May 29, 2013
Louisville Church Drops Boy Scouts After Vote
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
A Louisville church is breaking ties with a Boy Scout troop in the wake of the national organization's decision to allow gay youth to join.
Southeast Christian Church Executive Pastor Tim Hester says the youth organization's consideration of that issue started a discussion that led to the church's board of elders to decide against renewing the church's charter with Troop 2012.
Hester told The Courier-Journal ( http://cjky.it/18usmFV) the direction of the Boy Scouts and the church's desire not to get caught up in it prompted the change.
"We want everyone, including ourselves, to live by biblical standards," Hester said.
The organization's National Council voted last week to allow openly gay youth but maintained its ban on gay leaders.
The Scouts have until the end of the year to relocate.
Barry Oxley, CEO of the Boy Scouts' Lincoln Heritage Council, said the Boy Scouts are working to identify a new organization to charter Troop 212 and Cub Scout Pack 212.
Oxley said about 300 families participate in Scouting in the two groups at Southeast Christian.
"Our focus," he said, "is helping youth grow into young people of character and integrity through a program of fun and adventure."
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
