COMPASS POINTS: An Educational Partnership for Growth in Camp and Retreat Ministry

You have seen it huddled along the sidebar of the UMCRM Association’s excellent S’more Mail e-newsletter often over the past year. Though it may not stand out among the list of excellent opportunities huddled with it, I believe the Compass Points program should be worthy of a little extra attention. (flash, flash, Pow!)

A partnership with our Presbyterian (PCCCA), Lutheran (LOM) and United Church of Christ (OMA) camp and retreat association friends and Columbia Theological Seminary, Compass Points offers a faith-based stepping stone for your growth as a CRM leader. I want to encourage those of you who are young to the ministry of camps and retreats and those of you wanting to add to your CRM resume to check out this excellent program. Compass Points offers a positive educational experience that will only strengthen your quest to be the best of the best in service to the God who has called you to this work.

The UMCRM Association’s Education Committee is proud to have representation on Compass Points’ ecumenical task force and to work with committed CR leaders from our partner associations. In January at our annual Board of Directors meeting, we are prepared to outline a UMCRM Certificate Program that will include Compass Points as part of the approved educational offerings. I believe you will find the new program affordable and meaningful.

This February (21st – 27th), Compass Points will be offering 2 of the 6 required courses toward the completion of the program. Biblical and Theological Foundations and Program Design and Implementation will be offered at Columbia Theological Seminary (CTS) in Decatur, Georgia (Atlanta area). If you are considering seeking the UMCRM Certificate in Camp and Retreat Ministry, I would encourage you to sign up for these courses and join us on the beautiful CTS campus. The Compass Points program comes with a much respected certificate of its own, signed by the President of Columbia Seminary. At the very least, these courses will offer you a well-appreciated academic opportunity for continuing education that will fit into any future plans with UMCRM. So grope through the huddled masses of great opportunities on today’s S’more Mail sidebar and check it out, or click here to learn more. I think the blessing will be awesome. Hope to see you in Decatur, Georgia in February.  

(NOTE: If you completed most or all of the Common Ground certification course work through Drew Theological Seminary, you will not be required to take Compass Points or other educational classwork to meet the requirements of a future UMCRM Certificate in Camp and Retreat Ministry. More details will be available once the Certificate program is approved by the Board of Directors this January. Stay tuned.)

Rev. Gary “Papa G” Lawson chairs the UMCRM Association’s Education Committee. He has served as Executive Director of Lakeshore United Methodist Camp & Retreat Center in Eva, TN since 1992.