Camp Meetings. What do you expect out of them?

[Timmy]

Borat.

[Timmy]

Or maybe Brüno?

[notofworks]

Concerning the original question of this thread......as a teenager, a girlfriend. Nothing more, nothing less.

[*AQuietPlace*]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Concerning the original question of this thread......as a teenager, a girlfriend. Nothing more, nothing less.

Lol! That's definitely along the lines of what my teenage sons expectations are.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

Lol! That's definitely along the lines of what my teenage sons expectations are.

Of course, that was also the expectation of every General Conference, Sunday School Convention, Youth Convention, Landmark, Sectional Fellowship Meeting, Sectional Rally, Kilometers For Christ, Sheaves For Christ anything-a-thon, Family Camp, Conquerors Camp, Revival, Music Conference, Denny's after all of that, Bible Quizzing, Singspiration, Junior Camp, Senior Camp, PK Retreat, Youth Group, and of course, the renowned March For Missions 'cause we were lookin' awesome after those 20 miles!!!

[A.W. Bowman]

I almost did not post the following article. I could be in serious trouble over its content and/or tone of presentation. However, it is long past time that the church throw off its country club persona, even if does look really spiritual on the outside. The hour is late and the great falling away has already started.

-------------------------

"Circle the wagons." That's good. That is exactly what the 'understated' advertisement among ministers was for a number of youth camps that were held last year. Frankly, I don't attend such meetings any more, unless it is to reconnect with some friends I haven't seen for a while.

I have lost interest in hearing yet another rendering of how the primary verse in the Bible, Acts 2:38, underpins every other verse (and doctrine) in the Bible, and how no one else in the world is going make it to heaven unless they attend (or are licensed) by a particular religious organization.

I also have a hard time attending functions where the sole purpose seems to be a circus event. Now, I really don't mind having a good time with other saints and especially before our Lord. But, when I want shouting, spitting, rolling, jumping, dancing, prancing, etc. I find clowns at a circus do a very credible job, and for the shear enjoyment of the performance and their expected paycheck.

Peanuts, cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft drinks, that is what most of my experience has been at such functions, not to mention all of the bartering that goes on at the seller's booths. Yet, there have been notable exceptions to this rule, for which I am grateful. Even so, as noted above, perhaps it is because my exceptions have not been in line with the true purpose of the event. In that case, I would be spiritually satisfied at such a gathering. For example, I am really not interest in watching all of the wives, daughters and girl friends parading around in dresses and other such get-ups that would feed my wife and I for several weeks (1 Timothy 2:9). Or, ministers walking around in $400.00 suits. Something about an apostolic doctrine being discarded in favor of glitz and glamor.

Then there are the serious 'private' ministerial meetings where the the local sheep herds are compared. I run 75-80 head per service and 85-90 on Sunday mornings. Well, retorts another, I run well over 300 on Sunday morning. You can easily identify what these numbers really represent when you look at the luxury cars, SUV's, etc. out in the parking lot (Acts 20:29, 2 Peter 2:3, Matthew 7:15, 11:8, Mark 12:38). Of course, on the more practical side of the spiritual comparison ratings center's around Pastor so-n-so's church - I never heard any church referred to as the church that meets in so-n-so's house, or the church of this or that city. The churches always seem to belong to a particular individual - and that individual is never identified as Christ Jesus! Another apostolic doctrine set aside (1 Corinthians 1:11-17). Then there are the discussions on how the different services are conducted and who was invited to preach, or how the special revival was conducted, and other such things. Yep, one more set of of Paul's apostolic instructions ignored (all of 1 Corinthians 14). Really, just how apostolic are self-professed modern day apostolics? Which among a lot other such issues has lead me to ask this final question:

What did Paul (when not writing letters in response to questions and congregational problems), and all of the other apostles teach? (Hint: Matthew 28:19-29) So, when attending another big religious social event (to check out who was invited to preach and to sit in the chief seats of the synagogue (er, the meeting house platform) ask yourself, in the words of an old Wendy's advertisement, "Where's the beef?"

Personally, I am just sick and tired of spiritual fluff, shallow teaching, self promotion, and the elevation of men to stand between the saints and their God (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

In conclusion: If the shoe described above does not fit you, then please do not be as the evil stepsisters and try to put on Cinderella's glass slipper. Actually, I thank God for those 'in ministry' who are truly called of God and who maintain their calling with integrity, and who actually feed God's sheep nourishing food. For those who teach the principles of God and how to apply them in order to obtain a truly overcoming life, a life set aside and consecrated unto God (holy), and not just to meet some leader's personal desires (agenda). I praise God for those leaders who point the way to Jesus and not unto themselves. Who encourage each individual saint to grow into full spiritual maturity, to seek out God's gifting, ministry and good works that was foreordained for them walk in before the foundations of the world was laid, that is, to motivate everyone to take personal responsibility for their own salvation - and become willing to actually 'work out' their salvation in fear and trembling. Again, if this other slipper doesn't fit, don't try to force it.

I realize that I am not being realistic here. Too critical of the wolves and not enough praising of the faithful. Even so, I continue to look for men and women of spiritual clarity, passion, courage, and integrity. So, if any reader of this missive is a wolf - consider yourself 'bashed'. If you are a 'saint', then consider yourself honored, for you stand before God with clean hands.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by Sam

I've only been to a few UPC camp meetings and a few ALJC camp meetings.

Some have teaching during the day and I've heard some good stuff there. I particularly remember William Parent, Karl Smith, Lester MacGruder. One I remember with bad memories is a pastor from Ohio who took up his "Bible teaching" time to condemns television. He basically gave his message in 5 minutes and then took 55 more minutes to keep repeating it. Evening services are more of a "pep rally" with certain preachers who are on the "star" circuit.

Id rather have an evening service pep rally than an evening service "standards, standards, standards, obey your pastor and never EVER attend the charismatic UPC down the street"

[Praxeas]

Has any of you been to the SoCal campmeeting? Last year we had Bro Mangun preach. What's so big about that? Before the Western District split they would never EVER consider a liberal like him at any camp meeting.

The UCs are just now finishing up their camp meeting here in Ventura. I don't to knock them, I guess it's what they expect, but if I were a part of that crowd I probably would come home more "sold out" for standards and obeying my pastor and for looking down on other UPCs or Oneness groups that went charismatic (their term, not mine)

[Cindy]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

I almost did not post the following article. I could be in serious trouble over its content and/or tone of presentation. However, it is long past time that the church throw off its country club persona, even if does look really spiritual on the outside. The hour is late and the great falling away has already started.

-------------------------

"Circle the wagons." That's good. That is exactly what the 'understated' advertisement among ministers was for a number of youth camps that were held last year. Frankly, I don't attend such meetings any more, unless it is to reconnect with some friends I haven't seen for a while.

I have lost interest in hearing yet another rendering of how the primary verse in the Bible, Acts 2:38, underpins every other verse (and doctrine) in the Bible, and how no one else in the world is going make it to heaven unless they attend (or are licensed) by a particular religious organization.

I also have a hard time attending functions where the sole purpose seems to be a circus event. Now, I really don't mind having a good time with other saints and especially before our Lord. But, when I want shouting, spitting, rolling, jumping, dancing, prancing, etc. I find clowns at a circus do a very credible job, and for the shear enjoyment of the performance and their expected paycheck.

Peanuts, cotton candy, hot dogs, hamburgers, and soft drinks, that is what most of my experience has been at such functions, not to mention all of the bartering that goes on at the seller's booths. Yet, there have been notable exception to this rule, for which I am grateful. Even so, as noted above, perhaps it is because my exceptions have not been in line with the true purpose of the event. In that case, I would be spiritually satisfied at such a gathering.For example, I am really not interest in watching all of the wives, daughters and girl friends parading around in dresses and other such get-ups that would feed my wife and I for several weeks (1 Timothy 2:9). Something about an apostolic doctrine being discarded in favor of glitz and glamor.

Then there are the serious 'private' ministerial meetings where the the local sheep herds are compared. I run 75-80 head per service and 85-90 on Sunday mornings. Well, retorts another, I run well over 300 on Sunday morning. You can easily identify what these numbers really represent when you look at the luxury cars, SUV's, etc. out in the parking lot (Acts 20:29, 2 Peter 2:3, Matthew 7:15, 11:8, Mark 12:38). Of course, on the more practical side of the spiritual comparison ratings center's around Pastor so-n-so's church - I never heard any church referred to as the church that meets in so-n-so's house, or the church of this or that city. The churches always seem to belong to a particular individual - and that individual is never identified as Christ Jesus! Another apostolic doctrine set aside (1 Corinthians 1:11-17). Then there are the discussions on how the different services are conducted and who was invited to preach, or how the special revival was conducted, and other such things. Yep, one more set of of Paul's apostolic instructions ignored (all of 1 Corinthians 14). Really, just how apostolic are self-professed modern day apostolics? Which among a lot other such issues and has lead me to ask this final question:

What did Paul (when not writing letters in response to questions and congregational problems), and all of the other apostles teach? (Hint: Matthew 28:19-29) So, when attending another big religious social event (to check out who was invited to preach and to sit in the chief seats of the synagogue (er, the meeting house platform) ask yourself, in the words of an old Wendy's advertisement, "Where's the beef?"

Personally, I am just sick and tired of spiritual fluff, shallow teaching, self promotion, and the elevation of men to stand between the saints and their God (1 Timothy 2:1-6)

In conclusion: If the shoe described above does not fit you, then please do not be as the evil stepsisters and try to out on Cinderella's glass slipper. Actually, I thank God for those 'in ministry' who are truly called of God and who maintain their calling with integrity, and who actually feed God's sheep nourishing food. For those who teach the principles of God and how to apply them in order to obtain a truly overcoming life, a life set aside and consecrated unto God (holy), and not just to meet some leader's personal desires (agenda). I praise God for those leaders who point the way to Jesus and not unto themselves. Who encourage each individual saint to grow into full spiritual maturity, to seek out God's gifting, ministry and good works that was foreordained for them walk in before the foundations of the world was laid, that is, to motivate everyone to take personal responsibility for their own salvation - and become willing to actually 'work out' their salvation in fear and trembling. Again, if this other slipper doesn't fit, don't try to force it.

I realize that I am not being realistic here. Too critical of the wolves and not enough praising of the faithful. Even so, I continue to look for men and women of spiritual clarity, passion, courage, and integrity. So, if any reader of this missive is a wolf - consider yourself 'bashed'. If you are a 'saint', then consider yourself honored, for you stand before God with clean hands.

Amen!

[Cindy]

Maybe with Camp Meeting just like any other meeting, you get what you expect. Or what you put in to it. If you are there to be fed the Word, or worship God. You will be blessed. If other things are in the way of that, you will more than likely come away form the meeting, in the same condition you went to it.