Boy Scouts and a Higher Standard

Once again, the Boy Scouts of America has upheld the ban on homosexual leaders. Though the board’s decision was unanimous, it saddens me to see that the news media is reporting that two of its members, James Turley and Randall Stephenson have indicated a desire to change the policy. Even though I spent only a few months in the program, as a former Boy Scout, I see great value in the things Scout leaders teach the boys they mentor. To me, that is the crux of this issue; leaders are mentors.

I’m reminded of the instructions Paul gave to Timothy and Titus concerning the qualifications of church leaders. Today, people want to measure a preacher by how well he preaches or how much education he has had. That’s not to say that is wrong, if that involves his doctrine, but one of the things Paul said was that a man should rule his house well. He also said that he must be the husband of one wife. What a man does in his home is important because it indicates how a man will lead the church. Leaders are asked to uphold an even greater standard than the average person.

Scout Leaders are not pastors, but I believe it can be said that what they do at home indicates how they will teach the boys in their care. If Scout Leaders are going to teach boys to be leaders of good moral character, they must also be leaders of good moral character.

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