South Carolina engineer and pastor named director of scouting ministry
LEXINGTON, S.C.––Steven Scheid, a licensed local pastor in the South Carolina Annual Conference, will assume the post of director of scouting ministries for the General Commission on United Methodist Men on June 1.
Steven will replace Larry Coppock, a 21-year veteran with the commission, who leaves the post to become executive director of the non-denominational Strength For Service Corporation.
Gil Hanke, top staff executive of the commission, announced Steven’s appointment on March 12
Two passions
“In my first phone interview with Steven, he made it very clear why he was applying for this position,” said Hanke. “’There are two entities that I really love: The United Methodist Church and Boy Scouts of America,’ said Steven. ‘To think that I could work at the place where those two great organizations connect presents an opportunity that would be amazing.’”
Steven was licensed as a local pastor in the UMC in July 2017 and the Eagle Scout has ten years of experience as an adult leader of Scouts.
“Steven has served as our chartered organization representative and our chaplain, said Eric Cassity, scoutmaster for Troop 518 at Red Bank UMC in Lexington, S.C. “Together we have grown a small troop of nine boys into more than 50. Besides anchoring our troop’s spiritual life, Steven has led the troop to all four BSA National High Adventure bases.”
Eric also notes Steven’s passion and abilities as a trainer. Steven has taught the “Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills,” Wood Badge courses, and classes on the role of a chaplain, Programs of Religious Activities with Youth (PRAY), youth protection, Venture Crew planning, and “Leave No Trace.”
“Steven has a rare passion and it really comes through when he is teaching,” said Eric.
Connecting scouting with ministry
In 2008, Steven was one of the founders of Venture Crew 518 and served as the adviser and chaplain.
“There was disconnect between the troop and the church at that time,” said Steven. “We worked on this connection using the PRAY program, and the ‘Scout’s own Service’. By 2012, the troop and crew were well established ministries of the church.”
“The scouting movement of recent years has become afraid to recognize the founder’s idea that scouting is the application of religious principle to the formation process,” said Steven. “I have sought not to preach but to facilitate the discovery of a relationship with God. I started as mentor to youth, moved to mentoring adults and then to leading in sharing with the council at large.”
In 2013, Steven attended the United Methodist Scouting Workshop at BSA Sea Base in the Florida Keys, and he became as scouting ministry specialist.
It was at that training event Steven first learned of the position of national director of scouting ministry.
“Although I do not want him to leave our troop,” said Lori Norris, assistant scoutmaster for Troop 518. “Like any true follower of Christ, Steven adheres to God’s call. Without a doubt, he is the most Christ-like person I have ever met.”
Engineering background
A graduate of Tennessee Tech University (B.S., industrial engineering), Steven currently serves as production manager and sole management representative at the Orangeburg site for Ecka Granules of America. He is responsible for purchasing stock, sales, invoicing, staff management, training, budgeting, and maintaining all legal requirement for the multi-million dollar plant. He has served that company since 2008.
“My sales experience will cover the need for fundraising,” said Steven in a letter of application. “My project and plant management will make stewardship and personnel management routine. . . . The key soft skills that are needed for the director of scouting ministries position are an excellent fit with my gifts and commitment.”
At the same time, Steven serves as a part-time pastor of Oak Grove UMC and Calvary UMC in Swansea, S.C.
Family
Steven comes from a large scouting family. His father, Roy, gave him a passion for the outdoors as their family camped in the Rocky Mountains when Troop 643 was not on camping trips. Steven’s mother, Kathy, taught him to teach and care for children.
Steven and Connie will soon celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary. Together they have journeyed through college and both have served as licensed local pastors. They have two children: Richard and Cathryn who is married to Matthew; they have two sons: James (6) and Ryder (2).