Lancaster church drops Boy Scout troop after decision on gay leaders

A Presbyterian church in Lancaster has dropped a decades-long run with the Boy Scouts after the scouts voted last week to allow gay leaders in scouting.

First Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Lancaster made the decision and advised families of 63 scouts by letter that church principles do not mesh with allowing gay leaders in Boy Scouts, said Thomas “Buddy” Lever, a church member who has been involved with Boy Scouts at the church for 48 years.

On July 27, Boys Scouts of America voted to allow gay leaders, which follows a a decision several years ago to allow gay scouts.

Lever said Saturday it was not an easy decision but said church principles of morality do not mesh with homosexuality and that allowing openly gay scout leaders was the decision that prompted the church to stop sponsoring the troop.

Affected scouts had a chance to join two other nearby units. The church is opting to have a youth ministry now with a group called Trail Life USA, a Christian outdoor adventure club which Lever said more closely reflects church beliefs.

This story was originally published August 8, 2015 at 6:49 PM with the headline "Lancaster church drops Boy Scout troop after decision on gay leaders."