It's a mixed bag. If you examine the church ministries, Sunday school is by
grade, Missionettes is by grade, and Royal Rangers operates by age and grade.
When I began in with Rangers 22 years ago, it was strictly by grade. In the
last several years there has been a movement to promote boys by grade. I
believe there was a resolution at the National Royal Ranger Council to change
groups by grade. It did not pass, however. If you examine the charter forms,
both grade and age are listed. The same applies in boys' handbooks, grade and
age are listed. I was a strong proponent of age promotions. Problem was
Rainbows to Straight Arrows. Some boys almost lost a year. Rainbows being
part of Missionettes, moved up in September by grade, not age. Later I
changed my mind because friends in the same grade were separated because of
promotions based on age and were greatly upset because of the move. True,
there were boys that couldn't wait to move up the moment they turned 5, 7, 9,
12, or 15 yrs of age. The move was much easier to make as far a record
keeping. Every one moved up at the same time. Transition is smoother when
you have a two or three year curriculum for a group. You don't have to repeat
the subjects taught too frequently and some boys didn't have to miss subject
also.
You need to use common sense too. If a boy is too old for the grade he's in,
he may not fit in the current group because of social skills and physical
development. He may have to moved up. I also kept boys longer in the same
age group because they did not mature socially and physically.
In my section, about 40% promote by grade. I have seen greater interest in
this direction.
We also do not have any problem in our section and district when it comes to
ROY testing and evaluation.
AoG churches are sovereign and can operate under a system that works best for
them.
There are some churches today that do not have Trailblazers and/or Challengers
because the pastors mandate that they must move to youth groups. Make the
most of whatever your situation. The most important thing is to Reach, Teach,
and Keep boys for Jesus Christ.
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