Rev. Tucker
Lewis is pastor of a United Methodist congregation in Buena
Vista, Georgia. Today his congregation has a strong scouting
ministry, but it wasn’t always that way. Rev. Lewis remembers
when he first started at the church in June 1998. He found
kids running through the building one evening and that is how
he discovered that he had two different scouting groups
meeting in the building.
Rev. Lewis
approached his board about supporting these scouting groups
and urged the congregation to view scouting as “ministry”
rather than as a group that simply used their building. And
that is exactly what Buena Vista United Methodist Church has
done. The congregation has embraced scouting and great things
have happened:
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In September 1998, there were
25 children involved in scouting programs. Today, there are
62.
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In September 1998,
there were two scouting units; today there are 6 scouting units
including Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Cadette, Junior, Brownie,
and Daisy Girl Scouts.
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On Scout Sunday in
1999, the attendance was 78. On Scout Sunday in 2000, the
attendance was 83. This year this year there was an attendance
of 112.
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In 1999, 1 scouting
unit received the Bishop's Award of Excellence as an outstanding
scouting unit within United Methodism. In 2001, 3 units will
receive the award.
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In 1998-1999, 4
scouts participated in the Religious Awards Program. In
2000-2001, over 50 young people participated.
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Since June 1998, 25
people have become members or regular visitors of Buena Vista
UMC because of Scouting. Another 5 people have become members or
regular visitors because they have seen the activity and
involvement of Buena Vista UMC in the lives of children and
wanted to become a part of a Church which opens its doors like
they do.
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Since June 1998,
average worship attendance has grown from 35-40 to its present
level of 70-80, in part, because of the church’s involvement in
scouting.
Tina Penick is an adult Girl Scout leader who was introduced to
Buena Vista United Methodist Church because of Girl Scouting.
Tina became the leader of the Junior Girl Scout Troop which met
at Buena Vista UMC. Here’s her story:
“I went to
the church and met Tucker, not knowing who he was, and
introduced myself as the new Girl Scout leader. And he gave me a
key! When Rev. Lewis explained that their congregation looked
upon scouting as part of their ministry, I didn’t know what to
think. I was a little uncomfortable. But I started meeting some
of the older ladies of the church. They were so welcoming and
sweet. They weren’t pushy, which really surprised me. I would
always see them around. They were great! They supported our
cookie sales and even purchased our Troop flag. I feel like they
really care about what happens to the girls, just as much as I
do. They invited me to the United Methodist Woman’s group called
Circle of Friends. I wasn’t even a member of the church and they
invited me. They always treated me as a member! My father was in
the military and we moved around a lot. My family never really
attended church and I didn’t have a whole lot of exposure. But
[here at Buena Vista UMC] I always felt loved and a part of the
church!”
Rev. Lewis
had the privilege of baptizing Tina Penick and her daughter last
fall and bringing them into Church membership.
As Rev. Lewis
explains, “Of course, there are programs and activities at our
Church outside of scouting. And once a family or individual from
our scouting ministry visits our Church, they find something
that ministers to their family here. Scouting remains our main
outreach ministry and we continue to develop nurturing
ministries to keep those families coming back again and again.”