New/Continued Mormon Pet Peeve

Pet Peeve: Ask a man to serve in the Bishopric after only serving a short (and awesome tenure) time in Scouting.  I wanna yell at each and every Bishop who "pads" his Bishopric instead of padding his youth programs.  Both the Young Men and Scouting AND the Young Women's program should have the best leaders in the congregation.  Second, the Primary.  Third, the Bishopric.  And everyone else after that.  Where is tenure people???????????

Example #1:  Venturing Adviser (YMP) who creates Eagle Boards of Review for boys that are very personal.  Boy who is going to be LHP for BYU gets 4 pitches on his Board (along with a RSP that is compared to Alma the Elder by the leader when introduced).  Another boy who wants to go into international business has Board members teleconference in from around the country who own and run international businesses.

Why remove this man??  I just don't get it.

June 2012 Ensign Page 46

If Mormon's don't get Scouting, it isn't because the Church isn't trying to help them get it.  Here are some great quotes from the article by David L. Beck.

Scouting is one way to help prepare our young men to do hard things, such as serve as faithful full-time missionaries.

..........................................................

Scouting's outdoor program is part of its message of self-reliance but it's more than that.  It's a relationship-building program in which young men work with each other and with their advisers, doing things that stretch them physically and emotionally.  It puts them in contact with nature, freeing them from the distractions of a world that is growing increasingly noisy.  And it allows them an opportunity to commune with the Spirit and to reflect upon their lives and their relationship, including their relationship with Deity.   

............................................................

 “If any man among you be strong in the Spirit,” the Lord tells us, “let him take with him him that is weak, that he may be edified in all meekness, that he may become strong also” (D&C 84:106).  If there ever were a time when our young men needed to associate with adult advisers who are strong in the Spirit, that time is now. As leaders of young men, we have the blessing of working with them during the time that they transition from childhood to adulthood. It is a time fraught with temptations and challenges. What a great privilege and an awesome responsibility we have.  Young men need to be guided, motivated, and strengthened by those who are strong in the Spirit. They need to discover through spiritual experiences the intrinsic motivation of being a disciple of Christ—to taste for themselves the fruits of the gospel and of the Spirit.  Young men need to know that their leaders are men of God who can be trusted, who truly care about them, and who take seriously their Scout callings. Trusted leaders can become a powerful resource to help and bless young men.  To “edify in meekness” means to build up in meekness. A meek man edifies young men with patience, gentleness, and an absolute commitment to do God’s will. Confidence and trust are built in young men when they feel that their leaders have the Spirit of the Lord with them.

Changes within the Ward

My Young Men's President and Venturing Adviser was called into the Bishopric on Sunday.  I am excited for him.  Having another member of the Bishopric that understands the program and advocates for the program is never a bad thing.  He finished his Wood Badge training less than a year ago (earned his beads) and is the first member of our Bishopric that is WB trained. 

On the negative side (I am a half empty type of guy), we must train a new President.  The Scoutmaster and I were wringing our hands and doing an evil laugh on Sunday because we can train a new YMP the way we want (not that the old guy was bad!).  BSA ALL THE WAY!  I have been asked how I feel about changing callings within the program.  I am happy where I am at.  When my call was extended, I was told it was a 10 year calling.  I expect it to be that at least!  I never want to serve anywhere else again.  I love the Scouting program and I love the young Priesthood holders (though at times they drive me nuts).