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"What can we do better together?" This the question that is being answered by the annual meeting of the Outdoor Ministry Connection (OMC). Representatives from American Baptist Camps, Episcopal Camps and Conference Centers (ECCC), Lutheran Outdoor Ministries (LOM), Outdoor Ministry Association – Church of the Brethren (OMA-CoB), Outdoor Ministry Association – United Church of Christ (OMA-UCC), Presbyterian Church Camp and Conference Association (PCCCA), and the United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries (UMCRM) Association gathered together for three days of meetings at Pilgrim Center in Ripon, Wisconsin.

Over the last four years this ‘association of associations’ has been meeting to learn about the ministry of each organization and to discern if there are ways we can share together to strengthen the work being done at the individual sites across the continent. Several important initiatives have begun that will benefit our associations as well as the sites that we serve.

The largest project is a once-in-a-lifetime shared conference planned for November of 2019. Imagine a conference with over six hundred participants, top keynotes, amazing workshops, inspiring worship, and opportunities to connect with the best outdoor ministry practitioners from the mainline denominations across the continent. Planning is already underway!

Many other projects are also in progress, spearheaded by task forces within the OMC. The OMC has recognized that research is an area where it would be meaningful to have the participation of all mainline denominations. Research will help us all to tell the story of outdoor ministry and its impact. In a similar vein, an evaluation project is in the pilot phase, developing a common way for camps to measure their effectiveness. A third initiative, Interim Director Training, is being developed to increase and expand the network of qualified interim directors who could serve across denominational lines, Directing sites in pivotal moments of transition. Collegial consulting is another area of shared interest across the denominations, and conversations continue about how to form and resource a network of consultants to meet the needs of our centers and ministries.

All of our sites have unique gifts to share, our associations have incredible resources to offer, and together we are able to strengthen the body of Christ. We are better together!

Rev. Theresa McDonald-Lee is Co-Executive Director with her spouse Johnathon of Presbyterian-affiliated Camp Kintail in Ontario, Canada. She serves as President of the Presbyterian Church Camp & Conference Association (PCCCA).

Reflections on the Bishop’s Confirmation Retreat at Lazy W Ranch - March 4-6, 2016

by Todd Potter (15), 10th grader from First UMC, Redondo Beach, CA

My church and other churches in the California-Pacific Conference came to the Bishop’s Confirmation Retreat at Lazy W Ranch in hopes of meeting new friends and growing closer to God. This unified purpose allowed us to bond quickly with people we’d just met, despite the barriers of talking to strangers. Maybe it was the lack of Wi-Fi or the fact we were put into groups with people we would never have met had we not gone on this retreat, but I felt myself and the people around me see God clearer through the people we met along the way.   

Throughout the weekend, we played team-building games that forced us to put complete faith in people we were still beginning to know.  We also had group discussions that helped us learn about each other’s lives and helped us begin to realize how acutely Jesus has affected who we are today.  It was during these activities that we saw how beautifully God can bridge the gap between people who wouldn’t normally become friends, filling our hearts with love that overflows into our actions and words.

One of the more interesting dynamics of the weekend was mealtime, and I’m not saying that just because of the amazing s’mores cake. The way people we barely knew would invite us to eat lunch with them and how people willingly struck up conversations in an attempt to know those they were eating with showed how hospitable the world should be. Nothing like this would happen at school, and that really shows that we have a lot of work to do “so all may experience God’s life-giving love.”

During free time people from different churches hung out together, playing basketball, volleyball, or any of the other various games at Lazy W Ranch. I really liked how accepting everyone was and that the sense of unity between the different churches was infectious. Constant handshakes paired with an exchange of names. Smiles and laughter flowed as people got to know each other just an iota better. Then there was the occasional hug, saying the things words can’t begin to describe: the feeling of friendship, brotherhood, or the feeling of a second mother. Those feelings were priceless.  

On Saturday we thought about how we can use the different gifts God gave to us to inspire the world. It was awesome to see each other brainstorm about how even small leaps of faith can change the world. A girl in my group talked about using her incredible singing voice to inspire people to live with love. People discussed about helping each other incorporate what Jesus taught us into our daily lives. I talked about how stories showing how God has helped people to put others’ lives before their own could inspire people to live more selflessly. Others talked about ways we could become passionate followers of Jesus Christ and ways we could embody the idea of “What Would Jesus Do?”, taking into account the obstacles we may face on our journeys of faith. People also talked about the ways we can help others experience God’s love and know that they fit into the puzzle of God’s plan. Ideas included inviting people to church, helping the homeless, helping improve the community, and showing compassion to everyone

we encounter.

One of the many blessings of the retreat was hearing Bishop Carcaño preach about how God has made her the person she is today. Her story about the boy on the orange crate reading the Bible was moving to me because he was passionate to see another person who believed the same things he did. I kind of felt like that boy last weekend because, sure, I had seen my family and my fellow church members as followers of Christ, but I don’t think I was fully aware of the grand scale of people who believe the same things I do. I had only seen one piece of God’s puzzle, but after last weekend I saw a handful more. It would really be special if United Methodist churches met together more frequently so more people could see how God has affected so many lives. The story about how Bishop Carcaño’s friend became a passionate follower of Jesus Christ demonstrated the fact that God will lead us through the storm if we believe that the world can become a better place. It also showed that life is always worth living, no matter the circumstances. The story about the transgender woman who set up a program to help men dealing with substance abuse showed that you can find God’s love anywhere, even in a paper bag inside of a dumpster. The story about Bishop Carcaño and her mother in the cotton field showed how God’s love will show itself and how being a passionate follower of Jesus never stops. The story of the boy riding unaccompanied on La Bestia in search of a better life only to die at the steps of a house in South Texas reminded me of Moses and how he died before he could experience the promised land. It made me realize that we should always strive for our dreams in spite of our doubt and we should always be looking out for the ways in which God is nudging us along the road of Life. Out of all the stories she told, the one that hit me the most was the story about about Don Julio and how Bishop Carcaño finally brought herself to forgive him, showing him the true extent of God’s love in his final hour.  

The campfire worship on Saturday was simply beautiful. The sing-along mashup of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot,” “When The Saints Go Marching In,” and “This Train Is Bound For Glory” was really moving. It set the tone for the rest of the night, ending just as it started to drizzle. My hands felt tingly as the drops falling from the heavens caught my skin. Originally they were going to use the water pitcher to re-baptize people, but when the rain began to fall before Bishop Carcaño started her sermon, they decided to use the rain instead. That was how we reaffirmed our baptisms with the water falling from the stars.

While Bishop Carcaño was preaching her sermon about how God’s love changed her life and how it made her want to spread God’s life-giving message, I couldn’t help but fall in love with the campfire crackling, sparks flying upward as it sparred with the rain falling slowly, then quickly, then slowly again. As Bishop Carcaño’s sermon ended and we reaffirmed our baptism with the rain to conclude the worship, I felt this spark of inspiration, perhaps the Holy Spirit, touching my firewood heart. Suddenly I could barely contain myself as my brain raced through metaphors flashing like sunbursts. It was quiet as I finally got back to the cabin. I tore open my bag in desperate need of a pen, flung open my notebook, grabbed my Bible, and started writing before the words slipped through my fingers.

God’s love is much like the rain that fell last Saturday night. God’s love, like water, nourishes us and helps make things new. Sometimes a rainstorm in our lives may feel like darkness, but the rain will not put out the fire in our hearts, but will instead help us become more passionate followers of Jesus Christ. The fire that came down and gave the apostles the ability to communicate with people of different tongues will constantly inspire us to be better followers of Christ, but once in awhile we must renew our faith with the rain. And by renewing our faith, we’re renewing the fact that God loves us all, unconditionally. The fire of God that surrounded the disciples still burns today and gives the world the light needed to live in spite of the darkness in our lives. We must face the fact that there will be rain on our parade, and we must march onward despite the downpour because the rain is actually a blessing whether we see it or not. We must carry on singing to the same heavens that rain down upon us to show that God loves us and fills us with fire to proclaim God’s Word so that the whole world may feel warmth inside their hearts as they dance in the rain.  

After the final worship together we passed the peace of Christ. The newfound urgency of hugs once people realized they were leaving the friends they made that weekend was breathtaking. I saw the swapping of phone numbers and words of encouragement being exchanged, but then as quickly as it began we were driving out of the wilderness to spread God’s life-giving love to the world.

Fundraising and Your Governing Board

Your camp ministry lives by donations from your supporters. Although you receive income from revenue-producing programs, you are fundamentally supported by those who give through fundraising. How ironic and unfortunate it is, then, that the very people most closely associated with the governance of your camp ministry, especially your board leaders, so frequently say, “I’ll do anything but ask for money. With all those fundraisers out there, why don’t we just hire a good one to raise money for us?”

How your camp ministry deals with this reluctance is critical to its well-being – possibly to its survival.

For some board members, asking for a contribution feels distasteful; they see it as begging or putting pressure on friends. Others genuinely believe they are not good at fundraising, or because of inadequate leadership, coordination, or staff support are unsure how to proceed. Some are fearful: they find fundraising scary. Still others choose to concern themselves only with the programs. Stagnant boards of struggling ministries often have members with “a heart for the ministry” but who are unable to bring insight to future vision, don’t give sacrificially, or they will not invite peers to be involved or contribute.  

Five Principles

Successful governing boards and their members fully understand, accept, and give full attention to five principles:

Principle 1.  The Board is ultimately responsible for attracting funding resources to ensure the financial viability of the organization and its programs.

The board is responsible for ensuring that the ministry fulfills its mission. The board is responsible for seeing that the organization has the resources in volunteers and money to fulfill its plan for the future.

Principle 2.  Asking for and giving money are natural processes, and need not be viewed as something to be avoided.

People give money because they want to. Asking for money is not hurtful and unpleasant.  If you think it is an unpleasant task you will fail.

Henri Nouwen writes in A Spirituality of Fundraising:

Fundraising is a very rich and beautiful activity. It is a confident, joyful and hope-filled expression of ministry. In ministering to each other, each from the riches that he or she possesses, we work together for the full coming of God’s Kingdom.

Principle 3.  Board members should help in preparing the “case,” which is the rationale for supporting the organization, and be able to explain the case persuasively to prospective donors.

The case is critically important to successful fundraising, and it is also where most organizations fumble. Although staff play a major part in formulating the case, board members should be involved in the process. The board must see that the case is strong.

Every time we approach people for money, we must be sure that we are inviting them into this vision of fruitfulness and into a vision that is fruitful.

-Henri Nouwen, A Spirituality of Fundraising

Principle 4.  Every board member can do something useful to support the fundraising effort, employing his or her own skills and interests.

Board members are likely to think their role in fundraising is to ask for money. Many understandably resist this role. Board members can assist significantly in fundraising without personally asking for a donation. Find a way to use every board member’s talents; excuse no one from the endeavor.

Principle 5.  Motivation of board members is the most critical and the most difficult task of all.

Meeting this principle hinges upon leadership, and such leadership is elusive. Boards must devote much attention to their selection process so that members have the necessary skill-sets to fulfill their role. An equally crucial quality of leadership is the ability to motivate. Leaders are able to move people to action, communicate persuasively, and strengthen the confidence of followers.

Accepting the Challenge

Board members are slow to accept that fundraising is an essential element of their responsibility, and perhaps even slower to learn that it need not be an unpleasant task. Properly nurtured and led, most board members can come to accept their responsibility for and overcome their resistance to fundraising activities.

Scott Gilpin is Executive Director for Fund Development at UMC Discipleship Ministries. Scott was a Lakeview (TX) camper growing up and serves as a resource to the United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries Association. He welcomes your inquiries at sgilpin@umcdiscipleship.org or 615- 944-9711.

A Methodist In the Big World of Christian Camping

I had the privilege to attend the CCCA (Christian Camp and Conference Association) National event this past December in Phoenix, Arizona, and was asked to share a tidbit or two from my experience.

I was not planning to go. I felt at the time that the last thing I needed was another camp conference. I love my Methodist Camping brothers and sisters and love seeing them every two years. And when we get together, it’s great. But did I really need another name tag wearing, goodie bag toting, wandering the exhibit hall trying to win prizes event?  

Our ministry had just become a CCCA member for the first time this year. We wanted to try something new, learn from new friends, join a like-minded group, and see the bigger world of Christian Camping. When it came time to register for the national event, we knew that if we were going to stick our toe in the water, we needed to jump all the way in and get to Arizona.

Now this kid from small town Colorado and one of the few Methodists in North Idaho had never worshiped, laughed, and prayed with 1,200 camping professionals before. I had never attended a workshop titled “The Pursuit of Wow” and learned hiring practices from camp HR directors who hire more than 800 young people and who reach 260,000 (!) kids in a summer. But that’s OK, we all serve in different ways and places.  

I think what I appreciated the most is that CCCA is focused and not trying to be everything to everybody. They know we have our own church-affiliated events. Here are some of the current initiatives they (and thus we) are working on.

Overall, CCCA national was a humbling and yet encouraging and spirit-filled experience. God is moving, and I believe camp is still the place where God dwells mightily. I know some of my UMCRM friends were in attendance as well and I hope that you were also encouraged and inspired.

Humbly Submitted,

Tyler Wagner

Camp Director, Twinlow United Methodist Camp

The Education Committee is pleased to announce the new “United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry Core Training.” In addition to a certificate of completion, the General Board of Higher Ed and Ministry (GBHEM) will recognize our Core Training program toward Certification in CR Ministry through the United Methodist Church.

YOUR PATH to Certification begins with the Compass Points program and can be complete in as little as two years. YOU CAN BEGIN meeting educational requirements now! Compass Points is offering two of its six courses coming up in just a couple of weeks on the beautiful campus of Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia (Atlanta area).  If you miss the February offerings, your next opportunity to begin will be in September.

YOUR COMPLETED PATH will include the following stop-overs (requirements):

COMPASS POINTS COURSEWORK

Six two and one half day courses taught by Columbia Theological Seminary faculty and/or experienced camp and retreat professionals will include required readings and a final portfolio piece for completion of each course. Tuition is only $275 per course ($250 if you are an UMCRM Association member) plus room and board at the class site.

DIRECTED CAMP/RETREAT SITE VISIT

As part of the Compass Points program, you will work with your advisor to choose a beneficial site to visit, explore, and observe how they practice Christian Hospitality, Facilities Maintenance, Food Service, Programming et.al. (A portfolio piece (Report) will be required following your visit for approval.) Tuition will be $100 plus your travel.

UMCRM INTENSIVE TRAINING COURSE

This will be a week-long, 40-contact-hour course specific to United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministry. The course will include the Seven Foundations of UM Camp and Retreat Ministry, Wesleyan Theological Foundations, History and Polity of The UMC, Best Practices in Sustainability and Collaboration, Creation Care Importance at our sites, Diversity in Race and Ethnic Leadership, and more. The tuition will be $300 plus room and board. 

(We will be recommending this to our Camp and Retreat Centers as essential to New Director Training.)

CAPSTONE EVENT AT THE NATIONAL GATHERING

With your peers, you will gather for a final directed presentation. This will be a celebration event summarizing your experience and looking to the future. Upon completing the educational requirements, you will be recognized at the UMCRM National Gathering where you will be presented with both the Compass Points Certificate (and awesome compass for your desk) and your UMCRM Core Training Certificate. Instructions for applying for Certification with GBHEM and your Annual Conference will be shared at this event as well. Tuition is $100.

Applications to enter the Core Training program and be assigned an advisor will be on the UMCRM website by the end of February. But don't worry, you can still GET A HEAD START ON YOUR PATH by signing up for Compass Points and attending your first two courses this month. Applications for UMCRM Core Training will be available for submission at those courses.

NOTE: The UMCRM Association Education Committee is also working on an advanced training and coach-guided opportunity for experienced Camp and Retreat Leaders wanting to continue their educational path and/or pursue Professional Certification in Camp and Retreat Ministry. Stay tuned and keep your eye on S’more Mail for more information as these are developed.

Bishop Debbie Wallace-Padgett greets the group and tells of her history and love for camping and retreat ministry.

Worship was a highlight! More than 70 Southeastern Jurisdiction camp & retreat ministry leaders were in attendance.

Fantastic Sumatanga hospitality included great snacks for the Monday night college football championship game!

Participants hear keynoter Kevin Witt's words about Packing For the Journey.

New educational format featured lively roundtable discussion on core topics.

There were songs with hand motions!

Storyteller Charles Maynard enlightens a group discussion.

If you took pictures at the 2016 SEJ Gathering, you may upload your best photos to UMCRM's SmugMug site. Click for access Thanks for sharing!

United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries Executive Gathering 2015: A Report

Annual Conference executives for United Methodist Camp and Retreat Ministries (CRM) gathered from across the United States at Asbury Hills Camp and Retreat Center, Greenville, South Carolina, for their annual meeting December 8-11. Participants representing twenty-four Annual Conferences were greeted with a warm and generous hospitality by the South Carolina Conference, including Bishop Jonathan Holston, Arthur Spriggs (South Carolina CRM Executive), Kathy James (Director of SC Connectional Ministries), and David Rouse (Director of Asbury Hills).

Learning, mutual support, and planning mixed in with fellowship and the opportunity to deepen relationships made this a rich and enriching gathering. Our learning session focused on Simon Sinek’s book, Start With Why. Russell Davis, North Georgia CRM Executive Director, led the discussion of this material, noting how critically important it is to spend time identifying the “Why” of our camp and retreat ministries, as this core purpose ought to guide everything we do.

Mike Huber, Exec for the Upper New York Conference, and Kevin Witt, CRM Director, UMC Discipleship Ministries, reported on their meeting with the National Association of UMC Annual Conference Treasurers (NAACT). Their presentation included an expression of gratitude to the members of NAACT, recognizing the huge contributions they and their staff make to CRM through financial services support. In addition to saying thanks, Mike and Kevin led a conversation about some of the “whys” of CRM, bright spots and challenges, and how we might collaborate to strengthen ministry. The UMCRM Association plans to continue to nurture relationships with the NAACT in the coming year.

Russell Davis reported on Outdoor Ministries Connection, a collaborative meeting of eight different denominational camp and retreat ministry associations. This group held a joint event with association board members in September, identifying areas of common ground and potential resource-sharing to meet training and educational needs and address common challenges.

Gary Lawson, CRM Exec from the Memphis Conference, shared the UMCRM Association’s efforts to address the discontinuation of the CRM Certification program. A new program is in development to ensure quality of the educational process for the professional development needs of CRM leaders, as well as timeliness and affordability of classes and workshops.

Arthur Spriggs brought an update on the efforts to strengthen the UMCRM Development Fund. The priority areas are Endowment, Scholarship, and Sustaining Resource.

Lively discussion characterized a session led by Kevin Witt on "Measurable Missional Outcomes."The importance of this topic quickly became obvious to all, as did the need to invest considerable time and energy into discovering supportive and defendable efforts.

Lest it appear that all we did was sit around and talk (and listen), we should mention that many participated in the site tour of Asbury Hills, a moonlit adventure on the Giant Swing, and a candlelit tour of the Biltmore Mansion near Asheville, NC.

I report about this Gathering in the hope that readers will appreciate a group of servants who are dedicated to enriching the camp and retreat ministries of their particular areas and across the General Conference. --Randy Pasqua, Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries

Randy Pasqua is a clergy member of Holston Conference and has served in Holston as a pastor, as the Director of Buffalo Mountain Camp and Camp Lookout, and as Executive Director of Holston Conference Camp and Retreat Ministries.

Palestinian Staff for Christian Camps

Many camps hire international staff for the summer. Reasons for doing so may vary from the necessity to fill positions to the desire to expose campers to different cultures. My experience may be helpful to other directors as they plan for the summer of 2016.

While in Jerusalem in the fall of 2011 I met Rev Alex Awad, a United Methodist missionary and the Dean of Students at Bethlehem Bible College (BBC). We discussed many topics, including my desire to expose campers and staff to Palestinian Christians and Alex’s desire to help BBC students gain opportunities for employment and exposure to the global community. Camp Kinawind (MI) has had a Palestinian on staff for three of the last four summers. Jumana and Fadi were both excellent members of the Kinawind community. Our campers, paid staff, and volunteers all gained from them knowledge about Palestine, awareness of the struggles of living under occupation, and hopefully a heightened openness to global issues.  

Many UMCRM readers are probably aware of Camp America and/or the many other agencies that provide the required support to identify international candidates and to secure the mandatory J-1 visa. Most of those agencies are not able to assist us with Palestinians or with many other nationalities as they do not have representatives in those areas. However, most of those agencies do allow us to find our own staff if we have a process to do that. Here is how it worked for me and can work for you.

Step 1: Our original contact was Alex Awad, but he has now retired and is living in the USA. The new BBC Dean of Students, Shireen Awwad, is very excited about making such opportunities available to more BBC students. Shireen, who has studied in the USA and speaks excellent English, will facilitate the identification of interested and qualified applicants. Contact Shireen at shhilal@gmail.com

Step 2: Discuss the applicants with Shireen and decide if any may be appropriate for your situation. If so, you can then interview one or more applicants. With Skype, Messenger, and other sources of direct free contact it is not difficult to arrange such interviews.

Step 3: If you decide to move forward, you need to contact an appropriate agency that has the necessary connections and expertise to process a candidate from Palestine and secure the visa.  I use and strongly recommend 3Adventures and their staff member, Ron Furman. Contact Ron at ron@3adventures.com or call him at 888.724.4292  or 781.449.7062

I have no official role in this process but am very willing to consult with anyone who is considering this option. It can be stressful, as the Middle East is a stressed region of the world. When I started this process many warned me, “Are you prepared to cause a big disappointment for some Palestinian youth?” --as if they have not experienced big disappointments!  So far Kinawind has had 100% success with the visa and transportation issues. Please contact me with your questions. (Note: I will be out of the country for most of February and early March.) Calls are welcomed on my cell – 231.631.0405, or emails are fine also: campkinawind@gmail.com

Fred Elmore, Director

Camp Kinawind United Methodist Camp - Michigan

We Play Games… We Don’t Construct Competitions

How much of your everyday life is filled with competition? Whether it's at work, school, in relationships, or inside our own heads, we are challenged to be the best, and comparatively better than. Here's an uncomfortable definition for you: Compete-- to strive to gain or win something by defeating or establishing superiority over others who are trying to do the same. (Google definitions) The goal in a competition is always to win, which in EVERY case yields a loser. Unfortunately, there are countless times at camp that we set up kids to be losers.

When we make up competitions at camp, we are creating a premise of something we do not believe to be true about God or humanity. We believe that teamwork is the act of people coming together to accomplish a common goal. At camp, the goal is to have fun. The goal is NOT to win. Isn’t it odd that we use the words "play" and "game" in sporting competitions, when you look at the fierceness of team loyalty and fans?

I have a tendency to quibble over the words we use because I have an archaic notion that they matter to the reality that we construct. So I hope you follow when I invite you to create challenges at camp rather than competitions. What's the difference? It's really not subtle. Challenges are agreed upon goals. Competitions are imposed goals that represent a false dichotomy. In the former, victory is achieved when the goal is reached. In the latter, victory is achieved when dominance or superiority is established. Campers can issue one another challenges. But get creative, people! You're a camp counselor because you love the opportunity to make up games that help people be better at being people. That's why you got in this game. I believe that you can find a non-competitive way to do just about anything.

I'll admit that I was grasping at straws, but I've actually issued campers the challenge Paul issues in Romans 12:10. I could be accused of proof-texting, but the spirit of the Gospel is there. I have invited campers to outdo one another in honor. Campers must find unique ways to out-honor the other campers and staff. True, this game has an ulterior motive: to challenge campers to be continuously encouraging and honoring one another. Dirty trick, huh? Side effects include noticing other people's challenges and limitations, accidental blessings, and campers making each other's beds. You've been forewarned.  Paul was making up some camp-like rules for the church in Rome; suggestions of how to create a healthy Christ-like community. Paul was an idealist. Camp leaders are idealists. What a great fit!

You protest: but Erin, what about creating gracious winners and gracious losers? Don't we have a unique opportunity to teach real-life coping skills and practices at camp?  Well, dear counselor, you are astute. This is a good idea that deserves attention and intent. There need to be established ground rules at your camp about what is done when a competition yields a loser. You can practice these, and it is very important that all competitors enter into a game with clear understanding on how they are to behave when they win/lose. And as ever, THERE'S A REASON FOR THIS! A GOD REASON! Talk about the term "gracious" winner/loser. How do we believe God feels about winners? How do we believe God feels about losers? How can we reflect Jesus' compassion by the way we act in a game? How can we act that reflects that we know we are playing for fun, not playing to dominate? Please have this conversation before a competitive event so that campers (and staff) can be considering this throughout the game.

It can be truly transformative to practice gracious winning and losing at camp. Consider the kid who goes into every baseball game with the heavy weight of past performance. She is a faithful kid and she prays for the courage to do her best. But her team's record is dismal, and her coach puts her at the bottom of the line-up because she assumes she'll strike-out. (This isn't a hypothetical kid, by the way, this is my kid.) She knows that her parents will love her no matter what happens at the plate. She wants so badly to swing that bat as hard and straight as she does in the cages. I'm tearing-up thinking of how much courage it takes this kid to step up to the plate. And she does. And she strikes out. Again. And her team loses. And she loses worst. She internalizes that she is the worst. The pats on the back from her coach and the "that's okay, you tried your best"s from her teammates don't make that go away. In that moment, she sees herself as the worst.

But. But she learned at camp what God thinks about losers and winners. She remembers that "teams" are made-up differentiations. She remembers that last year, she was on the winning team, and how good it felt to smack that ball hard off the tee. She remembers how she felt at camp when she was told that she is a treasure to God at her best and at her worst. And she actually says out loud to no one in particular, "It's just a game."

So watch this: here's this principle at work extrapolated to the nth degree. We divide the camp into two teams, the Reds and the Blues, to play baseball. Everybody bats, positions rotate each inning, and the score is incidental. Each team meets independently to set goals. Red's goal is for each player to make it to first at least once. Blue's goal is to make fewer than three errors. Blue and Red don't tell each other their own goals, but they are written down and given to the umpire. They play an ordinary game of baseball, just like they would in gym class. At the end of the game the teams try to guess what the other team's goal was, based on the effort and celebration they witnessed during the game. The umpire reveals the goals, teams celebrate the fun they had, and everyone gets a popsicle.

In Christian community competition isn't real. "Best" isn't real. The kid who runs the marathon and is the first one finished has the same value in God's eyes as the asthmatic kid who came to cheer him on. Talk with your staff about things that create winners and losers. Challenge them to find activities that demonstrate God's unconditional love of and unconditional delight in them. This might be the only place in the world where this kid doesn't fear judgment-- don't make up a game that undoes that. Practice Christian community every moment at camp, not just when it “fits with the theme." God bless your valuable ministry that equips people to see themselves as God sees them. Thank you for making camp different.

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.