A few of you have been asking about our church's policy regarding the Boy Scouts, especially concerning the BSA's new policy regarding "Gay" scouts. A task force was commissioned to study and to come up with a policy, Below is the statement released yesterday:
At present St. John's doesn't have a charter with the Boy Scouts. We have two different Girl Scout groups that meet at church on a regular basis.
It is very sad to think that so many people have their identity tied up in sexuality especially with young children. Our identity is in CHRIST! We are all sinners in need of repentance and forgiveness regardless of the nature or propensity to a particular sin. Everyone needs more Jesus awareness and less self awareness.
Please read the attached paper called "P
articipation in Scout-type Organizations for Boys: Considerations for LCMS Churches and Individuals" and the Memorandum below as well. Anyway, here's the statement:
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
A recent membership change by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) pertaining to sexuality has caused us all great concern. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) spoke against this proposed policy change and has been working diligently over the last several weeks to address it and provide guidance to the church. We have appreciated the patience of the church as the Office of the President, staff from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the Office of National Mission have spent much time in conversation and study of the issues. Many hours have been spent examining LCMS history with Scouting, talking with LCMS pastors who are deeply involved in Scouting, meeting directly with the top leadership of the BSA and looking into alternative programs. This has been no small undertaking, and we pray that the enclosed information will prove helpful as congregations determine how to best move forward with Scouting.
The Lutheran Church―Missouri Synod has never "endorsed" Scouting. Past Synod conventions determined that participating in Scouting was not a matter of fellowship and did not undermine our theological convictions or violate our position on unionism and syncretism. In the end, the matter of Scouting "should be left to the individual congregation to decide," with each congregation left to "establish its own policy as pastoral wisdom on the part of both the congregation and the ministry in its own particular situation dictates." The "Synod thus neither encourages nor discourages Scoutism in any congregation" (1953 Convention Proceedings, pp. 555-556). This is still the case.
The attached document, "Participation in Scout-type Organizations for Boys: Considerations for LCMS Churches and Individuals," will be helpful for congregations to consider as they move forward. The document shares information about both the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) and Trail Life USA (TL), which is gaining momentum as an alternative to the BSA. As you will read, there are pros and cons to both organizations, and there are considerations that should be carefully addressed by congregations that wish to participate. It cannot be emphasized enough that congregations desiring to participate in Scouting should do so only after careful consideration and with a commitment to provide guidance and direction for the troop. Congregations that have little to no involvement with their Scouting troop should consider their reason for remaining involved.
The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the BSA (also attached) is critical for those who wish to retain their local charters. The final resolve is important: "That it is agreed all member congregations of The Lutheran Church―Missouri Synod may rely on the stipulations in this Memorandum of Understanding in operating under any charter they sign with the Boy Scouts of America." If you are renewing charters in the coming weeks, please carefully read the attached MOU, which offers clarity on the implementation of the new membership standard and the congregation's ability to publicly teach the faith and set boundaries, including when a member may be removed. Please read both documents if your congregation is making a decision about involvement in a scout-type program.
Of note, in addition to the enclosed information, is the Roman Catholic Church's (RCC) response to this membership change. The RCC has publicly stated that this policy change is not in conflict with Catholic teaching, since the Catechism of the Catholic Church instructs that those who disclose an affinity toward same-sex attraction are to be treated with the same dignity due all others created by God (CCC 2358). In fact, this understanding provides the basis for enrollment policies in Catholic schools, sports programs and youth ministry.
Whether congregations remain with the BSA or move toward chartering with TL, navigating the world of Scouting will be a challenge. The BSA is a nonsectarian organization, and so we should not be surprised when it reflects the changing secular worldview of our country. The BSA is pluralistic, yet in the past we have found paths to navigate those waters, primarily because the BSA willingly allows chartering congregations to have full ownership and control over the spiritual and moral dimensions of its troop's activities. We believe this can still faithfully be done, but only with strong pastoral and congregation involvement.
TL is charting its course with an intentional grounding in Christian spiritual formation. TL is attempting to be "nondenominational," and its leaders have been very open to listening to some of the concerns we have expressed about elements of the TL program and groups it is partnering with that are inconsistent with Lutheran teaching. TL has emphasized a desire to work with LCMS congregations so that they can participate in ways that are in accord with Lutheran doctrine and practice. However, the newness of the organization makes it difficult to assess how fully this respect for Lutheran convictions will play out as TL develops over time.
Both the Boy Scouts and Trail Life USA seek to aid in the formation of young men by instilling in them wholesome, positive values. To this end, the church may be involved. The Lutheran Church―Missouri Synod has seen Scouting as an opportunity for witness and outreach to our communities, while at the same time serving our young men as they develop physically, socially and as citizens. We pray that the Lord will grant wisdom to congregations as they wrestle with their involvement in either program as they seek to share the love of Christ with the world around them. We believe that, at present, both the BSA and TL can serve the church and her mission if LCMS congregations are committed to theological integrity, exhibit pastoral wisdom in their involvement and commit to significant involvement with their local program. May the Lord bless our young men as they grow in faith toward Christ and in fervent love toward one another.
Peace,
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison, President The Lutheran Church―Missouri Synod
MEMORANDUM of UNDERSTANDING
Whereas, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Boy Scouts of America have maintained a valuable and productive relationship on behalf of boys, young adults, and their families for many years; and
Whereas, It is the mission of the Boy Scouts of America to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law; and
Whereas, The Boy Scouts of America is desirous of lending its aid and support to the citizenship training, character development, and personal fitness of boys and young men and women through community-based organizations; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by love for God. Its mission is to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in His name without discrimination; and
Whereas, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod is committed to teach and practice the Christian faith in ways that are fully compliant with and conformed to the Word of God as revealed in the Bible; therefore be it
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and the Boy Scouts of America will work cooperatively with each other within the policies and regulations of each organization to establish and nurture Scout units as an expression of the nurture and outreach ministry of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod so that boys, young adults, and adults may grow in Christian character, citizenship responsibility, and with the personal fitness necessary to achieve their greatest potential; and be it further
Resolved, That the Boy Scouts of America will respect the spiritual and moral responsibility of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod's chartering congregations with the understanding that there is no Boy Scout authority which supersedes the authority of the local pastor and the congregation in any phase of the program affecting the spiritual welfare of those who participate; and be it further
Resolved, That The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod will respect the membership standard of the Boy Scouts of America, including the stipulation that membership in Scouting may not be denied to a child on the basis of sexual attraction alone, and the further stipulation that the local pastor of the chartering congregation and the leaders of the local troop have the authority to set boundaries, including the determination of whether a Scout is promoting a particular social or political agenda, advocating for a moral view that is inconsistent with the church, or becoming a distraction to the troop, and take such action to enforce set boundaries up to and including removal from the troop; therefore be it finally
Resolved, That it is agreed all member congregations of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod may rely on the stipulations in this Memorandum of Understanding in operating under any charter they sign with the Boy Scouts of America.
______________________________________ _______________________________________
Rev. Dr. Matthew C. Harrison Mr. Wayne Brock
President, The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod Chief Scout Executive, Boy Scouts of America
_______________________________________ _______________________________________
A recent membership change by the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) pertaining to sexuality has caused us all great concern. The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) spoke against this proposed policy change and has been working diligently over the last several weeks to address it and provide guidance to the church. We have appreciated the patience of the church as the Office of the President, staff from the Commission on Theology and Church Relations and the Office of National Mission have spent much time in conversation and study of the issues. Many hours have been spent examining LCMS history with Scouting, talking with LCMS pastors who are deeply involved in Scouting, meeting directly with the top leadership of the BSA and looking into alternative programs. This has been no small undertaking, and we pray that the enclosed information will prove helpful as congregations determine how to best move forward with Scouting.