Camp Meetings. What do you expect out of them?

[jfrog]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Right I agree. My wife was the first I heard say this... twenty years ago I thought she was just a bit "carnal". Today I more than agree and might even slip out of a heavy service for a shot of espresso with a friend... (please don't tell anyone.)

Back when i was really into church I was the same way in thinking it was carnal. Now, I think the fellowship and all that is the more important part

[commonsense]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

Oh...and also, there were the scary benches that you had to be REALLY careful about sitting on, because of splinters and pinching. It was nice when folding chairs became in vogue.

Amen!_______________

AND
It wasn't at camp, but I well remember visiting another church for revival or a fellowship meeting----in the summer---on a hot day---and they had recently sanded and varnished the pews---not sure if they just weren't dry or the heat activated it----but many sat upon those pews and upon rising had a permanent stain on their backside. I think some people just had to toss the outfit worn that day.

[*AQuietPlace*]

I think the fellowship is hugely important, especially for teens. That's why I hate to see youth conferences that have three services per day. *Newsflash* The kids don't look forward to these conferences because they are looking forward to sitting in church all day. They mainly want to spend time with their friends, and meet new ones. And there's nothing wrong with that.

[TrmptPraise]

Originally Posted by Hoovie

Right I agree. My wife was the first I heard say this... twenty years ago I thought she was just a bit "carnal". Today I more than agree and might even slip out of a heavy service for a shot of espresso with a friend... (please don't tell anyone.)

When it relates to various conferences, whether it be camp meetings, conferences, mens or ladies events or seminars, the word that seems to come to mind is balance. There certainly is a need for forthright teaching and preaching as well as the need for fellowship.

Hoovie, the reason I quoted you was that I remembered the first time we met in person at a district event in Jeff City. After introducing ourselves and some small talk, I had to excuse myself because...well, I was the one driving to the restaurant.

[Praxeas]

Originally Posted by jfrog

Back when i was really into church I was the same way in thinking it was carnal. Now, I think the fellowship and all that is the more important part

Actually I think this is one of the reasons FOR camp. People actually take this as a vacation. They spend time with family and friends. There are reunions

[A.W. Bowman]

I think I (we) are on the verge of pirating this thread. So, we either need to start a different one, or let the exchange conclude with this:

From my post:

Every Apostle who was faithful to his calling had to fulfill the command of Jesus in Matthew 28:20. If any one of the apostles did not teach all of the things included in this instruction, then they were like Judas, i.e., they betrayed God's trust and were no longer a true disciple of the Christ. Since there is no record of such a failure, it is safe to assume that every Apostle taught others as they were commanded to teach - everything Jesus commanded (taught) during His earthly ministry.

The resulting question:

Originally Posted by Pressing-On

Where did you get this information?

I can only find that if we do not love him more than our father, mother, wife, children, brethren, sisters and our own life, we cannot be His disciple; if we do not bear His cross and come after Him, we cannot be His disciple; if we do not forsake all, we cannot be His disciple. (Luke 14: 26;27;33)

Answer: Study & research. An excellent place to start is with the reading of Matthew chapters 5,6, & 7. As to your additional comments, included above: Right on!. These are among the requirements that must be met in order to 'become a true disciple' of Christ. The question that arises then is, "How does one accomplish these requirements?" To become a disciple (a student), one must live as a disciple, i.e., to live as one who receives instruction from another and who serves that teacher (rabbi, master). One must start with the elementary things and progress to the more demanding things. No Apostle (A Senior Disciple who is sent out to instruct others) started out at the 'top', not even Paul, or for that matter, Peter.

When Jesus speaks, be ye a doer of His word [obey; implement His commandments, instructions in righteousness, that is, to observe the Torah (aka, the law) of Jesus] and not to just be a hearer only.

When I attend any religious gathering (church service, revival, camp meeting, etc.) the first question that comes to mind is: How will my attendance here improve, support, or otherwise enhance my relationship with God? This also carries with it the assumed companion question: How will my attendance here improve, support, or otherwise enhance the personal relationship between someone else and our God? Fellowship is a great contributor to answering these questions. Sound teaching is another.

Hope this helps.

[Pressing-On]

Originally Posted by HaShaliach

I think I (we) are on the verge of pirating this thread. So, we either need to start a different one, or let the exchange conclude with this:
The resulting question:

If you feel that the thread will have more input, I would, wholeheartedly, suggest that you title a thread and have Renda move all posts involving the conversation. That would be up to you, of course.

Answer: Study & research. An excellent place to start is with the reading of Matthew chapters 5,6, & 7. As to your additional comments, included above: Right on!. These are among the requirements that must be met in order to 'become a true disciple' of Christ. The question that arises then is, "How does one accomplish these requirements?" To become a disciple (a student), one must live as a disciple, i.e., to live as one who receives instruction from another and who serves that teacher (rabbi, master). One must start with the elementary things and progress to the more demanding things. No Apostle (A Senior Disciple who is sent out to instruct others) started out at the 'top', not even Paul, or for that matter, Peter.

When Jesus speaks, be ye a doer of His word [obey; implement His commandments, instructions in righteousness, that is, to observe the Torah (aka, the law) of Jesus] and not to just be a hearer only.

Thank you for your response. I was under the impression when you quoted Matthew 28:20, that you were emphatically saying that Jesus was using that portion of scripture to call anyone that didn't follow him being like or having the characteristics of Judas. That stumped me a bit. I looked up the word "Judas" and didn't find anything alluding to that.

I'm not sure that Judas was paying attention to anything more than what he could do with the money he was in charge of. It seems to have distracted him above listening to anything that Jesus said. So, I'm not sure I could equate or place a believer, who is lacking in knowledge, in the same category as a Judas. He was dishonest, it seems, from the outset. Judas was intent on one purpose and I'm not sure how much he was, actually, taking to heart anything that Jesus was doing or saying. It just seems different when you add "dishonesty" into the equation. I think some people are just lazy. I couldn't call them a Judas on that account.

But, Matthew 5, 6 & 7, indeed, do not leave us room to become a foolish virgin, that's for sure. We will answer for it. I will read those passages in more detail at another time. I don't have the time right now. I skimmed over them to get a feel of what was being said.

When I attend any religious gathering (church service, revival, camp meeting, etc.) the first question that comes to mind is: How will my attendance here improve, support, or otherwise enhance my relationship with God? This also carries with it the assumed companion question: How will my attendance here improve, support, or otherwise enhance the personal relationship between someone else and our God? Fellowship is a great contributor to answering these questions. Sound teaching is another.

Hope this helps.

I agree! My only other thought would be: I will not find perfect people in any place and am careful not to place my questioning, in such a way, as to come across as judging myself to be superior over the gathering that I am attending.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by *AQuietPlace*

I think the fellowship is hugely important, especially for teens. That's why I hate to see youth conferences that have three services per day. *Newsflash* The kids don't look forward to these conferences because they are looking forward to sitting in church all day. They mainly want to spend time with their friends, and meet new ones. And there's nothing wrong with that.

I always got SO excited for the daytime bible classes. Man, I loved it when they spread out those prophecy charts. Softball? Girls? Nuh uh, not me. Give me PROPHECY CHARTS!!!!

[Coffee99]

I haven't been to a camp or conference in years. However, growing up I went to most in our area. NOW and the others are correct in my reasons for going - looking for that boyfriend and seeing my friends. I expected to be hot, to hate the dorms and showers that you had to wear flip-flops in if you didn't want to come home with a foot disease, and food that didn't taste like home. I also expected to learn about products, other than Vaseline, that could be used to enhance our lips and eyelashes and not be considered makeup, thereby keeping us within the rules. And I expected at least one shaving cream war before the end of camp. As a kid, I had a great time and I loved going. But I can't tell you ONE sermon that made an impact on me. There were some good choir lessons that I remember, however.

As an adult, I recall going to several general conferences and the focus was on friends and hearing the music. And as a carnal woman, seeing the latest "styles" (that term must be used lightly) in clothing and hairstyles. I was not alone, however. The hallways and outdoor areas were filled with people talking, laughing, and yes, even sharing gossip. Based on the crowds in the halls, I'm guessing that many shared my motivations.

[Coffee99]

Originally Posted by notofworks

I always got SO excited for the daytime bible classes. Man, I loved it when they spread out those prophecy charts. Softball? Girls? Nuh uh, not me. Give me PROPHECY CHARTS!!!!

At ours, the girls didn't play softball. It was our job to root for the boys, which we did with much vigor. Mainly we walked around and talked with friends. That was just about the only thing that fell within the rules of our area for the girls.

I did love the snow cones!