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The Value of Christian Camp and Conference Ministry

This Sunday one of our young people who is in our middle school ministry came up to me after church and asked when she could meet with our elders to make her public profession of faith and join our church.  She recently returned from Gold Rush with a large group of middle and high school students.  Not many months ago she completed our Communicants' Class, but had not taken that next step.

If a young person in their teen years is going to join Grace Community Church, there is a high probability that they will mention their experience at Gold Rush, or possibly at our regional Presbyterian Church in America Conference- MODGNIK (pronounced modge-nik).   Why are these conferences so effective in helping young people take the next step in discipleship?

In my own life I had great breakthroughs in my faith at the Ingleside Inn in Staunton, Virginia in the mid 70’s.  There was a conference for high school students that had over 500 kids in its heyday.  It was led by some of the most vibrant Christians in the church of my youth.  I felt the call to Christian ministry most clearly at this conference.  So I know something of what these young people are experiencing!

I want to suggest that there is nothing all that shocking or magical about what feels quite magical when you go through it.  There are actually quite ordinary methods used by God through these conferences.  There is no special food or drink our children are being given!  It is simply another version of the same thing they are given at Grace Community Church and I pray, in your home as well.

The means of Grace of Corporate Worship

One of the impressive things about these large group gatherings is the worship.  Hundreds (even thousands in some cases) of our children’s peers are worshipping together at these conferences.  Everything about the worship is designed to encourage the youth in worship.  The fact that many of their peers, are by all appearances, enjoying worship, encourages them on as well.  For some, the truths of the gospel that we have been pressing upon their minds now begin to move to their heart or affections.

The means of Grace of the Word

The gospel of Jesus Christ is preached faithfully at all of the conferences to which our youth attend.  The speakers are also of a great quality, especially as it comes to speaking to and reaching youth.  They are communicating the same truths the kids have heard for years, but it seems more to the point and applicable to them at these conferences.

The means of Grace of Fellowship (especially with peers)

We preach “discipleship through relationship” here.  We believe one of the key ways we grow in Christ is through the work God does through others in our lives.  There are activities at these conferences that allow other youth to help disciple our youth (and no doubt, vice versa).  One aspect of this fellowship together is ministry- serving people in the community (Gold Rush does this).  At these conferences the things that are being taught in the main meetings are being discussed and pressed home to the hearts and minds of the students.

What’s different?

Here is the funny thing: we do ALL of these things at Grace Community Church with and for our youth.  Put it all together, and there are great opportunities for youth to grow in Christ at GCC.  What’s different about the conference scene?  Why does it seem to move things along so fast?  Of course at a large conference where everything is well done, they might have advantages.  Here are some theories:

1) Church attendance isn’t that great.

Much more so than in past generations, church attendance is lousy.  We are a people on the move, visiting family, attending soccer games, skipping a Sunday here and there.  So the means of grace offered at Foundations classes and corporate public worship aren’t utilized as much as they might have been in past generations.  I would guess that someone who makes church three out of four Sundays in a quarter would be a very highly committed member at Grace.  Don’t blow a gasket- I’m not trying to guilt you into not visiting grandma- I’m just getting you to think real world for a second.

2) It is a focused and intense exposure to the gospel.

A weekend conference might pack into three days the equivalent of one and half to two months of church attendance for some of our kids.  Four worship services, four sermons,  and four small group times all on a weekend.  Intense spiritual exposure, but regular things.  A conference like Gold Rush would be more like a quarter of church attendance for some of our kids.  It’s simple- it’s God’s Word and God’s people together for an intense and focused period of time.

You might wonder how such a thing might impact an adult?  Hmm…might be worth a try finding out?  Attend the Gospel Coalition or Ligonier conference and see!  Or attend one of the summer family conferences at Ridge Haven and check it out.  Urbana World Missions ConferencePassion? I wonder what the impact might be?

 

In Him,

 

Don

 

 

Don Ward

Senior Pastor

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