I ve found your insight into this issue very helpful. Asa matter of fact I plan to read portions from your letter at a commander's meeting Sunday morn. Thanks for taking the time to share.
Taking The High Ground for Jesus
James Styles, " Smoke Signal"
Sr Commander Outpost 45 Huntsville, Al
Proverbs 27:19 As water reflects a face, so a man's heart reflects the man.
"It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men."
--Frederick Douglass
I thought about the "Uniform" question all night..
*Flip the "view" from my (ADULT CDR.)position on uniform to one of
a young man, entering our RR meeting room for the first time.
If- you "wanted Bad" to come and join, Uniform isn't a problem.
If- you were a boy, and came because your Mom dropped you off and
told you it would be good for you to "try it".. You would come
with some reserve, or caution.. and stand silently giveing zero
body language and holding your emotions to yourself.
You are "checking this out"... you are prone to quick judgement.
Most kids who attend public school have a strong self-protection
intrest, and it comes out as "attitude".. You develop a personality
to cover your inner thoughts and perfect the ability to throw off
unwanted intrusion into you "space" ...waiting for a time where you
choose to "get-the good stuff" (the snack or handout) then dart back
to your safe harbor.. *It's just immaturity, and survival mode.
Ministers, Youth pastors know this and perfect ways to bridge the
chasum, to have a young person come to a decision, for Christ.
*However, no uniform is required in Youth church..
(Tho often Youth wear a sort of Uniform i.e. baggy cargo pants,
too big hoody sweat shirt and a ballcap.. ahhh Insight!)
Even in the boys who come regular to the meeting... *If they
do not actively "join" in the ownership of the Outpost, a "Uniform"
will not seem important, or of your stated "beleved" value.
This makes sence to me.
*But it is simply them playing a "Game" that is familiar to their
homelife and school and friends on the street. With no uniform, or
with a sloppy uniform they "reserve the right" to not yeild to full
membership in the Royal Ranger effort to build a "community".
Therefore, No uniform, or sloppy uniform is ANTI-SOCIAL and that-
is a violation of the intent of the RR emblem and a GOLD point..
Pressing that point to a boy with "attitude" is likely to firm his
conviction that RR leaders are into domination and not freedom.
He'll tell you in the extream.. "get lost man"..
WHAT TO DO!
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Change the game being "Played"..
The answer to me is build a Royal Ranger Community of friends who
do intresting things togather<G> *Uniform is the result of a
decision to "join" in spirit. Ranger *Spirit is what we want
deep down anyway so, we should say so..
Earn their respect by discovering who they are and LEADING them!
IF ROBIN HOOD was "Commander" the outpost would be full of
"merry men" in green clokes, and tights with pointy hats<G>
There was a "Movie" years ago called "Dead Poet Society"
that my son watched in school to provoke an intrest in English
by his teacher.. *there what was first judged "dry" "boreing"
was changed, brought to life by a fundimentaly change of "mind".
A group of students formed a 'club or even a "gang" and used the
patrol method to share membership in a special "thing.."
The answer to the Uniform question is thus found in your abilities
to sell Royal Rangers to the boys in a way that they pick up the "ball"
and you become the coach,teacher,mentor..
*Enough-
Jelly Do-Nut time<G>
-=A=-
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*High MORALE is the Index of effective Leadership.
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Morale raises belief of the Leader in the follower,
of the follower in the Leader, of each in themself,
and both in the .....cause!
