Who wants to start a fight?

[RaceRunner]

I love youth camp. While I think some aspects of it need to change, I think helps more than harms. If we can get people to realize praying for someone in the alter isn't just about going up there, putting your hands on a person and standing there, or just speaking tongues. It's about knowledgeably praying and ministering to the person your praying for. Too many people go through the emotions during an altar service (A class in altar work would help with some of these things.)

Camp gives people a chance to connect with people they'd never have a chance without it.

/side note
This is fun!
/end side note

Another controversial statement: Alabama COGOP Camp (Camp Boothe) is the the best!!

I have been out of pocket for a few day. But here is my take not only on camps but the church in general.. We are event oriented and not process minded.

We live from event to event.....camp to camp, but as a rule have no process for growth and spiritual development in between the events. That is why many revival fail to produce lasting fruit. This is a huge problem in the mission field when we are only going after the huge crusades.

What process does the local church have in place for spiritual growth and development for the kids when they return home from camp?

I'm not disagreeing with you Paul. But I had a stray thought the other day....

If OSAS is true (and I don't believe you believe that) then why WOULD a church need to have a place for spiritual growth and development? We would ONLY need Missionaries...not Disciplers.

Like I said...just a stray thought and has nothing to do with your post.

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

However...this does have something to do with your post and I'm not criticising your post...just adding my thots.

"Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might;"Ecc 9:10a

I am responsible for my field of labour. You are a Missionary...I am a teacher. God will judge me if I'm not living according to my calling...and He will judge a local church if they fail in theirs. However, not every church is a failure. There are probably a lot more successes than people give credit for. Fortunately, God is the judge of that success or failure.

But that can't stop me from fulfilling my duties or working in places like Youth Camp to try to touch lives. One soul, one changed life makes it all worth while. We have more than enough evidence to know how Camp changes lives and we are not to quit having camp (or stop being a Missionary....or even holding a crusade).... (not saying that you think we should) because one local church failed in their discipleship.

1Co 9:22-24 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.

To quote a song I heard between "Rick And Bubba" radio broadcasts:

You can spend your whole life buildin'
Somethin' from nothin'
One storm can come and blow it all away
Build it anyway

So to paraphrase...Even if someone else fails in their duties....We work anyway.

Eph 4:11-16
(11) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
(14) That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
(15) But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
(16) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

[Jennifer Smith]

Oops, I think I sort of missed my own thread, actually!

(Entertaining company/vacationing)

But I think year-round schools are un-American...!

Most church camps r great, lotsa people will tell you it is where they got the Holy Ghost..! (Or, got kissed, but, it's all good):)

One of the best things about a good church camp is that young people feel they can worship freely when it is "their" forum and their peers...and it gives them something good in the summer, a chance to seek the Lord, learn the Word and relax with good friends, ideally.

[ImaPK]

Paul said
[/quote]What process does the local church have in place for spiritual growth and development for the kids when they return home from camp?
[quote]

Back in my day(in your great state of California )there was nothing to go home to in the local churches because "you are too young"

[paul]

RaceRunner said:

I'm not disagreeing with you Paul. But I had a stray thought the other day....

If OSAS is true (and I don't believe you believe that) then why WOULD a church need to have a place for spiritual growth and development? We would ONLY need Missionaries...not Disciplers.

I personally think that their are many areas that we as Christians are to influence. To date we ( the church in general) have kept to ourselves. There needs to be more
1. Honor in the church
2. Strength in the Family
3. Wisdom in Education
4. Power and Authority revealed in Government
5. Blessing revealed in Media
6. Glory and creativity in the arts
7. Integrity and the provisions within nations revealed.

Whether you believe in OSAS or traditional pentecostal view ( the latter is my personal view) their is no difference, I am talking about the need of more than just missionaries. We must help develop our youth to become a vivable fource in the world. Events are great, I could talk all day about my experiences and those of my three sons in cogop youth camps. But when our children get home the church not only has a responsibility, but a mandate to help them in the process of becoming all that Christ has designed them to be. And take their place in the world as a leader. If the church does not train our youth to become powerful leaders in every area of society then we need to shut up when these areas are ruled by unbelievers.