I went to the Northeast Regional Commanders' Conference this past weekend.
Took along 6 of my leaders so that we could make all of the seminars and
have more than one set of ears at the Open Forum.
Unfortunately we were unable to speak to Cdr. Marriot as he had to leave
early due to an emergency.
Cdr. Hendrickson ( I believe he's the new BU/SA head?) filled in admirably.
============================
<< First, I'd like to dispell a rumor - we will still have camping. All
<<advancements in all groups will be worn on a vest. National is creating
<<merits like crazy (250+ right now), they have even divided the Bible
<<award into individual books of the Bible awards, PTL. The GMA is still
<<the highest award to be earned.
===========================
Yes, camping is still here. Cdr. Hendrickson and our Regional head Darren
Geeseman went to great pains to assure us of that.
The patches on a vest thing is not "set in stone", to quote Cdr. H but I
don't see how they could get all of these patches on a khaki shirt. we're
talking a BUNCH of patches! BTW, apparently the patches were decided on
rather than pins because of input from the boys themselves about being poked
in the chest when the backing caps (we call them frogs) fall off. And you
know they ALWAYS fall off, not to mention the countless pins lost.
==========================
<<Ranger Kids - Advancement will be circular (all equal) rotated on a
<<quarterly basis. No matter when a boy starts, he will work with the
<<class, not have to go back to the beginning of the awards trail. There
<<will be a choice of themes for this class - not just the Indian theme we
<<have now.
==========================
The stress is on flexibility for the commander. Theoretically, this program
will require less numbers to run. This was considered especially helpful to
the small church where numbers of adult leaders are limited.
I would like to speak to something in the discussion that sprang from this
presentation.
We were fortunate to have Fred Deaver there as well. Fred and his wife are
regulars at this Regional conference. Fred said some things that were very
encouraging to me.
He said that Cdr. Johnnie had two dreams that he always wanted for Rangers.
1. Johnnie wanted the National Commander to report DIRECTLY to the Gen'l
Superintendant and for us be a separate ministry of our own. My
understanding from what Hawkeye said is that Richard Marriot made it a
condition of his taking the reins and bringing Rangers into the 21st century
that he report directly to Bro. Trask. This has been agreed to.
2. Johnnie dreamed of the day that the Ranger Adventure would be thrown open
to ALL Full Gospel denominations. This is very close to becoming a reality.
Also, Cdr. Marriot made it clear to GPH that when this is ready to go, there
will be no trickle down of materials as in the past. No "we must use all the
old handbooks first before we print the new ones." After some initial
squirming, and Cdr. Richard refusing to budge he has been assured that GPH
will be READY.
Darren Geeseman then spoke for a few minutes. I will say that this brother
is about as up front as I have ever hoped a Staff man would be.
He essentially said that change is coming. Our leaders, and specifically
Cdr. Marriot, are men of prayer. They feel they have the mind of Christ in
this.
It is His ministry.
Always has been. Always will be.
His hand is on Rangers. His heart is in Rangers
Always has been.
If we are not the ones to join in with Him. If we will refuse to move, to
adjust, to meet the needs of a whole new generation of "lost boys," no
matter. The Ranger Ministry WILL continue. He will raise up a new generation
of leaders who WILL dare to think large and dream big and TRUST HIM to bring
it to pass.
Am I comfortable with it? Of course not! When is change EVER comfortable?
Why do you think there is such a resistance to the move of the Spirit that
is happening in so many of our fellowships?
I challenge you to find me a Scripture where we are encouraged to be
comfortable. Content, yes, but NOT comfortable.
The HEART of Rangers is NOT changing.
The Salvation and discipleship of boys IS the heart.
The day is coming when hundreds, thousands of boys will be SWEPT into the
Kingdom. Rangers will be the divine broom.
I, for one, plan on being on of the straws in that broom.
--
Gary Rothwell
Sr. Cdr. Outpost 59
Potomac District
Tidewater (North) Section
Northeast Area Commander
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