Morris H. Chapman, president and chief executive officer of the SBC Executive Committee, has been awarded the Good Shepherd Emblem by the Association of Baptists for Scouting for his commitment to spiritual, physical, mental, and moral development of Baptist youth.
The award is granted to adults who have made exemplary contributions to youth through both their church and a youth-serving agency (Boy Scouts of America, Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., or Camp Fire, Inc.). The presentation was made June 12 during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting in New Orleans.
"I am grateful that the Boy Scouts of America have stood for those principles that are true and right," Chapman said. "They have been unapologetic in standing for those things which are moral and strong and founded in the Word of God."
While the Boy Scouts have come under mounting criticism from homosexual activists, the Supreme Court last year affirmed Scouting's constitutional right to set its own membership rules and exclude homosexual leaders.
"I am very honored to receive this award, and obviously I receive it on behalf of Southern Baptists," Chapman said. "The thing I like best about the award is the very fact that it's named the Good Shepherd award, and it is a reminder that in John, chapter 10, Jesus said, 'I am the Good Shepherd.'"
Chapman, a life scout, was pastor of First Baptist Church, Wichita Falls, Texas, for thirteen years before becoming president of the executive committee. The Association of Baptists for Scouting noted that the churches where Chapman pastored were strong supporters of Scouting ministries.
