Iron Mike I see a melted heart and will pray for you. I want to assure you
that many changes are taken place, and God's hand is truly in this ministry.
After 40 years of hard knocks this baby called Royal Rangers is still taking
little steps, but at least they are steps.
You and I plus thousands of others, know that this ministry is being
fought tooth and nail by evil and that if he gets its leaders, and helpmates
down than he has destroyed a whole outpost of boys.
Let me share just a little bit about what happened here in our Outpost a
few weeks ago. In a small town of 1200 people
We pick up kids, every weds night for Rangers. and about a 7 or 8 weeks ago
a little half brown and black 8 year old boy came forward to give his life
to Jesus. Then his sister of 5 and brother of 6 came to Jesus. and every
week they wanted prayer for their Daddy and Mommy to stop fighting. We asked
if they were getting hurt too and they said no. We just prayed and watched
their tears every week in Rangers. They were hurting and we prayed for the
salvation of their mom and dad. Mom and Dad never came to our church and
basically we were just great baby sitters to the parents. We would take them
home to drunk and drugged up fighting parents every Weds.
Well, the worst thing happened, about a month ago. The drunk divorce
daddy got into a fight with the mother and was beating her to death as the
little ones watched. He continued to kick their mom in the face until her
teeth were knocked out as the babies watched. Little 8 year Austin ran next
door and called 911 to come over and stop the fight. Then he ran back home
to save his brother and sister. Just as he got to the door he heard a gun
shot. What happened is she somehow got back up as the man got the shot gun
and shot here in the side. the little ones saw that. Then as little Austin
was pulling them out of harms way they saw mommy raise her hand to protect
her face as the second shot went off. They were covered in blood because
mommy was right beside them. They ran and hid on the back porch of their
neighbors house. Then they heard their daddy trying to call them home
quietly and softly. Saying, " It's alright kids, mommy is OK, come on back
now we are over our fight now." The little ones don't understand and was
ready to walk back home but little Austin and now the lady neighbor wouldn't
let them leave. As the police showed up the dad saw them and then killed
himself too. My Royal Rangers Commander and me were at those boy's side the
next day at their grandmother's house. We prayed with them again with
hurting hearts, I was mad that our prayers wasn't answered about stopping
the fighting and then I looked down at Austin's feet on a cold day and asked
why he was running around without a coat and shoes on a windy day. He said
he couldn't get the blood out of them so he has no shoes to wear. Well by
the end of the Day my Commander made sure he had brand new shoes. That boy
loves Royal Rangers and now he has a new father figure to look at each week
on Weds and see an example of a good man. He is called our Commander. Austin
also loves the uniform and wanted a khaki one like the Commander, don't
worry he has a new one now and proud of it. Also his 3 cousins are coming to
church now and one of them got saved too. Just last week.
You know all the policies and national regulations and rules don't mean
a thing to that Austin boy. He's just glad someone loves him and cares. I
ask this question, why are you in this ministry?
What is the most important thing about this ministry? If you give the right
answers and I'm sure you will. Then all the trappings of working with this
program is really not a big issue. You see God is working it all out and
just put your heart and soul into what God has called you to do. Don't let
others or rules control your thoughts. I saw a sign just yesterday and it
said "If someone has made you mad then they control you." and those boys
you serve and lead are saying to you, " IRON MIKE would you please stop
talking, because what you are (doing for me) is screaming loud enough". Keep
serving those boys and the Lord.
God Bless you Brother Pastor Jeff Ortner .
----- Original Message -----
From: Mike Burke <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <>
Sent: Monday, April 15, 2002 6:54 PM
Subject: Re: [RR] The Ranger Kids Commanders uniform
> It's kind of interesting, These posts pop up all of the time with these
very
> issues and nothing is ever done about them. They only serve to get people
> very upset in one way or another. The Christian example here is
non-existant
> in my opinion because SOMEone will be upset with what is said on either
side
> of the camp. I have no peace in my house over these issues nor do I
believe
> that I will ever. These issues are so frustrating that they ultimately end
> up defeating the very reasons why I wanted to press on in this ministry in
> the first place. The messages that are being conveyed are are crossed
> messages. THERE IS SOMETING WRONG SOMWHERE!. If there weren't then why do
> these issues always come up?
> My wife is repulsed by my involvement in the church, she wants me to
leave
> the Assemblies of God because she has labled these policies as sexist and
> degrading and a joke. She won't attend the church for these reasons
because
> she sees no one being encouraged or loved. All she sees is that the men
are
> trying to domineer over the women and have the women be in total
submission
> to the men in a subservient manner. Quite frankly, She's right. I'm
> personally very embarrassed to have to admit to that.
> For a large number of years I have enjoyed working with the Royal
Rangers.
> I still plan on doing so because working with the boys they represent an
> element that I have only wanted in my life that I will not likely have and
> that's kids.
> I'm someone who would never seek to hold a position in the church such
as
> Deacon or some other political position like that. I don't even ask to be
> usher because I have these unresolvable issues that never get dealt with.
> They never get dealt with because nobody wants to touch them.
> These issues have been a major stopping block in the witness to my wife
> and if there was any witness in these issues, they were not apparent or
made
> themselves evident in which would point my wife toward Christ.
> All people do is get mad at me when I bring this up. Nobody does
anything
> to actually help the situation except pour gasoline on thes flames. No one
> ever seems to understand the delemma that I have and they just either want
> me to dispense with it or just go away so they don't have to deal with it.
> If I don't go away with it I get condemed to the abyss. Yes it hurts.
> I will always support a woman who wants to be involved in Royal Rangers
> regardless of National's anti-women in Rangers policy (the unwritten rule
&
> behavior)
> If God can make the rocks cry out and sing praises to His name, those
rocks
> served His purpose. Most women like to do this on their own to serve God's
> purpose.
> Please take a look at all of this racket, the issues go a lot further than
> my problems, but look at the damage it is doing. Please Pray. Not just
for
> me, but this whole issue.
>
> Iron Mike
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jonathan Trower" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Friday, April 12, 2002 11:42 PM
> Subject: Re: [RR] The Ranger Kids Commanders uniform
>
>
> >
> > >The gender issue has never been a "problem" at the local level..
> > >and it is not a problem for the boys...
> >
> > Actually, it has been a large problem in some churches, but that's not
the
> > issue here, as I understand it. National policy is the issue here,
right?
> >
> >
> > >Women freely come to serve boys as leaders. Allways at the local
> > >level they are welcome, and given full respect. They often are the
> > >helpmates of a Commander, and have sons in the program.
> >
> > And they do a wonderful job as leaders. I don't think you would find
much
> > disagreement here with your statement -- and certainly not from me. I'll
> > come back to this statement at the end of my comments. This is also not
> the
> > issue here.
> >
> >
> > >So called "National Policy" a fabrication of upper management being
> > >stuck between a rock and a "Hard" place, of their own makeing.
> >
> > Not so. This may be a poor analogy, but in our denomination, we have
never
> > allowed boys and girls to go swimming together, right? Why? That's the
> same
> > reason boys, men, and women don't go camping together in Royal Rangers.
> > Simply put, we have a higher standard than the world does. It may be
O.K.
> > for secular buckskinning groups, or Boy Scouts, but it's not O.K. for
the
> > Assemblies of God ministry to boys.
> >
> > It's easy to say that we can easily have separate camping areas and
> > restroom and shower facilities for ladies on camp-outs, but that's not
> > always true, especially in areas that Rangers have to camp in. Having
> women
> > on camp-outs introduces all sorts of complexities that distract from the
> > main purpose of the camp . . . ministering to the boys. And THAT's what
> > it's all about.
> >
> > Let the leadership of the camps focus on the boys, and not on the
details
> > of where the women will be camping, or where their restroom will be, or
> > worse, having to deal with the occasional woman who intends to spend the
> > night in the camp with the boys (I've been on staff at more than one
> > sectional, divisional, and district camp where that has happened, even
> > though it was well known that they were not to do so).
> >
> > We also have to worry about the safety of the women -- I was on staff at
> > one district camp where someone did disturb the women in their camper
> > during the night. By putting them away from the camp for their privacy
> (and
> > that of the men and boys) we exposed them to danger. Those are the types
> of
> > situations that begin to expose Rangers to legal liability. What if
those
> > women had been harmed? The lawyers would have started circling like a
> bunch
> > of vultures!
> >
> >
> > >As with any diplomatic solution, "official policy" is debated behind
> > >closed doors, and perhaps run up the "flag pole" on occasion, to test
> > >it's effects to draw *Fire..
> >
> > Are you implying something with your "closed doors" statement? <G>
> > Obviously national policy can't be hashed out in an open forum with
> > everyone involved . . . you would never reach any kind of consensus.
> > National policy is developed by the national executive committee and
> > approved by Brother Trask and Brother Crabtree. Every region has a
> > representative on that committee. Thus, everyone is represented in the
> > discussion. If you don't like the current national policy on some issue,
> > talk with your regional coordinator. He's your voice in the executive
> > committee, and thus your voice in the debates on national policy.
> >
> > But there is nothing sinister about the fact that the executive
committee
> > meetings are closed. Attendance has to be limited, or as I stated above
it
> > would be impossible to reach any kind of consensus. As it was, there
were
> > about 20 folks at the last several meetings of the exec committee. Women
> at
> > Camporama was discussed at the last two meetings, and consensus was
> reached
> > on all issues.
> >
> > Keep in mind that each district also sends up to six members of your
> > executive district staff to National Council each year. This year, the
> > issue of women in leadership positions above the local level came up for
> > discussion on the Council floor. Two people spoke to the issue from the
> > floor. . . just two. If people in the field feel strongly about this
> issue,
> > you should also discuss your feelings with your district commander. At
> this
> > point in time, there was 700-800 people at national council last month
who
> > nothing about the current policy. That was an open forum, and an
> > opportunity for folks to speak up. They didn't.
> >
> >
> > >I don't beleve this has anything to do with effective Leadership,
> > >and has everything to do with man made *Domination, as it just seems
> > >contrived.
> >
> > Domination? I don't see it.
> >
> >
> > >The test for effective leadership is the resultant High "Morale" that
> > >follows success and freedom, as in Victory over obsticals..
> > >since "morale" is the emotional force that gives drive to group action.
> > >
> > >You can convince yourself that the sticking point is the uniform or
> > >some other consideration, but the real issue is justice/ fairness
> > >and respect to all, by includeing every "Adult leader" in all training
> > >and positions of service to the Lord, and the boys.
> >
> > Since national policy is that women do not camp in Royal Rangers (for
> > reasons stated above), it would be contrary to national policy to
include
> > them in training that involves camping. They are welcome to any training
> > Royal Rangers have to offer that is not camping-based.
> >
> >
> > >*If there are reasons for gender policies, I sincerly hope they are
> > >clearly published and each individual given resources to have them
> > >explained to their full satisfaction.
> >
> > They have been published, and explained. They have also been hashed over
> > and over here on RangerNet.
> >
> > There is no way that the national office staff is going to be able to
> > convince everyone that the standards are just and fair, so you may never
> > have things explained to your full satisfaction. But the current
national
> > Royal Rangers policies regarding women in Rangers were developed and
> > endorsed by our own national executive committee, with, as I understand
> it,
> > the full agreement of Brothers Crabtree and Trask.
> >
> > I agree with Duane that women are valuable assets in Royal Rangers. I
had
> a
> > lady on my sectional staff as SA/B coordinator the whole time I was
> > sectional commander (five years) -- she did a great job. For a while,
she
> > was even my senior commander (I know, I know, totally contrary to
national
> > policy <G> but she was the person who held that outpost together before,
> > during, and after the time my family was involved in that church). I was
> > senior commander when Straight Arrows was brand new, and I actively
> > recruited one of the young ladies in our church to be the leader of that
> > group . . . she ended up as my sister-in-law. She did a great job. My
> first
> > exposure to leadership in Rangers was as a junior commander in the
> > Buckaroos group. I worked under a husband/wife team. Both of them did a
> > great job. I've seen many women over the years doing a great job
> > ministering to the boys. But I support the current national policy on
> women
> > in Rangers . . . I feel that it's the right policy for this day and age
in
> > which we live.
> >
> > Jonathan
> >
> >
> > > >
> > > > > "Jose F. Rodriguez" wrote:
> > > > >
> > > > > Yesterday I went to the Official RR website and saw a glimps of
the
> > > > uniform
> > > > > that the female (and probably the male) Ranger Kids commanders are
> > > > going to
> > > > > wear. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about go
to
> > > > this page:
> > > > > http://www.royalrangers.ag.org/royal-rangers/applications.cfm and
> > > > click on
> > > > > "Page 1: General Information" (you of course need an Acrobat
Reader
> to
> > > > view
> > > > > them). Once your one the first page of the All New Transition
> > > > Brochure look
> > > > > closely at the picture on the lower left which should show a group
> of
> > > > Five
> > > > > male commanders and two female commanders in the front. The
female
> > > > commander
> > > > > on the left is apparently wearing the new uniforms that Ranger
Kids
> > > > commanders
> > > > > will wear. Apparently the women and men will be wearing uni-sex
> > > > uniforms
> > > > > instead of a separate female and male uniform. As you can see in
> the
> > > > picture
> > > > > female commanders in that age group will be able to wear pants
also.
> > > > I have
> > > > > nothing against women wearing pants but that uniform looks so
> > > > "unfeminine" on
> > > > > the lady in that picture. When I first saw the picture I thought
to
> > > > myself
> > > > > "is that a boy or woman?" I'm not trying to make fun of the lady
in
> > > > the
> > > > > photograph by the way, but just something doesn't look right about
> the
> > > > > uniform. I was wondering if anybody else sees what I'm trying to
> say.
> > > > _______
> > > > Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule.
> > > >
> > > > Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/
> > > >
> > > > To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > > or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm
> > > > http://rangernet.org
> > >
> > >
> > >=====
> > >*High MORALE is the Index of effective Leadership.
> > >--------------********+********--------------------
> > >Morale raises belief of the Leader in the follower,
> > >of the follower in the Leader, of each in themself,
> > >and both in the .....cause!
> > >
> > >__________________________________________________
> > >Do You Yahoo!?
> > >Yahoo! Tax Center - online filing with TurboTax
> > >http://taxes.yahoo.com/
> > >_______
> > > Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule.
> > >
> > > Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/
> > >
> > > To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm
> > > http://rangernet.org
> >
> >
> > -------------------------------------------
> > Jonathan Trower
> > South Central Regional Training Coordinator
> > E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > Phone: 254-420-1941
> > Fax: 254-710-1091
> > Home Page: http://mis.baylor.edu/trower
> >
> > _______
> > Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule.
> >
> > Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/
> >
> > To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm
> > http://rangernet.org
> >
>
> _______
> Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule.
>
> Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/
>
> To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> or visit http://rangernet.org/subscribe.htm
> http://rangernet.org
>
_______
Let the Golden Rule be your daily rule.
Please pray for your list sponsor: http://eBible.org/mpj/
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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