The Torch Award Program
The Emblem – The Torch is an emblem of Christian faithfulness. It recognizes the builders of Christian character and service to others.
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The Purpose of The Torch Award
The United Methodist Church accepts the programs of Scouting and Civic YouthServing Agencies (Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Camp Fire USA) as contributing to the church’s goals in ministry with children and youth. The United Methodist Church supports the use of scouting programs as a proven way of reaching and ministering with boys and girls and their families. We urge churches to study the potential for ministry in the use of the programs of these organizations. The General Commission on United Methodist Men, through the Center for Scouting Ministries, recognizes men and women who give unusual amounts of time and energy in dedicated service to children and youth through these organizations. The Torch Award is an appropriate recognition for adult leaders who have given exceptional service in the use and promotion of these programs.
Criteria for Nominating a Candidate
THE RECIPIENT OF THE AWARD MUST HAVE AN OUTSTANDING RECORD OF SERVICE TO CHILDREN AND YOUTH AS DETERMINED BY THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA:
- Is an active member of a recognized Christian church.
- Has a continuous record of using and supporting the programs (for a minimum of 4 years) of the Center for Scouting Ministries in the life of the church at the district and annual conference level.
- Has served these organizations on the unit (troop, club, etc.), district, council, or other level by active participation in the program.
- Has a record of counseling young people enrolled in the religious awards programs.
- Is actively recruiting men and women for leadership in these organizations and programs.
- Has served effectively as a member of a denominational or interdenominational Church Committee on Scouting.
- Has served as a Camp Chaplain or has helped promote religious services within one of the scouting programs.
Procedures
- A special committee, appointed annually by the Conference Committee on Scouting, receives and reviews the nominations and names the recipients.
- The annual conference may give one award each year, plus one for each 100,000 church members or fraction thereof, and may confer an honorary award in recognition of meritorious service to persons not members of the annual conference.
- Nominations may be made by an individual, by a local church or by the Conference Committee on Scouting and forwarded to the special committee by April 1 each year.
- A citation will be prepared by the special committee to be read in the annual conference session when the award is presented.
- Upon approval, the application is mailed to the Center for Scouting Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. A certificate of merit will be prepared along with a medal and clutch-back pin. A payment for $60.00 (made out to GCUMM) must accompany the application to cover all costs. Please allow 30 days for processing.