Our recent reunion and conference at Shocco Springs could well be the springboard for a new day for our Association of Baptists for Scouting. It is so encouraging to hear people saying: "Yes. How can I help?"
The purpose of this message is to recap a few matters and to look toward the future . . .
I. Mission Statement
For those of you able to be at Shocco Springs, you know that we adopted the following simplified mission statement: "To bring youth to Christ through a Scouting ministry."
II. Four Goals
Also at Shocco Springs, we embraced 4 goals to be completed by the 2010 100th Anniversary National Scout Jamboree:
1. Have 5000 Scout units chartered to Baptist churches.
2. Have at least 5000 God and Country religious emblems completed by Baptist youth.
3. Recognize at least 150 Baptist pastors and laypersons with the Good Shepherd .
4. Have a fully functioning Joe C. Carrington Society in support of Baptist Scouting.
I don't have to tell you that NOW is the time for us to set in motion the plans to achieve these worthy, challenging goals.
III. Membership Dues and Structure
Bobby Boykin has been leading a study of our current membership dues and structure. He now has a complete report for us to consider. This will be brought forth on our next executive committee conference call.
IV. Involving Younger Generations
Closely akin to the membership dues and structure, there is also a need to involve many more members of the younger generations in our organization, leadership, and future planning. To this end, I am appointing a task force consisting of Michael Grissom (MO), Scott Fleming (FL), and Thomas Martin (TX) and requesting that they be involved in our upcoming conference calls. ["Thanks" to all three for their willingness to serve.]
V. Southern Baptist Convention Exhibit
For the first time, the Association of Baptists for Scouting has been recognized and allowed to have an exhibit at the Southern Baptist Convention in Indianapolis. Needless to say, there's planning and recruitment which need to be done. Scott Fleming and Sam Houston have agreed to serve as coordinators and they are looking for help. Please help us fully staff this important event as we build the future of ABS. We need to be in full force as we adequately reflect the mission given to us.
VI. Jamboree 2010
It is not too early to commence planning for the 100th anniversary Jamboree and, with God's help, we'll also be celebrating the reaching of some goals which will impact for eternity the lives of children, youth, and families. NOW is the time to:
A. Enlist Baptist chaplains to serve on the Jamboree staff.
B. Continue planning the ABS exhibit in the Relationships area. Joe Yoke has already been giving thought to this and
we've already raised some seed money to make this happen.
VII. Philmont 2009 ACTION Conference
We've received tentative agreement to allow us to hold an ABS conferrence at Philmont Training Center in late July of next year (JULY 2009). This conference is critical to keep us on task toward reaching our goals and to accomplishing some much-needed hands-on work on chaplaincy certification, membership development, and many other areas. It is essential for us to begin NOW making our commitments to be there.
VIII. Baptist Papers Promotion
A news release was sent to a number of Baptist state papers regarding our recent Shocco Springs conference. If you see an article in one of these papers, would you please send me a copy? (Also, we are investigating the prospects of doing some advertising in these papers as a way of reaching out to key church leaders. Please be in prayer as we consider what it would take to move forward.)
IX. Ongoing Communication
I cannot say too much about the importance of our web site and newsletter in helping us achieve our goals. Thanks so much to Jack and Judy Dorn for what they have done and what they will do in the future. It is very important that we provide them with current news as well as archived resource materials so that we may serve the needs of those who will help us achieve great things for the Lord. Each issue of the newsletter will help us chart progress toward our goals and achieving our mission. The web site will help equip us to do so.
Whew! What a "to do" list we have in store for us. And, how exciting as we formulating action plans. I ask you to join with me in prayer that we'll take the steps necessary to achieve what God would have us accomplish.
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