Camp Meeting impressions

Seventh-day Adventists are still greatly interested in camp meetings. How are these efforts faring around the world?

L.C.K. is an associate editor of the Ministry. 

Seventh-day Adventists are still  greatly interested in camp meetings.

This was well evidenced by the large at­tendance reported in many sections of the world field. Our believers came expecting to receive unusual blessings. And on the whole they received them. Many who have not been in the habit of attending for the full time tasted of the blessings that come from continuity. The programs were diver­sified and symmetrical enough to be helpful in meeting every need of the soul. A keen interest was observed in the devotional services, especially the early morning meetings. Without being urged, our believers were day after day in their places, looking for the blessing of God. The choice of speaker mattered little to the people so long as God was speaking to each heart.

Another feature of interest was the large number of children and youth on the grounds, and their spontaneous response to the spiritual plans of their leaders. Parents frequently mentioned that their children could hardly wait for the camp meeting. In more recent years we have developed youth leaders who are more or less specialists in this field of service. The junior's day was filled with enjoyable projects that held his interest and kept him out of mischief. And our senior young people received stirring messages of inspiration, and also direction. Many of them who are already tied in with our organized work demonstrated excellent preparation, which reflected favorably on our colleges.

Much interest centered around our pub­lications. Book and Bible House salesrooms were always crowded. When bargain offers were made to our people, books seemed to be purchased by the armful.

Our health foods were appealingly served in the cafeterias and attractively displayed at the camp store. The people carried home with them more than mere ideas; they pre­pared themselves to live in a healthful manner. Our health-food producers have learned to appeal to housewives by provid­ing new recipes from their kitchen labora­tories.

And one could not but appreciate the wholehearted participation of our people when offerings were called for. The calls were frequent, yet the people seemed not to tire of giving. The offerings were the united gifts of the people and their leaders.

Heavy responsibilities were often laid on the shoulders of young workers. Conference presidents make good use of these new re­cruits and are thankful that the work of God today is so rich in natural and ac­quired talent. Musical ability, with good leadership, played a vital part. In fact, every department of our work was glamorized—even the financial goals. And the people seemed to enter into it all with enjoyment. Activity characterizes all Adventism.

True Christian Fellowshiping, or Just Visiting?

But there are some other things that we do well to ponder as we think of the future. Although our denominational activities are commendable and we would not say a word against them, yet it is the quiet devotional spirit of such meetings that makes them worthwhile. We are now a large family, sharing and expressing that which we hold dear. We enjoy a wonderful fellowship. But at times this very fellowship takes the time so vitally needed for reflection, medi­tation, and listening to and waiting on the Lord for His counsel.

If we would grow spiritually, we must take time to be quiet. Too often we seem to do our thinking and acting as a group. Good as this is, we must build up more fre­quent contacts with God alone. Our Sab­baths at camp meeting are growing into friendly social contacts more than occasions of deep heart searching in preparation to meet God. Some, perhaps too many, actu­ally lose out spiritually at such gatherings because of this, and wrong patterns are set for the younger members of the flock. The trend in this direction is too pronounced to be overlooked. Would it not be wise for us as ministers to guide our churches onto a plane of true Christian fellowshiping­not just visiting? We need not suppress friendliness, but we need to lift that friend­liness and fellowship into a more spiritual atmosphere.

Another thing that seems to be missing in our modern camp meetings are those warm, deep Amens that we used to hear. In recent decades we have wisely guarded against boisterous, fanatical outbursts of exuberance, but we might do well now to swing into the middle of the road again by encouraging these sincere and joyful responses of the soul to the messages from the Word of God. And if we are to hear these expressions in our larger gatherings, we should be encouraging the Amens in the home churches.

Remembering All Age Groups

Another important need seems to center in our maturing youth. We have excellent junior plans, well-developed projects for the younger groups. But is there not a dan­ger that these plans and projects shall eclipse at times the needs of the more set­tled age group? Sharing our faith is a wonderful challenge, provided it does not become mechanically superficial. It is not sufficient for us to merely share with one another. This sharing experience, to be a real joy, should reach out to our neighbor­hoods. There is a wonderful training being given in our Adventist schools—in music, art, domestic science, skills in crafts, and social ethics. All this can well be shared with those about us. Dare Adventism be­come so exclusive that missionary interests are parceled out in "hours of Christian help work" largely on the Sabbath day? There is a challenge for more spontaneity, for serv­ice motivated from the heart—not just from the pulpit. Young Adventist families should be known in their communities as practical, balanced, sound, joyful Chris­tians.

Another real need is in the aging group in our churches. Many have spent years in active service for the Master. Their strength is now failing, and yet the church goals are mounting. If everything in the church centers around the youth, we could hardly blame these elderly folks for a depressed feeling that they are being shelved. It is good if the youth will accept a responsibil­ity for these aging ones, not only by plan­ning Thanksgiving baskets and Christmas joys, or an occasional program of cheer for those who may be isolated or in need of institutionalized care, but also by a less conspicuous interest in these saintly pilgrims in the way. Less publicity and more genuine neighborliness could well be encouraged. With the majority of our workers fre­quently quite young, it is not surprising that they would fail to notice this need. But if this need were stressed and met in our local churches, it would be easier to remember this group at the camp meeting.

It might not be out of place to devote an entire program during the camp meeting to these elderly people. We do not suggest merely letting them report their Ingather­ing attainments, their Dorcas work, or their help on a building program. But a camp meeting birthday program or some other form of recognition just for them might do much to encourage the spirit of whole­some fellowship that was an outstanding characteristic of the apostolic church.

Such a program should be an occasion of rejoicing for the blessings of loved ones, for the Christian home, and for the blessed Book of God. Our aging members are often starving for love. That is why some of them come to camp meeting. Love may not be received at home, but should not our camp meetings supply the refreshing? Let us not forget that many will understand the love of God only as they see it demonstrated in us. Where such a plan has been tried, a special meeting for those facing the sunset of life has become a high point of our con­vocations.

As long as our camp meetings reveal the interest we have witnessed during the past season, God's people will continue to re­joice in His kind care and in His glorious message. Like the Feast of Tabernacles, the camp meeting is a happy occasion for fel­lowshiping together, sharing our mutual joys and woes, rededicating ourselves for service, and looking ahead to the grand gathering in the New Jerusalem. If, as ministers and workers everywhere, we keep the camp meeting spirit alive, it will do much to prepare our people to meet the Lord.

L. C. K.


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L.C.K. is an associate editor of the Ministry. 

November 1955

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