Should LCMS decide to withdraw its sponsorship of scout units because of BSA's recent announcement to no longer discriminate based on sexual orientation, should it not also withdraw its support of Concordia Universities that do not deny admission based on sexual orientation? What about military service? Shall LCMS churches discourage their members from serving in the armed forces because of its recent repeal of don't ask, don't tell? Will LMCA no longer support its service members?

Every week, thousands of scouts, both church members and non-members alike, enter the church doors. For some, this may be their only exposure to a church. If you are like me, you chose to join a church because of the scout troop you belonged to. What message will we send our youth if we decide to no longer charter their troops? Will it leave them with a positive view of religion or a negative one? How many will quit scouting altogether if their troop loses its charter? Then what? Will they be better off? Will the church better off?

I don’t believe BSA’s change to its membership policy is an affirmation of any particular lifestyle but rather an attempt to see that no child is denied an opportunity to be a scout. The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law. How can the Lutheran Church facilitate that if it is turning them away?

I trust that LCMS will carefully and prayerfully consider the long term impact of any decision it makes and will do so with the best interest of the boys in mind. After all, that is what scouting is all about.