# LCMS Convention Workbook_St. Louis Missouri_2019_S52
# Machine transcription, uncorrected — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

52

OFFICER, BOARD, AND COMMISSION REPORTS

On a positive side, widespread attacks on troops chartered
to religious organizations have not occurred. And, to this point,
as stated by the BSA, LCMS congregations have been able to
maintain authority over the Christian instruction and selection
of volunteers in their chartered organizations. However, LCMS
congregations chartering scouting groups should still be vigilant in reviewing their program and deciding if their scouting
program is the best avenue for developing faithful Christian
young people. If cultural shifts continue in the United States,
hosting a BSA, or any scouting troop, can contain risks. Below
are some key suggestions, which have been provided in the past.

Recommendations to LCMS Congregations Regarding BSA (and Other Scouting Organizations):
••

Review the organization’s charter and understand the
benefits and risks of membership.
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••

Consult your local BSA council about their
thoughts on the membership changes and
practices around religious involvement. For
example, do they support the authority of
the local pastor and congregation in setting
and administering Christian instruction connected to the BSA troop?

Additional Recommendations
LCMS congregations cherish and give thanks for young
people in their congregations. The LCMS can also give thanks
for the way God has used scouting to develop Christian relationships, encouraged Christian education, and provided skills and
the nurturing of the faith of young Christians. As with so many
institutions in our country, cultural forces have led scouting
agencies to face difficult realities. Thankfully, Jesus is the Lord
of the Church, and His grace does not change. The Church will
continue the proclamation of the Gospel, administering of the
Sacraments, and teaching of the Word of God with or without
scouting programs.
••

Unless BSA or other scouting organizations remove
the LCMS pastor of congregation as the authority
for moral and religious education, no additional official action needs to be taken at this time.

••

The only Memo of Understanding with a scouting
organization (AHG) encourages LCMS congregations to teach the truth of God’s Word.

••

LCMS congregations find themselves in a changing
cultural and religious landscape. Now, as always, is a
time for LCMS congregations, schools, and workers to boldly develop and assess resources for young
people and their families to grow in the one true
faith, enjoy God’s creation, and grow in confidence
in their own abilities and gifts. Although the culture
may be changing around us, Christian education and
opportunities to be in community with others is a gift
from God.

••

Develop and utilize programs to engage young people
in relationships with parents, Christian adults, and
church workers.

••

Support young people who are in scouting with
prayer and words of encouragement, and rejoice with
them as they develop skills and increase learning.
Help them understand vocation as they participate
in these groups. Be open to discuss their questions or
concerns about what they encounter in scouts or any
other school or extra-curricular experiences.

Support ministry with and Christian instruction of
young people and their development as citizens of
God’s kingdom and the civil realm. Evaluate if the
scouting program is the best program or resource for
this ministry.
oo

••

Seek local legal review and consult resources
such as https://issuu.com/thelcms/docs/lcmsalliance-defending-freedom-leg/22

ning its own scouting program. This is a noble cause, but observing the investment and focus it has taken AHG and TL to
get started and seek stability has shown the large amount of
resources and staff needed to run a program well in today’s realties. The LCMS is not in a position to launch such a program.

Have congregations fully utilized resources
such as Lutheran or other Christian camps
for outdoor activity and education?

Engagement of the pastor and congregational leadership in a church’s chartered organization is strongly
encouraged. This involvement is especially important
in selecting, resourcing, and supporting the adult
volunteers who are working with the program.

Other Scouting Organizations and Connections
The LCMS has a formal relationship (Memorandum of
Understanding) with only one scouting organization, the American Heritage Girls (AHG). This agreement has been in place
since 2014. AHG is a Christian scouting organization for girls
which charters groups with LCMS congregation and schools
and allows for a healthy control over program and leadership.
In other documents linked to this report, Trail Life USA (TL)
is mentioned as an alternative organization, started out of concern for changes within BSA. No formal agreement has been
made with TL.
Programs for Religious Activities with Youth (P.R.A.Y)
continues to provide the “Lutheran” religious emblem. P.R.A.Y.
is the official religious emblem provider for BSA and AHG
and can be used by any “scout” or individual. The curriculum
is written to allow for specific LCMS Lutheran teaching to be
taught by parents, pastors, or church workers.
Some have asked whether the LCMS would consider run2019 Convention Workbook

Office of Pastoral Education (PED)—Rev. Dr.
James A. Baneck, Executive Director
(See also R4: Pastoral Formation Committee)
The Executive Director of the Office of Pastoral
Education is to assist the Synod’s Chief Mission
Officer in executing the responsibilities related to
seminary education which are assigned to him
in the Bylaws of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod: “The Chief Mission Officer shall,
on behalf of the President, provide leadership,
coordination, and oversight for pre-seminary