How camps can come alongside churches for more effective ministry

By Lloyd Mattson

It was June 1945, and my well-worn ’31 Chevy limped eastward on U.S. 2 toward Spirit, Wisconsin. My goal was Spirit Baptist Church—where my education in the ways of churches was about to begin.

I found the church standing among the fields in quiet, white dignity. I felt comfortably in command, until that day in a tavern called the Green Lantern.

Spirit Township was dry, and the adjoining township quite wet. The Green Lantern pressed close to the township line. As junior camp at Wood Lake approached, I sought for camper prospects in the rural community. I learned of a boy who had come to the area recently, the foster child of the proprietors of the Green Lantern. Possessed of far more zeal than knowledge, I betook myself to the tavern on a bright July morning to talk about camp.

Rumors and Salvation
The folks inside were friendly and courteous. They were pleased that I offered to take their boy to camp. One thing led to another, and I stayed to chat for some time. Meanwhile, my now-familiar Chevy waited patiently in front of the Green Lantern in full view of all who chanced by, and Tillie—who played piano at the church—did.

The winds of the storm did not reach me prior to our Saturday departure for camp, but upon my return a week later, there were winds aplenty! I came home aglow to tell of a great week, but my words were swept away. The pastor, in the Green Lantern! In broad daylight! The church was declared all but ruined.

Not many were listening when I told of the evening when I rowed close to shore on Wood Lake facing a small boy who lived in a tavern. I can still remember the rough oars in my hands, the gentle creaking of oarlocks, and the warm smell of a northern lake in the summer. The lad’s prayer was so simple, so earnest and untaught. He just asked Jesus to come into his heart.

That first summer as a student pastor, I learned what I had suspected ever since I found Christ at a camp: Camp can be a pastor’s best friend.

An Ally
I believe the local church to be the heart of God’s work. I’m grateful for every form of ministry that presents the gospel to people. The value of all those efforts rests on their relationship to the church. No work, including camp, will fulfill God’s purpose in the lives of people without relating closely to local churches.

It’s possible, though, that in our zeal for local churches we have taken some wrong turns. As pastors, it’s easy to become jealous of a spiritual influence we don’t control, or any distraction that might lure our people. We can become obsessed with the average attendance to the point where we become hostile toward anything that might draw one of our parishioners away when church is in session. We may overlook the pronouns in that blessed promise our Lord made, “I will build my church” (Matt. 16:18).

While the church belongs to Jesus, and we are His servants only, we must accept responsibility and accountability. We must utilize every help we can find to fulfill God’s purpose for His church. One of our strongest allies is the organized Christian camp.

Toward Maturity
As churches, we take our objectives from Scripture: to evangelize, to integrate, to educate. The Great Commission provides the outline. I have examined the objectives of hundreds of Christian camps and churches, and I find no conflict.

Since camps are seasonal, they cannot be churches, and shouldn’t think of themselves as churches. Camps must turn to churches for follow-up. But both serve the same Lord with the same objectives. I view camps as an extension of my work as a pastor.

Many camps have an evangelistic focus, but most also go deeper and use their organizations for Christian education. Mature Christian lives are brought to bear on young Christians in an atmosphere that breeds fun and trust. As this atmosphere grows through the camping period, campers’ minds and hearts absorb truth by precept and example.

Additionally, camps have a better opportunity than churches to teach the unity of the spiritual life. God didn’t save folks for Sunday, but for every moment of every day. At camps, the focus rests on life in the Spirit throughout all activity, specifically religious or not.

Getting Outside
The camp is the church at work outdoors. The locale is different, and methodology may change, but the purpose and power are the same.

We can trace God’s use of the outdoors as an environment for spiritual discovery back to the patriarchs. Acts 7:38 speaks of the church in the wilderness. And why do you suppose the Lord didn’t chase Pharaoh into the desert and let the children of Israel stay in town? God used the wilderness to train Moses, David, Elijah, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul.

We can work through the camps to serve our people, gaining benefits for them—such as relief from ordinary distractions, extended time for spiritual reflection, and a change of pace—we can’t offer at home.

I see camp as my friend out there, working hard to serve my kids, youth, and adults. When I look over my congregation and hear their comments, I realize that more have been touched for Christ through camping than through any other activity we offer as a church. A friend like that deserves all the support I can muster.

Editor’s Note: This article was adapted from the Christian Camp and Conference Association Focus Series monograph, Camping and the Church.

Lloyd has served as a camp director and pastor, and has written or edited 28 books about Christian camping, including Christian Camping Today (The Wordshed).