Scripture Union USA / SU

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Scripture Union listed by MinistryWatch.com as a 2008 Shining Light ‘Top 30’ Exemplary Ministry.

MinistryWatch.com desires to see overall giving to Biblical Christian values increase and as such we developed this format to highlight those ministries which are exemplary. This ministry is one of the “best ministries” and outstanding examples when we consider Philippians 4:8 and weigh and take account of those ministries that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Identifying a diversity of the best ministries is challenging given the selfless work that so many do for the cause of Christ. No one is able to give to every ministry that one values as we are not possessed of unlimited resources. It is best to make an assessment of our options and make discerning decisions. MinistryWatch.com’s assessment looked at the following seven areas when considering those to make the list:

1. Transparency
2. Truth Claims
3. Values/ Worldview
4. Sectors/Functions
5. Resourcefulness
6. Red Flag Issues
7. Consultation

A fuller explanation of our evaluation criteria is on the front page of MinistryWatch.com. A foundational premise was to shine a figurative light on those ministries that were "Christian" more than in name only. Ministries were chosen that were not just marketing to Christians as a market segment for "Christian donor money", but ministries that had theological underpinnings and Biblical values that determined their actions. Organizations that relied more on a secular motivation and means were excluded as well as those “ministries” that seem to view the organization as their own vehicle as a business to make money rather than a love to maximize ministry to others and to let their light shine for the glory of God.

Inclusion on this Shining Light list does not mean this ministry or other listed ministries are perfect. No ministry is perfect and any that look long and hard enough may find areas for improvement; as no doubt most legitimate ministries are aware of areas to improve and have their own to-do list. Only you can decide for yourself with confidence if a ministry shares your values and with your giving plan. As far as MinistryWatch.com’s assessment, given the criteria that we followed, this ministry rose to the top.

This is just another step in our mission of encouraging Christians to give more of their talents and resources to Kingdom-building efforts. In short, we wish to help spread the Gospel of Christ by helping Christians give more and more effectively to the works of the Lord. If the Lord uses our list as part of that process, we will have been a blessing to both those ministries who have been ‘good and faithful servants’ with the Lord’s resources and to Christian donors who are seeking to be good stewards of their giving.
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Ministrywatch.com’s Take
May 2005
By Michael Spicher

Getting the Bible into the Hands of Children

Christ himself, through his example of relationship discipleship, demonstrated that it is the influence of others that shape our spiritual lives as we grow in the knowledge of God. As we read in Deuteronomy 6:7, God charges parents with this most fundamental responsibility of teaching their children about the ways of God and the Law. But what happens when people are not blessed with mothers, fathers, or other spiritual leaders who can teach them the precepts of the Bible? Who will stand in the gap for these who need to know that God loves them?

Scripture Union USA (SU) exists to challenge people, especially children, to meet with God every day. There is clearly a need for such a ministry, for research by the Barna Group reveals that nearly half of the people that accept Christ do so before the age of 13. Therefore, SU feels it is essential to have children as its target audience. It works with churches in order to help make the Good News of the Bible known to children and youth in a variety of ways. Several of the ways in which it accomplishes this goal are as follows: PrimeTime after school programs, SuperKids summer outreach missions, and daily Bible reading programs for youth. SU also publishes daily Bible reading guides for adults, but its primary emphasis is on training the children and youth.

Meeting God Daily

SU was officially founded in 1959 in order to aid the local church in its evangelism and discipleship. It was in 1867 that the idea for SU came to Josiah Spiers after taking some children to a special meeting, conducted by an American named Payson Hammond. Spiers saw that this meeting, geared toward children, was quite effective, and the children actually understood the concepts of the Bible. Therefore, he began holding regular meetings for children called Children’s Special Service Mission (CSSM). CSSM later developed into what is now known as Scripture Union. The summer following that meeting with Hammond, Spiers was vacationing at a beach in Wales. He found himself watching some children make a garden of seaweed and stones, and he thought that they could just as easily be making a Bible text. Spiers was very concerned with the salvation of children, so he called them over to him. He began to write, “God is love,” in the sand, and he encouraged them to begin decorating that statement with seaweed, shells, and stones. As they followed his instructions with a playful attitude, he began to tell them stories about Jesus. Meeting with children on the beach like this became a regular occurrence for Spiers and helped to shape the future of SU.

Its vision statement is as follows: “That children, young people and their families will know God’s love, follow Jesus and meet God daily in His Word.” There are three main ways in which it accomplishes its goal. First, SU develops meaningful programs for children and youth that specifically deal with evangelism and discipleship. Second, SU encourages the individual’s study of the Bible by regularly putting out Bible study guides for daily studying. Third, it also offers Bible study seminars for the local church, in order to teach congregants how to study the Bible for themselves.

Many Hats

SU has various types of ministries that flow out of its central vision. First, it has children’s ministries. True to its roots, SU brings the Gospel message to children and to teenagers during the summer through the CSSM programs. SU trainees go to beaches, cities, and rural areas in order to deliver the message of the Gospel. Second, SU has Bible ministries. It publishes several different Bible study guides for daily study. SU distributes these guides to individuals and churches, but they also deliver them to hospitals and prisons. Third, SU helps local churches and individuals develop Released-Time Christian Education programs. Released-Time is a segment of the school day that is allotted for students, with parental permission, to leave campus for Bible study classes. This is legal in all 50 states. Fourth, SU has independent ministries in over 130 countries. Even though the Gospel never changes, each culture expresses the Truth in ways – parables – that help them to understand it. Therefore, SU uses the people who already understand the culture to explain it in meaningful ways to their children and fellow citizens.

Distributing God’s Word

SU has several publications that it distributes for various age ranges, which provide Bible reading guides. First, there is “Discovery,” which takes the reader through the New Testament twice and most of the Old Testament once – in four years. This publication has the average individual read 10-15 Bible verses each day, with explanations and applications provided for those verses. Second, SU has a publication called “Encounter with God.” This is written for the Christian who has more Bible background. It is designed to help the reader meditate on God’s Word. This booklet will take the reader through the New Testament twice and the Old Testament once – in five years. Third, “Quest” is a Bible guide for children in the seven to ten years age-range. This study introduces young people to the notion and importance of daily Bible study. It is written in such a way as to communicate to children, and it includes activities for them to do to stimulate their minds. Fourth, SU distributes “One to One,” which is a guide for children between the ages of 11 and 14. This is produced to help teens discover answers to questions they might have concerning God’s Word. SU has several other publications as well, but these are the primary ones which are distributed.

Laboring with Churches

SU works as an extension of the church. SU always encourage people to become active members of a local church; its goal is to assist – not replace – the local church. SU acknowledges that it is just a part of the worldwide church of Christ. It also strongly believes that all people are equal in God’s sight; therefore, it attempts to support all churches, without regard to social status or racial background. These principles have certainly aided in SU becoming quite large and internationally extended. The universal, invisible church should consist of unity with diversity, and SU attempts to work with others with a common goal in mind. On its website, SU notes, “In carrying out our mission, we partner with organizations such as the Salvation Army as well as local churches to deliver creative outreach programs that introduce children to Jesus and teach them about God's love. A growing partnership with The American Bible Society is intended to help engage people across the country in a new or renewed experience of meeting God through reading His Word.” Such a statement supports the view that SU recognizes the universal body of believers as an organic, living community, as opposed to a collection of different organizations.

An Army of Volunteers

Despite being an international ministry, SU is staffed with few employees. Instead, SU recruits, trains, and supports a larger number of volunteers as ministry partners. Even though SU displays much diversity in its workers and helpers, it has maintained a unity in its commitment to the goals and beliefs of SU. It seems plausible to assume that given a large volunteer workforce, SU must have strong leadership, capable of developing others and delegating responsibility.

The Word as a Lamp

SU aspires to be guided by biblical principles in everything that they do by adhering to biblical standards in business, administration, and individual arenas. It promotes the highest standards of living and excellence in everything that it does. SU also seek to perform all of its tasks with a prayerful attitude. It is the goal of SU to trust in God for all of its financial needs. However, SU leadership believes it appropriate to inform the Church of needs it may have, but are committed to doing so in a manner that creates donors that give from a wise and cheerful heart.