Coop Camp Here We Come
I'll be leaving today for a one-day-excursion with the church Youth at Coop Camp. It will involved a trip of about 2 1/2 hours over to the Talladega National Forest area of north Alabama. The setting is a spectacular and isolated valley far from the big city. The closest town will be Millerville, Alabama. Try doing a Google map and see what kind of satellite photos you find! Actually the camp director told me to look for a bent sign on a post, along a County road a few miles from Millerville. Since it is supposed to rain today, it should be a very interesting trip. Actually we took a group to this same camp, about four years ago. Seems I remember a chaperone/leader of one of the other groups who appeared to hold a bit of umbrage toward the racial smorgasborg of our group. I sensed the typical, cowardly disdain for people not of his color. So I spent the couple of days being extra nice and friendly toward him, and even sitting next to him as we worshiped God together. I know- such behavior is childish.
This time we are a small group, five teens and three adults. My wife is a begrudging chaperone, not excited about sleeping in a converted chicken coop and hanging out with loud teenagers. I keep telling her she is getting too old, too fast. It can happen, you know: you start being cranky and ill-tempered, fussy toward those younger and stranger than yourself, and next thing you know- you're old! I intend to put off such transformation for a few more decades.
We will be an interesting group. Our fellow chaperone was a coach many years ago. A few life-challenges and 25 years later, he finds himself working with teens at our church. I like him. Along for the trip will be some teenage girls who are turning out to be great kids. We'll have a young man who could have easily lost his way with a hard and unfair life situation, except for the grace of God and an amazing grandmother. And a young man whose family recently moved to the area from South Dakota. This will be his first excursion into redneck country. It will be fun.
It is pretty shocking that 90% of the teenagers of the U.S. have no affiliation with the church. We have done a poor job of positively influencing this generation. As a church leader, I hear a lot about needing to adjust our message to be relevant. And I agree somewhat. If the ways and methods of the 1950's ever become popular again, then the majority of our churches will be well prepared. Otherwise we are out of touch, busy playing church while the world around views us as increasingly insignificant. But I've got to believe that methods and technology and even "relevance" are not at the heart of effectively reaching out to youth. They are astute. And like everybody else, teenagers struggle for identity, meaning, and love. They recognize genuineness. And they are keenly aware when you are full of.....bull. The love of Christ is far from being uninteresting or irrelevant for teens of today, however the messengers have some serious work to do.
Anyways, I will be back in a couple of days with photos.
03.14.08 (12:40 pm) [
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posted by:
nightbreed (
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post date:
03.14.08 (9:59 am)
when you hear the dueling banjos play... run!
just joking..lol that only happens here in North East Tennessee...
posted by:
fractalmom (
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post date:
03.14.08 (10:15 am)
i'm jealous.
posted by:
truthserum42 (
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post date:
03.14.08 (10:24 am)
Good luck and may God bless your effort in reaching young people. I think what many Christians counselors forget is that if God's word doesn't do it then we can't. Young people see through hypocrisy and people should stop holding themselves out as God's shinning example of righteousness. Have a blessed trip.
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
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post date:
03.14.08 (10:31 am)
You are so right on about youth having better BS detectors than most adults! If you want to truly help youth avoid the pain associated with irrational decisions such as experimenting with narcotics, early use of more socially accepted mind-altering substances such as alcohol and marijuana or flippant sexual conduct that destroys self-esteem and carries great risk of disease (1 in 4 teens now have an STD both inside and outside "the church"). Of course, there's also the "Juno" issue of teen pregnancy and all that goes with the completely preventable event of out-of-wedlock teen pregnancy.
The antidote of these big teen challenges is NOT more religion or neccessarily a deeper personal relationship with "Christ".
Certainly, a teen that views comittments to God more seriously might have an extra defense against adopting certain behaviors, but, the link doesn't appear very strong statistically unless also combined with solid factual information that resonates with a teens acute sense of self-interest. Caringly taking teens through the logical outcomes of behaviors without the preachy "sin" angle seems to be a much more effective strategy for enabling teens to make better personal behavior decisions.
One the best faith friendly resources out there is Sean Covey's "The Six Most Important Decisions". Both my kids have it on their I-Pods and found it non-preachy. They both self-report that it spoke to them in a language that helped them make sense of the issues and that they learned some important facts of which they were previously unaware.
As with all teens, we'll se how mine handle the challenges of the real-world -- but, so far, they've both handled issues to date with far more maturity and good sense than either of their parents at the same ages. So much for the concept of continued generationa decline in moral standards when it comes to the little microcosm called My Life! lol!
posted by:
bawdy (
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post date:
03.14.08 (12:43 pm)
Enjoy..I hope the excursion is rewarding.
posted by:
mimi (
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post date:
03.14.08 (3:51 pm)
just be safe and have fun! looking forward to your report when you get home and settled in : )
xoxox
posted by:
emerging (
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post date:
03.14.08 (6:47 pm)
According to my own sweet (sardonic) teenager, the church today is circling the drain - morally declining at the same rate as the world around it. I told him I see his point, but it's unfair to lump all "Christians" together. I also reminded him that it all boils down to two things - love God and love others. The church is full of sinners of every variety - as it should be. It's how we treat each other in our collective humanity that makes the difference. It gave him pause (a good thing, if you ask me). I was very proud to observe that he's thinking about spiritual matters. I want him to have a faith that reflects thought rather than be someone who believes everything he's been taught without question. There is no way to know your faith is strong without ever having tested it.
posted by:
surrogate (
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post date:
03.14.08 (6:48 pm)
I hope they carry you out to the river and dump your oh-so-young behind in the drink - but I hope they do it lovingly.
posted by:
surrogate (
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post date:
03.14.08 (6:50 pm)
Oh, and I hope your wife helps.
posted by:
nightbreed (
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post date:
03.17.08 (5:19 am)
HAPPY ST. PATRICKS DAY TO YOU...
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
03.17.08 (6:41 pm)
Reply to: nightbreed
Thank you, my friend. I don't celebrate St Patty's, for several reasons: no local parade, I'm not Catholic, I don't drink green beer, and I like snakes.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:43 pm)
Reply to: surrogate
Ah, you picked well upon my subtle frustration with my wife and her attitude about the trip. She volunteered, and then wanted to retract. Begrudgingly she made the trip. We worked it out, and mainly because she compromised and decided to have as good of a time as possible. She's a good sport, and obviously deserves better than myself. And, no I was not dumped into the water. I did have to endure a freezing hayride, with her unwilling to keep me warm.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:47 pm)
Reply to: emerging
I'll not argue with your son about the current spiritual state of the church in general. The church is a mess. Yet, I believe, it is God's family. There is still ample opportunity for all that is good about the church: fellowship, ministry, evangelism, learning, growth, love, etc. Please encourage him, and of course a very important way to do so is to set the example.
posted by:
PastorDave (
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post date:
03.17.08 (6:48 pm)
Reply to: mimi
Now home, safe and sound. It's Monday night and I'm still tired from the trip!
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:48 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
A nice trip. Even tried a bit of early morning fishing. Didn't catch a thing, but still enjoyed the peace and quiet.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:52 pm)
Reply to: truthserum42
"...people should stop holding themselves out as God's shinning example of righteousness.." Well said! We are but fellow strugglers. All imperfect. I watched the ministry to young people at the camp as it unfolded. Indeed, they appreciated honesty and quickly stayed away from fakery. But, I also noticed that they could be readily manipulated by hard-core spiritual salesmanship. I though it was a bit disrespectful. Years ago I ceased to force the gospel on others.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:53 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
Come on down. We'll save a chicken coop just for you.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (6:55 pm)
Reply to: nightbreed
Actually, I believe Deliverance was filmed in north Georgia, less than an hour from where I live! We had no dueling banjos at the camp. but, there was a music leader accompanied by an awful bass guitar. Around here, we call it "making a joyful noise for the Lord" with the emphasis upon noise.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
03.17.08 (7:01 pm)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
"...unless also combined with solid factual information that resonates with a teens acute sense of self-interest." Such is a key, I agree. I do believe a life-commitment to Christ, that goes beyond religion into personal relationship, is the best thing I can offer to anyone wanting to overcome destructive life-style and experience quality. And I think you should rightly feel very blessed that your kids are doing so well. I'm sure much of this has to do with your untiring commitment and love. Keep it up- you are an encouragement to all of us. I think it is tremendous that you would pick up and move across country to help your daughter to pursue her dreams. That is a great example of love. I hope Nicole agrees!
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (8:15 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Sure, of course your approach would appropriately be given a Christ-centric treatment. Remember, however, that there is absolutely nothing incompatible with a life-commitment to Christ that disallows for a practical and fact-based approach to teen issues such as drug use and sexually activity. In fact, I suggest that the moralistic "guilt-based" approach is a sure loser. (I also believe a moralistic approach isn't very "Christ-like" either.)
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
03.18.08 (8:18 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
I really appreciate the nice comments about my kids! So far, they have transcended that failings of their parents and are proof that love overcomes a "multitude of sins" :-)
Nicole as or more committed to our children's happiness as are their Bio-Parents! Now, there's a Saint if there ever was one. Can you imagine putting up with ME on a daily basis???? lol!
