Consider Church Camp
By Ps Vernon Quek
It is church camp season – over last and this weekend, about 550 of our church family (including our Chinese members) will have or will be attending camp as you read this.
As I reflect on the tremendous time, effort and cost of so many of us going away together, I find myself asking – is it worth it? Some churches don’t have camps at all or have them on a less frequent basis. It IS a lot of hassle. So why do we do it?
As I considered camp, I found myself thinking about when God’s people took significant time to travel and gather together in the Old Testament: not just once, but three times a year! I’m referring to the Feasts of the Lord. If you don’t know much about the Feasts, let me share with you my ‘Feasts of the Lord Cheat Sheet’: Leviticus chapter 23.
Throughout Leviticus 23, we find it repeated that the various Feasts are ‘a statute forever throughout your generations’ [1] – This shows us just how important the Feasts were for God’s people. He wanted them to set aside significant time (7 days each Feast from sabbath to sabbath) to gather together to remember Him and all that He had done for them – to rest, and to give offerings of praise together.
Now I’m not suggesting that camp is the exact equivalent of the OT Feasts, but pause and consider why God made Israel observe these Feasts throughout their generations. Our God clearly thinks that His People taking precious time to gather matters! To remember Him, to listen to His words and to offer sacrifices of praise and thanksgiving.
I’m aware that some of us struggle with camp. Some have shared that camp is too expensive. Or it takes too much time (or annual leave). Or it’s too inconvenient to travel up. Or there are too many people (for the introverts among us – this is a real struggle!). We do hear and appreciate these real concerns.
But our loving God knew exactly what He was asking His people to do when He instituted the Feasts. For millions of people across the land (and in later generations across the world) to gather back in Jerusalem three times a year – can you imagine the logistics involved? It took Jesus and the Disciples 4-5 days to travel on foot from Nazareth to Jerusalem! Puts our 4-5 hour ride to Melaka into perspective, doesn’t it? Imagine how overwhelming millions gathered together must have been – an introvert’s worst nightmare! And yet our loving God desired this of His people.
If you’re someone at camp this year reading this at camp, know that our God wants you here. He wants you gathered with His people to turn our hearts to the what He has done for us in Jesus. It is His heart and desire for you – even if you struggle with camp. Please let us know HOW we your church family can care for you in your struggles.
If you’re one of the majority (550 out of 1300 = 42.3%) NOT here with us at camp, you are missed. Please also know that our God wants you here. Wants you gathered with His people for an extended time away together. He knows we need this time relationally, both with Himself and with each other. If you’ve had long-standing struggles with or reasons for not attending camp, please do come and speak to me or your congregation pastors and leaders about them – we’d love to hear more and help if we can.
[1] Leviticus 23:18, 21, 31 & 41
