National Ministries
General Council of the Assemblies of God
1445 N. Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO
65802-1894

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417-862-2781
Extension 4181

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Staff Update

Your Outpost Council

The Outpost Council is a committee of three to five leaders who coordinate the Royal Rangers ministry in their local fellowship. For the leader who has little time to work directly with boys, the Outpost Council can be the perfect opportunity to help minister to boys and young men. By taking on the administrative duties of the outpost, one can enable the commanders to devote their time to the spiritual, mental, social and physical needs of the boys.

The committee ensures the success of the outpost by selecting qualified men and women as Royal Rangers leaders and by helping provide facilities, equipment, funds and such to assure a sound and effective program for the boys.

Who Can Serve
Any qualified leader who has been endorsed by the pastor, has a heart for ministering to boys and is willing and able to spend time and effort to accomplish that goal is eligible to serve on the council. A council member should be a dedicated Christian, filled with the Holy Spirit, and able to lead boys. Prior experience with Royal Rangers is very helpful, though not a requirement.

Choosing Outpost Leaders
Because he is looked up to as an example by the commanders and boys in Royal Rangers, the Outpost Council should consider the qualifications of a good commander, as suggested by the following guidelines:

• Is the candidate a born-again Christian, well-grounded in the Word of God?
• Is the candidate loyal to the church?
• Are the candidate's habits and ideals above reproach?
• Does the candidate have a heart for ministering to boys and enjoy working with them?
• Does the candidate have a consistent testimony in daily Christian living?
• Is the candidate able to lead and delegate authority?
• Does the candidate possess good judgment?
• Is the candidate willing to accept responsibility?
• Does the candidate command the respect of other men?
• Does the candidate cooperate with the program of the church?
• Will the candidate take leadership training?
• Is the candidate 21 years of age or older? (Lieutenant commanders must be 18 or older.)

When and How to Form
The Outpost Council should be established before the outpost is organized. If an existing outpost does not have an Outpost Council, one should be formed. (Note: Each church has only one Outpost Council.) Members may be appointed by the church board or they may be elected by the church's Men's Ministries group.

First Duties
The church is responsible for recruiting and screening of potential leaders.
The first item of business for the Outpost Council should be to select commanders (also called "guides") for each age/grade group. Each age has its own requirements of patience and energy, so take care in selecting commanders who enjoy interacting and ministering to each age group. Some men are more comfortable with teenage young men, while others enjoy spending time with the younger ages. The groups are:

• Ranger Kids (Kindergarten, first grade, and second grade)
• Discovery Rangers (Third, fourth, and fifth grade)
• Adventure Rangers (Sixth, seventh, and eighth grade)
• Expedition Rangers (Ninth through twelfth grade)

Training and Support
Next, the council should select a time and meeting place for the outpost. The council should gather the introductory materials necessary for the weekly meetings. The council may request someone, such as the senior or associate pastor, to serve as the outpost chaplain.

To ensure the program is implemented well, the Outpost Council should assist its group commanders by enrolling them in leadership training and obtaining the appropriate Royal Rangers leaders' handbooks. Each council member should become familiar with the Royal Rangers ministry by reading the Royal Rangers Leaders Manual. Council members and commanders should enroll in the Leadership Training Academy. The LTC is designed to train leaders in all phases of the Royal Rangers ministry.

Council Duties
Proper organization of the Outpost Council will ensure that the program is implemented effectively and that the burden is equally shared.

Duties of the Chairman
The chairman is responsible for planning and conducting each council meeting. He assigns areas of responsibility and ensures that those duties are fulfilled. He should be available at all times to advise and the council members and commanders. This is normally assumed by the senior commander.

Duties of the Secretary/Treasurer
The secretary/treasurer keeps minutes of each council meeting and and records of and other council business. He also notifies other council members

Duties of the Equipment and Camping Coordinator
The equipment and camping coordinator should make sure that all outpost equipment is stored properly and should inventory all equipment biannually for upkeep and replacement purposes. If new equipment is needed, he presents the need to the council for consideration. In turn, the council is responsible finding the means to pay for equipment and supplies. Money for the outpost's equipment and supplies can be generated through offerings, faith promises, fundraising projects or appropriated funds.

The equipment and camping coordinator also assists in the camping program by helping arrange transportation to camps, hikes and field trips. He ensures that the vehicles that are used in the program are serviced, safe and cleaned after use. He can further assist the commanders by securing camp supplies such as food, ice and camp fuel.

Along with the other outpost council members, he can help by serving as the campfire speaker, helping with advancements or wherever needed.

Duties of the Promotion and Publicity Coordinator
The promotion and publicity coordinator is responsible for making the program's participants, the church at large and even the general public aware of outpost events. He does this by using newspapers, church bulletins, flyers and any other means available.

He also is responsible for planning ways to increase membership in the outpost. This can be done by encouraging boys to invite friends, contacting those who have dropped out of Royal Rangers and by following up on any visitors within a few days.

Duties of the Advancement Officer
The advancement officer is responsible for arranging immediate recognition for a boy when he earns an achievement. He also should chair the advancement review process. He should be assisted in this process by the commander of the boy being reviewed and one other councilman. The advancement coordinator also works with the commanders in planning and conducting Council of Achievement ceremonies.

The Council of Achievement ceremonies should be conducted every three months. The advancement coordinator should strive to make these services as impressive as possible, to highlight the achievement of the boys. Parents and interested friends should be invited to attend these meetings in support and recognition of the boy's accomplishments.

Conducting Council Meetings
Since most council business is directly related to the Royal Rangers groups, the senior commander should attend Outpost Council meetings. He has full voting privilege and a can often serve a chairman. The pastor and assistant pastor are encouraged to attend the Outpost Council meetings. Keep in focus the main objective of the Outpost Council is to serve, support and assist the outpost commanders so that they can focuson the needs of the boys in the outpost meeting.