Boy Scout organization reaches out to former church home

by Jennifer Shrader
Staff writer La Grange News

The scout executive for the Chattahoochee Valley area Boy Scout organization has written a letter to First Baptist Church on the Square after news broke last week the church would not continue its charter and host the scouts.

The church?s move was made in response to the Scout?s decision to allow gay members.

?There are several very strong supporters of scouting who are still members of First Baptist on the Square who will continue in scouting and continue to support scouting that we do not want to lose or have a feeling that scouting has a problem with their church or faith,? said Anthony Berger, scout executive. ?Scouting is open to all faiths and continues to bring many young men to God.?

The text of the letter is as follows:

An open letter to First Baptist on the Square

Recently an article in the LaGrange Daily News published on Friday July 5th was printed in regard to the recent decision made by First Baptist on the Square to not renew their Annual Charter Agreement with the Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America.

It seems that the article has caused some unfavorable perceptions about this decision and the relationship between First Baptist on the Square and the Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America. I have personally talked with Dr. (Paul) Baxter and he and I had a very favorable conversation.

In no way was my comment, ?There have been a lot of knee-jerk reactions? directed towards First Baptist on the Square. It was a statement made in reply to a question concerning overall how chartered partners are responding to the change.

We have always valued the relationship that First Baptist on the Square and the Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America has had over the past several decades. Together this mutually beneficial relationship has guided young men into leaders in our community. We respect their decision not to renew their annual agreement with us. We also know that the decision was made through a process involving several levels of church leadership and in no way did we view it as a decision that was made lightly or without much deliberation.

Iconic Scoutmaster Fred Lundberg made a profound impact on the lives of hundreds of boys and recently was elected to serve as Council Vice President of Program where his leadership would impact thousands of boys in our region. He was elected by our board of directors to be a voting member at the National Annual Meeting. I personally was saddened to see him resign because of this decision. I admired the way he composed himself after the vote and even though I disagree with him I respect his decision and still admire him greatly.

In my discussion with Dr. Baxter we both agreed that just because you have a disagreement with someone doesn?t mean you still can?t have a healthy and positive relationship. Even though First Baptist on the Square will no longer serve as a chartered partner does not mean that our two organizations can not have a mutual respect for each other and the works we do. All it means is that our relationship has changed and we both look forward to this new chapter in our relationship as we both seek to influence lives in a positive way and will be open to others ways that we can work together for the good of our community.

Respectfully Yours,

Anthony M. Berger

Scout Executive, CEO

Chattahoochee Council, Boy Scouts of America

Baxter said Thursday he was pleased Berger wanted to correct the false impression.

?I have chatted with him and he knows that we did not rush into our decision but spoke with Boy Scout representatives before and after our decision; and, that we did not eject the Boy Scouts but simply chose not to renew our charter in January, giving them months to relocate,? Baxter said. ?We had a most cordial and forthright conversation in which we both expressed the importance of being able to disagree agreeably and work together when possible. We have much love for the Boy Scouts. I reiterated the fact that while we love and welcome anyone and everyone, we cannot countenance teenage boys going camping in two person tents with avowedly homosexuals with an acknowledged attraction for boys. However, we had a wonderful relationship with the Boy Scouts, and are most blessed to have as church members a former national director of personnel of the Boy Scouts and a super dedicated scout master.?

Berger said offers of new hosts for the displaced Boy Scout troop have increased since the news first broke.

?We received several calls from churches and individuals asking how they can help and we are following up with each of those,? he said.

Source: http://lagrangenews.com/bookmark/23116886

nicklas backstrom discovery shuttle allure jane goodall saturday night fever glamping forgetting sarah marshall