NASHVILLE, Tenn. –– Although the position is less than two-years old, 62 persons have volunteered to serve as scouting ministry specialists.  
Established by the Scouting Ministry Committee of the General Commission on UM Men, the committee is well on its way to reach the goal of 100 scouting ministry specialists by General Conference 2012.
After providing proof of youth-protection training and scouting-ministry experience, volunteers help neighboring churches establish or expand Boy and Girl Scout troops, launch Camp Fire, Venturing, or 4-H programs, and enroll children in religious award programs provided by P.R.A.Y. (Programs of Religious Activities for Youth), formerly  God and Country awards.
Specialists also encourage church leaders to attend regional and national training opportunities and assist with bishop’s dinners and other district and conference events.
Scouting Guidelines, a book available from Cokesbury, provides helpful information to the specialists and other local church leaders.
Explaining the need for the position, Larry Coppock, scouting ministry executive for the commission, notes that there are some 70 churches in an average district and only one district scouting coordinator. “District scouting coordinators spend most of their time resourcing the churches that already have scouting units,” said Coppock, “they seldom have the time to help the other 56 churches understand how scouting can enrich the lives of their your and reach people outside the church.”
If you are interested in becoming a scouting ministry specialist, contact LaNisha Sayles (lsayles@gcumm.org) (615-620-72600.