I think we had 15 or so baptisms at camp this past week. It was a very spiritual week. The theme was CSI: Christ Saves Individuals. Jerry Elder did a good job the last night of camp when he conducted a devotional which included a crime scene investigation of the cross.
Still, I’m torn between being genuinely happy for those converted and at the same time wondering if the conversions might have been slightly due to emotionalism. And if it is emotionalism, what happens when the emotionalism disappears after camp is overwith? I trust that whoever provided spiritual counseling to the now newly converted asked the right questions and said the right thing to them. The folks at Maury Christian Camp have been doing camp for a long time and could probably see the poor potential for any decision based soley on emotionalism instead of partially due to thorough study of God’s word and a genuine committment for excellence. Christianity isn’t something that should be based soley on emotionalism, although emotions can be the stepping stone to something greater. Committment to Jesus is forever.
I hope they’ll be at church this Sunday and every Sunday after that. Because church attendance is just as important as those first steps they made toward the baptistry. And if their committment is truely genuine, then there’s nothing to worry about. Sure, there will be road bumps in the way. But if they look toward Him for guidance, they should be just fine.
And I am happy for them. I don’t know them personally, but it didn’t stop me from attending the baptisms with the rest of the camp and taking some superb pictures. I just don’t hug them afterwards. Alkward moments. Ya know?
And it is Independence Day. Our nation declared independence from Great Britian. Similarily this week many young people at MCC declared their independence from sin.
The only downer toward the week was the lack of fireworks. I think there was some safety concerns last year…ie someone almost got burned…so they nixed it this year. I can understand. I was hoping to get some good shots with the digi camera. But that’ll have to wait til tonight.