A "Scout's Own" Service vs. a "Worship Service"

There are many fine resources on the Internet to help Scouters and Chaplain's Aids in planning a "Scout's Own" observance for a Scouting activity. Many of them, however, have a significant weakness when it comes to Scouting activities where the Scouts come from religious backgrounds as truly diverse as is becoming frequently the case in the United States. What were once the "givens" for what a "worship" service should include when all those present came from "mainline Protestant churches" -- or even with a smattering of Catholics or Jews mixed in -- simply are no longer "given" when those Scouts and Scouters include Muslims, Buddhists and Hindus. Nor is it sufficient to simply throw in a variety of prayers or scripture readings from a cross-section of religious traditions while keeping the basic patterns of Protestant worship. Removed from their context, those prayers and readings may in fact misrepresent the traditions they are intended to respect by their very inclusion.

The problem here is actually a very fundamental one. What is considered an act of "worship" is intrinsically and essentially linked to the particular beliefs one holds about God. While worship can legitimately reflect upon deepening one's personal relationship with God in the context of a theistic religion, such language misses the very core understanding about the Divine at the heart of non-theistic religions.

There are other pragmatic difficulties as well. I cannot count the Scouting events I have attended where the assumption has been that the "proper" or "appropriate" time for a "Scout's Own" service was Sunday morning or Wednesday evening. But worship at those times is "proper" only within a Christian context -- and not even for all Christian groups since Seventh Day Adventists and others keep Sabbath on Saturdays. The especially "proper" time for worship for Jews Friday evening or Saturday morning, and for Muslims Friday noon. Gathering for worship and religious observance on Sundays by Hindus and Buddhists is primarily a function of cultural accomodation.

What does this mean for a "Scout's Own" service in 21st century America?

In a religiously diverse setting, then, a "Scout's Own" service must be exactly that -- an opportunity that provides a context for each individual Scout's own worship in accord with their religious beliefs, practices and commitments. It must be ordered and arranged around some other organizing principle than worship, even as it provides opportunities for each Scout to reflect upon how that principle relates to one's "duty to God." In that respect it can also be a Scout's own service if the organizing principle that is chosen is drawn either from the Scout Oath or the Scout Law (as expressed within the particular scouting program, e.g., "The Law of the Pack" or the "Venturer's Oath").

What would make the "Scout's Own" service different from other scouting program opportunities would be its explicit purpose in calling on the Scouts and Scouters to explore this particular value within the context of their "duty to God." What does it mean to be "trustworthy" not only as a requirement of citizenship and responsibility to others in society, but specifically with regard to one's obligations before the Divine? What is "friendliness" not as defined by Webster's dictionary but by my particular faith tradition? How can I draw upon the resources of the Divine and my faith to assist me in fulfilling these obligations of a Scout?

Since the focus of the "Scout's Own" service would not narrowly be worship, it might be possible to include materials from a variety of religious traditions chosen not because of what they say about God but because of what they say about the particular aspect of the Scout Law that is being examined in the service. What is common among some religions in how they understand loyalty and helpfulness, and what is distinct to them? Such instruction would help those assembled to not only better understand the beliefs of others but there own as well as they, on their own, contrast the various understandings.

The "Scout's Own" can still include openings that call those present to give specific attention to their "duty to God" through what follows, songs that direct us beyond ourselves, a reflection on the place of the Divine in fulfilling our scouting obligations, readings that may be responsive, a time for personal reflection and worship, and a reminder of God's continuing presence even as we turn our attention to other things. Notice, however, that this description avoids terminology drawn from any particular faith tradition (such as "invocation," "sermon," or "benediction").

The links at the left provide a "Sample" order for a "Scout's Own" service as a suggestion for this model of the observance might be structured, and a responsive reading interpreting the points of the "Scout Law" drawn from quotations representing a variety religious traditions both from the scriptures and other sources.

Can there be opportunities specifically for "Worship Services" by Scouts and Scouters?

In a word, "Yes," but that one word answer needs some explication. There are occasions where Scouts who share the same religious tradition gather together. This situation can arise in units chartered by congregations where all those registered come from that congregation. Sometimes Scout camps will provide services specifically for Catholics, Latter-Day Saints, or even Muslims or Buddhists. And of course "Scout Sabbath" services and award recognitions of the "Religious Emblems" are traditionally held within specific faith communities as part of their regular worship services. In these and similar circumstances when all present are known to share a particular religious commitment, then a service focused on worship within that particular faith tradition is appropriate.

One final word about "Scout Sabbath" observances. As a Scouter and pastor of a congregation that charters a Cub Scout Pack where, in fact, none of the congregation members are registered (though many are involved in packs and troops closer to their homes or schools) and has Cubs of many different faiths, I can attest that these worship services can be very tricky to balance. While as a congregation hosting the service we try to be welcoming and open to those who may attend because their sons are in the Pack, we do make it clear that these are regular services of our congregation and not activities sponsored and directed by the Pack. As such, they will reflect our particular beliefs and practices. We support Scouting as a Chartering Organization because we support its values including reverence. We respect the beliefs of others, and we anticipate that others will both respect and expect us to be true to our own beliefs and religious practices.

Copyright © 2005 Scouting and Religious Diversity
Last modified: 10/10/05