I. Introduction

In affirmation of the need to serve youth, the Covenant Relationship shall be a partnership to cooperate in endeavors to seek and perform the listed goals and objectives of service to Youth. The parties shall look forward to a supportive relationship by which the Youth Ministry of the Church can be enhanced and strengthened through the use of the programs of the Boy Scouts of America, and the Church can help the Scouts in instilling the concept of "Duty to God" in the Youth it serves.

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) local congregations charter (own) nearly 4000 Boy Scout units with over 195,000 youth and adult members.

The National Association of Presbyterian Scouters (NAPS) is a linked body with the Congregational Ministries Division of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It is related by Covenant Agreement to the Christian Education Program Area of the Division.

This document describes a covenant, not a contract; it is based on relationships and trust with specific responsibilities for all partners. It is agreed that each partner will assume sole responsibility for its own actions and the creation and signing of this covenant does not hold either party legally liable for the actions of the other.

II. NAPS will cooperate in the listed areas:

1. NAPS will name the Associate for Youth Ministries of the Congregational Ministries Division, or appropriate staff member, to a regular position on its (NAPS) National Board of Directors.
   
   
2. The President of NAPS, or his representative, shall attend any meeting called for Covenant Groups by the division.
   
   
3. The President shall prepare an annual written report for the Division.

III. The Congregational Ministries Division, through the Christian Education Program Area, will cooperate in the following areas:

1. The Associate for Youth Ministry (CMD), or a representative, shall attend at least one meeting a year of the NAPS Executive Committee and the Religious Relationships Committee of the Boy Scouts of America.
   
   
2. The position of the Representative of the church to Programs of Religious Activities for Youth (P.R.A.Y.) shall be reserved for the president of NAPS or his named representative.

Together the parties will encourage congregations to consider the programs of the Boy Scouts of America as part of their ministry and service to Youth.

IV. Ratification and Review When approved by the Congregational Ministries Division, this Covenant shall be signed and dated by a National Officer of NAPS and a representative of the Division. A copy of the signed document shall be maintained by each entity.

______________ For National Association of Presbyterian Scouters
_________ Date

______________ For Congregational Ministries Division, PC(USA)
_________ Date

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GAMC Action taken June 5-7, 2001

UPDATE ON actions taken at the June, 2001 General Assembly Mission Council Meeting and the 213th General Assembly (2001) regarding the National Association of Presbyterian Scouters and the Boy Scouts of America.

At the General Assembly Mission Council meeting (June 5-7, 2001) the Congregational Ministries Division Committee voted to affirm its covenant agreemnt with the National Association of Presbyterian Scouters (NAPS) made at its November, 2000 meeting. The full text of the CMD statement reads:

"The Congregational Ministries Division affirmed our covenant agreement with the National Association of Presbterian Scouters (NAPS) at the November 2000 meeing. This covenant also involves annual reports and biannual reviews. We continue dialogue with NAPS (as with all our covenant groups) to strengthen that partnership."

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