Running Royal Rangers in a Small Church: A Guide for Small Outposts

February 11, 2025

Royal Rangers is a dynamic, Christ-centered program designed to help boys grow spiritually, physically, socially, and mentally. Whether your church is large or small, the mission remains the same: to raise up the next generation of young men who are spiritually grounded and equipped to face life’s challenges. Running a Royal Rangers program in a small church or outpost setting comes with unique challenges, but it also offers great opportunities for meaningful discipleship and deep connections. Here’s a guide to running a successful Royal Rangers ministry in a small church setting.

1. Start with Vision and Prayer

Before getting into the practicalities of running an outpost, it’s important to set a clear vision for your Royal Rangers ministry. Understand the why. Why do you want to start this program and what goals do you want to achieve? Pray for God’s wisdom and guidance as you launch the ministry. As you set the vision for this ministry, be sure it’s in line with the overall vision of your church. Royal Rangers is part of your local church and must fit in with the other ministries. Having a clear vision and an understanding what you are aiming to accomplish will help keep you focused and energized.

2. Understand Your Resources

In a small church, you might not have the same budget or manpower as a larger church, but that doesn’t mean your program can’t thrive. Begin by assessing the resources you do have. How many boys are you serving? What age groups need to be reached? What physical space do you have available? How many will you need to help lead the program, and who do you need to recruit from within the congregation? While a larger Royal Rangers group might have multiple leaders and assistants, a small church might only need a couple of committed volunteers to start.

Consider using what you have. You don’t need a lot of equipment to be able to facilitate hands-on learning and outdoor activities. Basic ideas like nature walks, scavenger hunts, or Bible study-based crafts can be very impactful.

3. Engage the Boys Personally

One of the biggest advantages of running Royal Rangers in a small church setting is the ability to know each boy in the group and be familiar with his family. In smaller groups, leaders have the time and opportunity to learn about each boy’s interests, struggles, and spiritual journey and mentor him through any challenges. This personal connection allows for more meaningful discipleship and a stronger spiritual foundation.

Use the small group setting to foster an environment where boys feel valued and encouraged. When boys experience a sense of belonging, they’re more likely to grow in their faith and confidence. Hold regular conversations and celebrate personal milestones, such as earning merits or accomplishing goals they set.

4. Focus on Leadership Development

While initially there may not be many leaders to help with running events or activities, a small church offers a unique opportunity to train boys in leadership roles. Encourage the boys you have to take ownership of certain tasks, such as leading devotions, organizing games, or even teaching a portion of the lesson. This hands-on experience will not only build their confidence but it will also equip them with valuable leadership skills they can apply in other areas of life.

One great benefit of Royal Rangers is its focus on character development and practical skills, which are ideal for small groups where each boy’s confidence can be encouraged. Whether it’s teaching boys how to plan a camping trip, lead a Bible study, or organize an activity, each opportunity becomes an investment in their future.

5. Keep Activities Simple and Relevant

In smaller settings, it’s important to keep activities manageable but engaging. The Royal Rangers curriculum is rich with opportunities for fun and growth, but you don’t have to do everything all at once. Focus on one activity at a time and try to ensure that every lesson or activity connects with real-life issues your boys are facing. Outdoor activities like hiking or archery might require some logistics, but even simple indoor projects like building models or working on a service project can teach valuable life lessons.

Be sure to incorporate spiritual growth into every aspect of your program. Use each meeting as an opportunity to explore God’s Word in an interactive way. Devotions, Bible memory challenges, and discussions about life’s big questions can all be integrated into games, merits, or outdoor excursions.

6. Foster a Sense of Community

Finally, in a small church, community is everything. Royal Rangers should not only serve as a program but also as a ministry that builds fellowship among boys, their families, and men in the church. Host regular family events like outings or service projects to reinforce the idea that Royal Rangers is not just an activity but part of the larger church family. Father and son activities or events for men and boys also help build community between Rangers and the men of the church.

When parents see their children engaged in a spiritually enriching program, they’ll likely want to get involved as well. Engaging families, as well as the men of the church, creates an ecosystem of support, encouragement, and growth that benefits the entire church. Be sure to run background checks on all adults who will be interacting with the boys.

Conclusion

Running Royal Rangers in a small church setting is a rewarding challenge. By focusing on clear vision, personal engagement, leadership development, and meaningful activities, you can create a thriving ministry that nurtures the spiritual growth of young men. While the logistics might look different than in larger churches, the impact of a well-run Royal Rangers program in a small church can be profound—shaping boys into Christlike men and strong leaders for the future.