Thanks Andy..
>
> I was surprised, though, that a Sr. Cmmdr could go away for two weeks and
> return to find that a member of the pastoral staff had dismantled the
> ministry he was in charge of. It seems unbelievable that there was no
> warning at all.
We do need to know the details or the excuses, for the action..
I'm sure it's plusible and approved by sovern pastoral authority.
As I have fellowship with Royal Ranger leaders.. this is becomming more
common. It seems hard to end Rangers with-out a fight. We used to hear
the old guard say: "I'm standing in the Gap for Royal Rangers!"
Cdr.Johnnies beautiful dream has lost some shine it seems....
I've read a number of posts that include examples of
> outposts seemingly at odds with other ministries of the Church, or with the
> senior pastor or other staff. It breaks my heart that we are unable to
> serve as an integral part of the ministry.
>
Yes!...
This is happening accross the nation not only with Rangers but with say..
the change in worship and music. The people in the pews are confronted
with the latest greatest Pastoral thoughts on a "greater harvest" and
sometimes strech to embrace the "new direction" at the exspence of some.
This was address by Tom Trask at the General council... He was clear.
> I wonder how many of these stories will end up with senior pastors finding
> a "new direction for Rangers" just to avoid further conflict with the Sr.
> Cmmdrs or other leaders.
Many will... it's because we do not agree on the term "Unity" as we all
are different<G> (*Thank-God) Conflict is opportunity to speak the truth,
and build bridges.. The skill's are availible but some find "Ministry"
above interpersonal communication and act wrongly, with the defence of
doing a "greater good"... The Ranger Code speeks of "Loyality" as a
virtue. As we shold be loyal so should the church and pastoral staff seek
to build understanding and "con-sen-cious" and the result will be TRUST!
*I'll follow a shepard if I TRUST him....
Here's my micro-Ranger point. To allow me to continue as a Commander and
not BACK Rangers, thinking it is a personality based ministry is dead
wrong, and is a breech of trust. We serve from TRUTH.. and that means
if the sand washes out from under the resolve of a church to continue
Royal Rangers.. they should be up front.. lay it out and shut it down
clean. *Yes some Lay workers will remain confused.. upset and angry.
But *Honesty is the best policy.
John Maxwell-
> defines leadership as "influence". We need to remember that, and make sure
> that we are influencing the right people in the right way. Churches are
> political (OK - I can see the comments coming - but it's true!) and we have
> to be careful to get along. It may mean eating "humble pie" from time to
> time, but if we can sacrifice to keep the peace it may mean keeping our
> minstries alive.
>
Cdr.Victor counciled me to build relationships with the "core group" of
Men in the church and take the childrens pastor to lunch<G>...
I failed to do that.. I chose to invest in Boy- leadership and attempt to
build them into leaders. I felt that was the desired outcome of NTC and
the patrol system.. to have *THE BOYS have full say in their Ranger
experiance. The result of this should have been compelling HONOR!
*But in practice... I fell far short.
Jesus had a "patrol"
King Arthur had a "round table"
LOVE has more to do with real Leadership than political influence.
> How many of us have ineffective outposts? How many new boys (and families)
> do we bring to the Lord each year? Are boys growing spritually in our
> outposts? Are they ready to be Youth Leaders when they leave pioneers? I
> hear a lot about the conflict between Rangers and youth. I don't
> understand that. I want my 13 year old involved in both! Yes, our
> Trailblazers and Challengers programs have taken a "back seat" and meet on
> Sunday to avoid conflict with Youth, but our Sr. Pastor hasn't shut us
> down! As a result, we have several Young Bucks enter FCF each year. They
> grow spiritually and become leaders in the Youth Group. An effective
> ministry is more likely to survive a change in Pastoral staff!
>
Perhaps what is decided... has nothing to do with our core beliefs and
reason based on experiance.. mayby Ranger Commander have been led astray
from the shineing path? We may or may not have the numbers, and it realy
isn't about that is it?
Royal Rangers has allways been different..
I'm of the opinion that stand or fall *Let Rangers be what it is...
A department of HonorBound Men of Promise!
-=A=-
> I've been in Rangers (as a commander) since 1982, and as a boy before that.
> I've seen ministries come and go, seen senior pastors pass through, and
> witnessed a "revolving door" of youth pastors (some avid supporters of
> Rangers), but Royal Rangers is still here. We can get along if we try.
>
> Andy
>
>
> At 11:07 AM 8/31/99 -0700, Duane Wheeler wrote:
> >A fellow Sr.Cdr. went on Vacation for two weeks.. (Lil'Crow FCF "72)
> >and returned to find his Outpost shut down by the "Children's pastor"
> >and in it's place was a "New direction for Rangers"
> >
> >a "few" of the tell-tale signs of a SHAM RANGER OUTPOST are:
> >
> >1. Periods of shut-down leading to a demise of outdoor adventure..
> >
> >2. a LACK OF PLANED MEETINGS.. as "described in the Leadership Training"
> >
> >3. a weak or non-exisistant OUTPOST COUNCIL
> >
> >4. Few or no Leader planning meetings or social interaction..
> >
> >5. Lack of interest by the greater CHURCH in Royal Ranger's
> >
> >6. (Thin-Ice) A "preference" for Ministry over *program to the exclusion
> >of promoting advancement among the boys... or forgetting Cdr.Johnnie's
> >"whole boy" vision..
> >
> >7. "Oh No..everything is fine Pastor! *I have it under control..
> >it's in my portfolio when I was hired.. don't worry I know what to do.."
> >
> >
> >Any of these will lead to a shifting of responsibility from Men's
> >Ministry to the Children's "pastor" who will desire a no-conflict
> >policy and general "Super-Church" feeder group for the "UTH" dept.
> >
> >At that point.. Real Rangers will feel a cold wind as "Staff" align
> >against lay leadership of a powerful *special force.. of Traditional
> >Royal Ranger backers.
> >
> >
> >The argument will be that there will be no arguement...and all must
> >*submit to a Top-down leadership or be held in contempt of "pastoral
> >authority"
> >
> >
> >*Emily Morrison author of "lEADERSHIP SKILLS- developing volunteers for
> >organizational success" (* A RESOURCE FOR NON-PROFIT ORG'S, parent
> >teacher groups, service clubs ect) says this about successful
> >leadership:
> >
> >"Leaders in the not-for-profit world need to view each challenge with a
> >view of *POSSIBILITY! The very nature of the resource- the volunteer..
> >demands that the leader be a nutureer. A leaders main function is to
> >show appreciation. Volunteers work for good feelings- not paychecks and
> >parking spaces. Clear vision is important, and demonstrated commitment
> >is essential. a sense of "TEAM" is basic."
> >
> >
> >She further warns leaders of people to "Power issues"
> >
> >
> >"Positions of leadership bring certain potential for power and control.
> >the challenge is to remember that the misuse of these will drive people
> >away. People want to be "asked", not "told". People expect to be asked
> >to think, not just listen and obey.
> >
> >
> >The misuse of leadership and it's implicit power will lead to three (3)
> >predictable results...
> >
> >
> >1. Followers will fight! when pushed- they will push back...
> >
> >2.Those who do not like fighting.. will take FLIGHT! *they will simply
> >leave..
> >
> >3.The meek will submit. *Chances are however that they will not
> >contribute freely, amd will simply follow orders for specific tasks..
> >and will leave at the first opportunity.
> >
> >
> >EFFECTIVE LEADERS LISTEN!
> >
> >*They tune-in and care about the views-biases-values and perspectives of
> >those they work with. Effective leaders recognize that these are THEIR
> >REALITIES. "
> >
> >
> >
> >*In conclusion-
> >
> >What makes a sham Outpost is when we who claim to be Royal Rangers.. do
> >not practice what we preach and do the *program as outlined in our
> >Leader handbooks.. Real Royal Rangers is a TEAM EFFORT of Lay leaders!
> >
> >*A tried and true-proven success!
> >
> >A "Leader-Led" program may look-sound and feel good- *But at it's core
> >is a watered down sham where "invention" leads everyone into the
> >wilderness to starve. The intention may be good.. but the fruit is
> >coruption. It's eather *Royal Rangers... or it's something else!
> >
> >Don't confuse the two with a lie!
> >
> >
> >
> >Cdr.Duane -=A=-
> >
> >*I Love Royal Rangers!
> >_______
> > To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > "Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC!
> > http://rangernet.org Autoresponder: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> >
>
-=*Jes'Shake off the dirt and take a step up! ...The MULE *=-
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[EMAIL PROTECTED] - "Royal Rangers... A Lifetime Adventure."
NWOP207 For the BOYS! * For Mitch Silvers! FcF July '66
:: Duane -=A=- Wheeler * Portland,Oregon * Jesus is Lord ::
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -----****X****---- -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-
DUTY is the sublimest word in our language..Do your duty in all things.
*You cannot do more- and you should never wish to do less. Gen. LEE
=============== Yah gort tah Serve Sum-Buddy! ======================
_______
To unsubscribe, send "unsubscribe rangernet" to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
"Eat the hay & spit out the sticks! - A#1's mule" RTKB&G4JC!
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