It's about your pastors commitment to the boys that you lead. If he is not
committed to the Royal Ranger vision. Then you do not have a leg to stand
on.
Your pastor's commitment gives you the money, the boys, the parents, the
leaders.
I have been Sr Commander for almost nine years and I felt the same way For example our pastor has never been to any campouts; I have only wanted him to make an appearance for a few minutes but no go. He has come around the Ranger meeting rooms during the meeting time about 2 times during this nine years. And getting money at the first as well as time to recognize boys was like getting teeth pulled. Yes, I felt the same way as you but I realized that my throwing in towel would disappoint so many boys that I stuck it out.
How do you turn things around? You start by turning the success or failure of the outpost over to God. After all its His ministry anyway, RIGHT! Slowly you start being as faithful as you can, pouring yourself into the boys. As parents express to you their gratitude for helping their boys and what Rangers has done for them ask to them to share that with your pastor. If a boy get saved, by all means have him share that with your pastor. You must work to change his mind on Rangers.
If you are the Sr Commander you support your leaders, build them up, pray for them. Make sure their birthdays are remembered with a card as well as thank you cards from time to time.
Present your Ranger Budget to the Church Board and start with a modest amount. Each year show where the money was spend and ask for an increase each year. Be sure bring as many commanders with you to make your request. This should be done when going in speak with your pastor and asking for support. I have found this to be very important because it shows him that you are not the LONE Ranger. It is not as easy to turn down many as it is only one.
If you are allowed to have a few minutes during the church service to have a Council of Achievement be careful to keep it within the allowed time. If this isn't allowed have it on Wednesday night. Bring snacks, invite parents and your pastor of course. Build your boys. Do as many activities as you can considering your families needs. Keep them inexpensive so all the boys can participate. You may have to raise dues in order to fund your outpost as well as fundraising. If you do make sure the boys are always involved so people can see them.
Yes, it would be nice to have a pastor's full support. But the flip side of that could be his over involvement thus interfering. I have mostly a free hand to lead our outpost. I like it that way. I gave up on getting our pastor involved long ago. As long as we keep getting our budget passed I can live with that. In the meantime we keep plugging right along. Scott, I hope you can too.
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
