What is it about the world of Rangers that we can strive and work very,
very hard for little fruit? Why is it that we are satisfied to explain away
our lack of fruit through such religious mutterings as "we're investing in
the long term brother" or "but we're discipling the boys"
Now don't get me wrong. I have devoted my life to developing children,
discipling them, mentoring them, helping them become the men and women that
God has predestined them to be. So I'm in your camp!
What is the fruit that our Lord and Saviour will want to see from our
efforts in this earth?
Surely it includes populating heaven - seeing people saved.
Why then are we content to explain away the lack of salvation fruit in our
ministries? How can we stand up straight and believe we are doing a good
job when week after week, month after month and year after year there is no
fruit. It doesn't make sense.
Now I can already hear you objecting: we do get kids saved.
I would ask you this: who, when, and who's kids were they?
If they are your own children, or the kids in your church making decisions
at the age of 7 - they don't count.
[Holds arms up to protect himself from blows that rain down]
Of course they count.
But not in this context of being fruitful. Those salvations are your duty.
They are not fruit in the sense I am talking about. You are responsible for
seeing your own children saved. Salvation is for you and your household.
The children in your assembly - similarly.
I'm talking about the kids down the street. In your sons class at school.
The ones hanging out at the corner store. The ones ripping your letter box
out on Saturday night.
What impact are you making in the REAL world?
Come on - why do we kid ourselves.
We're doing a poor job.
Please hear me - I am doing a poor job.
How do we change it?
How can we be really fruitful?
Well here are a couple of suggestions:
1) break the rules. Who cares how long it takes to earn the GMA? Who cares
if you have to earn the blah awards before the fooey award. I mean - in
eternity will it matter at all?
2) change the game. The game isn't earning badges. The game is changing the
world. The game isn't shiney shoes. The game is changing the world. The
game isn't knowing the five logs of the FCF emblem in the right order. THE
GAME IS CHANGING THE WORLD.
3) shatter the myth. Are you the envy of the men and women in your church -
or the laughing stock? Is parading around in front of 7 boys your idea of a
successful ministry? Can doing dumb craft from the 1960's make a difference
in todays world. WAKE UP RANGERS. You need to break out of the mould of
complacency and pathetic self glorification.
4) build the bridges. Do you take good and bad kids camping - or just the
good ones. Why. How can you ever harvest lots of fruit if you don't take
risks and don't go into the orchard?
Now I know this is not true for everyone. Some see great fruit. Most don't.
Take this [harsh] word and think on it. Pray on it. Seek the Lord on it.
It's what's buning inside me.
Yours not satisfied with the mediocre and the mundane,
Victor.
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I see a Ranger program in every town in this country. An outpost in every
suburb. I see a program so pervasive that every child in this nation will
either be a Royal Ranger or know someone who is a Royal Ranger.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ps. Victor Zalakos
Senior Commander, Blaxland Royal Rangers
State Commander, NSW Australia
Contact information:
Post: PO Box 264 Emu Plains NSW 2750 Australia
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Phone: +61 2 4739-8211
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This posting is copyright (c) 1997-1999 Victor Zalakos. You may not
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