Reaching Young Families for Christ through an Ongoing Scouting Evangelism/Discipleship Ministry Mark Hazlewood, P.R.A.Y.

How to Have Pastors and Congregations Begging You to Start a Scouting Program

Vision Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

The Great Commission Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

What does this mean? “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations”

Whose goals are these? Membership growth Membership Retention Program Money Trained Volunteers

No Church Home 50-60% of America does NOT have a church home The Lord rejoices more over the return of one lost soul than a thousand committee meetings!

Matthew 9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.”

Traditional Church Ideas for Evangelism “They ought to come.” “They really ought to come.” “They really really ought to come.”

Traditional Church Ideas for Evangelism Serve coffee Serve more coffee Serve better coffee Serve more better coffee

Let’s try SCOUTING Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Congregation’s Response But we don’t have any kids? What about the girls/boys? I wear too many hats!

Youth Agencies Provide the Children and Young Families The reason Parents sign their Children up for Scouting is for the VALUES The Church provides the LEADERSHIP

Ingredients for Success Both sides must clearly understand the chartered organization or sponsorship agreement before it is signed. The Youth Agencies should use as many congregational volunteers as is feasible. The congregation must “invest” their best kid person to be the leader

Ingredients for Success All volunteers must be trained by the local council Religious emblems must be promoted by the unit leader Congregations must offer a religious emblems class

Promoting Religious Emblems AHG – required for Stars and Stripes BSA – Religious emblems coordinator GSUSA – My Promise, My Faith (MPMF) Patch Set

The P.R.A.Y. Program Christian Education Discipleship Service Projects Adult Mentors Family Involvement EVANGELISM

God and Me Grades 1-3 Theme: “Best Friends with Jesus” Hands-On: GAMEBox Memory Requirement: The Lord’s Prayer Schedule: minimum 4 sessions

God and Family: Grades 4-5 Theme: “Growing in God’s Love” Hands-on: PIZZA Memory Requirement: The Ten Commandments Schedule: minimum 6 sessions

God and Church: Grades 6-8 Theme: “My Journey with Christ” Hands-on: Video or Photo Album Memory Requirement: Creed Schedule: minimum 12 sessions Daily Bible Reading Requirement: 3 weeks min. Service Projects: Community and Church service projects

God and Life: Grades 9-12 Theme: “Called by Christ to Serve Daily Bible Reading Requirement: 3 months minimum Schedule: minimum 12 sessions plus 5 Service Projects Required: Write a Personal Statement of Commitment

Religious Emblems Class Your Troop leader promotes the Religious Emblems of all faiths. Your congregation offers a class to earn the P.R.A.Y. award.

Growing Your Congregation If your Cub Scout Pack has 10 families 50% may not have a church home That means 5 young families are pre- qualified as looking for values for their children That means 5 pre-qualified families are already in your building who don’t have a church home

Growing Your Congregation If your American Heritage Girls Troop has 10 families 50% may not have a church home That means 5 young families are pre- qualified as looking for values for their children That means 5 pre-qualified families are already in your building who don’t have a church home

Growing Your Congregation If your Girl Scout Troop has 12 families 50% may not have a church home That means 6 young families are pre- qualified as looking for values for their children That means 6 pre-qualified families are already in your building who don’t have a church home

Growing Your Congregation If your congregation offers a class to earn the P.R.A.Y. award If you invest your second best kid person to help teach the class If you include the Adult Mentor Program you are discipling the family You can have 10 young families meeting and interacting with your church members

Keeping New Members But research shows that new members are gone after just one year ScoutParents gets parents involved with the Pack and your Christian leaders P.R.A.Y. Curriculum/Mentor

Keeping New Members The Youth Agency Programs include lots of activities to involve the family Scout parents Troops are multi-age Father-Daughter activities

What Does Your Congregation Need?  Membership – young families  Membership – adult males  Retention  Religious Training  Trained Leadership  Money

Ingredients for Success Win-win-win situation Collaboration results in: Stronger youth and families Stronger congregations Stronger councils