Another quick thought about United Methodist Camps in Missouri. I know I was the one who said, "nobody cares." I clarified what I meant. In fact, I think there are those hurt by this change that have felt like "nobody cares" in the sense that those in power aren't listening and don't care. I've heard it said that by the way this change was done we have offended a whole generation (not really, just those with a connection to our camps, this generation is way bigger than that). I've heard that we will lose our future leaders because of these actions. And the conclusion is that "they" don't care. You can feel that and say that, but don't believe it. I need you to know that "they" do care.
I understand you're grieving and upset over the loss of a physical place and what you're used to. I understand we are upset for how this change was made because "I didn't get a say in it" (many of us didn't get a voice or vote). But don't let your anger trick you into thinking that the people of the camping board, Rev. Garrett Drake, and Bishop Schnase don't care. They care deeply, and are sincerely and fervently committed to reaching the next generation. For example, Rev. Jon Spalding is on the Camping Board and was involved in these changes to some degree. If it weren't for his commitment to youth ministry, I may not be the Christ-follower I am today. When I was a teenager, he was one of the pastors who chose to sacrifice some of his precious time to invest in teenagers like me. I know he cares deeply about reaching the next generation. This change is saying, we care so much about reaching the next generation, that we are willing to let go of something we are very attached to. Something that is very valued and has done us a lot of good. Something we know that God has used to reach numerous people. It is truly priceless. We are willing to let it go so that we can do even better. See, the question that keeps coming to mind is, why aren't people giving their lives to Christ in our churches like they do at camp? We have way more churches than camps. We could be multiplying the kingdom of God in much greater ways through our congregations. To be totally honest, this question is very convicting of ME. For the last 8 years, I have poured time and energy and efforts and my friends and my own funds into leading a week of church camp to reach teenagers for Christ, teenagers who usually have some church connection already. What if I poured that same time, energy, effort, and money into reaching the teenagers in my neighborhood and local schools? What if I poured that same amount of resources into meeting teenagers who have no connection to a church or Christ? What if I did that and they gave their lives to Christ in my church and were baptized? What if their parents and siblings came too and gave their lives to Christ? If just 10 new people, who never knew Jesus came to have faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior in my church this year, that would revive and renew my church in ways of which I've only dreamed. Maybe it's because I put my efforts into what I've always known and what's safe for me, instead of taking the risk to truly reach those of the next generation who aren't connected to a church and don't know Jesus Christ. We do care, a lot. We are committed to engaging and reaching the next generation, and we will. (Writing that last full paragraph breaks my heart because there's only three and a half months left to 2015, and I'm pretty much resigned to the fact that not even one person who doesn't know Jesus will give their life to Christ in either of the churches I serve. I have tears right now. I know this because I fill out the reports every year. Most of the baptisms are infants, children, or confirmands. Most of the new members are transfers or people who are already baptized Christians. If my one job is to be a missionary and lead people to Jesus Christ, and that's not happening, then what in the heck am I doing?)
Kelly Minette
9/11/2014 09:24:46 am
I thought the board only made a decision about the termination of employees not about the future of camping. That is what was told over and over again at LUMC last night. But, your blog post states, "you're grieving and upset over the loss of a physical place and what you're used to", so the camps are lost? A decision was made? I'm not trying to be disrespectful, I'm just trying to believe that what was said last night was honest. 9/11/2014 09:35:02 am
I was not able to attend the meeting, so I'm not 100% sure. The original announcement of the new direction is posted here: http://www.moumethodist.org/news/detail/948 and it says "Summer conference camping programs for 2015 will not be conducted on our four traditional camping sites, although arrangements are being made to accommodate many of the existing reservations for groups using our sites this fall." I thought I read or heard that the campsites doors would be closed December 1st, but that is no where in the official announcement. The properties cannot be sold except by an action of the Annual Conference. So my sentence that you quote about grieving a physical place is referring to the fact that no camps will be held there in 2015, but instead something will take place at CMU. The future of the actual properties are still undetermined at this point. Also, I am not on the Camp Board, nor do I see or speak with any of them very much. I do not have much of any influence or insider knowledge. My understanding is that there was a decision to terminate employees, and a decision about the future of camping ministry (move to CMU and do local Day Camps). I hope that helps clarify what you're wondering about.
Kelly Minette
9/11/2014 09:51:44 am
Yes the original press release sure made it sound like the future was at CMU and with mobile day camps. But Jon and Garrett were both adamant that they only were looking out for the camp directors and allowing them to pursue employment options. Jon said repeatedly that no other decisions were made and although they had spoken to CMU nothing was finalized. They made it clear that employees were terminated but the future of camping is not decided. I have a hard time believing that to be true, but that is what they said. One gentleman asked if he should put in his vacation to attend Wilderness this summer and the response was, "We will let you know before January. It hasn't been decided." They said they had an open mind about every aspect of camping except for the termination of employees.
Ron Packer
9/11/2014 09:27:08 am
I don't think that they don't care (how's that for a double negative.) What I think is that they are misguided, and are unwilling to listen. In my own congregation, which is a large one in the State of Missouri, our children's ministry is going down the tubes. I'm sorry, but that is how I truly feel. Everything anymore is outreach, outreach, outreach. 9/11/2014 10:25:42 am
Ron, that's too bad you feel that way about your church's children's ministry. It may not be any fault of the church, but just changing culture. Most families I know express they are "too busy" to do much more than once a week. A friend of mine who is at a larger church said their average attendance is 1.6 times per month, so that any Sunday they only have about 1/3rd of their congregation there. I'm not sure if this is the churches fault, but a cultural shift. I'm not saying I'm ok with that. I think a person who calls themselves a Christian should be attending church every week no matter what, and they should be a part of a small group and actively doing community service. 9/11/2014 10:08:48 am
Kelly, that's interesting. It seems like a backtrack from the original press release. I guess, we'll see by January. Thanks for letting me know a little of what was said at the forum.
Karen Hopkins
9/11/2014 12:11:43 pm
Ben, how do you know that you aren't leading the kids who will lead people to Christ? It only takes a spark to get a fire going. 9/11/2014 03:36:15 pm
Right on, Karen. 9/12/2014 07:15:51 am
The "Next Generation" is somewhat of a nebulous term, but there are some guidelines. First, the UMC has defined "young adult" as age 18-35. The Missouri Conference has defined college-age as 18-25. Typically, 6th-12th graders are teenagers, and younger than that are children. So you could say "The Next Generation" is anyone under age 35. Or, it could be under age 25. Another way to think about it is "those who will come after me/us". So Next Generation Ministries would always be looking for those who are coming next.
Brad Dush
9/12/2014 09:41:09 am
Rev. Drake said the Next Generations was 0-25
Carolyn Akins
9/13/2014 11:44:11 am
Rev. Mulford, 9/16/2014 04:08:35 am
Thank you for the kind words Carolyn. It was nice to meet you yesterday. It was good for me to hear what you had to say. I hope the conversation bears fruit. Comments are closed.
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About MeI am a Software Developer, a career shift made in 2018. So far, I have experience with C# .Net and Angular. I continue to let curiosity lead me into learning new technologies. I plan to share what I learn along the way about technology and personal/career life. Previously, my vocation was United Methodist pastor. So in addition to coding, I'll share about theology, the Church and The Bible. I also enjoy running, music, and I'm a deeply committed father and husband. Maybe my experiences will help you. I know it helps me to share. Archives
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