by KEN BELL
CAMP MEETINGS
TRADITIONS and TRANSITIONS
C
AMP MEETINGS were a religious brush arbors, cottages replaced tents, and The contemporary “camp meeting”—
phenomenon in frontier Ameri- permanent auditoriums were established. held either in a local church, a rented
ca and have a rich heritage in The gatherings became as much a social auditorium, or a state campground—is
the Church of God. Because of event as a spiritual one. often seen as a modern-day attempt to
the acute scarcity of ordained ministers The Church of God continued the recreate the spirit and effectiveness of the
who could lead congregations to partici- camp-meeting tradition in the 20th centu- frontier camp meeting. Far from being a
pate in the Lord’s Supper in frontier ry with large crowds, lively worship, and dried relic of the past, camp meetings still
areas, the camp meeting arose out of dynamic preaching. However, in recent provide the opportunity for many people
extended sacramental meetings. years, many states/regions have sought to to hear the message of salvation and
Camp meetings usually involved fami- vary the camp-meeting approach in order scriptural holiness. While most camp
lies leaving home for several days and to reduce costs and increase participation. meetings have abandoned the arbor for
camping out on the campground or near While camp meetings may never the comfort of the air-conditioned audito-
the site. It was a kind of vacation from the regain the place in Church of God culture rium, thousands of people still look for-
day-to-day routines of life, as well as a that they once held, it is important that ward to spending special time with Christ
chance to meet old friends, relatives, new we don’t lose the beneficial aspects they and with their Christian brothers and sis-
acquaintances, and even prospective mar- provided to our understanding of our- ters at camp meeting.
riage partners in a religiously based atmos- selves and our Pentecostal heritage. They The question that must be asked is,
phere. Camp meetings were often held What is God doing today? Many
annually or to coincide with vacation time states/regions are moving their camp
when the demands of daily life were not as meeting from a centralized locality to
time-consuming. For many of the children, regional settings. This allows for greater
the camp meeting was their first experi- connectivity, convenience, and a reduc-
ence of extended religious community. tion in costs to both the state/region and
The exhilaration of participating in a the individual attending. Many states are
religious revival with hundreds or thou- including leadership development train-
sands of participants inspired the danc- ing for the ministers during camp-meet-
ing, running of the aisles, shouting, clap- ing week, rather than just an extended
ping, and loud singing often associated Bible study. Because the costs of main-
with the event. Camp meeting without a taining a campground are ever increasing,
“mourner’s bench” was unheard of. Sin-
Wade H. Horton preaching
many states/regions have sold their camp-
ners were invited, begged, and persuaded
in a 1957 camp meeting
ground and are using larger churches or
to come and kneel before this “throne of renting convention centers.
grace,” and the brothers and sisters of the are still characterized by wonderful times Camp meetings are in transition, but
congregation came and knelt around the of worship, heightened opportunities for the need for us to connect with one anoth-
penitents and there wrestled in prayer for fellowship, powerful evangelistic calls, and er and our God in a special way continues
their salvation. At these altars, many challenging messages and Bible studies. to exist. Whatever forms the camp meet-
hundreds were saved, sanctified, and bap- We still need times of corporate wor- ing might take in the future, God longs for
tized in the Spirit. ship with our extended church family. His people to set aside an extended time to
The outdoor setting, where partici- We still need opportunities to fellowship be with Him where He can manifest His
pants camped for the duration of the with our brothers and sisters and talk love and power. We must never lose that
meeting, provided the most distinguish- with them about our personal needs and intimacy with Him.
ing characteristic of the early camp meet- ministry successes and challenges. We
ings. Services often took place in a “brush still need times of special evangelistic
Ken Bell serves as the adminis-
arbor”—a cleared area surrounded by trees appeal for the lost. And we still need to
trative liaison to the general
with overhanging limbs that formed a hear from a variety of God-called minis-
overseer.
shelter. Fixed structures later replaced the ters and Bible teachers.
EVANGEL • JUNE 2009 21
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