But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! – Galatians 5
This weekend we celebrated “Scouting Sunday” at Howard Memorial Presbyterian Church. Scouts are a big deal here because we actually chartered North Carolina’s first troop back before WW1. Later, after a lapse, we had to reorganize and start over – not #1 anymore but now, “The 49ers.” (Note: apparently we were the first in this region of North Carolina, became #19 after the Boy Scouts reorganized, then #49 after a lapse during and following WW2...)
So, every year, the Scouts help to lead worship as we celebrate this aspect of our mission to the community. It was especially meaningful this time because one of our young people, Andrew Sessoms, received the rank of Eagle.
Because of this, the worship service featured a focus on character, on leadership, on how we live in response to faith, and on the particular Christian virtues that are emphasized in Scouting.
Courtesy and Decency in Leadership:
And it occurred to me, right there in the middle of Sunday morning church, that what this country needs about now is a lot more Eagle Scouts in political leadership!
Listen to what these young people aspire to when they recite The Scout Law: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.”
Let’s take a moment for that to sink in…. Now listen to the oath: “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; to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight.”
It occurs to me that what this country needs is a lot more Eagle Scouts in political leadership…
Much of today’s political leadership could never stand in an Eagle Court of Honor. Unkind, unfriendly, deceitful, untrustworthy, discourteous, irreverent, crass behavior, cruel words and the exact opposite of “helping other people at all times”.
Wouldn’t you love to see a few authentic Eagle Scouts leading the United States of America, following the Scout Law and fulfilling their Scout Oath?
I know I would. “By their fruit,” Jesus points out in Matthew 7, “you will recognize them.”
Looking for a little more in the way of honor and trust – DEREK
Amen, Amen, Amen! Congrats to those Eagle Scouts. Resi
Derek, it was really inspiring to read your blog today about Scout Sunday. Being an Eagle Scout of the Class of 1958 it is a meaningful day when our Scouts remember to do their Duty to God. I participated with our “Loyal and Reverent” Scouts from Troop 5 at Wake Forest Presbyterian Church on Scout Sunday and it made me think as you mention; why don’t we have more Eagles serving in government roles and “Set the Example” as many of us have been taught.
Scouting and the church just go hand to hand as we always remember in the Scout Oath to do our Duty to God and Country, to our community and keeping our selves physically fit.
Thanks for another inspiring message.
Jim Crawford
Thanks so much, Jim. It is always good to hear from you! Rebekah and I continue to pray for the work and the ministry and the good people of WFPC. Many blessings.