2009 Royal Rangers National Council & Conference Magazine by Don Jones

{ NATIONAL COUNCIL & CONFERENCE MAGAZINE }

RoyalRangers March 2009

Leaders Determine to

ANTICIPATE AND SEIZE Opportunities To Grow Royal Rangers

NATIONAL UPDATES

TRAINING TRACK for Organizational Leaders

royalrangers.ag.org

Your Ministry Reaches Further Than You Think.

All The Way Into Eternity To Be Exact.

Influence More Boys & Young Men Than Ever, More Effectively Than Ever. royalrangers.ag.org

Royal Rangers National Council & Conference magazine

Contents

March 2009

Conference Overview 6 dGreeting from Dr. Wood .................... 7 dDirector’s Message ...............................

Fred Deaver shares his insights on Ranger’s new direction.

dGreeting from Rev. Alton Garrison ...............................

8 dGreeting from Jim Barger ................. 9 dAn Interview with Fred Deaver.... 10 dConference Overview....................... 12 dDaily Schedule ..................................... 14 dRanger Angels ...................................... 16 dUniversity Plaza Map ........................ 17

Conference Materials

National Updates

dIntroduction............................................ 19

dOrganizational Leaders Training Track......................................... 48

dHis Cause, Our Cause Seek & Save ............................................ 20

Making the shift from being program driven to being ministry motivated.

Discover what author Jim Collins calls the “hedgehog principle” and how it relates to growing Royal Rangers.

dNew Operational Guidelines ....... 52

dSeek & Save Vision Quiz .................. 22

dOnline Chartering .............................. 57

dGrowing Royal Rangers to the Next Level ................................ 24

dOnline Curriculum ............................. 57

dAlignment ............................................ 26

dCurriculum .............................................. 60

dAlignment Chart ................................. 34 dStructure ............................................... 36 dStructure Chart .................................... 42

dCommunications ................................ 58 dProducts ................................................... 60 dVision .......................................................... 78

dr Culture ................................................. 44

RANGERS NOW, p. 60 NEW AGE-LEVEL

Earning merits is a key component in spiritual development.

ANNUALS

With their own personal issue of Rangers Now, boys can now enjoy stories, articles, and games any time of the year. As these publications develop, they will soon become the essential communication piece for the chartered outpost.

royalrangers.ag.org

2 0 0 9 Royal Rangers National Council & Conference

Additional Features

Missions opportunites abound with Royal Rangersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; partners.

dMissions Opportunities ....................... 64 dWhy Overseas Church Grows .......... 66

GARRISON

CLAY

COOK

LEAD Seminar The LEAD Seminar is designed to inspire leadership in men

Missionary Don Triplett in Nicaragua

69 dLOVE . ............................................................ 70 dENCOURAGE .......................................... 72 dACCOMPLISH.......................................... 74 dDEVELOP ................................................... 76 dLEAD Overview ........................................

Article Podcasts

Five reasons the church overseas is seeing such significant growth.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Audio content from many articles in this magazine will be made available for download at www.royalrangers.ag.org/national council

THERE’S ONLY ONE WAY TO GET THE ALL NEW OUTPOST PROMOTION KIT.

NGER

CLUSIVE

AND THAT’S TO CHARTER. There’s a reason the exclusive Royal Rangers Outpost Promotion Kit was in development for over a year. It meant developing entirely new promotional materials with the needs of the outpost in mind. Over 40 different components like videos, banners, and artwork have been professionally designed and produced from the ground up because we believe what we want for your outpost is exactly what you want — for the Royal Rangers ministry to be the premier Christian program for boys in the world.

royalranger.ag.org/chartering

{ DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE }

Welcome

to the ‘09 National Council & Conference!

This year our theme is “No Missed Calls” because leaders are determined to anticipate and seize opportunities. Opportunities to challenge boys’ lives abound in every community. Our job is to be with Christ so we tune in His voice and see His creative response to those opportunities. When we follow His lead together, we miss no calls. This produces success—ministry with authority that creates eternal impact. When Ranger leaders are successful at the local level, Royal Rangers is truly a success. No missed calls! At our 2008 National Council, we introduced the direction the Lord is leading Royal Rangers—designs purposed to enhance outpost success. The receptivity to making Royal Rangers more responsive, affordable, and flexible with greater emphasis on being boy-led and to creating a wider range of advancementinterests to facilitate the mentoring relationship has been very enthusiastic. Church leaders are telling us the new approach will enable them to seize opportunities unique to their congregations and to reach out to a broader number of boys in their communities. This year, our conversation will revolve around this question: “In light of the improvements Royal Rangers is undergoing for greater local church success, how is the role of national (and regional) and district (and sectional/divisional) level ministries evolving?” Our synced efforts should be laser focused to empower outpost success. Then, we all succeed. No one misses a call! Are you ready to accept the call? The Lord is asking those of us who are organizational leaders to follow Him on a faith journey to a new level of ministerial influence and effectiveness. Let’s press in during these days, seeking God’s power with all our hearts and asking Him to challenge and shape us for greater Kingdom usefulness. I am praying that this Council will be a catalytic event, setting in motion a time of renewal that will bring national and district ministry efforts into alignment for the purpose of greater local church success. No missed calls! You are our guest, and the entire national team has worked hard preparing for your arrival. We believe you will find your time with us extremely worthwhile. Together we are taking Royal Rangers to the iPod® generation. Thank you for coming to Council!

Doug Marsh, National Director

2009 NATIONAL COUNCIL & CONFERENCE MAGAZNE PUBLICATIONS MANAGER: Doug Marsh EDITOR IN CHIEF: John Hicks TECHNICAL EDITOr: Sandra Blanchard DESIGN: Brother Jones Ar tWorks Royal Rangers National Staff Assistant general superintendent: Alton Garrison NATIONAL DIRECTOR: Doug Marsh Training coordinator: Steve Schultz Administrative & Events Coordinator: Jim Allen COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR: John Hicks Programs & Outreach coordinator: Ryan Beaty resource & Logistics coordinator: JR Whinery Administrative coordinator to national director: Sandra Blanchard TRAINING ASSISTANT: Beverly Ayers MEdals & Chartering coordinator: Jennifer Harp CAMP MANAGERS: Roger & Barbara Heppner National Council Officers NATIONAL COUNCIL PRESIDENT: Jim Barger NATIONAL COUNCIL VICE PRESIDENT: Harry Hunt NATIONAL COUNCIL SECRETARY: Les Barr Royal Rangers International International DIRECTOR: Doug Marsh Administrative coodinator to rri DIRECTOR: Beth Kinney Additional National Officers Frontiersmen Camping fellowship President: Jim Rounsville Frontiersmen Camping fellowship President emeritus: Fred Deaver National Field advisor for pccna: Steve Lolley National Field advisor for Spanish Training: Hector LaValle National Field advisor for SPANISH CURRICULUM: Hiram Soler National shooting sports coordinator: Shad Arnold RR Alumni president: Ronnie Franklin LEGACY & PARTNERSHIP DIRECTOR: Shad Arnold MERIT DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR: Jeremiah Hembree Regional Coordinators GREAT LAKES: Jim Barger GULF REGIONAL: David North NORTH CENTRAL: Rick Scott NORTHEAST: Dwight Walters NORTHWEST: Dave Franklin SOUTH Central: Jonathan Trower SOUTHEAST: Les Barr SOUTHWEST: Fred Ladage ROYAL RANGERS NATIONAL COUNCIL & CONFERENCE MAGAZINE — published annually by Royal Rangers; 1445 N. Boonville Ave.; Springfield, MO 65802-1894. Additional copies available for purchase through the national Royal Rangers office. The Royal Ranger clubs names, logos, emblems, and artwork are registered trademarks or copyright protected properties. ©2009 by Gospel Publishing House, 1445 North Boonville Avenue, Springfield, Missouri 65802. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited. Printed in USA. Royal Rangers and the Royal Rangers logo are registered trademarks of Gospel Publishing House, 1445 N. Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO. All rights reserved. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. Royal Rangers 1445 North Boonville Ave., Springfield, MO 65802 phone: (417) 862-2781 fax: (417) 831-8230 e-mail: rangers@ag.org web site: www.royalrangers.ag.org Published by the Gospel Publishing House All rights reserved. © 2009 Copyrighted material reprinted wiith permission.

iPod® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Cover photo: James Pauls

Influence MORE ... MORE effectively.

Dear Royal Ranger Leader:

Greetings in the Lord! It is my sincere privilege to welcome you to the 2009 National Royal Rangers Council and Conference! I see bright days ahead for the future of Royal Rangers, and it is truly an exciting time to be a part of all that God is doing in the hearts of men and boys around the nation. Your involvement in the process of “taking Royal Rangers to the iPod® generation” is a vital link to insuring that “no calls are missed” and that every boy is presented with the gospel message in a manner that is clear and relevant to him. Through your continued efforts I am confident you will achieve your goal to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.” The future of this great Fellowship largely depends on our ability to strategically invest in the next generation, and I sincerely applaud Royal Rangers for their ongoing efforts to equip men and boys to transform the next generation of boys and young men into Christlike manhood. Let me encourage you to open your hearts to the leading of the Spirit, allowing Him to empower you to be a catalyst for change in your districts, churches, and communities! Together, we will see the kingdom of God advanced today and in the next generation.

George O. Wood General Superintendent

d5 CORE VALUES of the Assemblies of God

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Passionately PROCLAIM Strategically INVEST Vigorously PLANT Skillfully RESOURCE Fervently PRAY

ITEM 02TW0577 $5.95

1(800) 641-4310

iPod® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

DISCOVERY RANGERS

royalrangers.ag.org

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{ UP FRONT }

2009

national

Royal Rangers council & conference March 19, 2009

Welcome, Councilmen! We are so glad you are here for the exciting 2009 National Royal Rangers Council with our theme this year being “No Missed Calls” which utilizes the imagery of the iPhone® to illustrate the importance of local, district, and national leaders working together to ensure that the ministry of Royal Rangers is appealing and attractive to all boys and that no “calls” are lost through a too-narrow application of our ministry methods. I have never been more convinced that ministry to young boys should be of the highest priority in the Assemblies of God. The members of the Executive Leadership Team are extremely supportive of the leadership of Royal Rangers and specifically Doug Marsh and his team and are excited about the vision he has cast for the future. During the current economic challenges facing our nation and the world, we are more dependent than ever before upon our grass-roots leadership for creative ideas and leadership. Your passion for discipling young men will pay great dividends for the kingdom of God. As you digest the vision cast from our national office, I know you will be extremely effective in disseminating it to your districts. Enjoy the conference and may God richly bless you. Yours for the Harvest,

L. Alton Garrison Assistant General Superintendent iPod® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

March 19, 2009 Members and Guests National Royal Rangers Co uncil University Plaza Springfield, MO 65802 Dear Friends, Greetings in Jesus’ name! It’s Council time! Once more, we gather to advance our lea skills and at the same time dership to have wonderful fellowshi p as we encourage each oth a ‘ball’ while doing it. I love er AN D have seeing you and hearing you r stories. You are going to be excited to get back to your districts and implement the things tha being shared here. I truly bel t are ieve that Royal Rangers can be all (and more) that we’re it can be. It won’t be easy. The bel iev ing re are many ideas in people ’s minds that will need to be away and replaced by a new exp lain ed vision. With God’s help, we CAN do it and make Royal most sought after ministry Rangers the to boys and young men in the world. Thanks again to the many dis tricts, regions, and nations that hosted me this year. I tru appreciate the opportunities ly that you afford me by invitin g me to come and be part of This year, I was privileged to you r events. travel to Singapore and con duct an Advanced Academ Siddle. What a wonderful tim y wit h Perry e it was! Please pray that the transitions necessitated by homegoing will be seamless Per ry’s and effective. I know you’re going to stay up too late, eat too much, and be “meetinged out” by Saturd work in some time to relax ay, but a bit. As always, be sure to give me a hug before you leav e. Blessings,

Jim Barger

ROYAL RANGERS NATIONAL COUNCIL James E. Barger, President 722 Franklin Avenue Findlay, Ohio 45840

royalrangers.ag.org

{ RANGERS PROFILE }

A CONVERSATION WITH

Fred Deaver by John Hicks

n 1962 when Johnnie Barnes was appointed to launch a new program called Royal Rangers, our first national commander had the weight of the task on his shoulders. But his heart was no doubt encouraged by the faithful support of a great number of men, founders of this now worldwide ministry, who committed their time and resources to make the young ministry successful. One of those early pioneers was Fred Deaver, known to many National Training Camp graduates as “Mr. Senior Guide,” the epitome of that role for many years. Fred became a close friend of Johnnie, and together, along with many others, laid the foundations that we are building on today. In December 2008, Doug Marsh and John Hicks traveled to Riverton, Kansas to visit with Fred in his art studio about those early years and to hear his perspective on the days ahead in view of the many improvements taking place. As is his custom, Fred began the conversation by declaring his unwavering belief in God’s ability to empower and direct men who commit themselves to His will. “I believe the basis for any leadership is to be in the center of God’s will and to have a burning desire to be successful and not be satisfied with second best.” Fred continued, “Ranger leaders have to hold above all else their personal commitments to reach, teach, and keep boys for Christ. Everything they do must be centered on this goal, from the meetings they plan to the activities they conduct; everything must be purposefully designed to lead boys closer to Christ.” Fred went on to declare the importance of leaders maintaining their own personal spiritual health,

keeping the fire of the Holy Spirit alive in their hearts in a way that constantly influences others. “I believe a man ought to have enough of the Holy Spirit in him that when people walk by they’ll feel the presence of the Spirit. They should be able to see it on his face and in his countenance.” As the discussion turned to the future of the program and the changes planned for the days ahead, Fred began to reflect on meetings and discussions in the early days when Johnnie faced many of the same issues we face today. “This is not a new thing,” Fred said. “Back in the early days, we had the same problem. We realized that the interests of boys were going in many directions. And there was a lot of discussion about how we could make the ministry more appealing to a broader variety of boys.” Concerning the issue of diversifying the focus of the ministry, “It all boils down to the local outpost leader having a vision for reaching more than just the campers. He has to understand that he doesn’t have to do it all himself; he can draw men from the church and community to help. Most churches have men with interests and expertise in areas not related to camping who would be willing to share their experience with boys if we would just ask them.” Fred went on to relate how he had worked on restoring an old truck with his grandson and how it had given them a great opportunity to spend time together by sharing a common interest. He further emphasized how virtually any activity where men and boys share a common interest can be an effective avenue for mentoring boys.

“Everything must be purposefully designed to lead boys closer to Christ.”

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

At one point Doug asked, “What would you say to some of our more tenured leaders who are struggling with some of the changes under way? No one intends to step on the past but rather build on it.” “One of the things that has always made the American soldier so great from the beginning was his ability to adapt and adjust to new situations. If you’re not able to adapt and adjust in all walks of life, you’re not going to make it. When George Washington’s men faced the British, they faced the strongest military in the world at

the time, but they were successful because they learned to adapt and adjust. And that’s where the Holy Spirit can really help you and enable you to adapt and adjust to any situation.” The conversation ended with Fred voicing his optimism for the future of Rangers. “This ministry is solid, and I believe we’ll see a great harvest of boys won into the Kingdom for Christ. We all just have to be willing to adapt and adjust because that’s what it takes to be successful.”  royalrangers.ag.org

{ WELCOME }

2 0 0 9

n a t i o n a l

Royal Rangers council & conference Springfield, Missouri I March 19 - 21, 2009

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Guest Speaker Tim Enloe Tim travels internationally conducting Holy Spirit Conferences. The main emphasis of his ministry is a fresh, practical approach to the Holy Spirit’s power and giftings. Tim and his wife, Rochelle, are authors, song writers, vocalists, and communicators. They have three sons: Braedon, Dolan, and Barret. 

Silver Eaglelebration Ce

Doug Clay General Treasurer

Doug Clay serves as the general treasurer for The General Council of the Assemblies of God. As one of the four corporate officers of the Assemblies of God, Clay oversees the Division of the Treasury, which is responsible for handling all the finances sent to the national office for the world ministries of the Church. Doug brings a clear vision and strong passion for church health. With this passion comes a direct commitment to develop ministry leaders to reach their potential. Prior to his election as general treasurer, Doug served as the superintendent of the Ohio District Council from 2004-2008. He pastored Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, Ohio, from 1997-2004. Doug has also served as the Assemblies of God national youth director (1995-1997) and the Ohio District youth director (1989-1995). Doug and his wife, Gail, have two daughters, Ashley and Kaylee. He enjoys golf, reading, and a good latté with friends! 

THURSDAY EVENING 6:00 PM

The Ultimate Annual Event for all Royal Rangers Commanders and District Leadership DD Join the Ranger Leadership DD Discuss the hottest topics DD Discover exceptional

and innovative ideas DD Connect with your peers

to expand your ministry network

FRIDAY 1:30 - 4:00 PM royalrangers.ag.org

{ SCHEDULE }

2009

national

Royal Rangers council & conference

DD M O N D A Y

TIME

—

M A R C H

EVENT

LOCATION

8:00 am — 12:00 pm

Executive Committee Meeting

John Q

12:00 pm — 1:00 pm

Lunch — On your own

1:00 pm — 4:00 pm

Executive Committee Meeting

John Q

6:00 pm — 8:30 pm

Executive Committee Dinner

Off site

DD T U E S D A Y

—

M A R C H

8:00 am — 12:00 pm

Executive Committee Meeting

12:00 pm — 1:00 pm

Lunch — On your own

1 7 John Q

1:00 pm — 4:00 pm

Executive Committee Meeting

John Q

8:00 am — 6:00 pm

Range Officer Workshop

Arkansas

7:00 pm — 9:00 pm

Pathfinders Meeting

Kansas A

DD W E D N E S D A Y

—

M A R C H

1 8

1:00 pm — 5:00 pm 6:00 pm — 9:30 pm

Registration

Taneycomo

1:00 pm — 5:00 pm 6:00 pm — 9:30 pm

Royal Rangers National Council Office

Table Rock

9:00 am — 4:30 pm

Tandy Leather Workshops

Off site

ACTION TEAM MEETINGS

1 6

Lunch: 11:30 am — 1:00 pm

8:30 am — 11:30 am

Junior Leadership Development (By invitation only) Steve Schultz

John Q

1:00 am — 4:30 pm

Adult Training — Regional Training Coodinators Steve Schultz / National Training Committee

John Q

8:30 am — 4:30 pm

FCF — Jim Rounsville & Paul Walters Territorial Reps / National FCF Committee

Kansas C

8:30 am — 4:30 pm

Royal Rangers International (Missions) Matt Kling / Regional Missions Coordinators National Missions Committee

Texas A

8:30 am — 10:30 am

Royal Rangers Alumni Ronnie Franklin / National Honorary Councilmen National Royal Rangers Alumni

Texas B

8:30 am — 4:30 pm

National Shooting Sports Program Shad Arnold

Arkansas

8:30 am — 4:30 pm

National Director’s Roundtable National Director meeting with district directors and Executive Committee members

AGWM Chapel

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

A/G Headquarters (offsite)

DD T H U R S D A Y

TIME

—

M A R C H

1 9

EVENT

LOCATION

7:00 am — 11:30 am 12:30 pm — 5:00 pm

Registration

Taneycomo

7:00 am — 5:00 pm

Fred Deaver Art Display

Bull Shoals

7:00 am — 5:00 pm

Gospel Publishing House Store

Lake of the Ozarks

7:00 am — 5:00 pm

Vendor Booths

Lobby

7:30 am — 12:00 pm 1:00 pm — 5:00 pm

Royal Rangers National Council Office

Table Rock

7:55 am — 9:15 am

General Session #1

9:15 am — 9:30 am

Break

9:30 am — 10:45 am

General Session #2

10:45 am — 11:00 am

Break

11:00 am — 12:00 pm

Devotion/Prayer

12:00 pm — 1:30 pm

Lunch — On your own

1:30 pm — 2:45 pm

General Session #3

2:45 pm — 3:00 pm

Break

3:00 pm — 4:15 pm

General Session #4

Grand Ball Room

6:00 pm — 9:00 pm

Silver Eagle Celebration

Grand Ball Room

SESSION SCHEDULE

DD F R I D A Y

Grand Ball Room Grand Ball Room Grand Ball Room Grand Ball Room

—

M A R C H

2 0

7:00 am — 10:00 am

Registration

Taneycomo

7:00 am — 5:00 pm

Fred Deaver Art Display

Bull Shoals

7:00 am — 5:00 pm

Gospel Publishing House Store

Lake of the Ozarks

7:00 am — 5:00 pm

Vendor Booths

Lobby

7:30 am — 12:00 pm 1:00 pm — 5:00 pm

Royal Rangers National Council Office

Table Rock

9:00 am — 11:00 pm

Ladies Breakfast

John Q

7:55 am — 9:15 am

LEAD Seminar Module #1

9:15 am — 9:30 am

Break

9:30 am — 10:45 pm

LEAD Seminar Module #2

10:45 am — 11:00 am

Break

11:00 am — 12:00 pm

Devotion/Prayer

12:00 pm — 1:30 pm

Lunch — On your own

1:30 pm — 4:00 pm

Rangers Interactive

4:00 pm — 6:45 pm

Dinner — On your own

7:00 pm — 9:00 pm

Ladies — Skinny Improv

7:00 pm — 8:15 pm

Regional Breakaways

Great Lakes — John Q

SESSION SCHEDULE Grand Ball Room Grand Ball Room Grand Ball Room Convention Center Meet at the Grand Ball Room Lobby Gulf — Nebraska

North Central — Grand Ball Room

Northeast — Iowa

Northwest — Arkansas

S. Central — Arizona

Southwest — Arizona

Southeast — Georgia

8:30 pm — 9:45 pm

Functional Breakaways

FCF — Iowa

Training (adult) — Nebraska

Junior Training — Georgia

RRA — Arkansas

RRI/Missions — John Q

Chartering — Arizona

royalrangers.ag.org

{ SCHEDULE }

DD S A T U R D A Y

TIME

—

M A R C H

2 1

EVENT

LOCATION

7:00 am — 3:00 pm

Fred Deaver Art Display

Bull Shoals

7:00 am — 3:00 pm

Gospel Publishing House Store

Lake of the Ozarks

7:00 am — 3:00 pm

Vendor Booths

Lobby

7:30 am — 3:00 pm

Royal Rangers National Council Office

Table Rock

9:00 am — 11:00 am

Ladies — Crafts & Friends

John Q

7:55 am — 8:15 am

Worship & Prayer

Grand Ball Room

8:15 am — 9:30 am

LEAD Seminar Module #3

Grand Ball Room

9:30 am — 9:45 am

Break

9:45 am — 11:00 am

LEAD Seminar Module #4

Grand Ball Room

11:00 am — 12:00 pm

Capstone and Ginormous Give-a-way

Grand Ball Room

12:00 pm

RR Council & Conference Concludes / Departure

Welcome Ranger Angels! Thank you so much for coming to the 2009 National Royal Rangers Council. I hope you have come prepared to have a great time and a lot of fun. I am looking forward to our breakfast with Cynthia Nicholson and Lindsey Marsh. The Skinny Improv will be very exciting as the audience gets to make suggestions for the skits they create. I can’t wait to see what kind of jewelry you create on Saturday morning. Don’t miss any our time together!

Many blessings,

Kerry Marsh & the national staff ladies P.S. Please feel free to join your husband for devotions and prayer each day at 11:00 am. T H U R S D A Y 6:00 pm — 9:00 pm

M A R C H

1 9

Silver Eagle Celebration

F R I D A Y

TIME

—

Grand Ball Room

M A R C H

2 0

EVENT

LOCATION

9:00 am — 11:00 am

Ranger Angel Breakfast

7:00 pm — 9:00 pm

Skinny Improv

S A T U R D A Y 9:00 am — 11:00 am

Crafts and Friends

John Q Meet in Booth Area at 7:00 pm

—

M A R C H

2 1 John Q

JOIN THE FUN! Sign up for Facebook to connect with the

National Royal Rangers 2009 Ministry. www.facebook.com

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Arizona

Convention Center Lobby

Georgia

Iowa Parking Nebraska

Grand Ballroom

B A

Park Place Restaurant

Kansas

Oklahoma

Illinois

Colorado

Lobby

Tablerock

Taneycomo

Atrium

Bull Shoals

Lake of the Ozarks

2John Qâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

Front Desk

Parking

University Plaza Hotel Building Layout

Main Entrance

royalrangers.ag.org

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Download the new Ranger’s theme song “The Call” at royalrangers.ag.org

THE CALL

Music Video Competition Write your own song and record your own video to illustrate the new “Evangelize, Equip, and Empower” emphasis for Royal Rangers. For details visit us online at royalrangers.ag.org/music.

$500 cash prize to first place winner!

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

The Call

Words and Music by Ty Dawson & Jason Salazar — VERSE 1 —

A generation cries for God (We will reach them) With the message of the cross (We will reach them) — VERSE 2 —

Using His Word as our guide (We will teach them) Just like Jesus lived His life (We will teach them) — VERSE 3 —

The Spirit helps us do our part (We will keep them) Shaping every servant’s heart (We will keep them) PRE-CHORUS

Come on let’s give it our all Working together in the call CHORUS

{ GENERAL SESSION }

Session Materials T

he following compilation of articles makes frequent reference to “local, district, and national” levels of leadership within Royal Rangers. The reader is asked to understand the author’s intent—that area, sectional, and/or divisional leadership is only referenced a limited number of times because it is comprised within and is an extension of the national. The intent

is to raise the level of appreciation of all our organizational leaders as they are part and parcel of either the district or national level leadership and we wholeheartedly acknowledge their valuable contribution to the purposes of the Royal Rangers ministry comprised within and is an extension of the district, and the region is an extension of the national. 

Seek & Save

20 24 26 36 44 69

Growing Royal Rangers alignment STRUCTURE CULTURE

LEAD Seminar

royalrangers.ag.org

{ SUMMARY }

His Cause, Our Cause

Seek&Save

A Summary of the “Seek & Save” compilation of articles available online

oyal Rangers leaders see the challenges boys in America face today. “With God’s help” as our motto says, we are determined to be the premier mentoring ministry for future men in America—period! Royal Rangers is a spiritual ministry, and we intend to minister in the power of the Spirit. Our vision is to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.” Our best days lie before us, not behind us. We exist to fulfill Christ’s missionary mandate “to evangelize the world, to equip the next generation of Christlike men, and to empower lifelong servant leaders.” It is by this mission statement we intend to be defined and judged, not by our methodology. Royal Rangers is a mentoring ministry for future men. We are up to the task, and we will not fail because we are focused on building God’s Kingdom His way. As individuals, we intend to be authentic men of God; we will live life as exemplary Christ-followers, mentors, servant leaders, team players, and models of faithfulness. As an organization, we are unalterably committed to our biblical evangelize-equipempower mission, not our methods. We will be a learning organization to keep our ministry methods relevant to boys’ lives so they remain receptive to the message. We will go above and beyond to be known as genuinely relational leaders. As a ministry, we are focused on what is important: Our purpose—to evangelize,

A Vivid Description of our Near Future Royal Rangers will be the premier, most sought after church ministry for the next generation of men in America—period! We will be affordable and practical so that every family and church can participate.

disciple, and forge servant leaders; Our message—the Word; Our source of power—the Holy Spirit; Our God-given call— to express it His way; Our community—to love extravagantly; Our chief discipline— prayer. With this vision, mission, and valuesset guiding us, we are taking Royal Rangers to the iPod® generation. All iPods® are powerful portable devices that carry music, videos, pictures, and data. However, the content is a reflection of the individual’s preferences. This is an apt description of Royal Rangers. We offer churches a robust, widely used, and highly customizable ministry adaptable to the unique characteristics of boys and young men in their communities, and local church leaders know best how to impact them. Royal Rangers is a simple, flexible, and effective tool in their hands to mentor future men. Churches may chose from a wide range of activities around which to build

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

As we grow, we will remain quick and responsive to learn and adapt to our changing society. Men will be eager to be trained to mentor young men in Christlike manhood; young men will be empowered to assume leadership of Royal Rangers, making it a boy-led, adult-facilitated ministry. Personal and spiritual growth will be fun, hands-on, and experiential; friendship will charge our ministry atmosphere. We will reach every boy and young man by creative methods; every Ranger will be eager to serve a God-given cause greater than self. Anyone would be proud to be associated with Royal Rangers!

{NOTES}

Ministry Plan Download the revised and updated Seek and Save compilation of articles – a complete presentation of our ministry plan– from the national Royal Rangers website, www.RoyalRangers.ag.org

the mentoring relationship and minister to boys—outdoor recreation, sports, trades, technologies, arts, and more. Advancements will be instructive, hands-on fun. Boys will hear, see, do, and teach as they learn. (Worksheets and writing are eliminated, except when absolutely necessary.) Merits drive the activities and are foundational to the mentoring relationship; they are critical as men and boys build relationship by doing things together. Skill merits teach head, heart, and hand skills that build confidence; boys will learn they have what it takes to be a godly man in America today. Bible merits instill Christlike qualities of manly character. New leadership merits teach boys effective servant leadership behaviors. Churches chose the uniform that will best enable them to reach the boys and young men in their communities. Patrols, or small groups, offer boys a safe place to practice leadership and spiritual disciplines. They learn to be others-centered in practical ways as they participate in service and ministry outreach projects.  iPod® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

Influence More, More Effectively:

royalrangers.ag.org

{ VISION QUIZ }

Seek & Save Test Your “Seek & Save” Knowledge Questions are drawn largely from the revised and updated “Seek & Save” compilation of articles found online at www.royalranger.com/seekandsave.

oys face tough challenges. Are Rangers leaders equal to the task? You bet we are! Take a few moments to answer the following questions to measure your personal knowledge of where Royal Rangers is heading in order to minister to the greatest number of boys in America and around the world.

Their Needs 1.

What is the most common spiritual activity of young people in America? ❏ A. Bible reading ❏ B. Going to church ❏ C. Prayer ❏ D. Going to youth group The most common elements sought by young people when considering attending spiritual services are? ❏ A. To worship or make a connection with God ❏ B. To better understand what they believe ❏ C. To spend time with close friends ❏ D. To volunteer to help others What is the key component in developing individuals who value the teachings of Christ above the conventions of society? ❏ A. A kickin’ camping program ❏ B. Sports mania ❏ C. Cool t-shirts ❏ D. Relationships The most common content recalled by adolescents is? ❏ A. Moral and ethical standards ❏ B. Faith traditions ❏ C. Relationships ❏ D. Money and finances What is the percentage of teenagers who have learned something about their faith online? ❏ A. 50% ❏ B. 33% ❏ C. 25% ❏ D. 66%

Fatherless homes account for what percentage of teen suicides? ❏ A. 50% ❏ B. 63% ❏ C. 37% ❏ D. 24%

12. Can you connect the words in the left column

What age group of men consists of the largest consumers of Internet pornography? ❏ A. 12-17 years old ❏ B. 18-24 years old ❏ C. 25-40 years old ❏ D. 41- older

Our Values

Our Vision 8.

What is Royal Rangers? ❏ A. A Christian camping/scouting organization ❏ B. A military preparatory organization ❏ C. A mentoring ministry for future men ❏ D. A hobbyists dream come true

What is Royal Rangers’ vision statement? ❏ A. Reach, teach, and keep boys for Jesus Christ. ❏ B. Influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever. ❏ C. Build champions! ❏ D. Taking Royal Rangers to the iPod® generation!

Our Mission 10. What are the three new, key words to describe Royal Rangers mission statement? ❏ A. Evangelize, equip, empower ❏ B. Reach, teach, keep ❏ C. Love, live, lead ❏ D. Reach, teach, send

11. Can you correctly quote/write the complete new mission statement for Royal Rangers?

13. Royal Rangers leaders are committed to being

exemplary Christlike men and servant leaders. ❏ True ❏ False

14. Our individual values consist in being:

❏ A. Exemplary Christ followers, coaches, servant leaders, team players, and fruitful ❏ B. Exemplary Christ followers, mentors, servant leaders, team players, and faithful ❏ C. Exemplary Christ followers, gentle leaders, mentors, players, and faithful ❏ D. Exemplary Christ followers, demanding leaders, rugged individualists, and faithful

15. Our organizational values consist in being: ❏ A. A missional organization (focus on our purpose) ❏ B. A learning organization (questioning, learning, changing) ❏ C. A relational organization (loving God, loving people) ❏ D. All of the above

16. Place a check mark by the correct ministerial values and cross out the incorrect values. ___ Our purpose: evangelism & discipleship ___ Our message: the Word ___ Our power: the Holy Spirit ___ Our call & expression: from God ___ Our community: loving extravagantly ___ Our discipline: prayer

_____________________________

Our Mentoring Methods

_____________________________

17. Friendship—All of the following statements

_____________________________ _____________________________

iPod® is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

to the correct corresponding words in the right column? Reach Equip Teach Empower Keep Evangelize

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

are true, but which is the single most important reason friendships are so important in ministry to boys?

❏ A. It is the basis for mentoring boys in Christlike manhood and servant leadership behaviors. ❏ B. It is the basis for keeping boys and mentors in Royal Rangers for the long haul. ❏ C. It is the foundation for good spiritual, mental, social, and physical health. ❏ D. It is the foundation on which a fun outpost is built.

18. Activities—Which one of the following

statements is false? ❏ A. The purpose of Royal Rangers activities is to draw men and boys together around mutual interests to facilitate the mentoring relationship. ❏ B. Mentoring in Christlike manhood and/or servant leadership behaviors can take place while camping, hiking, playing sports, repairing widows at home, building a website, hunting, gaming, learning to lead worship, or participating in a missions trip overseas. ❏ C. The purpose of activities is to make Royal Rangers fun to attract boys to the outpost so they can learn about Christ’s love for them; activities lead to salvation-decisions. ❏ D. Outdoor activities were of universal interest to boys when Royal Rangers was founded and continues to be the single best way to reach the greatest number of boys in our diverse American culture today.

19. Patrol System—Which statement best

describes the importance of the Patrol System? ❏ A. Instills servant leadership behaviors into the lives of future men. ❏ B. Gives boys practical ways, in a safe environment, to serve one another, the outpost, the church, and the community. ❏ C. Gives boys a place to belong, holds them accountable to one another, and helps them take ownership of the group/outpost through personal involvement in leading. ❏ D. All of the above accurately describe the importance of the Patrol System.

20. Advancement System—Which of the following

statements is false? ❏ A. The purpose of the advancement system is to encourage boys’ participation in a measurable, personal, and spiritual growth process. ❏ B. Skill merits are intended to introduce men and boys to activities of mutual interest that facilitate the mentoring relationship; that build boys’ head, heart, and hand skills; and that build boys’ personal confidence. Bible merits are intended to mentor boys in Christlike manhood. The soon-to-be-released leadership merits are intended to develop qualities of servant leadership. ❏ C. Royal Rangers plans to continue tying its merit requirements closely to the BSA advancement system. ❏ D. Under the new Royal Rangers advancement system, churches will be able to encourage boys’ participation in many different interests, such as outdoors, sports, technologies, trade skills, arts, and more.

21. Service & Ministry Outreach—Place a check

mark by the missionary entities or ministries Royal Rangers closely relates with and cross out those we do not associate with. ___ Royal Rangers International- to establish, strengthen, and serve Royal Rangers overseas. ___ PathFinder Missions- to build ministry buildings at home and abroad. ___ Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge- to teach kids to care, to give, to pray, and to go. ___ Speed the Light- to provide missionaries with cars and equipment to spread the gospel. ___ Local service projects- to reach into your own community with Christ’s love.

22. Interactive Learning—Boys learn best and retain more when they: ❏ A. Hear ❏ B. Hear and see ❏ C. Hear, see, and do ❏ D. Hear, see, do, and teach

23. Uniform—Which of the following statements

is false? ❏ A. The khaki uniform, which will be referred to as the dress uniform, will continue to be an option for Adventure and Expedition Rangers and adult leaders. ❏ B. The new utility uniform will be available for all groups—Ranger Kids, Discovery Rangers, Adventure Rangers, Expedition Rangers, and adult leaders—and can be worn with blue jeans or the optional Ranger Tac pants. ❏ C. There will be a transition period (from now through July 2011) to move from the current uniform to the new uniform, allowing time for boys and leaders to wear out and/or outgrow the uniforms they are wearing now. ❏ D. Every adult leader, boy, and young man is encouraged to wear the Royal Rangers uniform. The National Royal Rangers Ministries empowers the local outposts to select the uniform option that best reflects the culture and personality of their churches and communities and enables them to attract the greatest number of members. We encourage every church to measure the value of the utility uniform shirt with blue jeans and/or optional Ranger Tac pants. Whichever uniform is chosen by the outpost will be recognized at all local, district, and national events. (Note: Leaders choosing to serve on staff or as instructors at district and national training events will wear the prescribed uniform(s) of each event.) ❏ E. The national Royal Rangers director is a sorry looking pilgrim!

Our Ministry Goals 24. Royal Rangers is seeking to become a learning

organization in which all leaders share an attitude of improvement (by way of constructive evaluation) in order to maintain Royal Rangers’ relevance in boys’ lives. The initials QLC describe the routine evaluation process embraced by learning organizations. What does QLC stand for? ❏ A. Question, lead, change ❏ B. Question, learn, compromise ❏ C. Question, learn, change ❏ D. Query, learn, conduct

25. Royal Rangers is seeking to amplify being a

boy-lead, adult-facilitate ministry. Why? ❏ A. Boys and young men learn leadership best by leading. ❏ B. Boys and young men take ownership and mature when they are given and followthrough (and, at times fail to follow-through) on responsibilities assigned them. ❏ C. Boys and young men are a ready leadership resource capable of igniting growth and excitement in the outpost. ❏ D. All of the above.

26. Royal Rangers is seeking to become a broad

ministry to boys. How? ❏ A. By using existing merits to expand the advancement system to encompass a broad range of interests including, outdoors, sports, technologies, trade skills, and the arts. ❏ B. By creating program options that make Royal Rangers more practical and affordable so that every church and family can participate. ❏ C. By becoming more simple and flexible so that the church has the freedom to respond adequately to local needs and opportunities. ❏ D. By working in close proximity with Girls Ministries (by way of the 2gether Plan) and in cooperation with other ministries of the local church. ❏ E. All of the above.

27. The key to growth of Royal Rangers depends

on what? ❏ A. God’s favor—we must invite “God’s gracious hand” to rest on our lives and ministry. ❏ B. Churches—the more AG, PCCNA, and qualified independent churches that launch Royal Rangers the greater our ministry potential. ❏ C. Men/leaders—the more leaders we mobilize, inspire, resource, and retain the more boys we will effectively influence. ❏ D. All of the above.

Bonus 28. Can you write or quote Royal Rangers vision statement from memory?

_____________________________ _____________________________

29. Can you write or quote Royal Rangers seven methods from memory?

_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

30. Can you write or quote “A Word Picture of Royal Rangers’ Future” from memory?

_____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________ _____________________________

Answers to the Vision Quiz: 1 C; 2 A; 3 D; 4 A; 5 C; 6 B; 7 A; 8 C; 9 B; 10 A; 11 (see the back cover); 12 reach=evangelize, teach=equip, keep=empower; 13 T; 14 B; 15 D; 16 * by all, line thru/ none; 17 A; 18 D; 19 D; 20 C; 21 * by all, line thru/ none; 22 D; 23 E; 24 C; 25 D; 26 E; 27 D; 28 (see page 34); 29 (see page 35); 30 (see page 20).

Illustration by Dennis Jones

{ ORGANIZATION }

Growing Royal Rangers to the Next Level

by Doug Marsh

ne of the books every organizational Royal Rangers leader has been encouraged to read is Good to Great by Jim Collins; it’s also available as an audio book. In it, the author encourages the leader to behave as a hedgehog, not a fox. The fox is always trying to figure out a new gimmick to get to the next level while the hedgehog has predetermined his or her normal activities and engages in them consistently, which steadily, when repeated over time, builds momentum and grows the ministry to a new level. These leaders have discovered what Collins calls the “hedgehog principle.” To that end, Collins asks the leader to answer three questions. (I’ve taken the liberty to personalize these questions for Royal Rangers.) The first is, “What is Royal Rangers passionate about?” The answer to that question is very easy for us. We are passionate about evangelizing, equipping, and empowering the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders. We are passionate about life-changing ministry to boys. That’s what we have been passionate about for fortyseven years!

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Collins’ second question asks, “What can Royal Rangers be the best in the world at?” Now this proved to be more difficult to answer. From our founding, we have modeled ourselves after the Boy Scouts of America, the Civil Air Patrol, and others. These are each great American institutions, and we have and will continue to learn from them. But we had to ask, “Can we be the best scouters or military preparatory institution in the world?” The truth is we can’t be. Primarily we can’t be because that is not our purpose. Our passion and purpose revolve around evangelizing, equipping, and empowering the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders. Our purposes are much more in keeping with Ephesians 4:12, where we provide our lead pastors, children’s pastors, and youth pastors the resources and inspiration to “prepare the men in their congregation for works of service, so that the boys in the body of Christ may be built up” (paraphrased). Our purposes are in line with Paul’s instruction to young ministers in Titus 2:2,6, “for today’s men to mentor tomorrow’s men to be temperate, respectful, self-controlled, sound in faith, love, and endurance” (paraphrased).

When pastors adopt Royal Rangers, they are being The point is we will never be the best scouters, campers, resourced to minister to the boys in their flocks. But they are etc. However, I believe we can be the best ministry in the also participating in a nationwide, indeed a worldwide, cause world at “inspiring, mobilizing, and resourcing men to of ministry to boys. The financial investment in ministry to mentor the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong local boys has a national and international impact. Being servant leaders.” In this sense, Royal Rangers is a ministry to part of a fellowship with a vision for gender-specific ministry men before it is a ministry to boys. is awesome and has far reaching impact! Collins’ third question has to do with the economic In summary, while the fox-leader is constantly engines—“What is financially required to trying one gimmick after another in pursuit of propel Royal Rangers forward?” As a success, the hedgehog-leader thoughtfully national team, we have spent a great assesses what must be done consistently deal of time looking at this, but for the What is to continually move the ministry to the purposes of this article, I don’t feel it Royal Rangers next level. These leaders focus their is necessary to dive into the topic energies on what they are passionate deeply. I will point out the obvious. passionate about, on what they can be the best in Ministries, even Royal Rangers, must about? the world at, and on what will make have a plan to generate funding. their financial engines propel We want to be affordable and ministry forward. practical so every church and In Royal Rangers, we family can participate, but What is are passionate about evanthis must be balanced with What financially gelizing, equipping, and the reality that national can Royal required empowering the next and district programming Rangers be to propel generation of Christlike must include an effective the best in Royal Rangers men and lifelong servant funding mechanism so the the world at? forward? leaders. We will be the best ministry can sustain itself in the world at inspiring, by way of chartering, events, mobilizing, and resourcing sales, offerings, etc. We can’t mentors. Our economic engines have a thriving cause to reach will primarily be propelled by charternext generation men without financial ing, events, sales, and offerings. As we consistently focus our resources at all levels. (While this is not a topic covered in energies on these activities, our ministry at all levels will gain this compilation of articles, chartering is undergoing some momentum. We will continually move to the next level.  exciting changes that will in part address this question.) Influence More, More Effectively:

royalrangers.ag.org

{ GENERAL SESSION }

alignment

uh-lahyn-muh-nt

Synching up local, district, and national ministry for greater influence and effectivness. by Doug Marsh

a • lign • ment uh- lahyn-muh-nt noun 1. an adjustment to a line; arrangement in a straight line 2. the proper adjustment of the components for coordinated functioning: The front wheels of the car are out of alignment. 3. a state of agreement or cooperation among persons, groups, etc., with a common cause or viewpoint 4. an organization of people involved in a pact or treaty 5. the act of adjusting or aligning the parts of a device in relation to each other — Synonym: Alliance an agreement between two or more to cooperate for specific purposes; a merging of efforts or interests by persons, families, states, or organizations to chieve a particular aim — Antonym: Nonalignment people who are not aligned with other people in a pact or treaty

esus prayed in John 17:11 for alignment in Royal Rangers; He asked His Father that we would be in agreement as He and the Father are. Unity is powerful. In Acts 2:1, the believers were in “one accord and one place” (the place Jesus had instructed them to be), and they received the promised outpouring of the Holy Spirit for mighty ministry. Unity makes us unstoppable. In fact, the level of agreement among the people building the Tower of Babel was such that God said, “Nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” The problem was the people were not in step with what God was doing, and He halted their project. Herein lies our formula for “No Missed Calls:” Alignment with God + Alignment with one another = Successful ministry.

Alignment with God Success starts when we set aside our own interests and cooperate unconditionally with God’s purposes. He is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). He invites us to follow His example—He abandoned the splendor of heaven to “seek and save the lost” (Luke 19:10); He wants us to abandon our own dreams and comforts to “go into all the world and preach the good news” (Mark 16:15). God calls us to invest our all in spreading His love to everyone everywhere. This is the reason our ministry vision is to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.” We want to shake loose any lingering programmatic mindset so we can hold tightly to our ministry mandate—“to make disciples,” that is, to mentor boys and young men. Ministry to people, not program, is our vision. We want to be so attractive (influential and

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

effective) that every boy, churched or unchurched, will love to be part of Royal Rangers. We are adjusting our methodology so that we can be obedient to the Word and go into “all the world,” that is, reach the broadest number of boys and young men as possible whether their interests are in the outdoors, sports, technologies, trades, arts, etc. Our vision is in alignment with God’s Word and will, as is our mission. Royal Rangers exists to “evangelize, equip, and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders.” Evangelism, discipleship, and leadership development—they produce lasting results 100% of the times they are consistently tried because God asks us to do them. Obedience works. Our responsibility is to adjust our personal and ministerial activities and priorities to be in sync with God’s purposes. When leaders at all levels—local, district, and national—all focus on fulfilling our vision and mission, we are in alignment with God’s heart. Next we have to work in agreement, or alignment, with one another for success to be achieved.

the Great

Commission “Go and make disciples of all nations…” matthew 28:19

Alignment with One Another For the purposes of our discussion, alignment is when local, district, and national activities and priorities are synced up to achieve greater Kingdom influence and effectiveness. As in team sports, this is achieved when everyone knows his position and plays it well. Everyone has a role to play in Kingdom work. The boys, yes, even the young men, their local commanders, as well as district and national leaders, all have unique and important roles.

LOCAL LEADERSHIP Reference the “Local: A simple and effective discipleship process” section of the chart. Since the chart requires little explanation (and will be covered more appropriately in the new Leader Manual: Inspire the Journey), much of the dialogue below will either reinforce values that will guide our future or directly relate to elements that districts should consider so as to remain in alignment with the improvements underway in the curriculum and training programs.

Evangelize In order to make Royal Rangers an evangelistic ministry, boys are encouraged to invite their friends. If they do, it will be because adult leaders have been proactive about creating a fun and friendly environment by, yes, being friendly and, yes, making meetings and activities highly appealing to boys and young men. These methods—friendship and activity—are in keeping with our value system as a ministry. We will be personable and approachable leaders because we know this is the basis of any mentoring relationship. We will seek to create a community that loves one another extravagantly; friendship will charge our ministry atmosphere. We will make personal and spiritual growth fun, hands-on, and experiential. Unfortunately, this is very different from the image a few have of Royal Rangers. Some recall leaders who employed shaming methods of public intimidatio n to diminish or embarrass them into behaving or performing properly. While this approach may work with a few, we are called to reach many. Let us never forget that word “all” in the Great Commission. Because friendship and fun will supercharge our ministry, enabling us to

“influence more, more effectively,” we should replace any vestiges of distance, positional power, and fear tactics with genuine love and excitement. Authentic friendship and fun are positive and replicable. When we employ them, we display the character, kindness, and zest for life exhibited by Christ and described in the Ranger Code. This is something boys can copy at school and will attract their peers to Christ and to Rangers. As the old saying goes, “You attract more flies with honey than with vinegar.” Evangelism is maximized at the local level when leaders are genuinely friendly and kind, when they encourage the boys and express confidence in them and their abilities, when they inspire them to accomplish great things and overcome challenges, when they show personal interest in their development, and when they invest the time and energy to make meetings and activities fun to the core. It is to this kind of group to which boys will invite their friends.

Equip In order for Royal Rangers to be an effective discipleship ministry that equips the next generation of Christlike men, boys are encouraged to earn merits. Our advancement system is a measurable discipleship process in godly manhood. dOur skill merits provide activities that build the mentoring relationship (because men and boys build friendships by doing things together) and that build boys’ personal confidence, communicating that they have the hand, head, and heart skills necessary to be godly men in America today. dOur Bible merits provide instruction in biblical manhood, teaching godly perspectives on sexuality, culture, doctrine, character, and worldview. dOur new leadership merits provide practical direction in servant leadership behaviors, teaching the social, equipping, attitude, leadership, and service skills that adult and junior leaders need. Contrary to what some adults think, boys really do want to learn, to grow, and to be challenged, especially when the growth opportunities are hands-on and experiential in a fun and friendly environment. To this end, learning in Royal Rangers revolves around a hear-see-do-teach model. Boys

{NOTES}

royalrangers.ag.org

alignment A measurable, life-shaping discipleship process for boys. learn and build friendships best in an interactive environment. Experienced leaders make learning so much fun that boys hardly know they are being guided on a measurable, life-shaping discipleship process. (Let’s just keep that our secret!) Yet, even here, when discussing our equipping strategies, we must permit flexibility. Commanders need to know they can reach every boy and young man by creative means, using outdoor activity, sports, technology, trades, arts, etc. This same flexibility is needed with the uniform. Every adult leader, boy, and young man is encouraged to wear the Royal Rangers uniform. The National Royal Rangers Ministries empowers the local outpost to select the uniform option that best reflects the culture and personality of its church and community and that enables them to attract the greatest numbers of members. We encourage every church to measure the value of the utility uniform shirt with blue jeans and/or optional Ranger Tac pants. Whichever uniform is chosen by the outpost will be recognized at all local, district, and national events. (Note: Leaders choosing to serve on staff or as instructors at district or national training events will wear the prescribed uniform(s) of each event.) Equipping future men is maximized at the local level when it is both intentional and flexible.

Empower In order to effectively empower boys for a lifetime of Christian service, leaders are asked to facilitate boy-led leadership development by encouraging boys to serve others. For example, boys and young men can help plan the group’s annual calendar, assist with activities, lead portions of the weekly meetings, and much more. By using the patrol system and by planning service and ministry outreach projects, leaders create a safe environment for junior leaders to succeed and fail, and by setting a good example, they prepare boys and young men to become model servant leaders. These actions empower young men to assume greater and greater

leadership of Royal Rangers, making it a boy-led, adult-facilitated ministry. What is more, by serving, boys become partners in the evangelize-equip-empower cause (not merely benefactors). Over time, boys will recognize they are serving a God-given cause greater than self—the greatest cause, building God’s Kingdom.

DISTRICT & NATIONAL LEADERSHIP Reference the “District & National Leadership: Working in alignment for local church success” section on the chart. When Ranger leaders are successful at the local level, Rangers is truly successful. This is a truth that all organizational leaders must understand and that should lead us to embrace a servant leadership style of service first, leadership second. It should also cause district and national leaders to make every effort to remain in sync (aligned) with one another so that their combined efforts are laser focused to empower outpost success. Then, we all succeed—“No missed calls” at the local, district, or national levels.

District Priorities Districts, like outposts, play a unique and important role in the evangelize-equipempower cause. While the top three priorities—grow, develop, and relate—may not encompass the entire activity of those in district leadership, it certainly does define where the greatest majority of energies ought to be devoted for maximum ROI (return on investment—the investment of time, creativity, energy, finance, etc.). Let’s look at the top priorities of district leadership that will keep local, district, and national leadership in alignment:

Evangelize Districts play a vitally important evangelize role, though this imperative can easily be overlooked if busyness of other activity is allowed to crowd it out. Evangelism must certainly remain the top priority of every district. The primary way that districts reach the lost, however, is not event-related.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Rather it is by increasing the number of Assemblies of God (AG), Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA), and qualified independent churches that use Royal Rangers. When more churches implement Royal Rangers, a greater number of boys and families are influenced by the gospel. When a district intentionally devotes leadership, focus, and creativity in increasing the number of churches that use Royal Rangers it is “influencing more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.” Look at these statistics. Today, we have approximately 4,800 Royal Rangers outposts in the United States. There are 12,000 AG churches. In addition, there are 25,000+ PCCNA-affiliated churches eligible to use Royal Rangers. What is more, many independent churches could use Royal Rangers if they qualify. This pumps me up! How about you? We have incredible growth potential waiting to be realized. It’s like the two American shoe salesmen on an exploratory trip to a developing nation. They each wrote to their corporate headquarters. One lamented, “Bad news, Boss. No one wears shoes here. I’m headed back.” The other wrote, “Great news, Boss! No one wears shoes here. I’m setting up shop.” Royal Rangers, our “pioneering” days have just begun! I see the day fast approaching when districts have highly competent teams whose entire responsibilities revolve around growth—attending district council, sectional meetings, and PCCNA-member conferences and building authentic relationships with lead pastors, youth pastors, and children’s pastors by creative means—finding effective ways to see Royal Rangers established in every eligible church within the boundaries of their districts. A team that is proactive about positively shaping the image of ministry to boys so that gender specific ministry is as much a part of the DNA of the Pentecostal movement in America as is sacrificial giving to missions as is our doctrinal distinctive of the Holy Spirit. Yes, that ingrained! Growth sparks an energy that nothing else can create. Chartering will rise.

{NOTES}

Attendance at district and national events and training will increase as will the overall enthusiasm for ministry to next generation men. New leaders will be eager to be trained to mentor young men in Christlike manhood. Our membership will swell!

Equip The equip role of districts involves developing, or training, adult and junior leaders. Proximity is a virtue districts should leverage to get training within reach of every church and leader. The growth formula in Royal Rangers is “More churches = More men = More boys.” That is, the more churches using Royal Rangers, the more men will involve themselves in leadership, and the more boys (and junior leaders) the ministry will gain. Let this statistical fact soak in. For every leader that Royal Rangers loses, our membership drops by approximately 13 boys. The old wisdom is true, “The more leaders we mobilize, inspire, resource, and retain, the more boys and young men we influence.” When the Lord gives us a new leader, God is giving Royal Rangers a treasure that will impact many lives. Their development and ministerial success is a sacred trust that has eternal consequences. As new leaders step up, it is important that districts be prepared to offer them a topnotch Ranger Basics and Ranger Essentials experience as quickly after they express interest and as close to their homes as possible. What does it say when the district acts quickly and goes out of its way to make it convenient for a new leader to start his or her training? It says, “We value you and your God-given call to evangelize, equip, and empower, and we believe you will find our training highly beneficial as you express the call.” If a church that decides to launch Royal Rangers finds the district highly responsive to their training needs (and other matters), trust is built. The image of our ministry is properly solidified in their minds. What they say about the district leadership and

Royal Rangers will be positive and has the potential of perpetuating further interest in ministry to boys among other church leaders. (Don’t marketers tell us that word of mouth is either an organization’s best friend or its worst enemy?) Ranger Basics and Ranger Essentials are intended to be the immediate and quickly available training for new leaders. Districts build on these in five ways, implementing the district-national training strategy: 1) vigorously promoting the completion of all four Outpost Leader Advancement levels and earning the Medal of Excellence; 2) strategically building their action camp line up, beginning in 2011; 3) implementing their district Junior Leadership Development camps; 4) inviting the involvement of gifted communicators and potential instructors in the Training Academy; and 5) promoting the involvement of all organizational leaders in the Organizational Leaders training track. All these are done in alignment with and in accordance with national guidelines. Training methods should mirror the philosophy of the curriculum. If, as is the case, Rangers curriculum is minimizing the amount of writing in favor of more handson learning and relationship building opportunities, then the training for both adults and junior leaders must do the same. One hundred percent of what we teach and the learning methods we use must be worthy of being imitated by the leaders in their weekly meetings and outings. Otherwise, there is a disconnect between what we teach and what is applicable in the outpost. Any instruction we offer or methods we model in our training that we have to conclude with the caveat, “By the way, don’t do it this way in your outpost,” is a lost opportunity to model what the student could do and, ultimately, a waste of time. If we are to raise up leaders who know how to offer handson learning and relationship building opportunities, we must model it. The same is also true in terms of other training methods we have used in Royal

the Growth

Formula

More Churches = More Men = More Boys

royalrangers.ag.org

alignment Rangers in the past. For instance, we have worked under a philosophy at national training events that says, “Our staff must look sharp,” which, by the way, is a good thing. That should mean staff members wear an official uniform that is clean and pressed with all insignia in the proper place. This is something the trainees will admire and be able to copy. However, when we add other uniform items coupled with methodology not intended for use at the local level, we communicate a contradiction. We are, visually modeling something and then verbally instructing our leaders not to copy us. Remember the true adage, “What you do speaks so loud I can’t hear a word you are saying?” If we wish our outposts to be highly relational communities that love extravagantly, symbols of authority can distance and stand in total contrast to the approachability and kindness we want to model. These training methods are counter-productive, are out of step with the image and values of our ministry, and should be discontinued at all levels of our organization. We must understand a historical shift has taken place since Johnnie Barnes founded Royal Rangers in 1962. Since conscription was ended by Congress in 1972, the United States has developed the finest all volunteer military in the world, admired by all at home and feared by tyrants worldwide! What this means to Royal Rangers is that over the past 30+ years we have had fewer and fewer leaders, and perhaps more to the point, even fewer pastors serve in our Armed Forces (though they love and value the commitment and sacrifice it takes to serve). Some of these military training influences have become less and less understood by new leaders coming into Rangers and by fewer pastors, who, as we have always correctly stated, are the key to launching Royal Rangers in any church. To recognize this shift and move with it (rather than lament it or fight it) is to open doors so this ministry appeals to more men and pastors. (Again, let’s keep the “all” from the Great Commission present in our minds.) Please don’t misunderstand or take this to an extreme. There will always be leaders and young men drawn to military or law enforcement activity. For them Royal Rangers will gladly continue to offer

opportunities to learn and serve as color guards at funerals, etc. Retaining such activity is as important as adding noncamping activity like sports, technologies, trades, arts, etc. All our activities should be kept in balance since boys tend to have a wide range of interests. Our curricular and training philosophy should be one because the purpose of training is to model how to minister to boys and young men in a manner consistent with our curricular resources. However, if we are not vigilant, these can diverge and become two, very distinct philosophies. The national ministry creates both curriculum and training standards, but the districts actually offer the training; even national training events are highly influenced by district leadership. So unless districts are intentional about maintaining alignment in curricular and training philosophy, Ranger leaders will learn one approach when they read the curriculum and another (that is at best different and is at worst contradictory) when they attend training. Districts indeed play a very important equip role. We will influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever when we maintain proper alignment— immediate alignment to new leaders eager to start their training as quickly and as close to home as possible, complete alignment with the overall national-district training strategy and guidelines, total alignment in curricular and training philosophy, etc. Whenever there is alliance, there is strength, and Royal Rangers needs strength to train new adult and junior leaders because they are critical to growth and success.

Empower The empower role of districts involves conducting or participating in strategic events intended to build wholesome relationships among men and boys throughout the district. John 13:35 says, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” District leaders intentionally build a community that loves extravagantly; they set the tone for the outpost leaders. They properly see events as opportunities to mentor leaders and boys. The natural outcome of such a community is a strong sense of commitment to serve one another

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

and to reach the lost. This is true because love, by its very nature, requires us to notice others and to sacrifice on their behalf. Forging such a community starts and is sustained when district (and national) leaders stoke the spiritual fires so hot that it purifies our adult and junior leaders. No such transformative, loving community can exist apart from a deep, loving relationship with God. As an organizational leader, you are a spiritual “Fire Marshall.” You will be called upon to put out fewer fires if you recognize that your primary job is to build up the spiritual fires, keeping them burning hot in your own life and in the life of the ministry you steward. This is why prayer must be our chief discipline. When our organizational leaders are committed and aligned in a growing, authentic relationship with Christ, the foundations for a loving community are set. With a solid vertical relationship set, we are ready to build the horizontal relationships. It begins by returning to the word “all” in the Great Commission. It is my conviction that we have become too focused on “our” events and forgotten our ministry mandate—Royal Rangers is the mentoring ministry for future men. You are not just the district director (or whatever organizational title you carry) of Royal Rangers, you are the pastor or evangelist of every boy and young man in your district— in every church, in every saved and unsaved family, in every school private or public, in the city or country, spanning all socioeconomic strata. There are some Ranger events intended for “members only,” yes, but not all of them! What can your district do to open, perhaps, your summer camp (powwow or whatever you call it now) to every boy and young man in your district? I believe that every district should look carefully at how they go about this. What better way to get boys jazzed up about joining Royal Rangers than to invite them to a fun event? What better way to get pastors and men interested in ministry to future men than them seeing (and experiencing) the fun boys have and what God does in their lives at the altar? Building such community transcends Ranger events; we must notice other ministries, too. What role do you play at men’s conferences or retreats? How about

{NOTES}

children’s and youth camps/conferences? What about offering to do a separate guys and girls pizza party, sponsored by Royal Rangers and Girls Ministries, at kids and youth camps throughout the summer? Invite someone to do a demonstration of some “guy thing” at the pizza party and then give a 1-minute devotion about being a man of God at the end. Love demands we see all boys and seek to impact them whether they identify themselves as Royal Rangers or not. John Wesley said the entire world was his parish. How big is yours? As we talk about building a community that loves and notices all boys, there is a further issue of alignment we must mention. As we begin to introduce a broadening of interests into our curriculum to include camping, sports, technologies, trades, arts, etc., districts should seek to offer a wider range of activities to attract more boys to their events. Imagine how a boy would feel if trades attracted him to his local outpost, but upon attending district events, he was exclusively exposed to camping. Bringing district events into step with our new approach will bring alignment with what is beginning to take place at the local level. This doesn’t necessarily mean more events, just broader activities at each. (In fact, there is something to be said about “less is more” when the few and focused events are very purposeful.) Now the way this is achieved in each district will vary, depending on a number of factors that might include facilities, for instance. If your camp has workshops for trades, gymnasium and equipment for sports, fields for camping and outdoor activities, computer rooms for techie games, flag poles for those interested in learning to be on the color guard, rooms where musical instruments can be played or human videos learned, dorms for the non-campers, swimming pool or hole, trails, etc., you are blessed! For the rest of us, we have to live on a continuum somewhere between the ideal and reality. But you do need to identify where you are on that continuum and set realistic goals regarding what you can achieve in the years ahead. What do you have now? Can you improvise? Can you hire things out? Are there facilities or activities in the area to which you can bus boys? Will the district consider offering more than one activity to

present a broader set of activities—one in the summer with a rural, camping, outdoor, hunting, sports emphasis and another in the fall with a city, indoor/dorm, arts, trades, techie, sports feel? The sky is the limit! There are, of course, many other relevant questions and issues in addition to facilities. Manpower, for example, is a big question. The broadening of Royal Rangers to include more interests presents a challenge, but it is a good one. We have the opportunity to involve more leaders than ever! Do you remember our growth formula? The more leaders we involve, the more boys we can attract. Who are the men and women you will tap to lead in these new areas? Direction is another issue. With a broadening of interests, what are the standards, or the level, that should be attained with each? Over the next three years, the national office will be reassessing the requirements of all our merits and considering new ones. They will be looked at through the lens described earlier. While districts are not running merit camps at all their events, the new requirements will provide the necessary standard and sense of direction to guide these activities at district events. The national office will also begin vetting and recommending books on many of these topics. (For your convenience, many will be offered by GPH in the near future.) Yes, our discussion on empower has largely been about the nuts-and-bolts of building a loving community that will be in alignment with national curriculum and the local church. Read my article, “ThinkOne: Community” (www.royalrangers.ag.org) for a deeper discussion of community building. There you will learn that love is both a method and a motive for Christian life and ministry. District leaders really do set the tone for putting Christ’s love and zest for life and service on display for today’s and tomorrow’s men to copy.

National Priorities Now let’s turn our attention to the top priorities of national leadership that will keep local, district, and national leadership in alignment:

Evangelize The evangelize role of the national ministry is largely focused on two things: royalrangers.ag.org

alignment 1) Building practical and enjoyable curricular resources that will bring our leaders personal ministerial satisfaction as they watch boys develop and that will give boys enjoyment while being led through a purposeful journey toward Christlike manhood and lifelong servant leadership 2) Building a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that will inform the public and shape the image of the ministry.

Equip The equip role of the national ministry is designed to create relevant training programs that mobilize, inspire, and resource adult and junior Royal Rangers leaders. This is achieved primarily through three avenues: 1) establishing national standards for all adult and junior leadership training, 2) partnering with districts to certify proficient instructors, and 3) setting the tone and the example by offering key national training events.

Empower The empower role is focused on key national and international events and ministry outreach: The National Royal Rangers Ministries will lead national (and, when appropriate, international) events that will bring Rangers from across the nation (world) together to learn, to grow, and to relate. The National Royal Rangers Ministries will support Royal Rangers International and mobilize key leaders to establish, strengthen, and serve Royal Rangers around the world. Also, Royal Rangers will support PathFinder Missions to involve men and teen boys in approved construction projects. Royal Rangers will partner with Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (grades K-5) and Speed the Light (grades 6-12) to involve boys in missions giving and awareness.

The audio version of this article — ALIGNMENT: District Organization Development is available online at

www.royalrangers.ag.org.

Question-Learn-Change (QLC) In addition to knowing our unique roles and positions (local, district, national) and playing them well, there is one final element that will keep us in alignment, and that is for everyone to remain in a QLC-posture (to retain a teachable and pliable spirit, eager to be Kingdom effective). Everything changes, and we must discern the shifts that affect our ministry to boys and young men in order to remain responsive to their needs. It was said of the sons of Issachar that they knew the times they lived in and they knew what Israel should do (1 Chronicles 12:32). That kind of discernment comes from the Lord, and we should pray for and seek it. This is vital. It is possible for a district to step out of alignment, for instance, with the national, but it is also possible for the national to fall out of alignment with the needs of boys, causing the national to develop curriculum that is less than effective. A local church can fall out of alignment with community needs also when the leaders focus on running a program rather than offering ministry that meets the needs of their boys. Keeping proper alignment is no easy thing. It starts when everyone has a QLC attitude—Question, a willingness to prayerfully evaluate what is effective; Learn, discover what will work best; and Change, adapt and morph rather than do the same old thing out of habit or commitment to tradition or nostalgia, to protect our reputation or ego, or whatever the case may be. As innovative ways of being effective are discovered, they need to be communicated. All Ranger leaders are family. Healthy family members talk to one another in the right spirit. As local leaders, for instance, talk to district and national leaders, we can improve and sharpen our curriculum and training programs. The entire national team, starting with me, is always open to an email or conversation about how we can improve. The key is relationship and openness; it is sharing and talking in the right spirit. The outcome is that events, programs, procedures, products, lessons, etc. that are no longer effective can be altered or replaced with more meaningful ones. As we are responsive to the need for constant

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

the

Alignment formula

Alignment with God Alignment with One Another

SUCCESSFUL MINISTRY improvement, meaning we are open to looking at things differently rather than becoming defensive, we can fundamentally improve our entire ministry. (Defensiveness is the antidote to learning, improving, and growing.) This means we may at times even have to alter roles organizational leaders are playing, such as is happening now as districts will begin assuming training events that have traditionally been conducted by the national and as the national assumes a greater role in certifying proficient instructors across the nation. To this end, as organizational leaders we must open all our senses to what is going to enable us to bring success to the local church. Yes, learning takes place by observing, asking questions, listening intently to what others are saying and asking (or not saying and not asking). It also means opening up means of listening, such as receiving evaluation forms or surveys (a more formal tool) after each event. But our purpose here is not to discuss the mechanics but the attitude—being in a learning posture always, to be non-defensive when constructive criticism is received, and to have the courage to risk doing things differently so that together we bring success to the local church. After all, alignment is all about the formula: Alignment with God + Alignment with one another (syncing up local, district, and national efforts for greater influence and effectiveness) = Successful ministry. That is what God wishes for Royal Rangers—that we “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever” always! 

Influence More, More Effectively:

6. As you reflect on the content of the Seek and Save compilation of articles, what must the district do in practical terms to broaden the appeal of Royal Rangers to include boys interested in camping and outdoor activities as well as those interested in sports, trades, technology, the arts, etc.? 7. Take time to assess how many leaders you have in the district and where each is at on his leadership development journey. How can you encourage them to continuously advance? Assess what your district has been doing and what it needs to do to provide the training opportunities that leaders need. Has your district had policies in place that have been an impediment to leaders obtaining the training they wanted and needed? 8. As you reflect on adult and junior training methodology, what if any changes should be made to insure the district is in alignment with the new national training philosophy and policies? a. Is instruction effective, implementing the hear, see, do, teach method? b. Does it inspire leaders to pursue our ministry vision and mission? c. Is training fun and interactive?

a. What are the common reasons for their choice?

d. Does it encourage relationships?

b. What, if anything, might the district leadership learn from them so that other churches are better served, finding Rangers to be a highly influential and effective ministry to next generation men?

e. Are the methods used replicable in the local church?

3. In a spirit of discovery, interview 3-5 church leaders (lead/ senior, children’s, and/or youth pastors) who have recently chosen to adopt Royal Rangers. a. What led them to make that decision? b. What might the district leadership learn from the church leaders that would enable the district to encourage other churches to launch Royal Rangers? 4. How many AG, PCCNA, and qualified independent churches have Royal Rangers active in your district? This number represents the churches that need exceptional and responsive service from the district Royal Rangers leadership. How will your team effectively strengthen and serve these congregations? 5. How many AG, PCCNA, and qualified independent churches do not have Royal Rangers? This number represents your growth potential. a. Who will be assigned the responsibility to pursue growth among AG, PCCNA, and qualified independent churches? b. Devise a thoughtful and consistent strategy to encourage churches to start Royal Rangers.

9. The first full paragraph in the right column of this article concisely describes the district-national training strategy. How will your district implement this strategy? 10. What is the district Royal Rangers leadership doing to fulfill its relate (empower) priorities? a. Do your actions reflect the attitude that all the boys and young men in your district are your “parish,” or do you focus entirely on your core membership alone? b. How are you relating to other ministries within the district such as Men’s Ministries (which is often a primary pool of potential leaders at all levels of our organization), Girls Ministries, Children’s Ministries, Youth Ministries, and others? c. Are the district Royal Rangers leadership team members viewed by pastors and others in district leadership positions as team players? (You may not know until you ask.) Do you intentionally work at being a team player? d. What will you do to improve the image of Royal Rangers in their minds? 11. What attitudes and behaviors must we adopt to reinforce or shape a community of men, boys, and young men who love and serve extravagantly to achieve our desire for “friendship to charge our ministry atmosphere?” royalrangers.ag.org

alignment

Syncing-up Local, District, and National Ministry for Greater Influence & Effectiveness

d d The Focus of All local, district, & national Their Needs The needs of boys everywhere are great, and we are focused on meeting them by establishing, strengthening, and serving successful local outposts.

Our Vision Influence more boys & young men than ever, more effectively than ever.

d d Local Leadership a simple & effective discipleship

Our Mission

Evangelize the world

Our Values

Boys are encouraged to:

Individual

Invite Friends

We will each be exemplary Christ followers, mentors, servant leaders, team players, & faithful

This shapes boys into evangelists who care about their peers and the world

Leaders are prepared to: Encourage A fun and friendly environment

Organizational

Equip the next generation of Christlike men

We will be a missional, learning, & relational organization.

Ministerial

our purpose

Earn Merits

Provide

This shapes boys into Christlike men

Hands-on learning opportunities

Serve Others

Facilitate

This shapes boys into servant leaders

Maximum boy-led leadership development

Evangelism & Discipleship our power

Empower lifelong servant leaders

the Holy Spirit

our call & expression

From God

our community

Loving Extravagantly

our discipline

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Prayer

d d District & National Leadership working in alignment for local churh success

process

Mentoring Methods As described in the new

District Priorities

National Priorities

Friendship

Grow

Curriculum

Activities

Grow the number of AG, PCCNA, & qualified independent churches using RR; Grow the number of chartered churches; Grow the number of members

Leader Manual: Inspire the Journey

Mentoring in Christlike manhood Draw men and boys together around mutual interests

Advancement System

Public Relations Training

Measurable, personal, & spiritual growth process

Develop

Hear, see, do, teach

Train adults and junior leaders following national guidelines

Establish national standards for adult & junior training; Partner with districts to certify proficient instructors; Set the example by offering key national training events

Relate

Events

Interactive Learning Uniform

Group identity

Patrol System Servant leadership development

Service & Ministry Outreach

Servants first, leaders second

Build community among all the men and boys in the district

Missions

Local, District, and National Leaders are always in a QLC (question, learn, change) posture, providing feedback to improve services at all levels so that Royal Rangers remains in alignment with the needs of boys in our nation. royalrangers.ag.org

{ GENERAL SESSION }

STRUCTURE District Organizational Development by Doug Marsh

What is healthy will naturally grow! . Health

is selfevident. .

n the previous article, we discussed alignment—how it is important the ministry efforts of the local, district, and national leaders be synced up so Royal Rangers is influential and effective in meeting the needs of boys and young men in our ever changing society. Alignment means local, district, and national leaders each know their role, do it well, and fully support one another in their unique roles; we are on the same sheet of music, the same team. As things change in our learning organization, we adapt even to the extent of redefining roles. We all serve, adapt, and strive to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever” year after year. Largely, alignment also means we all toe the line. We play our roles and do them well within the framework of our strategic plans. Imagine an orchestra full of talented musicians each playing his favorite part of a composition at will rather than following the director’s lead. At best, it would be comical (no, we don’t want people laughing at Royal Rangers), but more likely than not, it would be chaotic. Just because we work in alignment with regard to our vision, our mission, our values, our strategic goals, our common policies, and our endeavors to reach shared outcomes, it does not mean every district can or should function or be structured alike. As a ministry, we should place high value on local knowledge. This is the reason the National Royal Rangers Ministries is introducing curricular and advancement system changes that provide a high level of flexibility at the local church level. These leaders know best how to reach in and touch their communities. In the same way, we should create maximum flexibility for districts.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Balance is key. There are areas requiring disciplined alignment and areas that allow for maximum flexibility. How the Alaska district, for instance, expresses its evangelize-equip-empower role will be very different from the Hawaii, the Spanish Eastern, or the Peninsular Florida districts. Each is equally committed to fulfilling its role, but each will accomplish it differently and, thus, be organized and structured quite differently. A commitment to alignment, where needed, coupled with a great measure of flexibility will bring increasing success. So how does a district achieve that balance as it organizes (or reorganizes) itself? Reference the chart, “Structure: District Organizational Development.” As we walk systematically through an explanation of it, keep in mind that the purpose of alignment coupled with flexibility is to bring health and wellness to the ministry. Our focus in the balance of this article will be on district health. What is healthy will naturally grow! Health is self-evident. A healthy district will: 1) Grow – adding new member churches each year 2) Develop adult and junior leaders – perpetuating new leaders each year 3) Relate well in the district with a solid reputation for serving and strengthening current leaders, churches, and members and serving cross-functionally with other church ministries 4) Sustain itself financially (chartering, events, etc.) If wellness is absent to whatever degree, a careful assessment of your internal systems using the chart on pages 40-41 will help.

Environment and Vision Healthy ministry starts and is sustained with clear vision. Royal Rangers’ vision is “to influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever!” We look at the needs around us through this lens, asking, “How can we be more influential and effective?” Our vision is people not program. This is a good place to address a phenomena common of ministries our age. Over time, some leaders may have developed and perpetuated a program mindset rather than a ministry mindset. There is an obvious difference in ministry-focused leaders and program-focused leaders. Ministry-focus is on people and their needs, recognizing that people are unique and the methods used to reach the next one are always new and exciting discoveries. Leaders with ministry-focus tend to be environmentally responsive. Their vision does not change, but their surroundings do; therefore, they alter their approach to remain influential and effective in people’s lives. (Here again, it is a case for maximum ministry flexibility.)

happens when they realize that ministry is “messy,” that people don’t stay “inside the lines” of time constraints, and that people can at times intrude on “comfort zones.” So leaders might be tempted to insulate themselves in routine programming, year in and year out, mechanically and repetitively doing their thing. Ineffectiveness haunts them, but they shroud it with statements, such as, “At least God will find me faithful,” or “I’m doing my part and leaving the results to God.” Sometimes they become defensive and look for scapegoats and say, “People just don’t volunteer the way they once did.” Don’t misunderstand. The intention here is not to denigrate these leaders. Most of them are well intentioned. They recognize the value of mentoring future men and are highly devoted to Royal Rangers. The purpose of these words is not to discourage them but to free them. People-focused ministry is so much more effective and personally gratifying! What a sense of satisfaction when you can release a leader from programmatic thinking! This is why Royal Rangers must be a simple, flexible, and effective resource

“Over time, some leaders may have developed and perpetuated a program mindset rather than a ministry mindset.” Program-focus, on the other hand, is far more mechanistic than people-focused; these leaders mistakenly believe that if they mechanically run the program prescribed by “The National,” they will enjoy success. Repetition and rigidity is required here. Focusing intently on the program, these leaders assume that if they keep perfecting it, it will become a great sensation. They reason, “If we build it (more and more perfectly), they will come.” They minister in a bubble with little interaction with their surroundings. While programmatic ministry can produce some results, peoplefocused ministry is always more effective and definitely more exciting by ministering with eyes wide open, unshackled by the familiar, and freed from the predictable. How do leaders slip into programfocused ministry? It happens slowly over time as they realize how erratic people can be and how much people can hurt them. It

that will enable them to inspire boys and young men to undertake a journey in pursuit of Christlike manhood and lifelong servant leadership. Royal Rangers must be an adventurous ministry with a clear and inspiring vision to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.” Our vision is for people not program. Vision is the start and the sustainer of ministry health. Where there is no future hope, people give up. That is why the old saying is true, “Leaders are dealers in hope.” As an organizational leader, you are privileged to set the example by focusing on the needs of churches and boys in your district, seeking to be influential in their lives and effective in ministry to them. You are cheerleader-in-chief, encouraging those around you to be influential and effective. The most important way to keep vision fresh and alive is to maintain the spiritual fires of the ministry burning red hot.

{NOTES}

royalrangers.ag.org

STRUCTURE What you allow into your district ministries, in terms of human resources, technologies, advice, and so forth, will either contribute energy or deplete it. Any time you are making such assessments, pray intently for divine guidance and wisdom. God is eager to empower you to challenge and shape our culture; that is what our vision statement is all about, being influential and effective. 38

Ministry vision and spirituality are closely related because vision is born and expressed in a vertical relationship with God and a horizontal relationship with those around us. As organizational leaders, we set the tone, ordering in our own lives, programs, promises, and disciplines that enable us to live in close communion and awareness of the presence of God. We minister and lead from the abundant overflow of that relationship. Every other ministry activity we engage in will deplete energy; only our relationship with God will restore it. So apart from spiritually ignited individuals coming together to pursue a common vision, Royal Rangers’ vision will become only a smoldering ember.

1. Assessment Action: District Royal Rangers director and leadership team assess external and internal environmental considerations. Healthy ministry cannot be divorced from its surroundings. As stated earlier, people-focused ministry is highly responsive to its environment. To be influential and effective, a clear understanding of and interaction with your ministry context is required. Start with an assessment of your external environment. Some starter questions are included on the chart. Staying in tune with your surroundings will give you direction. Next, you need to engage in introspection, looking at yourself and your leadership team. Here, too, areas to consider can be found on the chart. Jim Collins talks about assessment in Good to Great. He calls it looking under the rocks at the fun and scary things. Knowing the reality of the context in which you minister (opportunities, threats, technologies, resources, expectations, culture, personalities, ministry history, etc.) is necessary. Though it is not easy, picking up rocks to examine what’s there and doing so with a heart of faith and with the right spirit is for your own good and that of the ministry you steward. This assessment process is an exercise in learning who you want to influence in ministry and who or what you wish to be influenced by. Boundaries between a ministry and its environment are porous, so we must be discerning to allow in only

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

those influences that will be positive. Think of the district as an organism that must take in raw material from around itself to thrive. What you allow into your district ministries, in terms of human resources, technologies, advice, etc., will either contribute energy or deplete it. Any time you are making such assessments, pray intently for divine guidance and wisdom. God is eager to empower you to challenge and shape our culture; that is what our vision statement is all about, being influential and effective.

2. Strategic Direction Action: Establish strategic direction with measurable goals (in the areas of “grow, develop, relate,” etc.) and in alignment with ministry vision, mission, values, and overarching goals. Strategic direction is a holistic plan for expressing the vision (to influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever) in your area(s) of stewardship. Your designs should be measurable and in alignment with the vision, mission, values, and overarching goals of the ministry. Also, are your plans consistent with the hedgehog principle, doing what Royal Rangers is passionate about, what it is the best in the world at, and what will rev up its financial engines? Will your actions be consistent with the culture Royal Rangers desires to maintain? (More on rCulture, the Ranger culture, is in the next article.) Allegiance to these considerations will maintain ministry alignment even as districts each express its evangelize-equip-empower role to grow, develop, and relate in very unique ways.

3. Organizational Design Action: Define how the district will organize its human and financial resources to accomplish its strategic goals and direction. Experienced organizational leaders know the wisdom in taking this step third, after steps 1 and 2. Only after you know your environment, derive definition from it, and have planned strategic direction, do you organize people and resources, make policies, etc. to achieve the strategic direction. There are many ways to structure your district. Here we will only mention the four

{NOTES}

most likely to serve your district well: functional grouping, divisional grouping, geographic grouping, or multi-focused grouping, which is a combination of two of the other structures. dAn example of a functional grouping would be to organize people together with shared knowledge and skills to perform similar functions, such as, adult training, junior training, public relations, powwow, Ranger Kids, etc.

Functional Grouping

DISTRICT DIRECTOR DISTRICT OUTREACH coordinator

DISTRICT TRAINING

coordinator

DISTRICT COMMUNICATIONS coordinator

DISTRICT FCF

president

dAn example of divisional grouping would be to organize people around desired outcomes, such as, the grow, develop (training), or relate functions of the district.

Divisional Grouping

DISTRICT DIRECTOR GROW

DEVELOP

RELATE

dAn example of a geographic grouping would be a district that is divided into divisions that are further divided into sections that may even be divided further into areas. Used alone, this is often an ineffective way to organize people unless the purpose of the structure is simply relational or promotional in nature. But when used in combination with functional or divisional grouping, it can be very effective, especially when the geographic span of the district is great and volunteers are sufficient in number and qualification to fill the needed positions.

Geographic Grouping

DISTRICT DIRECTOR DIVISION 1

DIVISION 2

DIVISION 3

DIVISION 4

SECTION 1 SECTION 2 SECTION 3 SECTION 4

dCombining any two of the above groupings as a matrix is a multi-focused grouping. Districts are free to create the structure that will serve them best. But there are a few core positions required in order to maintain alignment between the district and the national office. These are defined and explained in the new Royal Rangers’ Operational Guidelines (found on pages 52-56). As districts develop their organizational design with its structure, policies, procedures, etc., it is important that the district set itself up for maximum flexibility because we want to be a learning organization that can respond with relative ease to environmental changes. We are ministering to children and youth who tend to be on the bleeding edge of everything that is new and different. Growing churches also morph and adapt. To remain influential and effective, we should seek to be quick and responsive. Flat structures (vs. vertical, command

— Continued on page 42 royalrangers.ag.org

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

1 District Royal Ranger Director

Influence more, more effectively

Evangelize, Equip, and Empower

GOALS

Individual, Learning Organization, Organizational, Boy-led, Adultand facilitated, Broad Ministerial ministry to all boys

VISION MISSION VALUES

(Grow, Develop, Relate, etc.) in alignment with ministry:

2 Establish Strategic Direction with Measurable Goals

What are the expectations of our district leadership & pastors?

What are the unique characteristics of our state culture, school system, and community programs that might affect us?

What are the greatest needs of boys and churches in our district?

What are the opportunities, threats, technologies, and/or resources that affect us?

& leadership team assess external and internal environmental considerations

d dEXTERNAL

Environmental Considerations

Effectively meeting the needs of boys and churches will deplete the energies of your leaders, but a clear and inspiring vision will encourage their hearts.

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Leaders are dealers in hope.â&#x20AC;?

Influence more, more effectively

VISION

Need of boys, leaders, churches in the district

ENVIRONMENT

STRUCTURE District Organizational Development

efficiency relationship The amount of human The intangible satisfaction and/or financial resources derived from meeting used to produce a “unit” missional goals; of output, that is, reach the gauge the “gratitudemeasurable goals. conflict continuum.”

What, if anything, needs to change to stay on course to fulfill the ministry vision?

evaluating outcomes, reassess the external and internal environmental 4b After considerations, the strategic direction and goals, and the organizational design.

effectiveness The degree to which the district realizes its strategic direction and goals.

QLC — Question, Learn, Change

4a Routinely Evaluate Outcomes

grouping d ddivisional grouping d dgeographical grouping d dmulti-focused grouping

d dfunctional

How will we organize our human & financial resources to accomplish our strategic goals and direction?

3 Define Organizational Design

How would district leadership and district pastors characterize our past performance?

What is the history or background of Royal Rangers in our district?

What unique competencies are comprised by our team? Are we lacking competencies to meet expectations?

What leadership styles and personality traits are represented on our team?

What are our leadership strengths & weaknesses?

d dINTERNAL

What are the expectations of our national Royal Rangers leadership?

STRUCTURE Ministry health is the goal of every Royal Rangers leader. and control, top-down structures) tend to be the most adept for learning organizations. Good communication and coordination is key to success.

4. Evaluate Action: QLC—Question, Learn, Change. Routinely evaluate outcomes by measuring effectiveness, efficiency, and relationships. Then reassess your entire system. What, if anything, needs to change? Routine reflection and evaluation is a leader’s best friend. In any organization or ministry, there will be a gap between the desired output and the reality. [Look at your key performance indicators (KPI) and ask, “Did we grow as much as we wanted? Did we develop as many leaders as we hoped? Did we achieve our relate goals?”] This difference signals a symptom of a breakdown that prevented (or is preventing) your ideal level of accomplishment. Evaluation allows you to identify the obstacles (manpower, personalities, procrastination, programs, finance, expertise, communications, weather, etc.). Be reminded that one of the leader’s primary duties is to identify (by evaluation) and then remove obstacles so that influence and effectiveness are regularly improved. Effective evaluations require mastering the art of asking good questions. This is a skill developed with practice and through personal growth by exposing yourself to new experiences and people (via mentors, books, websites, resources, conferences, travel, formal education, regular and extended times of prayer, etc.). These give you insight and, when coupled with the creative genius of the Holy Spirit, become part of that overflow from which you serve others and carry the ministry you steward to new heights. Here are three areas of inquiry (and there are certainly others) that may help you gauge success: dEffectiveness: This is the degree to which the district realizes its strategic direction and goals. Clearly record goals

in advance and quantify those that can be. Measurable goals help determine effectiveness and efficiency. dEfficiency: This is the amount of human and/or financial resources used to produce a “unit” of output. These are examples of a unit: 1) the evening programs at your summer camp cost $5,000 (for the speaker, set, supplies, etc.); fifty-two boys and young men came to Christ and thirty-six were filled with the Holy Spirit, etc. or 2) the district sponsors an event for five boys that requires thirty leaders to run. You have the idea. This data helps you answer the ROI question, “Was the return worth the investment?” (ROI: return on investment— the investment of time, creativity, energy, finance, etc.) dRelationship: Ministry is about loving extravagantly, and as Royal Rangers leaders, we want friendship to charge our ministry atmosphere. So relationship can also help us measure ministry outcomes. True, relationships can only be tested intuitively, but you can nonetheless feel the presence or absence of love, enthusiasm, or excitement. In a ministry setting, a high sense of satisfaction will be derived by team members when goals are met. Picture in your mind a gauge, similar to the gas gauge in your car—full, ¾, ½, ¼, and empty. On this relational gauge you read—gratitude, contentment, indifference, distance, or conflict. Gauging interpersonal relationships on this scale will help you judge how well the district is achieving its strategic goals. When the district is consistently hitting the mark, morale will be high, and momentum will be on your side, which will be reflected in relationships. However, when the opposite is true, look to internal systems for ineffectiveness and inefficiencies. Perhaps communication is breaking down, discouragement is setting in because of delays, a team member failed to meet a goal that the success of others depended upon, etc. In ministry, our goal is to gain a win-win,

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

where the individual and the ministry are both growing. If this is happening, relationships will be strong (even while some friction can be expected as goals are pursued). (Warning: Beware when relationships are strong but growth and progress are absent, that’s a social club. Christ calls us to ministry, to relate to one another, to serve one another, and to serve together with one another, expressing His heart to the world and in that way transform it. Our friendships should challenge us to greater influence and effectiveness. The job of every servant leader is to balance respect for the person on one hand and respect for the mission or task on the other.) After asking penetrating questions in these areas (and perhaps others), it is time to ask, “What, if anything, in the system needs to change?” We are not talking about reactionary change, but thoughtful, innovative, and creative responses to what is learned. Calculated risk taking is valued and rewarded. To this end, it is important to ask if anything has changed in the external or internal ministry environment that would require consideration, if plans and goals need to be redrafted in any way, and if any changes need to be made in structure, policies, procedures, etc. This QLC (question, learn, change) exercise will enable you to constantly improve so that Royal Rangers is capable of influencing boys and young men all across this nation and around the world. Ministry health is the goal of every Royal Rangers leader because what is kept healthy will naturally grow. According to Norman Shawchuck, an experienced ministry consultant, organizational lethargy can limit the work of the Spirit in the same way spiritual apathy would. To this end, we must be like King David, who had spiritual uprightness and skillful hand (Ps. 78:72). It takes both spiritual and organizational discipline to bring about ministry health. “With God’s help,” let us do our best! 

{NOTES}

Influence More, More Effectively:

District Assessment Questions

These questions are intended to help the district leadership team assess the district Royal Rangers ministry. These are just starter questions. As you reflect on and discuss the article as a team, you will certainly formulate many other important questions that would be insightful to answer. 1. Using the four-step process outlined in the article, do a thorough assessment of the district Royal Rangers ministry. As described, discuss how effective the district leadership has been at growing, developing, and relating. As you review the internal and external environmental considerations, take time to talk with district officials, key pastors, children’s leaders, and youth leaders. Remember Jim Collins’ advice to look under the rocks at all the mysterious and sometimes “scary things” because to ignore them is to avoid reality, and you can only build healthy ministry if you build it on truth. Set measurable goals that are in keeping with district and national expectations and direction in order to maintain alignment. Finally, structure your human and financial resources to implement your plans. Schedule intentionally times to reevaluate. 2. As a district leadership team, review the contrast between program-focused leaders and ministry-focused leaders. a. To what extent has the district become program driven vs. ministry motivated? What can you do to begin the shift from being program driven to being ministry motivated? b. How can the district model an environmentally responsive and relevant ministry to local churches and boys in its district programming?

Podcast Available The audio version of this article — STRUCTURE: District Organization Development

is available online at www.royalrangers.ag.org.

royalrangers.ag.org

{ GENERAL SESSION }

CULTURE Ranger Culture (r Culture)

What We Value and Believe and How We Think by Doug Marsh

Royal Rangers is a mentoring ministry (program)

for future men (boys & young men).

We offer character and servant leadership education in a highly relational and fun environment. 44

uthor Richard Daft defines organizational culture as “the set of values, guiding beliefs, understandings, and way of thinking that are shared by members of an organization and are taught to new members as correct.” These values can be observed in organizational symbols, customs, behaviors, stories, conversations, songs, dress, physical surroundings, etc. Culture is strong when members agree to a great degree on the importance of specific values. It is weak if agreement is low.

Discover rCulture (Ranger Culture) In Royal Rangers, our desire is to have a clearly defined culture that all our leaders share and work to reinforce with clarity, creativity, and consistency. It is a culture that is unquestionably consistent with our evangelize-equip-empower purpose; that is in step with other ministries of the church and larger body of Christ; that is upbeat, reflecting the character and zest of Christ himself; and that is responsive to our environment, keeping us influential and effective in shaping the culture of our nation in the power of the Holy Spirit. So what is the correct description of our desired culture? Cultural clarity begins with agreement on our identity. What is Royal Rangers? Are we a camping program, Christian scouts, or a Christian military preparatory organization? No, no, and no. If we think this is what we are, rCulture is certainly not in alignment with our ministry purpose. Anytime the understanding of our identity is out of sync with our mission, our behaviors will not be in line with our intentions to “evangelize the world, equip the next generation of Christlike men, and empower lifelong servant leaders.”

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

What, then, is our true identity? Royal Rangers is a mentoring ministry for future men (boys and young men). Here’s a descriptive word picture of the kind of mentoring ministry we want to be: “Royal Rangers will be the premier, most sought after church ministry for the next generation of men in America—period! “It will be affordable and practical so that every family and church can participate. “As we grow, we will remain quick and responsive to learn and adapt to our changing society. “Men will be eager to be trained to mentor young men in Christlike manhood; young men will be empowered to assume leadership of Royal Rangers, making it a boy-led, adult-facilitated ministry. “Personal and spiritual growth will be fun, hands-on, and experiential; friendships will charge our ministry atmosphere. “We will reach every boy and young man by creative methods; every Ranger will be eager to serve a God-given cause greater than self. “Anyone would be proud to be associated with Royal Rangers!” That is the kind of mentoring ministry I want to invest my life in, don’t you? As we move forward, organizational leaders should make every effort to redefine in everyone’s mind what Royal Rangers is. When members of the public (a pastor, a parent, a politician, a principal, etc.) hear Royal

{NOTES} Rangers, they should think, “Mentoring future men.” We should immediately be associated with these words in the same way Crest® toothpaste is associated with the words “cavity” or “plaque prevention” and FedEx® with “overnight delivery.” The words “mentoring ministry for future men” accurately identify who we are and aptly describe what we do. The boot fits. Let’s wear it! So what are the values, guiding beliefs, understandings, and ways of thinking we should all share and reinforce to be America’s premier mentoring ministry for future men? We should model and shape a culture of personal excellence, leadership excellence, and ministerial excellence. The cultural values below are tied to actions.

A Culture of Personal Excellence Leaders with small personal egos coupled with a very strong will to do whatever it takes to achieve ministerial success (of all church ministries including our own, Royal Rangers). dLeaders are Christ-followers—Daily, authentic, and growing relationship with the Lord; reflecting the character, kindness, and zest for life exhibited by Christ and described in the Ranger Code. dLeaders are mentors—Spirit-empowered models of Christlike manhood. dLeaders are servant leaders—Servants first, leaders second. dLeaders are team players—Balance individual and team rights for the good of the Body. dLeaders are faithful—Those who follow will find us faithful for having been biblical, ethical, legal, moral, and wise.

A Culture of Leadership Excellence A ministry that contagiously shapes new and current members to think and act like authentic servant leaders. dMissional Organization—Leaders know why they are in ministry to future men, and they enthusiastically discover their God-given gifts in the evangelize-equipempower cause.

dRelational Organization—Ranger leaders view themselves as spiritual mentors who place high value on relationships, expressing the fruit of the Spirit.

A Culture of Ministerial Excellence Leaders have the freedom, within the ministries’ strategic direction and its ministerial values, to do whatever it takes to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.” dMinistry Purpose—Leaders know their purpose is to evangelize and disciple. dMinistry Message—Leaders know the power of God’s Word and use it to speak into the lives of boys and young men. dMinistry Power—Leaders derive their strength, creativity, and direction from the Holy Spirit. dMinistry Call—Leaders accept their call to mentor boys and young men from God and express it His way (biblically). dMinistry Community—Leaders seek to build a community that loves the Lord, one another, and seekers (the lost) extravagantly. dMinistry Discipline—Leaders accept that prayer is their chief discipline. (Read the ThinkOne compilation of articles on the national website for a description of these values.)

dLearning Organization—Leaders value spiritual and personal growth and ministerial innovation to remain responsive to their changing culture as a means of remaining relevant. royalrangers.ag.org

CULTURE STRUCTURE Create a culture completely consistent with church culture. Tools for Shaping Culture One of the most important responsibilities of organizational leaders is to shape or reinforce our desired culture. If we fail to do so, our entire ministry will go adrift and Royal Rangers will be defined by others. Here are a few handy tools to fashion our culture as described:

1) Example: The most important way to

reinforce healthy cultural values, beliefs, and attitudes is to attach actions to each. Values only become values when we act them out. We must act the way we want our culture to be, even if it feels like we’re pretending at first. We must become the change we desire. EXAMPLE: As a relational organization, we want friendship to charge our ministry atmosphere. So we make every effort to lead and serve in a genuinely kind, upbeat, and personable manner.

2) Celebration: These include how we

honor medalists and Saber recipients; how we conduct other recognition ceremonies, awards banquets, team parties, and meetings; and how we train new leaders. All of these celebratory occasions offer “ceremonial” opportunities to reinforce our culture. EXAMPLE: When we plan celebrations, we are wise to remember the adage, “What’s rewarded gets repeated.” Honor those whose accomplishments are consistent with our cultural values and celebrate in a manner that vividly celebrates and reinforces those values. An example is how teamwork was featured at the ’08 Silver Eagle Celebration when district directors were honored. They were each given a custom-made jersey with their names and the number of years they had earned the Silver Eagle Award. Each name was called as if they were star players on the team, which they are!

3) Stories: The anecdotes we share (in

words, videos, skits, etc.) about events, ministry leaders, legends, even myths or fictional stories, told to current and new leaders/members inform them about organizational values, beliefs, and attitudes. Stories are very effective because most people think in pictures. EXAMPLE: An illustration that emphasizes the value we place on becoming a broad ministry to all boys and young men is found in a fictional dialogue on page 7 in the Seek and Save interview where a pastor learns that Royal Rangers allows the men in his church to mentor boys using a wide range of interests, including outdoor activities, sports, trades, technologies, and the arts. Another example is the parody videos on the national website that communicate values, such as boy-led, adult-facilitated leadership.

4) Symbols: Proper use of symbols

such as our Royal Rangers emblem, our uniform, charts, and logos are all effective ways to reinforce culture. EXAMPLE: An example of using symbols is the charts in this magazine. Also, the new vision logo visually reminds leaders to “influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever.”

5) Language: Words are powerful!

Sayings, slogans, metaphors, and songs help shape or reinforce culture. EXAMPLE: An illustration of a slogan might be, “All minds are minded.” We have successfully used this statement to invite everyone to participate in the QLC (Question-Learn-Change) process because we want to be a learning organization. Another example of effective use of language is the new song introduced at the ’09 National Council & Conference to reinforce our evangelizeequip-empower mission in the minds of our members.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

As you reinforce our ministry values, beliefs, attitudes, philosophies, etc., be clear, creative, and consistent. Purpose to be a “carrier” of our culture, spreading it intentionally. Purpose to be one voice in the choir “singing,” that is, reinforcing these shared values, along with every other organizational leader across our nation wherever you exercise influence.

Ranger Culture is Aligned with Church Culture As those of us who are organizational leaders shape or reinforce cultural values, it is important to state that our goal is to create a culture completely consistent with church culture, not a separate culture or even a subculture. Both our mission statement and the cultural values described herein do just that. We have no desire to be independent, rather interdependent. No desire to be competitive, but complementary. When the culture Royal Rangers’ organizational leaders espouse is in seamless alignment with our churches, we forge a mentoring ministry to future men that anyone would be proud to be associated. Here’s my personal appeal to every Royal Rangers leader. Let’s act out these values consistently until they become reality. The outcome will be ministry health. As was stated in an earlier article, what is healthy naturally grows. Reinforcing these cultural values will affect how our leaders perceive themselves and this ministry, how they communicate our mission, and how they relate to one another and to those inside and outside the church. Finally, we will achieve one of the most important outcomes of a healthy culture—planning, acting, and thinking more like a movement, a biblical cause, rather than a mere program. 

{NOTES}

Influence More, More Effectively:

District Assessment Questions These questions are intended to help the district leadership team assess the district Royal Rangers ministry. These are just starter questions. As you reflect on and discuss the article as a team, you will certainly formulate many other important questions that would be insightful to answer. 1. As a team, create a list of fun ways you can instill into our current leadership base (at all levels) a fresh understanding of Royal Rangers’ ministry identity, that is, “a mentoring ministry for future men.” 2. Together as a team, memorize (or at least nearly memorize) the descriptive word picture of the kind of mentoring ministry we want to be. Make it memorable by drawing pictures, giving prizes, or creating a group game. Then discuss the practical implications of each statement and find answers in the revised and updated Seek and Save compilation of articles. 3. Review and discuss the personal, leadership, and ministerial values that will guide Royal Rangers to achieve its preferred future. These are described not only in this article but also in the Seek and Save compilation and in the ThinkOne articles, which are both available for download online. Prayerfully make one personal action point for each value, defining how you will live this out in your own life. 4. Look over the five tools listed for shaping culture. As a team, discuss how to use each tool to clearly, creatively, and consistently shape and reinforce our personal, leadership, and ministerial values. Before using them, ask if the stories, symbols, celebrations, etc. are consistent with the methodology, philosophy, and values that will guide us into our preferred future (and not ones that will reinforce mindsets or customs that we are trying to change). 5. How will you share with pastors the exciting direction the Lord is leading Royal Rangers?

The audio version of this article — r CULTURE: What We Value and Believe and How We Think

is available online at www.royalrangers.ag.org.

royalrangers.ag.org

{ NATIONAL UPDATE }

Organizational Leadership Training “To Forge Servant Organizational Leaders”

he purpose of Royal Rangers’ Organizational Leadership Training is to challenge men and women, holding (or hoping to hold) positions of service at any level within their districts, regions, or nation, to grow spiritually, to develop wellrounded ministry competencies, and to enhance their leadership aptitudes. Here is a true axiom: “If you want to grow a ministry, you must grow the leaders.” If you accept the challenge to improve yourself through this process, you will experience the satisfaction of knowing you are helping Royal Rangers grow to its greatest ministry potential. As national director, I want to encourage every organizational leader to participate. I believe you will be personally enriched as you stretch and grow, and your efforts will truly benefit those around you. So let’s step up to the challenge. Here’s how it works.

more, since this course of study meets the educational requirements of the General Council Credentials Committee for a Specialized License, you would have the option (but not the obligation) to pursue your credentials through your district. (Additional requirements may apply.) Here are the courses offered, starting with the core courses followed by the concentration courses.

Prerequisite:

dOld Testament Survey

Before starting, you will need to meet a prerequisite: You must have completed all four “Outpost Leader Advancement Levels” (Ready, Safety, Trained, Advanced) of the Rangers Ministry Academy.

Elements:

The Organizational Leadership Training consists of the following elements. Later, you will see how these are broken into four small measurable goals, called tiers—bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. First, there are Educational requirements, offered by the Berean School of the Bible through Global University. This course of study will better prepare you for ministry to boys and their families as you master basic Bible content, theological principles, general ministry skills, and specialized skills in the concentration of your choice—Christian education, youth ministries, or children’s ministries. What is

by Doug Marsh

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Core Courses (These courses may be taken in any order.) dSynoptic Gospels: The Life and Teachings of Christ dNew Testament Survey dRelationships and Ethics in Ministry dIntroduction to Pentecostal Doctrine dActs: The Holy Spirit at Work in Believers dEffective Leadership dAssemblies of God History, Missions, and Governance* dPrison Epistles: Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Philemon dRomans: Justification by Faith dIntroduction to Assemblies of God Missions* dIntroduction to Theology: A Pentecostal Perspective dIntroduction to Hermeneutics: How to Interpret the Bible dThe Local Church in Evangelism dConflict Management for Church Leaders dEschatology: A Study of Things to Come *Berean University offers alternates to non-Assemblies of God students; visit their website for details.

Concentration Courses (Choose one emphasis — Christian Education, Youth Ministries, or Children’s Ministries)

Christian Education

Youth Ministries

Children’s Ministries

dBiblical Counseling

dChild Guidance

dPrinciples for Christian Teaching

dFoundations for Youth Ministry

dHome and School Discipline

dPreaching in the Contemporary World

dPrinciples for Christian Teaching

dIntroduction to Children’s Ministry

dLeadership in Christian Education

hese courses are not offered by the National Royal Rangers Ministries; please enroll in the Specialized Ministries diploma program with Global University. Here is their website: http://www. globaluniversity.edu/student_info/ level3/bsb/bsb.cfm. Completion of all 16 core and 4 concentration courses in the area of emphasis preferred (for a total of 20 courses) is required to complete all four of the organizational leadership training tiers (see charts later below).

NOTICE: Organizational leaders with an equivalent 2-year Associates Degree (or superior) from an accredited Bible college or university are exempt from these educational requirements. Also, individuals are free to complete the equivalent educational requirements from alternate accredited institutions other than Global University.

The second element is the Leadership Development Seminar. The National Royal Rangers Ministries will periodically offer one to one-and-a-half day leadership development seminars (at times these will be provided at the National Council & Conference but may be given at other times and locations as well). The National Royal Rangers Ministries will also endorse and encourage attendance at conferences or seminars offered by other ministries or organizations or conferences offered by nationally known authors and speakers when offered or required by your company. Available options will be updated on the national website each year. (A list of March ’09-March ’10 approved conferences is listed in the box below.)

Approved Conferences March ‘09 - March ‘10

dLEAD Seminar offered at National Royal Rangers Council & Conference March 2009 dGeneral Council of the Assemblies of God, Leadership Seminar, August 2009, Orlando, FL (www.ag.org) dAny John C. Maxwell leadership development seminars offered by himself or by Giant Impact (www.Injoy.com) dAny Tim Elmore leadership development seminar (www.growingleaders.com) dAny Patrick Lencioni leaders’ development seminar (www.thetablegroup.com) After March 2010, visit the national website for the most current list.

Approved Books March ‘09 - March ‘10 Manhood dMaximized Manhood Dr. Edwin Louis Cole dManhood 101 Dr. Edwin Louis Cole dRaising a Modern Day Knight Robert Lewis dThe Wonder of Boys Michael Gurian dWild at Heart John Eldredge

Leadership dHabitudes (books 1-4 must all be read) Dr. Tim Elmore dSpiritual Leadership Oswald Chambers dThe Five Dysfunctions of a Team Patrick Lencioni dPersonality Plus Florence Littauer dNow Discover Your Strengths Marcus Buckingham & Don Clifton

The third element is practical Service within Royal Rangers. These requirements are different for each tier as you will notice in the charts on the following pages.

After March 2010, visit the national website for the most current list.

The fourth element is Reading Assignments. A list of approved books will normally be maintained on the national website but for your convenience are also listed in the box below. You will be asked to read one book from the current Manhood list and another from the current Leadership list for each tier. In the event any of these books are available in audio format, listening to them carefully is acceptable. (Note: Books for educational expectations, that is, those read for Berean classes, cannot be counted toward these reading requirements.)

The fifth element is Personal Goals. These personal goals are not prescribed but are set by each individual. They must include, but are not limited to, physical, spiritual, family, ministry, and career goals. I highly recommend, though it is not required, that you read The On-Purpose Person by Kevin W. McCarthy (visit the authors website, www.on-purpose. com). You will find his book to be simple, enjoyable, and very valuable in providing a process and structure for prioritizing goals and purposes. You are expected to set goals for each tier and to ask someone to hold you accountable. Seek input from

royalrangers.ag.org

{ NATIONAL UPDATE } trusted individuals, such as your pastor, as you set spiritual development goals. Write out the goals, establish your deadline, and then back-plan into incremental steps that will lead you to the desired outcomes. The final requirement is the Organizational Leadership Seminar. The National Royal Rangers Ministries will coordinate and offer the Organizational Leadership

Seminar (usually at National Council & Conference but occasionally at other locations). District leaders are encouraged to ask potential or new organizational leaders to attend the seminar shortly before or after appointing them to their first post of service. All organizational leaders should attend the seminar every 5 or 6 years, as

things change and this keeps our leadership sharp and informed. This seminar can also be credited as continuous learning where required elsewhere in the Rangers Ministry Academy. You are encouraged to attend the Organizational Leadership Seminar as soon as possible; it is required to complete the final platinum tier.

Tiers:

All the elements of the Organizational Leadership Training track are broken up into four smaller attainable pieces, called tiersâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; bronze, silver, gold, and platinum. Complete the elements in each tier

in the order of your choosing and at your preferred pace. Except for the educational requirements, all others must have been met within the last 3 years to be counted toward any one of the tiers.

BRONZE

SILVER

GOLD

PLATINUM

Education dComplete 5 Berean courses (visit the Global

Education dComplete 5 additional Berean courses (visit the

Education dComplete 5 additional Berean courses (visit the Global

University website to enroll)

or equivalent.

Leadership Development Seminar dComplete 1 Leadership Development Seminar offered by or endorsed by the National Royal Rangers Ministries.

(See national website for offerings.)

Service dComplete 1 of the following: 1) Attend or serve on staff at 1 Action Camp or Junior Training Camp; 2) Attend or staff/teach 1 continuous learning opportunity; or 3) Teach or serve on staff at 1 national training event. Reading dRead 1 book from the Christian Manhood list and 1 from the Servant Leadership list, currently posted on the national website. Also, read the most current edition of Dress for Success by John T. Molloy. You will have read 3 books. Personal Goals dSet and attain personal goals as described above (in the Elements section).

Global University website to enroll) or equivalent for

a total of 10.

a total of 15.

Leadership Development Seminar dComplete 1 additional Leadership Development Seminar offered by or endorsed by the National Royal Rangers Ministries for a total of 2.

Leadership Development Seminar dComplete 1 additional Leadership Development Seminar offered by or endorsed by the National Royal Rangers Ministries for a total of 3.

Service dDo both of the following: 1) Attend or serve on staff at 1 Action Camp or Junior Training Camp; or as an alternative complete another step in the train the trainer track of the Rangers Ministry Academy. 2) Complete or serve on staff/ teach at 1 continuous learning opportunity; or launch and charter a new outpost in a church that does not currently have Royal Rangers.

(See national website for offerings.)

Reading dRead 1 additional book from the Christian Manhood list and 1 additional from the Servant Leadership list, currently posted on the national website, for a combined total of 5 books. Personal Goals dSet and attain personal goals as described above (in the Elements section).

Global University website to enroll) or equivalent for

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

(See national website for offerings.)

Reading dRead 1 additional book from the Christian Manhood list, and 1 additional from the Servant Leadership list, currently posted on the national website, for a combined total of 7 books. Personal Goals dSet and attain personal goals as described above (in the Elements section).

University website to enroll)

or equivalent for a total of 20.

Leadership Development Seminar dComplete 1 additional Leadership Development Seminar offered by or endorsed by the National Royal Rangers Ministries for a total of 4. (See national website for offerings.)

Service dDo both of the following: 1) Attend or serve on staff at 1 Action Camp or Junior Training Camp; or as an alternative, complete another step in the train the trainer track of the Rangers Ministry Academy. 2) Complete or serve on staff/ teach at 1 continuous learning opportunity; or launch and charter a new outpost in a church that does not currently have Royal Rangers. Reading dRead 1 additional book from the Christian Manhood list and 1 additional from the Servant Leadership list, currently posted on the national website, for a combined total of 9 books. Personal Goals dSet and attain personal goals as described above (in the Elements section).

Organizational Leadership Seminar dAttend and complete the Organizational Leadership Seminar offered exclusively by the National Royal Rangers Ministry. (Visit the national website for dates and locations.)

{NOTES}

Recognition: There are no two ways about it! The Organizational Leadership Training track will stretch you. Don’t be concerned if you take 6 months, a year, or two years for each tier. Don’t be in a rush; keep your life in balance. It is not the speed but the process that will forge you into an exceptional servant leader who will take Royal Rangers to new heights. As you complete each tier, visit the national Royal Rangers website. You will find a form to complete. Once received and processed by the national training department, you will be honored with a special insignia to be worn on the right sleeve of your uniform and a certificate worthy to be framed!

Journey Together: Finally, as you step up to this challenge to become a more effective mentor and leader of future men, may I suggest you find a friend (or two) to journey with as you advance toward the platinum level. Like road trips, journeying toward goals like those outlined are more enjoyable when you make them with friends you love and admire. There is an African proverb I’m fond of that states, “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to travel far, go together.” And since this journey is intended to take you and the entire Royal Rangers ministry to new heights and since ministry is not something you do to people but with people, I think you will agree going together will take us all much, much farther. Is it not true that one will vanquish a thousand and two ten thousand? Let’s journey far together! Let’s influence more boys and young men than ever and do so more effectively than ever. 

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Operational Guidelines PURPOSE

Royal Rangers exists to evangelize, equip, and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders (boys and young men K-12) by involving adult men as mentors. The National Royal Rangers Ministries will endeavor to skillfully resource the Assemblies of God Fellowship and other churches affiliated with the Pentecostal Charismatic Churches of North America (PCCNA) with relevant tools to achieve this purpose.

VISION Royal Rangers will continually influence more boys and young men than ever, more effectively than ever! To that end, Royal Rangers will always seek to be the premier, most sought after church ministry for the next generation of men in Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;period! It will be affordable and practical so that every family and church can participate. As we grow, we will remain responsive to learn and adapt to our changing society. Men will be eager to be trained to mentor young men in Christlike manhood; young men will be empowered to assume leadership of Royal Rangers, making it a boy-led, adultfacilitated ministry. Personal and spiritual growth will be fun, hands-on experiential development; friendships will charge our ministry atmosphere. We will reach every boy and young man by creative methods; every Ranger will be eager to serve a God-given cause greater than self. Anyone would be proud to be associated with Royal Rangers!

GOALS The National Royal Rangers Ministries will skillfully pursue the following goals to create an environment in which Royal Rangers will thrive in every district and church. dCurriculum: Leaders will find Royal Rangersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; curriculum to be a practical and enjoyable resource that brings them personal ministerial satisfaction as they watch boys develop. Boys will have fun while being led through a purposeful journey toward Christlike

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

manhood and forged into lifelong servant leaders. dTraining: Relevant training will be provided to mobilize, inspire, and resource adult and junior Royal Rangers leaders. dPublic Relations: Royal Rangers will maintain a comprehensive marketing and communications strategy that will inform the publics and shape the image of the ministry. dEvents: The National Royal Rangers Ministries will lead national (and, when appropriate, international) events that will bring Rangers from across the nation (world) together to learn, to grow, and to relate. dMissions: The National Royal Rangers Ministries will support Royal Rangers International and mobilize key leaders to establish, strengthen, and serve Royal Rangers around the world. Also, Royal Rangers will support Pathfinder Missions to involve men and teen boys in approved construction projects. Royal Rangers will partner with Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (grades K-5) and Speed the Light (grades 6-12) to involve boys in missions giving and awareness.

AUTHORIZATION The National Royal Rangers Ministries of the Division of Church Ministries & Discipleship of the General Council of the Assemblies of God (GCAG) will be led by the national Royal Rangers director. The national director serves under the direct supervision of the assistant general superintendent at the discretion and pleasure of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The national director will lead Royal Rangers in accordance with all policies, procedures, and decisions established by the ELT, Executive Presbytery (EP), and General Presbytery (GP) of the GCAG.

PREROGATIVES In conformity with General Council policy, the national Royal Rangers director has the prerogative to: Build and lead a national leadership team of paid and volunteer staff and direct the national ministry according to these operational guidelines. Nominate members to the Executive Royal Rangers Committee and the National Royal Rangers Center Board and chair said committee and board. Members must be approved by the ELT and ratified by the EP. Form action teams (subcommittees), as necessary, for specific functions and duration. Establish regional boundaries, policies, procedures, and structures as may be deemed necessary to strategically serve the districts of the Assemblies of God and other PCCNA-affiliated churches. Maintain curriculum, products, training programs, chartering benefits, marketing strategies, and whatever other initiatives deemed helpful to advance ministry to the next generation of men in America and around the world.

THE NATIONAL ROYAL RANGERS COUNCIL AND CONFERENCE The annual National Royal Rangers Council and Conference is designed to inform, inspire, and challenge organizational leaders to work toward the common good and advancement of the purposes of Royal Rangers in the United States and around the world. It is primarily a conference designed for organizational leaders but any Royal Rangers leader may attend. While business is not the focus, three National Council officers are to be elected on odd years. At times, the national director may choose to bring items to the floor for a vote (these may or may not be binding). Anytime a vote is called, only those listed as voters in the section, “Election of National Council Officers” may participate.

EXECUTIVE ROYAL RANGERS COMMITTEE dPurpose: The purpose of the Executive Royal Rangers Committee (EC) is to serve the field, with district leadership being top priority, on behalf of and as an extension and advocate of the national Royal Rangers director and his team.

dDuties: Each year the national Royal Rangers ministry, with the participation and assistance of the EC members, will conduct the National Royal Rangers Council and Conference to inform, inspire, and challenge organizational leaders to work toward the common good and advancement of the purposes of Royal Rangers in the United States and around the world. Each year the EC members with the participation and assistance of their regional team members will assist the National Royal Rangers Ministries in conducting key national training events. They will also lend service and leadership to the National Camporama, National Rendezvous, and all other nationally approved events, projects, and initiatives. The EC will advise the national director and his team as necessary so that Royal Rangers remains the premier, most sought after church ministry for the next generation of men in America—period! dMembers: • General Superintendent and Assistant General Superintendent, ex officio • National Royal Rangers Director • Key members of the national leadership team as determined by national director • Three elected Council officers— president, vice president, secretary (see election of officers) • All regional coordinators • Royal Rangers International Director • National Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship Coordinator • National Royal Rangers Alumni Coordinator The national director has the prerogative to appoint up to two additional Council members with specific portfolios to the Executive Committee as he deems necessary. dMeetings: The EC will meet twice annually. The agenda will be set by the national director; members are encouraged to suggest agenda items well in advance of the meetings for consideration. Members present will constitute a quorum. Meetings will be led according to Meyer’s Rules of Order and will be chaired by the national director.

{NOTES}

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ELECTION OF NATIONAL COUNCIL OFFICERS dOfficers: The Council officers of the EC will be the national director, president, vice president, and secretary. The president, vice president, and secretary will be elected for a two-year term on odd-numbered years and are limited to two consecutive terms (in each position). dNominations: Prior to the National Council and Conference, the national director will appoint a three-member nominating committee. One of the committee members will be the president of the Council who will chair the committee. The committee will present the national director a slate of five candidates to be elected to the three offices. All nominees must be current members of the National Council for no less than three years and meet the current criteria for leadership established by the ELT. dElections: Election of officers will occur at the National Council and Conference by secret ballot. The names of the nominees will be balloted upon until a candidate for office has received a majority of the votes cast. The results of each ballot will be announced before balloting continues. dVoters: The following are eligible to vote for the three elected officers of the EC and eligible to vote on any other matters (binding or not) brought to the floor of the Council: All members of the EC Up to five members of each regional leadership team—the regional coordinator and four others (selected by the regional coordinator) Up to five members of each district leadership team—the district director and four other district-approved staff (selected by the district director) Honorary Council members dVacancies: President: In the event the office of president becomes vacant for any reason, the vice president will fill the unexpired term.

Vice President: In the event the office of vice president becomes vacant for any reason, the national director will appoint a member of the Council to fill the unexpired term. Secretary: In the event the office of secretary becomes vacant for any reason, the national director will appoint a member of the Council to fill the unexpired term. dDuties: National director and chairman: The national director will be the chairman and the chief executive officer of the EC and the national ministry. He will preside at all meetings. He will notify Council members of the date and location of meetings. He will be an ex-officio member of all action teams (subcommittees). President: The president will be the chief coordinating officer of the EC. He will encourage the members to carry out their duties and responsibilities. He will promote and participate in projects or programs as approved by the national director. He will be responsible for presenting the President’s Report at each National Council and Conference, reporting on the actions and activities of the EC. He will be an ex officio member of all action teams (subcommittees). Vice President: The vice president will assist the president in his duties and will be assigned specific duties by the president after consultation with the national director. Secretary: The secretary will be responsible for the reading of the minutes at the EC meetings. He will assist the other officers in their duties.

HONORARY NATIONAL COUNCIL MEMBERS Honorary members are individuals, nominated and approved by the EC, who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the Royal Rangers ministry as former members of the Council. The EC will limit itself to approval only two or at the most three new honorary members each year.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

NATIONAL ROYAL RANGERS CENTER BOARD Camp Eagle Rock, the National Royal Rangers Center, is operated by a board under separate articles of agreement and bylaws.

NATIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM dGoals: The purpose of the national leadership team is to pursue the vision and achieve the goals of the National Royal Rangers Ministries (see above). dTeam: The national leadership team will be comprised of the following: national director, events coordinator, programs/ curriculum coordinator, training coordinator, communications/marketing coordinator, Royal Rangers International director. Each position corresponds with a national goal to be achieved.

ACTION TEAMS The national director may appoint Ranger leaders in good standing to serve on action teams (subcommittees) as necessary for specific functions and durations.

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP TEAM dGoals: The purpose of the regional leadership team is to serve the district directors and their leadership teams as an extension of the national director, his team, and their goals. The regions will seek to implement and advance the goals of the national director and his team. dTeam: The regional leadership teams will be comprised of the following: Regional coordinator: Responsible for advancing the cause of the Royal Rangers ministry, following the lead of the national leadership team, by serving the district directors and the members of their leadership teams within the region. Leads the regional Royal Rangers leadership team. Assistant regional coordinator: Responsible to assist the regional coordinator.

{NOTES}

Training coordinator: Leads a team responsible to partner with districts on behalf of the national leadership team to certify competent instructors and will perform other duties assigned by the national training coordinator and the regional coordinator. Communications coordinator: Responsible to assist the regional and national leadership teams to articulate the national message, to advertise events (regional and national), and to assist and/ or represent the national leadership team at key national events (Royal Rangers and/or other ministry venues) held inside the region (like General Council, Fine Arts Festival, etc.). Territorial FCF Representative: Facilitates the success of the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship ministry within the districts in his region. Serves under the direction of the regional coordinator and in close coordination with the national FCF president and his team. Other positions: The above positions are considered essential, but the regional coordinator may create and appoint other positions, such as events coordinator, etc. The regional leadership team, in consultation with the national director, creates additional positions to advance specific national objectives.

DISTRICT LEADERSHIP TEAM dGoals: The purpose of district leadership at all levels is to skillfully facilitate the success of local churches to evangelize, equip, and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders. Grow: District Royal Rangers leadership should wisely encourage and help every eligible church to launch and effectively implement the Royal Rangers ministry. Outposts should be challenged to be outreach ministries. (See section: “Churches Eligible to Use Royal Rangers.”)

Develop: District Royal Rangers leadership should skillfully mobilize, inspire, and train local-level adult and junior leaders to effectively minister to boys and families in their churches and to reach into their communities. Relate: District Royal Rangers leadership should plan and/or participate in events that will allow Royal Rangers from individual churches to relate with Rangers from other congregations, denominations, districts, regions, and nations. District Royal Rangers leadership should also plan crossfunctional ministry events that will help Rangers relate with other ministries or departments. These events should allow Rangers to see they are part of a large district, national, and worldwide body. All events should support and facilitate the success of the local church in its endeavors to evangelize, equip, and empower. dTeam: The National Royal Rangers Ministries urges districts to prayerfully and skillfully build and structure a leadership team to accomplish the above goals. No one organizational structure will meet the needs of more than one district as every district is different. While every district will structure itself differently, the following positions are highly recommended in each: District director: Responsible for developing goodwill and favor for Royal Rangers in the eyes of district officials, leaders, and pastors and for leading the district Royal Rangers leadership team. Outreach coordinator: Leads a team responsible for creating a growth environment within the district so that each year considerably more churches are adopting Royal Rangers. He also foments a mission’s heart within the district by mobilizing participation in district and world missions outreach, including those listed in the mission’s goals (above).

Training coordinator: Leads a team responsible to mobilize, inspire, and train adult and junior leaders to evangelize, equip, and empower.

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{ NATIONAL UPDATE }

Communications coordinator: Leads a team to market the ministry within the district. FCF president: Leads the Frontiersmen Camping Fellowship ministry within the district under the direction of the district director. Other positions: The above positions are considered essential but the district director may create and appoint other positions, such as chartering coordinator, RRA coordinator, Ranger Kids coordinator, events coordinator, etc. Positions are created to advance a specific purpose in light of the needs the district leadership team determines to meet. It is the district director who determines what positions and how many he considers to be his “district leadership team” (or other identifying term determined by the district leadership). Irrespective of how large a team the district director may assemble, only five will vote at the National Council and Conference. (Typically a district leadership team of approximately five to eight is recommended; others can be appointed to support positions and serve on district staff without necessarily being part of the district leadership team.)

LEADERSHIP QUALIFICATIONS AND ATTITUDE dQualifications: Leaders in national, regional, and district-level positions as well as action team members (subcommittees) and honorary council members may be considered for leadership in organizational positions provided they meet these qualifications: Leaders will embody the values of the Royal Rangers ministry and serve wholeheartedly for the realization of the vision and goals of the

Royal Rangers ministry so that it is always advancing. Members will be registered in a currently chartered Royal Rangers outpost and will either be ordained or licensed ministers in good standing with the Assemblies of God or a Christian worker or layperson who is a member in good standing of an Assemblies of God church. Non-Assemblies of God members may be considered by the district director on a case-by-case basis in consultation and harmony with the assistant general superintendent when considered for national positions and with the respective district superintendent of the Assemblies of God for district-level positions. It is strongly recommended that organizational leaders be graduates of (or actively engaged in completing) the Royal Rangers’ Organizational Leadership training tract. dAttitude: Organizational leaders within Royal Rangers, those in a position outside the local church at all levels, should be committed to the principles of servant leadership; by serving others first, together we exercise leadership. A biblical spirit of cooperation should prevail in relationships at all levels (national/ regional, national/district, region/district, district/churches, Royal Rangers leaders/ leaders of other district and national ministries). Together we are reaching, discipling, and shaping leaders for the Kingdom. Conflict should be resolved in a humble and Christlike manner.

ORGANIZATIONAL OFFICE INSIGNIA AND RECOGNITION Organizational leaders will wear the following office insignia on the collar: EC Members: Gold starburst with gold wreath on navy background.

National and regional support staff and action team members: Gold starburst on navy background, no wreath. District “executive team” (or other identifying term determined by the district leadership): Silver starburst with silver wreath on navy background. District support staff and sectional leadership: Silver starburst on navy background, no wreath. All organizational leaders are welcome and encouraged to participate in the Organizational Leadership Recognition Program.

CHURCHES ELIGIBLE TO USE ROYAL RANGERS All Assemblies of God and all PCCNAaffiliated churches are eligible to use the Royal Rangers ministry. Other non-AG and non-PCCNA churches may also qualify. They should consult with the Assemblies of God leadership in their geographic district for procedures and consideration.

FINANCES Royal Rangers will be financed by: (1) a national chartering system, (2) product sales, (3) events, and (4) advertising and contributions.

UPDATES TO THE OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES Updates to the Operational Guidelines for the National Royal Rangers Ministries may be recommended at any regular or special meeting of the EC and must be approved by the ELT before taking effect. The national director may implement changes in consultation with or upon request of the ELT. 

Men will be eager to be trained to mentor young men in Christlike manhood; young men will be empowered to assume leadership of Royal Rangers, making it a boy-led, adult-facilitated ministry. 56

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On-line Curriculum __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

On-line Chartering __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________ __________________________________

2009

National Adult and Junior Training Update Adult and junior training have been blended into one department at the National Royal Rangers Ministries. This will help to meet our objectives of training adult leaders to mentor future men and to better shape Royal Rangers into a boy-led, adultfacilitated ministry. Adult and junior training balance each other and promote developing complimentary leadership skills. Royal Rangers training will encourage adult leaders to develop mentoring skills while shaping our future leaders. Thus, our training goals are to mobilize, inspire, and resource leaders to evangelize, equip, and empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders. As Royal Rangers advances, the training department will continue forge our most appreciable assetâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; our adult and junior leaders. The following training components are slated to be introduced in the course of 2009. dNew Leader Manual:

Inspire the Journey dRevised Ranger Basics dJunior Leadership Foundations dSix new Junior Leadership Merits

(2 for DR, 2 for AR, and 2 for ER) dHold the last National Training

Camp (before introducing the new National Rangers Ministry Camp in 2010)

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Communications INFORM, EQUIP, and CONNECT Through an ever-increasing variety of means, the National Royal Rangers Ministries continues to pursue its goal to inform, equip, and connect with leaders and boys all across the nation. Using print and electronic media, our goal is to create a Ranger community where members are informed of new developments, equipped for ministry and service, and connected with each other to create a fellowship of brothers, who are passionately pursuing the kingdom of God in their families, churches, and communities.

Rangers NOW, a completely new publication that was released earlier this year, provides annual program information that is unique for each age group and serves as the primary printed vehicle for communicating directly with our boys and leaders.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

{NOTES}

1The new District Promotion Kit includes professionally

designed artwork for use in print publications or on the web. The new ShowStyle briefcase system provides districts with the capability to present a sharp, attractive image when promoting the ministry in their areas. Videos, songs, and audio files are also included.

dThe new Outpost Promotion Kit provides outposts with valuable material to aid in promoting the Ranger ministry in their local communities. The kit also includes a variety of professionally designed items to give outposts a professional look and feel in their communications with parents, supporters, and others involved in their programs.

Most importantly, the new national website will serve as the hub of communication between the national office and our districts and outposts. With regularly updated content, including promotional videos, podcasts, news updates, and surveys, this new site will inform, equip, and connect Rangers at all levels to create an unstoppable team, committed to the purpose of evangelizing, equipping, and empowering the next generation! î &#x201D;

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Curriculum

t has been an exciting year in the development of Royal Rangers curriculum! We are pleased to report that the revised brown Bible merits have been completed and are now in editing. We believe these merits have hit the mark with where junior high and high school age young men are in our culture, and they will be a key component in their spiritual development. We are also pleased to say that the orange Bible merits are currently in the process of being written. These merits are sure to help upper elementary age boys continue to grow on their spiritual journeys. Currently six leadership merits (two for Discovery Rangers, two for Adventure Rangers, and two for Expedition Rangers) are in development. These leadership merits will establish a foundation for a lifetime of servant leadership we hope to instill in every young man in the Royal Rangers ministry. Finally, the national Royal Rangers team completed a brand new Royal Rangers Leader Manual: Inspire the Journey in November of 2008. It will serve as the backbone of Royal Rangers training and reflects the exciting program improvements taking place. î &#x201D;

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Products The Utility Uniform On special request from the field, a new uniform is being developed that is both attractive and comfortable while engaging in fun activities. It will be rugged enough to withstand rigorous activities while remaining stylish enough for boys and young men to wear proudly.

_________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________ _________________________________

Be a part of the

NATIONAL PRAYER VIGIL October 9 -10, 2009

Visit royalrangers.ag.org/events for more information.

BGMC

Boys & Girls Missionary Challenge

“Challenging Kids to Reach the World!” www.bgmc.ag.org

RANGER STORE

GOSPEL PUBLISHING HOUSE

For All Your Ranger Gear! Located in the Lake of the Ozarks Room gospelpublishing.com royalrangers.ag.org

royalrangers.ag.org Promote Your Outpost Now available from Gospel Publishing House, a special publication for pastors, parents, sponsors, or anyone interested in learning more about the mission and values of the Royal Rangers ministry. Visit www.gospelpublishing.com or call 1-800-641-4310 and ask for ITEM 72HU9892.

® GOSPEL PUBLISHING HOUSE

Book of Nehemiah Hear National Director Doug Marsh as he opens up God’s Word to the book of Nehemiah. This Old Testament book has many insights and lessons that are applicable to the Royal Rangers leadership and ministry among boys. You can listen online at www.royalrangers.ag.org or subscribe at iTunes® to have new programs automatically downloaded to your mp3 player.

— New Podcasts Uploaded Regularly royalrangers.ag.org

MISSIONS Royal Rangers International (RRI)

PathFinder Missions

RRI exists to establish, strengthen, and serve Royal Rangers in nations all around the world. Get involved today! Mochila Madness is designed to provide school supplies and toys to less fortunate children in Central America. It is simple. Purchase a Mochila Madness backpack from RRI, fill it with items for boys or girls and send it back to RRI. Another way to help with this project is to donate money to cover the cost for shipping the backpacks or for filling the backpacks on site in Costa Rica. To order a pack or to donate money, contact RRI (417-595-0603 or email bkinney@ royalrangersinternational.com). EX2 is missions to the extreme! Have you ever had a desire to do something really off the wall? Like traveling 2,000 miles to one of the most biodiverse places on earth with nothing more than a backpack. If you are READY for anything and are up for a challenge that will rock your world, you may want to check out this opportunity of a lifetime! Be part of a construction project and ministry outreach like you have never experienced. The arrival date in Costa Rica is June 12, 2009, and the departure date is June 21, 2009. Complete the EX2 application on the RRI events page. For more information, contact Jeff Cooper, RRI Camp Summit director (jeff.cooper@agmd.org). There will be three Leadership Training OVERSEAS Academies (LTA) and one National Training Ministry Opportunities Camp (NTC) held in Eurasia in 2009. Eurasia is looking for qualified instructors for these training events on May 8-11 (LTA-Russia), May 15-18 (LTA-Ukraine), July 30-August 10 (combined LTA & youth outreach-Russia), and August 13-16 (NTC-Ukraine). Contact John Wilson (john.wilson@hqmail.agmd.org) for more details regarding Eurasia training trips or RRI (rri@royalrangersinternational.com) for other overseas training trips that might develop later this year.

PathFinder Missions is an exciting and challenging ministry of Royal Rangers. It enables men and 14-17 year old boys to assist in building projects through the Assemblies of God MAPS Construction programs at home and abroad. There are many opportunities for you to get involved: dBronze PathFinder Mission – U.S. Missions construction projects outside one’s home district. (Projects exist in Arizona on an Indian Reservation, in New York and Georgia doing inner-city church work, and in Alaska at the district campground.) dSilver PathFinder Mission – Overseas projects to moderately accessible construction sites with basic conveniences. (Projects are available in Costa Rica, Bolivia, Colombia, and Panama.) dGold PathFinder Mission – Overseas construction projects to harsh, remote areas of the world where other teams are unable to go due to the tough living conditions of these assignments, such as backpacking or boating equipment and building supplies to the site. (Projects are available in Panama, Bolivia, and Honduras.) Contact Mike King, the PathFinder Missions president, to coordinate a team and get more information (mikeking5@bellsouth.net or 931-381-4491). Complete the necessary forms, found on PathFinder Missions’ website.

www.royalrangersinternational.com

www.pathfindermissions.com

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Is The Heart of God! Boys and Girls Missionary Challenge (BGMC) BGMC and Royal Rangers have partnered together through the “Master’s Tool Box” to help meet the specific needs of missionaries, such as generators, water wells, and other equipment needed to further the gospel. The goal is that every elementary aged boy comes to summer Rangers camps with the coins he has saved for missions. Royal Rangers’ 2009 Master’s Tool Box goal is $100,000! These funds will be used for the following projects: $35,000 – Generator To provide a generator for an African Bible college that has lost power due to the lack of electricity in the country. $20,000 – Water Well To provide an African community with fresh water through a new church plant, which will show Christian love to a community in great need. $15,000 – Church repair To repair three or more churches damaged by natural disasters or human violence, such as those in Kenya. $20,000 – RRI To assist Royal Rangers International in its efforts to disciple young people worldwide. $5,000 – Outreach RRUSA To assist with Royal Rangers evangelism efforts in America. $5,000 – RR “Help Up” Fund To assist with the launching of new Royal Ranger outposts that lack the funds to purchase the initial materials. Earn money and put it in the Master’s Tool Box money container. Complete the Master’s Tool Box offering form, found on the BGMC website, and send the offerings, according to the instructions on the form.

www.bgmc.ag.org/toolbox

Speed the Light (STL) Speed the Light exists to provide our missionaries with essential transportation and creative communication equipment they need to see souls saved and lives changed. If it has wheels or hooves and can carry a missionary to where someone is waiting to hear about Jesus, Speed the Light has provided it. Here’s where you come in. The Christmas Challenge ‘09 consists of taking up a STL offering to provide a boat and motor for missionaries Don and Terri Triplett in Nicaragua. With no paved roads or modern transportation in the area, a boat is necessary for the Tripletts to be able to reach the many tribes of Miskito Indians in the area with their river and lake ministry. This Christmas gift will cost $25,000. Here’s what you can do. Apply the STL Christmas Challenge ’09 sticker to an empty can and begin collecting money. Send the offering to the STL office at 1445 N. Boonville Avenue, Springfield, MO 65802. Make checks payable to RR/STL Project and include 01.001.003.4001.000 in the memo line. This will help the STL office know exactly which project the donations are intended. The deadline for the donation to be into the STL office is November 31, 2009.

http://stl.ag.org royalrangers.ag.org

Why is it happening? 5 priorities that cause

amazing church

growth overseas L.

John

Bueno Jess Heugel

ost fellowships of the worldwide Assemblies of God are growing

at an unparalleled rate, yet the U.S. Fellowship seems to have

reached a plateau. People often ask me why so much of the church overseas sees such significant growth. Following are five significant reasons I believe

1. They emphasize and practice the priesthood of the believers. Our forefathers in the Assemblies of God believed strongly in the priesthood of all believers. Everyone is of equal value in God’s sight. While church organizations may have a hierarchy in which members have different callings, everyone has equal access to God.

Dana Dominguez

most churches overseas see greater growth.

2. They prioritize ministerial training. Bible schools are still one of the main emphases of our overseas ministry. The Assemblies of God has significantly more Bible schools overseas than any other denomination, even though some agencies invest more money and have more missionaries. Schools overseas keep ministerial training as their primary focus. Many of our schools overseas will not allow students to go on to their second year until they participate in church planting or some other type of church ministry. While this may sound extreme, I believe it is a key to the growth of many of our national fellowships overseas. Ministry is the focus of Bible school students’ education, and as a result they are well prepared to become evangelists, pastors and teachers.

3. They focus on growth rather than maintenance. Among U.S. churches, leadership can succumb to a maintenance mentality — finding ways to keep the system operating. In the process, we can develop an infrastructure that is expensive and, in some ways, hinders the church’s primary purpose. Among overseas fellowships, the vision of the leadership is focused much more on growth than on maintenance. Leaders have a vision for reaching the lost and for making the infrastructure serve the main purpose.

Testament. However, depending on the miraculous is not practiced as often here as it is overseas. We must go back to believing that miracles happen in our day and in our churches. Miracles should happen continuously in the life of our churches.

5. They focus their resources on ministry rather than buildings. While storefront buildings and basement churches may no longer be adequate for reaching people in the United States, I believe an undue emphasis is often placed on a church’s physical facilities. Among U.S. churches, we need to honestly evaluate how much of our resources are really focused on reaching the lost.



Christ’s return is still imminent, and souls are still without Christ. Everyone’s participation is still needed to complete the task. When we as a fellowship recapture that focus, we will see our churches grow and multiply. Are we willing to pay the price?  This article is summarized and reprinted with permission. The full article was printed in Today’s Pentecostal Evangel on October 5, 2008. For the complete article, visit http://tpe. ag.org/Articles2008/4926_bueno.cfm.

4. They depend on and expect the miraculous. All of us believe that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. All of us believe in the miracles of the New Testament as well as the Old

L. JOHN BUENO is executive director of AG World Missions.

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Establishing, Strengthening & Serving Royal Rangers In Each Nation. Get Involved.

OVERSEAS Ministry Opportunities

www.RoyalRangersInternational.com

For more information SEE PAGE 64.

™

“Building Churches… Changing Lives” ™

Jerry Bell — US MAPS National Director Rick Dostal — US MAPS Construction Representative rdostal@ag.org Bronze Pathfinder/Church Construction Team Trips

For more information, call toll free 1-877-346-6277 or visit www.usmaps.ag.org.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

The 2009 LEAD Seminar represents the launch of an exciting, new, and comprehensive training track for organizational leaders. This seminar will equip you toâ&#x20AC;Ś dInfluence peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;to LEAD with Love, Encouragement,

Accomplishments, and Development. You will discover that leadership is not something you do to people, but something you do with people. dAssess your own LEAD abilities and those of others.

When your own leadership competencies and those of others around you grow, your ministry grows. dSet LEAD goals.

Guest speakers for this event: Rev. Alton Garrison, Assistant General Superintendent Rev. Doug Clay, General Treasurer Rev. Bob Cook, Executive Vice President of the Alliance for Higher Education Audio files of all LEAD sessions will be available on our website at royalrangers.ag.org/national council royalrangers.ag.org

Love 1. The root causes of leadership failure always lie in a ___________________ interaction between the situation, with its opportunities and pitfalls, and the individual leaders, with their strengths and vulnerabilities.

2. There are systematic methods that leaders can employ to lessen the likelihood of ___________________.

3. The overriding goal in leadership is to build momentum by creating virtuous cycles that build credibility and by avoiding being caught in vicious cycles that damage credibility.

4. 5. 6. 7.

Establish ___________________ boundaries. Defer ___________________ . Focus on ___________________. Go to the ___________________.

Case Study: You have just been asked by the pastor to become the Royal Rangers leader for the church. There are very few boys involved, there is a small budget, and the pastor has said that he does not think it will be easy to find anyone to help you. He also says that the former RR leader was angry with him because he had asked him to resign because he had been unfaithful in tithing and church attendance. You have a real passion to help young boys but feel that you are not a gifted teacher. Where would you start?

L. Alton Garrison L. Alton Garrison is the assistant general superintendent of the Assemblies of God. As assistant general superintendent, he serves as the commissioner on discipleship and as executive director for the Discipleship/ Church Ministries Division, which includes all of the adult, youth, and children ministries of the church. As the Arkansas district superintendent, he launched a district mentoring ministry for pastors with the District Coaching Group and local church leadership through the Arkansas Cohort Group. Throughout his pastorate at First Assembly of God in North Little Rock, the church experienced significant growth, developed extensive lay ministry involvement, and gave millions to missions. 70

Questions to consider: dWhat would be your relationship with the former leader and how would you go about repairing the relationship between him and the pastor? dIf the former leader resented you for accepting a position he felt was rightfully his, what would you do? dHow would you recruit helpers? dWhat would you do to cast vision? dWhat would be your first three steps? Of the 300 leaders in the Bible only, 25% ended well and in the will of God. That’s just 75 out of the entire 300. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:27, “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.” To be a leader requires Spirit and strategy—both the sacred and the secular. It is not either/or but both/and. Before we look at level 1, here are some principles of the Five Levels of Leadership. dThe higher you go, the longer it takes. dThe higher you go, the higher the level of commitment. dThe higher you go, the easier it is to lead. dThe higher you go, the greater your personal growth. dYou never leave the previous levels. Each time someone new comes on board, you start at level one. dIt is possible to be at different levels with different people/groups at the same time. dYou must work to take others with you.

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

Five Levels of Leadership (first two) 1. ___________________ — Rights a. Security is based on title, not talent. Leadership is a role, not a title.

b. Influence does not extend beyond job description. c. People follow because they have to. d. The longer a person stays as a positional leader, the higher the turnover rate and the lower the morale of the followers.

2. ___________________ — Relationships a. People follow beyond your stated authority. b. Work is fun. c. Time, energy, and resources are spent on individual needs and desires.

d. Fred Smith says, “Leadership is getting people to work for you when they are not obligated.” They follow you because they want to.

e. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.

f. Leadership begins with the heart, not the head. g. You can love people without leading them, but you cannot lead people without loving them.

h. Possess a genuine love for people. i. Love people more than procedures. j. Deal wisely with difficult people.

to God and other people. God adequately provided reconciliation in the person of Jesus Christ so that _____________ (insert your name) could live forever. Therefore, ______________ (insert your name) knows he’s loved.”

2. Building relationships requires ____________. Lyman Coleman states there are four building blocks of relationship: History-giving, Affirmation, Covenanting, and Dreaming. I will only look at history-giving. A. History-giving: If love is “the accurate estimate and adequate supply of another person’s need,” knowledge of another’s history plays a huge part in specifying the format by which that person can recognize loving acts. It is easily seen by looking at how God loves. That is, one of the reasons God can love us absolutely is that He knows our history absolutely. Ask people to tell their history.

Conclusion: In groups, ask these questions: dWhat is your greatest joy? dWhat is your greatest challenge? dWhat is your passion? dWhat causes you to pound the table and cry real tears? dWhat would you attempt if you knew you wouldn’t fail?

Let’s talk about leading relationally. Is it possible to improve one’s likeability? If so, how?

_____________________________________________

1. Likeability is fueled by __________________ .

_____________________________________________

Understanding that no definition of love is adequate, looking at the historical and biblical roots of love is helpful in grasping the scope of love. A. Love is the accurate ___________________ and the adequate _________________ of another person’s need. a. Love is the ___________________ exploration and discovery of another person’s life.

_____________________________________________

b. Love is the assessment of the _______________ ,

_____________________________________________

desires, and _________________ of that person.

_____________________________________________

c. Love is the concerted ___________________ to

_____________________________________________

respond to that assessment in ways the other person will clearly recognize.

_____________________________________________

B. “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). C. “For God so loved ________________________ (insert your whole name) that He accurately estimated that he was a creep who needed to be reconciled

LOVE royalrangers.ag.org

Encourage I. Make the Right Assumption about People! dBy assumption, I mean an opinion about something that hopefully is true. Now, therein lays a little tension. dHere are some good assumptions that we should make about people we lead.

a. People want to feel valued and needed. b. People need and respond to encouragement

dEncouragement is oxygen to the soul. dThe four basic skills to succeed in ministry

1. Equipping skills—training/developing 2. Leading skills—influencing 3. Relational skills—relating 4. Attitude skills—disposition dQuote Viktor Frankl __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

Doug Clay Doug Clay is the general treasurer of the Assemblies of God and oversees the Division of the Treasury, which is responsible for handling all finances sent to Headquarters for the world ministries of the church. Prior to his election as general treasurer, he served as superintendent of the Ohio district from June 2004 to 2008. He pastored Calvary Assembly of God in Toledo, Ohio, from 1997 to 2004. He has also served as the Assemblies of God national youth director (1995-1997), Ohio district youth director (1989-1995), and as a youth pastor in Ohio and Iowa. 72

dPeople will become what the most important person in their lives thinks. They will become….

c. People will buy into the leader (person) before they buy into their leadership (vision). dToo often, we expect people to be loyal to the position of a leader, instead of the person. dPeople are not motivated by organizational charts; they respond to people. The first thing a leader must declare is not authority because of rights but authority because of relationships.

d. People don’t automatically know what you are thinking! e. People respond to motivation. dWhat motivates people?

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Significant contributions and wins Being a part of goal setting Dealing with dysfunctional and ineffective staff Clean expectations Recognition

II. Ask the Right Questions about People a. Do you genuinely build people, or do you build your dream and use people in the process? dA lot has to do with motives and perspective. Manipulation in moving together for my advantage. Motivation in moving together for mutual advantage. dYou will either see people as your adversary or your asset. If you see people as anâ&#x20AC;Ś ASSET

ADVERSARY

dSee their best

See quirks

______________________________________________

dSee potential

Defend yourself in light of them

______________________________________________

dLook to serve

Tolerate at best

______________________________________________

dWant the best

Look to them as a means to an end

______________________________________________

b. Do you care enough to confront people when it will make a difference? dConfrontation

c. Do you listen carefully to people? III. Give the Right Support to People a. Help people work in the area of their giftings. b. Give people access to yourself. c. Give people ownership to the cause. d. Speak the truth in love. Conclusion a. Peopleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s development takes time. b. People skills are essential for success.

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

ENCOURAGE royalrangers.ag.org

Accomplish 1. Initiate and accept __________________ for growth. 2. Develop and follow a statement of _____________ . 3. Make your _______ description and energy an integral part of the statement of purpose.

4. Develop accountability for results, beginning with _____________ . 5. Know and do the things that give a high ___________ . 6. Communicate the ____________ and __________ of the organization. 7. Become a change ___________ . 8. Make the difficult decisions that will make a ________________ . Ascending the Leadership Ladder

1. Public loyalty equals private leverage.

2. Hand out complements freely. Practice praising others.

3. Become a change agent.

People resist change because :

Alton Garrison LEAD Seminar

Certificate of Completion All 2009 National Council & Conference participants who successfully complete the 2009 LEAD Seminar will receive a signed and dated certificate.

1. Loss of security

2. Threatened personal status or personal positions

3. Implied criticisms of the past or present

4. Additional work

5. Seems unnecessary or unhelpful

Eight Stage Process for Leading Change

1. Establishing a Sense of Urgency

2. Creating a Guiding Coalition

3. Developing a Vision and Strategy

4. Communicating the Change Vision

5. Empowering Leaders for Broad-Based Action

6. Generating Short-Term Wins

7. Consolidating Gains and Producing More Change

8. Anchoring New Approaches in the Culture

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

What happens in the organization when one of the primary components of healthy change is missing?

VISION VALUES VALUES VISION VISION VALUES VISION VALUES VISION VALUES VISION VALUES

COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS COMMUNICATIONS

SKILLS SKILLS SKILLS SKILLS

RESOURCES RESOURCES RESOURCES RESOURCES RESOURCES

SKILLS SKILLS RESOURCES

ACTION PLANS ACTION PLANS ACTION PLANS ACTION PLANS ACTION PLANS ACTION PLANS

SUCCESSFUL CHANGE CONFUSION / CHAOS CONFLICT / APATHY MISUNDERSTANDING ANXIETY / INSECURITY FRUSTRATION FALSE STARTS / ERRATIC CHANGE

People follow you at level three because

dWhat you have done for the organization dPeople want to be associated with results and success

Pastor

dProblems are fixed with little effort

dYou get results, increased visibility and success

The Leadership Triangle

Give up the right to be…

Staff & Board Platform & Ministry TEAMS

Notice—Bill Hybels in Courageous Leadership, page 204, “I need to do secret acts of service on a regular basis and promise God and myself that these good deeds won’t find their way into sermon illustrations.”

a. Unforgiving b. Critical c. Dictatorial d. Reactionary e. Disloyal f. Moody g. Whiner h. Lazy i. Vindictive j. Lone Ranger k. Right

The higher up the leadership pyramid you go, the less options you have.

Congregation New Believers RIGHTS

ACCOMPLISH royalrangers.ag.org

Develop Think of someone whose mentoring significantly impacted your personal growth and development…. dWho was this person? __________________________________________________________ dHow did this person make you better? __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________

Developing People 1. Realize that people are your most important asset. 2. Place a priority on developing people. 3. Be a model for others to follow. (You teach what you know; you

Bob Cook G. Robert Cook Jr., serves as the executive vice president of the Alliance for Assemblies of God Higher Education. Prior to beginning his post at the national offices, he served as the Rocky Mountain district superintendent for nine years. He has pastored churches in Provo, Utah and Boulder, Colorado and also served for seven years on the faculty and administration of Bethany University. Other ministry experiences include youth pastorates and a six-year stint as the youth and Christian education director for the Rocky Mountain district. 76

will reproduce who you are!) dIt is easier to ___________ what is right than to ________ what is right. dPeople ____ what people _______. dWork on yourself _________ you work on others. dWork on yourself _________ than you work on others.. dThe example of _________ has profoundly influenced _______.

4. Expose key leaders you are developing to growth opportunities.

Characteristics of an Effective Mentor 1. __________________ – the wisdom that comes only with age and/or experience

2. __________________ – the ability to hear what another person is attempting to put into words without judging

3. ______________ – genuine interest in others and their time 4. Ability to keep things _____________________

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

5. ___________________________ – willingness to honestly share parts of one’s own journey when appropriate

6. Ability to __________________ a person’s development level dAs you reflect back on the person mentioned before that impacted your life, which two of these areas did they excel in? ________________________________________ ________________________________________

4. __________ – supplies a solid foundation that represents stability and security necessary to grow and flourish.

5. __________ – give the ability to see new horizons that enable the person being mentored to achieve beyond what they imagine. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

dAre there any of these six areas in which you, as a potential mentor, need to improve?

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

________________________________________

______________________________________________

________________________________________

______________________________________________

________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________

The Law of Reproduction – It takes a leader to raise up a leader. A successful leader who monitors the growth of the one he is mentoring provides:

1. _____________ – distills truth into bite-sized pieces that can be applied; don’t “dump the whole load.”

2. ________________ – provides a safe place where the person can practice the principles they are learning.

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

3. ______________ – are directions/options on how to best get to their destination.

______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

DEVELOP royalrangers.ag.org

{ N O T E S }

VISION March 2009 – March 2010

Influence more boys and young men than ever, more Effectively than ever! — Prayer Focus

✓ 1. Souls: More boys and young men will come to Christ in 2009-10 than ever! ❑ ✓ 2. Growth: More churches will launch Royal Rangers in every district than ever! ❑ ✓ 3. Leadership: More men will respond to the Ranger vision than even and ❑ prepare themselves to mentor future men!

✓ 4. Ministry Events: Outreach (like district camps and others) will be highly ❑ evangelistic, attracting a wider range of boys and young men, who are interested in the outdoors, sports, trades, technologies, and arts.

✓ 5. Organizational Leaders: Pray for the national and district staff members ❑ by name and their families that God would take them all to a higher level of spiritual and ministerial effectiveness as they journey through the Organizational Leadership Training Track.

✓ 6. Curriculum: The new Bible studies, leadership merits, and the revision of ❑ the skill merits will be highly relevant to the lives of boys and young men.

✓ 7. Online Chartering: The transition from paper to online chartering will ❑ be highly successful.

✓ 8. District Assessments: This year (2009) will be marked by prayerful ❑

evaluation of district effectiveness (by director and staff) that will result in more churches launching Royal Rangers, more adult and junior leaders being trained to minister to future men, and ministry events being more influential and effective than ever!

✓ 9. Missions: Royal Rangers International, Pathfinder Missions, Boys and Girls ❑

Ministry Challenge, and Speed the Light involvement will be higher than ever!

✓ 10. Cross-Functional Ministry: All across the nation, Royal Rangers leaders at ❑ all levels will initiate and enjoy purposeful ministry relationships with partners like Men’s Ministries, Girls Ministries, Children’s Ministries, Youth Ministries, and others.

This vision is an adventure. Join in. “If you ask anything in my name, I will do it.”

john 14:14

“I call on you, O God, for you will answer me.”

psalm 17:6

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” philippians 4:6

“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer.” 1 peter 3:12a

“Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance.” 78

Royal Rangers 2009 Council & Conference

psalm 2:8

EVERY IMPROVEMENT COUNTS. BECAUSE EVERY BOY COUNTS.

royalrangers.ag.org

E va n g e l i ze , e q u i p, a n d empower the next generation of Christlike men and lifelong servant leaders.

royalrangers.ag.org