I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother Lois and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you. This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you. For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

1 Timothy 1:5-7

Sunday was another one of those cool, clear, bright, perfect February days. 30-degrees when Max and I went out for his morning walk, and 52 in the afternoon when Rebekah and I took him for a stroll around the Town Common.

Rebekah’s brother Jesse stopped over for dinner and breakfast, so we got to host our first overnight guest here at the Maul-Hall Tarboro annex. Then, once he got on the road it was time for another good Sunday morning at church.

Worship this week was led by our Boy Scouts. They did a good job, and it was great to see them all – along with some of their families – in church. What got my attention the most, however, was the recitation of some of the basic Scout tenets:

• “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”
• “On my honor, I will do my best. To do my duty to God and my country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times.”

I couldn’t help but think how this country needs a lot more Boy Scouts right about now; a lot more of honor; a lot more of duty; a lot more of helping other people at all times.

Especially at the leadership level. “Excuse me, Mr. Political Candidate. Are you now, or were you ever, a Boy Scout? Because – and I think I speak for just about all of America here – we believe it is past time our children witness consistent high profile examples of our leaders being trustworthy, loyal, helpful and friendly. And, while we’re at it, still more in terms of courteous and kind.“

Teach and model:

I am reminded of one of the strongest lessons I learned during my student teaching year, when I was getting my university degree in exceptional education. I spent a semester in a school with two P.E. teachers. One relied on yelling, threatening, bullying, and intimidation to impose his will on students; the other used patience, calm authority, kindness, encouragement and consistency. I think you can guess who earned more in terms of cooperation, achievement and respect.

As churches and Scout troops and civic leaders, we need to teach and to model these principles for every generation. As Americans, we need to hold those who want to lead accountable and expect a lot more from them in terms of courtesy and kindness.

One of the Scouting leaders Sunday morning also talked about courage. It takes courage to stand up and expect decency from those looking to lead. Well it just so happens that, because of Jesus, we have nothing to fear.

This week, let’s all be leaders in courtesy and in kindness and in courage – DEREK