Another Camp Blog

You may remember that during the summer of 2009, I went to a youth camp for a week, and came back promising a series of blog posts about it. Well, I kinda fell down on the job, but I did write them--I just never posted them.
So I'm going to remedy that: here is the next entry in my Camp Blog series, "Community is Crucial"

My last Camp Blog mentioned how I had finally found some other girls who thought along the same lines as I do, were interested in the same things, etc. I wrote how thankful I was that God had brought me together with like-minded people. And I don’t want to sound…overly preacher’s kid or anything, but I have to say that the best word for that experience would be fellowship.

Have you ever thought about that? Every Sunday, you go to church (at least, I hope you do) and sit down in a room with a bunch of other people who are worshiping same God, in spirit and in truth. That’s an amazing connection, and one that I think a lot of people either miss out on or ignore, for a variety of reasons.

Mostly, they aren’t looking for it. We get so caught up in our own little worlds, where our own worries and plans are all that matter – and then we think we can go to church and be together with God’s people and feel all warm and fuzzy inside…sorry, it doesn’t work like that. You have to be committed to fellowship, be willing to cultivate it and nurture it and watch it grow – it doesn’t just magically happen if you expose yourself to “church stuff” for an hour on Sunday morning.

Guys, this has got to change. It makes me sad to go to our church on Sunday mornings, and while the people are friendly and nice, and everyone’s happy…there’s no real connection. And it leaks into the worship too – everyone just kind of sits there with this look on their face like; “I don’t know/like this song. These notes are too high. My foot itches. Look at Suzy Brown – how does she think she can get away with wearing that color? I wonder what’s for lunch…”

Hate to break it to you, folks, but that ain’t worship. That ain’t community.

Christians are built for community. We were made to be together, to learn from each other and build each other up. That’s why Paul said:

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:23-25)

Teens of my generation – this is my challenge to you. Next Sunday, walk into your church thinking of it as a family reunion. A practice for Heaven, if you will. Really worship, and challenge the adults around you to do the same. Don’t think they’ll listen? Doesn’t matter:

“Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)

Let that be our battle cry – our encouragement to wake up the church and make God real in our lives. Learn from those in the church who are – like it or not – older and wiser than you. Get the church off her feet and let’s charge the battleground of our culture. It’s our duty and privilege, and we are extremely lucky that God saw fit to place us in a community of like-minded Christians to work with.

What’cha waiting for? See you on the other side!

~Trav