--- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> The subject got off base a little. The article was talking about the
> time
> when children are most likely to accept Christ being before 14. If boys
> accept Christ through our Royal Ranger ministry, but when they turn 14
> and go
> into youth that doesn't mean Rangers failed. We planted, the youth will
>
> water and God will give the increase.
I understood that.. I even agree.
However if that is true then why have an older boy
program at all? It seemes we are running after them begging..
yet we cannot reach them with *respect.
I suggest concentrateing on what we can handle...
a Leader Led ministry to young boys, and work to
make the GMA equilivilant to the Cub Scout
"arrow of light" and re-new the bridge to the BSA
that exists since 1962. Cib Scouts has the Pinewood
derby and day outings and even overnighters in the church
yard. Royal Rangers meet's that challange head-on!
Instead of sweating over activities and awards for
older boys... Cut the program at the most effective
age we can handle.. Age 12! *Then the choice is to
back the Youth and offer a community based BSA Scout
experiance leading to the Eagle.
I would LOVE to invite a 12 year old GMA into the Troop.
Cdr.Duane
-=*=-
> In many cases of boys going to youth, they were tired of the discipline
> needed in Rangers. It was time for them to move on. Rangers is not for
>
> every boy. I am glad they had the choice. And I wish them well.
>
> At our church most of the boys in Trailblazers do not attend on Sunday,
> They
> attend some where else or ride in the Van Ministry. With a majority of
> the
> 12 & 13 year olds opting for youth we have decided to grow Trailblazers
> by
> reaching outside the church walls. We will use camping, and whatever to
>
> attract them. Our goal is to use the patrol system and allow the boys to
> run
> their outpost with minimal adult effort. As we all know that is not
> easy,
> but we keep trying. James
>
>
>
>
> In a message dated 7/31/2001 2:08:52 PM Pacific Daylight Time,
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
>
>
> > *I know it seems strange to bring up thinking that might run
> > contrary to what is seen as the prime directive...
> >
> > Leading boys to Christ..
> >
> > *So I need you to cover me with prayer as I unlimber my
> > mind just a bit..
> >
> > What happens at the age of 14 to cause our ministry to
> > falter? I can only deduce as a RR leader, that we do our
> > best before the age of 14 and then fade back, and hand
> > off to the Youth ministry. What happens in boys at 14?
> >
> > *Can a Youth ministry match the mission statement
> > of RR by *reaching,*teaching and *keeping youth for Christ?
> >
> > I say yes, Praise God,..it can.
> > -------------------------------
> >
> >
> > But still.. what happens to boys at 14?
> >
> > *I say, at 14 or so.. a child gains a mind of his own.
> >
> > If this is true, our greatest success is limited by the
> > actions that appeal to a immature mind. The popular understanding
> > of leadership seems to work with this mindset that does not
> > question the quality or motive of why things are the way they are.
> >
> > Our great failure has been to hold on to the boys in the older groups.
> >
> > Boys under 14 may be a handfull, but are not so much that Men
> > can't rule the roost<G>. This is a productive time to harvest
> > young souls, and we should continue as we do, on this path.
> >
> > However... why do we lose the boys at 14?
> >
> > A natural transition from childhood to young adulthood seems
> > to go hand in hand with High School gradutation and the age 18..
> >
> > What do we fail at between these years?
> >
> > I work with many boys that are in these years now, as my son is 16
> > and a junior in High School. I'm learning from others that these
> > years are ones of experimentation with ideas, powers and dreams.
> >
> > These years are harder on parents for they can sneek up on you
> > and surprise you into reacting first from emotional challenges
> > rather than responding with wisdom.<G> If our first tendency
> > is to desire to control rather than *guide.. we have the make'ns
> > for the classic generational gap, rebellion and discord.
> >
> > *I suggest that your 14 year old Ranger has "heard it all" and
> > honestly don't need another sermon from Commander<G>
> >
> > I also suspect that this 14 yearold is closer to understanding
> > "what ticks" with boys they we are in "advanced years<G>" But
> > we can boost success by remaining in faith with the spirit of
> > leadership, by handing over the reigns to them.
> >
> > The axe I'm grinding again is *Boy Leadership... and the cause
> > is meeting the emotional/spiritual needs of boys and *partnering
> > with them to become the man.. God wants them to become.
> >
> > As a boys mind ages, questions form about reasons for beliefs
> > and ethics. Our honesty in mentoring them in the truth as well
> > as standing by as encouragement coaches to their discovery's..
> >
> > We need to respect the young mind, and show intrest in not raceing
> > to the likely end result, but allow them to lead us in discovery
> > of where "they are<G>"
> >
> > More to come..
> > 'nuff for now<G>
> >
> > -=*=-
> >
> >
> >
> > --- [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > > I read with great interest this article in the summer addition of
> High
> > > Adventure. The article is titled, "The Probability of Accepting
> Christ
> > > is
> > > Highest among kids under 14.
> > > If you haven't read it you can be going to <A
> > >
> >
>
HREF="http://www.barna.org/cgi-bin/PagePressRelease.asp?PressReleaseID=37&;
> > Reference=E&Key=children">Barna
> > > Research Online . Seems to
> > > me if this research is true most churches should reconsider their
> > > priorities.
> > >
> > > Taking The High Ground for Jesus
> > > James Styles, " Smoke Signal"
> > > Sr Commander
> > > Outpost 45 Huntsville, Al
> >
>
>
>
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