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Posted: 5/30/03

Baptists, Scouts pitch tents together 50 years

By Bob Carey

Baptist Press

RIDGECREST, N.C. (BP)–Southern Baptists and the Boy Scouts of America have worked through the Association of Baptists for Scouting for almost 50 years, so it was a reunion of sorts when more than 120 Scout leaders from 12 states and various Baptist denominations met this spring at LifeWay's Ridgecrest Conference Center.

The conference, titled “God and Country,” highlighted ways Baptists can positively influence America's youth from elementary to high school through Cub Scout packs and Boy Scout troops.

The weekend brought pastors and scout leaders together to find ways for local churches to encourage the growth of Boy Scout troops. Several pastors committed to add either Boy Scout troops or Venturing programs in their churches. Venturing is a coeducational program for youth between the ages of 14 and 20.

Currently, about 5,000 of the nation's 90,000 Baptist congregations (SBC and non-SBC) sponsor Scouting programs, according to Don York, director of the relationships division of the Boy Scouts of America. Many more Baptist families are involved in Scouting through packs and troops sponsored by local schools or other churches.

Several speakers discussed the outreach possibilities Scouting offers churches. Chip Turner, vice president of FamilyNet in Fort Worth, noted Scouting and Baptist churches have a long history together.

“Dr. George Truett of First Baptist, Dallas, endorsed the concept of Scouting in churches in 1924, but we still have a lot to do to reach more youth,” Turner said.

David Hansley, president of the Association of Baptists for Scouting, encouraged the crowd to help pastors and youth ministers see the benefits of Scouting. “Most pastors, when they see the benefits of Scouting, will catch the vision. There are too many boys to reach. It's a great outreach if the churches will just take it and run.”

Retired Navy Commander Robert Fant Jr., a former Vietnam POW, testified to the importance of both church and Scouting in his life.

“When I was captured, the first thing I concentrated on was the Lord's Prayer, then the 23rd Psalm. Soon after that, I began concentrating on the Scout Law. It was these things I had learned at church and in Scouting that helped keep me going.”

In addition to the general sessions and specialized training, the conference also featured two banquets to honor recipients of the Good Shepherd Cross and Staff award. The award is a national recognition for adults who render outstanding service to Baptist youth through their churches and the Boy Scouts of America. The award is given to either laypeople or pastors who lead in the spiritual, physical, mental and moral development of youth.

This year, 22 recipients were recognized for service to Baptist Scouting, with six of the recipients receiving Silver Good Shepherd awards representing at least 50 years of Scouting involvement. They join several prominent Baptists who are former recipients of the award–LifeWay Christian Resources President Jimmy Draper, SBC Executive Committee President Morris Chapman, evangelist Billy Graham, former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Sen. Trent Lott. Texas author and motivational speaker Zig Ziglar is slated to receive the honor later this year.