I wasn’t at Good Shepherd on Sunday because I was preaching at the Pleasant Grove Campground in Mineral Springs, NC, pictured at the right.
In fact, I preached at the campground on Thursday night, Friday night, Saturday night, and then again yesterday for what they call “Big Sunday.”
Summer camp meetings are traditions in American Methodism going back to the early 1800s.
Asbury Seminary, for example, has its roots in the great Kentucky camp meeting revivals of the 19th century.
And so on Thursday night, when our first hymn was “When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder,” I knew I wasn’t at Good Shepherd anymore.
Throughout the week, we sang old hymns, sat on wooden pews, and preached in stifling heat.
But it’s a great honor to be asked to lead these services, and on five different occasions in the last eleven years I’ve been able to preach a series of evening messages there at Pleasant Grove. Since it is so close to Mt. Carmel UMC, we end having reunion time along the way.
So what series did I choose to share at this venue that seems to capture the best of an era that has mostly disappeared?
unChristian — what a new generation of Americans think of Christ, Christianity, and church. I hope and pray it was the right message at the right time in the right place.
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Growing up in the Nazarene church, I always looked forward to church camp. The kids would go spend a week at Mt.Hope, a Nazarene church camp on the East Kentucky District. Following that week the adults would return with the kids for holiness preaching and “when the roll is called up yonder” hymn singing. I’ll never forget that place with the sawdust floor.
While you were in the midst of spirit filled, hankie waving, when we all get to heaven singing and praising, Rebecca Grayson was doing a phenomenal job at Good Shepherd!
Just a guess, I think she might like shopping at Nordstroms…? Just kidding.
Sometimes we do need to stop the madness and enjoy the stillness that God provides.
As for your series choice for camp, I would say perfect.
“It’s the spirits job to convict, it’s God’s job to judge and my job to love.”
Billy Graham
May the Lord continue to bless you and your family.
I second Matt’s comments about Rebecca doing a fabulous job and that “UnChristian” was a perfect choice–loved the series and am reading the book now. I resonate with so much of it and have since had opportunities to listen to some of my nonchristian tennis friends’ complaints about the church with an open heart and mind (I hope it was perceived).
One more thing–we missed you Talbot! I brought a visitor and told her she will have to come back soon to meet you. Rebecca gave us much to ponder and the music was wonderful, too.
Can I get an “Amen!”? -Ben S.