I balance the dislike of the Inner Ring down in Nashville against the unfeigned love I was shown at last week's Ranger Quest by the youth and adults of the Council's Venturing program. It quite touched me. Yesterday, a fellow pastor whose daughter, a Christian performing artist who gave a concert when I was on vacation a couple of weeks ago, told me she reported of my congregation, "they sure love their pastor." And just now, I got off the phone with someone calling to make sure I was signed up for a Confessing Movement leadership retreat next month. They reached out specifically to include me, and when I protested that I had no connections and nothing to offer, they made it clear they valued me and wanted me to participate in this invitation-only event.
For years, I have told people in my preaching, "you are wanted and you are loved." How wonderful to have others tell me that I am wanted and I am loved. Meanwhile, given the behavior of the Office of CYSA/Scouting and the Scouting Ministry Committee at GCUMM to many people, I suppose their bad-mouthing me says more about them than it does about me.