Nashville agency seeks adults who love scouting
NASHVILLE, Tenn.––The United Methodist Office of Scouting Ministries is looking for scouting advocates to help Holston churches establish and expand scouting ministry opportunities.
The National Office of Scouting Ministries has selected Holston as a pilot conference to test the effectiveness of “Scouting Ministry Specialists.”
Volunteer specialists will provide neighboring churches with information about the Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (PRAY), training opportunities, resources for Scout Sunday and various awards for young people and adults.
“Scouting Ministries is a relationship ministry with a full harvest in the fields to be worked by Christians that want to work for God’s Kingdom, the country and family development,” said Keith Smith, scouting coordinator of the Holston Conference. “The youth and families are waiting for this kind of connection to a church. Many have no other connection to the church except from Boy and Girl Scouts, Venturing Crews, 4-H, Camp Fire clubs, and programs of Big Brothers/Big Sisters.”
Larry Coppock national director of scouting ministries, reports that 50 percent of the Scouts in troops chartered by United Methodist churches are unchurched.
Scouting Ministry Specialists will also help churches enrich their relationship with existing Scout units. “Too frequently, churches treat troops as if they are just renting space instead of being a vital part of their ministry,” said Coppock. “Churches may not be aware of the Programs of Religious Activities with Youth series that can be used for confirmation training or Venturing Crews that can expand youth ministries. Scouting Ministry Specialist can help churches understand these possibilities.”
The Office of Scouting Ministry is an arm of the General Commission on United Methodist Men.
For further information, contact LaNisha Sayles (lsayles@gcumm.org) (866-297-4312).
If you are interested in helping churches develop scouting ministries, please fill out the information, detach and mail to the address listed below. If you prefer, you may e-mail this information to LaNisha Sayles.
Name-_____________________________________________________
Address____________________________________________________
City/State/Zip_______________________________________________
Phone______________________________________________________
E-mail______________________________________________________
Home Church________________________________________________
Mail to:
Director of Scouting Ministries, GCUMM
PO Box 340006
Nashville, TN 37203-0006
E-mail to:
LSayles@gcumm.org