Camp Meetings. What do you expect out of them?

[deadeye]

Originally Posted by tv1a

I would not take a new convert or anyone I was trying to win to Christ to a campmeeting service. They'll see the good, the bad, and the ugly. I want to protect my new converts from the bad and the ugly.

Most new people aren't ready for that type of enviromnent. That energy is very difficult for mature christians to sustain let alone a new christian.

I have good memories of church camp. Nothing extraordinary.

The real life changer for me was Mid-Winter Youth Retreat.

Too bad the camps you went to were bad places to go for new converts....we had folks delivered, filled with the HG, and founded in the Truth at the ones I went to....
Of course the way I feel about it may be because I am not eaten up by bitterness toward the UPC and see everything it does as bad.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Sarah

Ditto, Prax!

We've been going to Campmeetings since the early sixties, and I've never been to one that I didn't enjoy. In fact, we will be going to Louisiana Campmeeting week after next. That's always good! Even has padded pews and air conditioning!

If there are no mosquitos, lightning bugs, crickets, and it's not 95 degrees, don't EVEN call it camp meeting!!!

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by deadeye

Too bad the camps you went to were bad places to go for new converts....we had folks delivered, filled with the HG, and founded in the Truth at the ones I went to....
Of course the way I feel about it may be because I am not eaten up by bitterness toward the UPC and see everything it does as bad.

Everyone who says something you don't agree with is bitter, huh? Let's me & you do one on one basketball, I'll play you to ten by ones, losers outs, I'll spot you 8, and then YOU'LL be bitter!

[berkeley]

I expect... hype... emotionalism... etc.

[Sarah]

Originally Posted by notofworks

If there are no mosquitos, lightning bugs, crickets, and it's not 95 degrees, don't EVEN call it camp meeting!!!

LOL We have all of the above! Plus, 95 degrees would almost be a heat wave right now!

All joking aside, we are blessed to have a wonderful campground. A lot of work has gone into making it good. I know people who went there way before all the conveniences.

We are blessed!

[Baron1710]

I expect...no wait I haven't been to a camp in about 8 years. My expectations are that I have attended my last one.

[Withdrawn]

I didn't grow up in a pentecostal church, so my first experiences with the Ohio ALJC camp meetings were from the time after I turned 18. By then, I found it very hard for me to make friends with others who weren't from my home church because it seemed like all the friendships were already in place for most. I met a few new people, but never established the lifelong friendships that many talk about. So, even today, I'm pretty ambivalent about camp meeting. I do have some memories of some fun times as a young adult, but no real relationships that would pull me back there to "catch up on old times."

My wife, on the other hand, still says that her times at camp meeting were the best of her life. She truly does have lifelong friends from all over the state and the country that, were it not for camp meeting, she would probably not know. Considering her experience, I do feel like I've missed out.

It's true that at camp meeting you get a little of the good, the bad and the ugly. Bad sound systems that are way too loud, it's either too hot or too cold, food is bad, preaching usually good as long it's not the "circle the wagons" type. But I can't say that there's anything inherently bad about them. There are always treasures to be pulled out.

We've visited Buckeye Lake a few times for their Adult Camp evening services, but seems like every time we go, we are unlucky enough to catch the "begging night" where the offering takes 45 minutes. I probably won't go back there, but have no opposition to going to services at the ALJC camp.

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by Baron1710

I expect...no wait I haven't been to a camp in about 8 years. My expectations are that I have attended my last one.

Me too. I'm too old for the Conquerors Camp softball games!

[deadeye]

Originally Posted by notofworks

Everyone who says something you don't agree with is bitter, huh? Let's me & you do one on one basketball, I'll play you to ten by ones, losers outs, I'll spot you 8, and then YOU'LL be bitter!

Naaahh...I wouldnt be bitter...I know my limitations...I am several pounds heavier, many years older, and my knees creak each time I move....
You on the other hand are a skinny little twit who could probably jump over me....I have a vertical of 3/4 of an inch....on a good day.
But oh how I enjoyed Basketball back then.
I do occasionally get out and play ...but mostly I feel like Bruce Springsteen..."Glory Days...."

[notofworks]

Originally Posted by deadeye

Naaahh...I wouldnt be bitter...I know my limitations...I am several pounds heavier, many years older, and my knees creak each time I move....
You on the other hand are a skinny little twit who could probably jump over me....I have a vertical of 3/4 of an inch....on a good day.
But oh how I enjoyed Basketball back then.
I do occasionally get out and play ...but mostly I feel like Bruce Springsteen..."Glory Days...."

I am happy to be a "skinny little twit." I use the power of the Holy Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit of self-control to control my eating. I weigh less than I did when I graduated from high school