Commentary
In 1997, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) unanimously approved the landmark document Renewing the Vision – A Framework for Catholic Youth Ministry, which provides the direction and content for Catholic youth ministry in the United States.
The document describes the three key goals of youth ministry. Scouting is a tested program that a parish can use to work toward these goals:
Goal #1. Empowerment and Discipleship
In Renewing the Vision, the U.S. bishops say “Ministry with adolescents helps young people learn what it means to follow Jesus Christ and to live as disciples today, empowering them to serve others and to work toward a world built on the vision and values of the reign of God.” (p.9) This means that it’s not just something that adults do for young people; it is something that young people learn to take responsibility for and do on their own. Scouting is built on the same concept. As Scouts move through the program, they develop leadership abilities and take on more responsibility. The most effective Scouting units are those where young people take on responsible leadership roles.
Whereas Scouting strives to build leadership in young people, Scouting as youth ministry strives to develop explicitly Christian leadership, or “servant leadership.” This is the kind of leadership demonstrated by Jesus in the gospels, and modeled at the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of His disciples.
Scouting has a long and fine tradition of service. When we approach Scouting as youth ministry, service takes on new meaning: it becomes an expression of our faith. Service is what Christians do because of who we are. As the Letter of James puts it: “Faith without good works is quite dead.” (James 2:16). Scout leaders with a vision of youth ministry assist young people in understanding their works of service as expressions of their faith as disciples of Jesus Christ. In this way, Scouting and youth ministry become partners in the creation of a more just, peaceful and compassionate society.
Goal #2. Full Participation in the Faith Community
Adult Scout leaders with a vision of youth ministry assist young people in becoming followers of Jesus in the Catholic faith community. They accomplish this most dramatically through the example of their own lives. This suggests that our most effective Scout leaders are people who actively live their faith as followers of Jesus. They are people who are neither ashamed of their faith nor timid about sharing their faith, but freely and wholeheartedly express it in word and deed.
Scout leaders with a vision of youth ministry make it a point to be full, active, participating members of the parish faith community – and they assist their units in doing the same. Scouting units chartered to parishes must build bridges of understanding, cooperation and collaboration with their chartered partners. The unit is understood to be a part of a parish’s youth ministry, and as such is accountable to the pastor or a designated staff member, e.g., Director/Coordinator of Youth Ministry, Director of Religious Education, Pastoral Associate, etc. The Chartered Organizational Representative and parish Scouting Committee play an especially important role in building and maintaining a positive relationship with the parish.
A Scouting unit with a vision of youth ministry not only participates in Scout Sunday, but is a visible presence in the life of the parish throughout the year. For example, the unit supports regular participation in Sunday liturgy, parish prayer services, service projects and renewal efforts. Individual Scouts are encouraged to participate in parish youth ministry activities and religious education. In all of this, the adult Scouts need to take the lead, modeling full participation in parish life for the youth. In turn, the parish understands Scouting as one of its ministries. The Scouting program thus will enjoy the support and pastoral direction that other parish ministries receive from the pastor and/or parish staff.
Goal #3. Personal and Spiritual Growth
Nearly every meeting, event and activity in Scouting has personal growth as one of its explicit goals. Not only do Scouts develop new knowledge and skills, they also receive encouragement in positive and healthy values and attitudes.
Scout leaders equipped with a vision of youth ministry build upon this framework to impart knowledge and skills that will assist the young person in living out his/her faith. Likewise, leaders can use the Scouting program to affirm and nurture explicitly Christian values and attitudes. Religious emblems programs, retreats, prayer, liturgies, service projects, rank advancement, unit rituals and ceremonies, special speaker programs, camping and nature programs – these are just a few of the ways that adult leaders can build a spiritual dimension into Scouting. Most importantly, adult leaders model their own faith by “walking their talk,” sharing their belief in word, behavior and service. Of course, the Scouting program is only one place where the faith of young people is formed. Hopefully youth will receive a firm foundation in the home, and be further nurtured through parish youth ministry, parish schools of religion or Catholic schools. Scout leaders carry neither sole nor primary responsibility in this regard; rather, they are partners with parents, religious educators and youth ministers.