Did you know that the United Methodist Church has one of the strongest and most extensive networks of camp and retreat ministries of any denomination? One hundred ninety centers now serve over one million persons annually in the U.S. The United Methodist affinity for this unique pathway of discipleship can be traced in part to the very beginning of the Methodist Movement. The Wesleys make a radical choice for their day to move faith formation outdoors through “Field Preaching,” in order to reach new people, deepen the faith of those already engaged, and extend the presence of the faith community into the wider society.
We are blessed in the Susquehanna Conference to have five United Methodist camp retreat centers serving in partnership with our congregations. Today, camp retreat ministries happen in a myriad of new and emerging forms to meet the changing needs and landscape of Christian faith formation. I encourage you and your congregation to connect and develop fresh, creative collaborations with your colleagues in ministry Joe Sprenkle at Camp Penn (jsprenkle@susumc.org), Charlie Renner at Greene Hills (ccrenner@susumc.org), Patty Weidman at Mount Asbury (pweidman@susumc.org), Matt Williams at Sky Lake (matt@skylakecenter.org), and Emily Sliski at Wesley Forest (esliski@susumc.org).
Why camps and retreats make powerful pathways of discipleship
- Christian camps and retreats engage us in spiritual rhythms of journey and immersion. As a church, we intentionally locate our camp and retreat centers in places that move people from the milieus of daily distractions and responsibilities to focus with great intentionality on going deeper with God and each other. This creative dislocation heightens new possibilities in relationships, reflection, and transformation. Consider how much of the Bible’s descriptions and stories of encounters with God happened while on journeys or moving from one place to another. Pilgrimages to camp and retreat centers are one concrete way to respond to Jesus’ invitation: “Come Follow Me.” Discipleship involves periodic departures beyond the familiar for journey and immersion.
- Christian camps and retreats maximize caring relationships which is how love expresses itself in the world. Camps and retreats focus on experiential faith formation. Living together becomes the classroom where we learn through a wide array of shared experiences the teachings of Jesus, grace that makes life more abundant, and the nourishment of giving and receiving the Fruit of the Spirit. This kind of discipleship learning is hard to duplicate in settings where people learn concepts but do not have the immediate opportunity to engage in trying to live them out in real life encounters together. Having time to live in residence with others in fresh ways and places set apart for this purpose often has a profound transformational impact. Strangers more rapidly become friends and new possibilities for what the world can be come alive to be carried with us into the wider world.
- Christian camps and retreats take seriously wisdom within Christian tradition. These include dichotomies of understanding that differ from many of the prevailing patterns and perspectives prolific in our daily lives. Here is a small sampling. The greatest is servant of all. One receives by letting go. Stillness can move us closer. Silence is a way of hearing. Rest is faithful action. Advances emerge in the practice of retreat. Solitude is not about being alone. Going away often makes us more present. Abundance is found in simplicity. We embrace ourselves when we reach out. God comes in the stranger. The creation speaks of God. What is done to the least of us is done to Christ. The kingdom of heaven grows from the smallest of seeds. The heart of Sabbath is freedom and gratitude. Often this wisdom abounds in the great storytelling tradition within camp retreat ministry that models Jesus’ own mode of teaching through parable, story, questions, and unexpected twists on people’s assumptions. We learn from each other’s stories, too, around the campfire and in attentiveness to teachable moments. It is part of what makes camps and retreats so engaging.
So much more could be said about the benefits of camps and retreats as one of the powerful pathways of discipleship your congregation can offer for your members and your wider community. We are so blessed in the Susquehanna Conference to have camp and retreat ministry colleagues who are ready and eager to partner with you and help. Consider the possibilities.
