,oradultmemberofthelocalUnitedMethodistChurchgivingtheawardwhoisfamiliarwiththeyouth’swork(notarelative)
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Adult emblems
God and Country Mentor Program
Purpose•ProvidesanadultwithadditionalopportunitiestomodelhisorherChristianfaithandtohelpayoungchildtalkabouthisorherbeliefinGod
Eligibility• ParentorguardianofayouthintheGodandCountryprogramseries
Requirements• CompletionoftheGodandCountrycurriculumworkingalongsideyouthparentorguardianisresponsiblefor
God and Country Series—God and Service award
Purpose•AcknowledgedistinguishedvolunteerservicebyadultsinministrytoyoungpeoplebyservicethroughthechurchandtheBoyScoutsofAmerica
Eligibility• Minimumoffiveyearsofservicetothechurch• MinimumoffiveyearsofservicetoBoyScoutsofAmerica• EncourageandassistyoungpeopleinearningtheGodandCountryaward• PromotereligiousobservancesatBoyScoutsofAmericafunctionsatalllevels• Encourageyouthtoparticipateincommunityserviceprojects• RecruitvolunteerstogiveleadershiptoBoyScoutsofAmericaprograms• PromotetheorganizationofBoyScoutsofAmericaunitsamongachurchotherthanhisorherowncongregation• BeapersonwhoseChristianexampleishighlyregardedbyothersinthechurchandwhoselifestyleisamodelforyoungpeople
Requirements• NominationapplicationandletterofrecommendationmustbesubmittedtoP.R.A.Y.
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Cross and Flame award
Purpose•RecognizesadultleaderswhohavegivenexceptionalserviceintheuseandpromotionofScoutingprogramsforyoungpeopleorhaveservedchildrenandyouththroughtheUnitedMethodistChurch
Eligibility• AdultleaderwithatleastfiveyearsofserviceusingandsupportingScoutinginthelifeofthechurch• ActivememberofarecognizedChristianchurch• Givenfaithfulservicetothelocalchurchcongregationbyservinginchurchleadershippositions• HasservedScoutingontheunit,district,council,orotherlevelbyactiveparticipationintheprogram• Activelyandeffectivelypromotedthereligiousawardsprogram• PromotedtheuseofreligiousserviceswhencampingorotheractivitiesthattakeScoutinggroupsawayfromthechurchduringregularlyscheduledworshipservices
Requirements• RecommendedtothelocalchurchbythelocalchurchScoutingcoordinator• Applicationmustbeapprovedbythepastorandpresentedtothechurchadministrativeboard,councilonministries,oradministrativecouncilalongwithapplicationforapproval• Ifapproved,applicationshouldbemailedtotheOfficeofCivicYouth-ServingAgencies
Torch award
Purpose•RecognizesadultleaderswhoaremembersoftheUnitedMethodistChurchandhavegivenexceptionalserviceintheuseandpromotionoftheScoutingprogramlocally
Eligibility• ActivememberoftheUnitedMethodistChurchdemonstratingexceptionalChristiancharacter• ContinuousrecordofusingandsupportingtheScoutingprogram(minimumof10years)inthelifeofthechurchatthedistrictandannualconferencelevel• ServedScoutingontheunit(troop,club,etc.),district,council,orotherlevelbyactiveparticipationintheprogram• ServedeffectivelyasamemberofadenominationalorinterdenominationalChurchCommitteeonScouting• ServedasacampchaplainorhashelpedpromotereligiousserviceswithinoneoftheScoutingprograms
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Requirements• SpecialcommitteeappointedannuallybyConferenceCommitteeonScoutingreceivesandreviewsthenominationsandnamesrecipients• AnnualConferencemaygiveoneawardeachyear,plusoneforeach100,000churchmembers,andmayconferanhonoraryawardinrecognitionofmeritoriousservicetopersonsnotmembersoftheAnnualConference• Nominationsmaybemadebyanindividual,byalocalchurch,orbytheConferenceCommitteeonScoutingandforwardedtothespecialcommitteebyApril1eachyear
Silver Torch award
Purpose•RecognizesadultswhohavegivenfaithfulservicetotheUnitedMethodistChurchattheregional,national,orinternationallevelthroughBoyScoutsofAmerica
Eligibility• RecipientmustbeChristianbutnotnecessarilyamemberoftheUnitedMethodistChurch• Mustbenominated(noself-nominationspermitted)
Requirements• Nominatormustsubmitapplicationanddetailhownominee’sservicehasimpactedScoutingatthegeneralchurch,jurisdictional,orcentralconferencelevel,anddescribeofficesnomineehasheld
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Church awards
Bishop’s Award of Excellence
Purpose•Recognizecongregationsandunits/clubswiththeUnitedMethodistChurchthatextendtheirministrytochildrenandyouthbycreatingafaith-basedenvironmentforchildren,youth,theirfamilies,andtheirleadersparticipatinginScouting
Eligibility• LocalcongregationmustdesignateaprofessingmemberofthecongregationasthelocalchurchScoutingcoordinator.• Inconsultationwiththepastor,Scoutingcoordinatorshallimplementaplantopromote,enroll,counsel,andmentoryouthintheGodandCountryreligiousemblemprograms.• Scoutingcoordinatorshallincludethenumberofyouthwhoareworkingtowardsand/orhavecompletedtheGodandCountryreligiousemblemprogramswiththeapplication.• Inconsultationwiththepastor,ScoutingcoordinatorshallarrangeparticipationintheScoutingMinistrySundayforBoyScoutunits.• Unitshallcompleteaserviceprojectwithamissionalconnectiontothecongregation’sministry.Theprojectshallbedevelopedinconsultationwiththepastororadesignatedstafforlayperson.• Unitisencouragedtoparticipateinreligiouspracticesduringactivitieswhilefosteringrespectandunderstandingforallfaithswithintheunit.Religiouspracticesmayinclude,butarenotlimitedtothefollowing: o TheGodandCountryprograms o Prayeratmealand/ormeetings o Designationofanadultchaplainandayouthchaplain o Worshipservicesordevotionalsduringextendedactivities• Scoutingcoordinatorandunitleader(s)shallmeetannuallytoreviewtheScoutingministryofthelocalchurchwiththepastorordesignatedstafforlayperson.Themeetingistoencourageaneffectivefaith-basedministrythatincludesprogramstandardssetbycivicyouth-servingorganizationsalongwithappropriateleadertraining,implementationofyouthprotectionstandards,andreviewofthesignedpartnershipagreement(s)eitherrequiredand/oroptional.
Requirements• ScoutingcoordinatorshouldsubmitapplicationalongwiththedocumentationoftheaboveeligibilitytotheannualconferenceScoutingcoordinatorafterJanuary1forthepreviouscalendaryear
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Shepherd Church
Purpose•AnnuallyrecognizeschurchesthatprovideoutstandingScoutingministrytotheircommunitiesthroughsponsorshipofoneormoreScoutingunits
Eligibility• SponsoroneormoreScoutingunitstomeettheneedsofyouthandchildreninthecongregationandcommunity.• OfferandencourageparticipationintheGodandCountryseries.• ObserveaScoutingMinistrySunday.• Encourageeachtrooporunitinthechurchtoannuallyparticipateinatleastonecommunityserviceproject.Serviceprojectsbenefitingandincooperationwiththesponsoringchurchareencouraged.• ElectorappointaScoutingcoordinatorwhoreportsregularlytothegoverningbodyofthelocalchurch.• Allleadersarerequiredtobeofagoodcharacter,tohavefaithinGodthatenablesthemtobeagoodexample,andtohavecompletedtrainingfortheposition.Eachgroupmusthaveatleastonepersonwhoisamemberofthecongregationservingasaleaderorasanactivememberofthecommittee.• Eachgroupinthechurchhasgivensignificantserviceinatleasttwoprojectswithinthepast12months.Serviceincooperationwiththelocalchurchanditsmembersisencouraged.• AtleastonememberofthelocalcongregationisamemberoftheNationalAssociationofUnitedMethodistScouters.ActivemembershipinaNAUMSchapterisstronglyencouraged.
Requirements• AlleligibilityawardrequirementsmustbereviewedandevaluatedbythepastorandthelocalchurchScoutingcoordinator.• Submitcharterapplication.
Organization Information• Formoreinformationandmaterialsconcerningthereligiousgrowthprograms,contactP.R.A.Y.(ProgramsofReligiousActivitiesWithYouth): o WritetoP.R.A.Y.,11123STownSquare,SuiteB,St.Louis,MO63123-7816;toll-freephone:1-800-933-7729;phone:314-845-3318;fax:314-845-0058
o Website:www.praypub.org• GeneralCommissiononUnitedMethodistMen o P.O.Box340006,Nashville,TN37203-0006;toll-freephone:1-866-297-4312;phone:615-340-7145;fax:615-340-1770
o Website:www.gcumm.org o E-mail:[email protected]• NationalAssociationofUnitedMethodistScouters o P.O.Box23172,Nashville,TN37202-3712 o Website:http://www.umcscouting.org
UpdatedMarch2011
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