As an EX-Eagle Scout, and 37 year long FORMER member of the BSA, my sons & I were voted OUT of Scouting on May 23, 2013, for REMAINING, morally straight.

I have been disappointed at the snail's pace at which this decision has come. As a former BSA employee, I warned them 20 years ago about the dangers of relying on liberal mainline churches as charter partners, and the need to develop closer ties and more units with churches like, the LCMS. They went and did the EXACT opposite. Since the BSA voted US out by their NEW policy of moral indifference (THEY changed; we DIDN'T), the bond was OFFICIALLY broken on 5/23/13, on THEIR end.

As a future charter partner for both Trail Life USA & the American Heritage Girls, I am aware of their Calvinistic tendencies. The way to offset that is to be a STRONG charter partner, with congregational involvement. As someone who who learned this through my work with the BSA, a STRONG charter partner involvement will dictate local practice. THAT'S how the LCMS can utilize their programs to our congregations' advantage.

Let us keep ever vigilant in utilizing both programs, that we do NOT revisit this same morally relativistic end we've experienced with BSA/GSA. Proper supervision and involvement on OUR end is critical.