All,In
praying for Rangers, I've said a few things that really makessense.
I'm trying to remember them as I type this:1.
We must get out of the rut of Ministry vrs Program.
*If
we are a program fine, but lets not call our selfs a ministry.Allow
me to make a few points about a program. Under a program Rangersbecomes
more of a babying setting club then an out reach for boys. The leadersdo
nothing with the boys. The boys are not earing merits or advancments and
the boys quit. Without
new boys comeing in, your outpost is up in smoke.
Ok.. slow down..
We had a post about a disruptive boy...
a Only Child ect.
A LOT of the disruption comes from
"reaction" or emotional release without *reasoned thought...
by the immature child.. *That can
happen with Commander as well!
Keeping a "balence" between the concept
of "Program and Ministry" reflects the tight-rope we walk in
proceeding where no-one has walked
before.... That is the very next Ranger meeting<G>
(*My "Text" for all this thought is
in John where Jesus writes in the dirt as the people prepare to throw
rocks at a woman caught in the act
of sin... Jesus showed "mercy" and took time to react calmly,
at the heart of the situation. He
showed great insight...)
When we work to build the heartfelt
thinking process in Royal Rangers we *minister instead of *manipulte.
A "Leader-led program " tells the boys
to come stand at attention and a MAN will speek to you. "Do this..
Let me show you...Listen-up!"
...all that reflects a struggle for "control"
The boys have justice in their hearts..
let them find democrocy in the Ranger meeting. *We bring the concept of
"MERCY" to that democrocy because
we have *experiance- *wisdom and because we are *Adults!<G>
The facts- are that 10% of what
we say.... is remembered and less than that is retained.
Thus the challenge is to *show justice
in our walk...and mercy with our talk...and do right!
*Program is NOT a dirty word... try
"format" "organization" or try "agenda".....
Where we go off track is when we fall
away from the LTC as a guide and format for the weekly meeting.
That's when No-one plans and we have
disaster- and negitive behavior. That's when boys quit. when
everyone become s lost on the trail
to Commander Johnnies beautiful dream...
"Burn-out" isn't a product of too much
to do... Programs can handle "too-much to do"
Burn-out comes for the boys and the
Leaders when we fail to make a difference in what we do...
and what we should be "doing" is *Ministering
the Ranger CODE to each other.
The "Gold-Track is a program... but
the Ranger CODE is ministry"
*Program
and Ministry!
