Membership in the Association
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Application -- Click here for a membership application in PDF format (Click here to get Adobe Reader)
The Disciples Unit Award of Excellence
Purpose of the Award
The purpose of the Disciples Unit Award of Excellence is to recognize outstanding pack, troops, teams, crews, and posts who promote and employ religious activities in their year-round program. It is designed to help motivate units to become more involved with the "Duty to God" principles of Scouting thereby improving their effectiveness in providing the youth with a top-quality program.
Implementing the program
Each unit and its affiliated organizations that have met the criteria established by the National Association of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Scouters may submit the application for this award.
Each unit may receive this recognition on its own merit for a particular calendar year and may re-earn it for succeeding years providing the established criteria is met each year. Each January, eligible units should complete and submit this application as specified in the Submitting section of this form.
Access to forms
For your convenience, we have created a PDF file of the form. You may download it by clicking the link below. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the file. Go to the Adobe Acrobat Reader download site for a free copy of the program.
Scouting as a Ministry
All of these organizations—Camp Fire, Girl Scouts, and Boy Scouts—are recognized for their proven service to children, youth and their families, building life-skills, confidence, and leadership abilities. Many churches see these organizations as extensions of their mission and ministries. They provide valuable children's and youth programs that are ready-to-use, and come with lots of ongoing support and training for leaders. As you see here, adult leaders who are members of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) even have their own association!
While all the civic youth service organizations share a common goal of raising strong, healthy, well-rounded young people, each has a unique history and approach. Congregations of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are encouraged to explore the offerings of each organization. Many churches have discovered a renewed sense of mission and evangelism through these programs. It's all about caring outreach to your community, equipping your church members with the right tools, and a commitment to serve in Christ's name.
Note that the Religious Emblems program is a stand-alone program which can be used in a church without a civic youth service agency. That also means that even if your church has a civic youth organization, you can use it with youth or children who are not involved in those organizations, in addition to encouraging its use within an organization.
Also note that churches may sponsor any combination of these organizations. However, each one has its own structure and understanding of how to work with churches.
Association Officers
President
Gael L. Cooper, Newburgh, Indiana
Vice President
James A. Gazaway, Pensacola, Fla.
Secretary
Scott Thayer, Bethany, West Virginia
Treasurer
Vaughn Oliver, Fort Worth, Texas
Past Presidents
Terry Smith, Fort Worth, Texas
Dave Romack, Arlington, Texas
Hank Kruckeberg, Ponca City, Oklahoma
Cluster Representatives
Cluster One
Position Vacant
Cluster Two
Bill Greenlee
Cluster Three
Janice Oliver
Cluster Four
Position Vacant
Cluster Five
Ken Wiedman
Members at Large
Mary Perkins
Terry Smith
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Staff Liaison
Robert Thornton, Englewood, Ohio
How to Contact the Association
| Rev. Bob Thornton |
| Staff Liaison |
| Disciples Home Missions |
| 201 Beckenham Road |
| Englewood, OH 45322-0115 |
