For Christian education and nurture leaders.
Keeping camp alive
By Keith Zehr
It happens in many churches at the end of each summer. Children and youth return from their church camp bursting with enthusiasm as they try to bring their mountaintop experiences back to the local church. Unfortunately, however, their spiritual vigor becomes muted as the common routines of the church eventually take over again.
- At camp, you wear comfortable, every day clothes for worship. At church you wear your “Sunday best.”
- At camp, worship is geared toward the camper; the whole camp atmosphere is designed to bring campers into a more meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ. Worship features enthusiastic singing accompanied by clapping and movement. At church, worship is quieter, adult-centered, usually with hymnals.
- At camp, there are strong efforts to build a circle of inclusiveness and community. At church, we sit in pews facing forward, keeping our children hushed and easily ignoring visitors.
Is it any wonder that campers experience a letdown at church? I believe, however, that it is possible for congregations to build on the camp experience. From 20 years of experimenting, both as a camp director and as pastor, I would give the following pointers:
Make church child- and youth-friendly. It would make a huge difference in our churches if all we did was direct more of our worship and teaching toward the children and youth. Jesus said to let the children come to him, and that those who impeded their progress might as well have a millstone hung around their neck and be tossed into the sea. Instead of being a rebuke, perhaps these words can revitalize our churches!
Asking the children and youth for their input on Sunday church services can be profound and instructive. Letting the youth help to set the agenda for a Sunday morning is a key way to make sure the whole congregation is being served and to honor the camp experience of the summer.
Find out what happened at camp and follow it up. Most church camps will provide names of campers from each supporting congregation. This is an opportunity to initiate a conversation with the camper or parents to discover what took place at camp. For those who may have experienced a call of the Spirit but might not have taken the next step, offer an invitation to faith.
Campers who made a genuine decision for Christ will need spiritual care. They will likely be willing to be held accountable to their commitment. Give them devotional and prayer resources, and have them report back on their use of them. Consider a series of sermons related to the same material. Provide mentors to nurture their spiritual growth, similar to the camper-counselor relationship they had at camp.
Plan baptism classes soon after camp. This is one way to keep up the momentum for older youth who made solid faith commitments. If they choose baptism, consider conducting the baptism at the camp. Many churches have found added meaning when someone in the church is baptized at the place where a spiritual commitment was made. My own congregation does this annually; it is not only one of the spiritual high points of our year—it also builds spiritual rapport between church and camp.
Children and youth have a strong need to feel an identity with a group and to be involved. In my experience, nothing meets this need more effectively than a week at camp. Our camps are wonderfully effective at opening the hearts of campers for Christ. But let’s not leave that ministry hanging. As we nurture those spiritual journeys begun or advanced at camp, we too can enjoy some of the same dynamic growth that happens at camp.
Keith Zehr is pastor of the Clarence Center-Akron Mennonite Church in Akron, New York. He recently completed a term as president of the Mennonite Camping Association.