The Truth in Print Vol. 25 Issue 6, July 2019

A Publication of the Valley church of Christ,

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364 (928-782-5058)

 

Website Address ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

 

Note: This month’s article simply repeats the warning issued last year!

 

Florida College Arizona Summer Camp ~ Your Child’s Introduction to Institutionalism

 

    A common defense of brethren’s numerous human societies is to define them by what they are “not.” I see this again this year in defense of Florida College Camp. For a period of time F.C. Camp ceased in Arizona and David Baker’s camp, known as “David’s Camp,” was the camp promoted for young people. All of the “like” (regardless of whether they exist to promote Florida College) will promote themselves as providing bible classes, singing, providing a spiritual atmosphere for spiritual growth, and these along with making lifetime friends while enjoying great recreational activities. I get the idea that many brethren see these camps as one views a vacation – considering the emphasis upon having a great time. It’s possible that since such Camps are set up to function collectively for a limited amount of time that some think that changes the nature of things. But a “short” violation of God’s pattern is still a violation. And the indoctrination has not been short has it! It is repeated yearly in different locales for members of the church to participate in.

 

   It doesn’t take long when studying the New Testament to see that the apostles authorized, established and left the local church as the product of God’s divine wisdom (Matt. 18:17; Jo. 16:13; Acts 13:1, 14:23; I Th. 1:8,1; I Tim. 3:15 etc. This pattern was left for all time (I Pet. 5:1-4; 2 Pet. 3:1-2). Man’s unauthorized religious organization also has (just as the local church organization) Membership, Common Agreement to work together, Common Oversight, a Treasury of collected funds, and a Common Work or purpose. A divinely authorized organization is not authority for the “human” organization. You find the local church (divinely authorized) as well as the family (Acts 18:26 – here a husband and wife taught Apollos the gospel), and neither authorize the “human society” be that Missionary Societies, “Homes” of various kinds for edification and benevolence, Colleges that engage in teaching the bible, edification, worship and evangelism, Foundations that do the same while claiming a “business” structure as their primary function, or CAMPS. 

 

   For many years now some are telling our brethren that the human society is not a church and thus it may engage in worship, edification and evangelism. Some say these are “secondary” to the primary purpose whatever that might be.

 

   The distinction of going to a camp to have fun might be thought of as the primary purpose which justifies the secondary (not as secondary as one might claim or others might think) purposes of worship and evangelism. Some camps have even been known to provide the Lord’s Supper to those willing to stay there on Sunday.

 

  Such Camps are your child’s introduction to institutionalism in our brotherhood.

 

   A Texas F.C. Camp once promoted itself like this: “The purpose of Florida College Texas Jr. Camp is to provide our young people summer recreational and educational opportunities in a wholesome environment.  Our aim is to be neither a church or bible camp in the popular sense, but we are striving to instill principles of honesty, modesty, purity of life, and other virtues taught in the scriptures. To this end, we include Bible study and worship in our daily activities because these should naturally be a part of our campers' lives; but the main thrust of the camp is not evangelism. All of us should work to maintain a proper balance between the camp's recreational and spiritual activities.” 

 

   Did you see it isn’t a bible camp but it really is in that?

 

   Some Camps like the “North Florida Bible Camp” plainly state what they are along with offering tons of entertainments. This one is “solely funded by camper fees and individual donations.”  Look at the “funding” – solely by fees and individual donations. Many in the church, now well into adulthood, were taught that as long as the local churches don’t support such Human Societies that makes the Human Society OK. That’s the very reason for all the warnings in the 1980s about Individually Supported Missionary Societies! That of itself doesn’t allow brethren to build human societies that intrude into the work God gave the local churches. A “dual-purpose” organization – be it a business enterprise providing a product along with edification and worship, or a Camp that provides fun and entertainment along with instruction in the bible, worship and edification is still an unauthorized human organization.

 

   The Web page for “FLORIDA COLLEGE ARIZONA SUMMER CAMP” (July 1-7, 2018) gives the following information.

 

“ABOUT US: 

The Purpose of Camp is Threefold

 

First

Camp provides an environment in which children can be themselves in activities that are altogether wholesome, with other children and adults who have similar values. In this regard, it provides a respite from many of the pressures and temptations of the world, while helping prepare the participants for righteous living in a wicked world.

 

Second

Camp aids parents by reinforcing and teaching the doctrine of Christ as revealed in the Bible. A concentrated effort is made to teach and model Bible principles. Camp is not a substitute for teaching at home nor for the church; camp is not simply a method of “child evangelism.”

 

Third

Camp promotes enrollment in Florida College, which provides a similar environment for higher education, where young men and women are taught by dedicated Christians. Florida College provides perhaps the best available environment for our young people to explore as they “leave the nest.””

 

   The “Second” above states what the Camp is “not.” The Camp teaches the doctrine of Christ, but it is “not a substitute for teaching at home nor for the church; camp is not simply a method of “child evangelism.”  Well what is it!

 

   The “Third” explains its mission. It promotes another human organization built by brethren that intrudes into the work Christ gave the local churches. There was no scriptural authority for Florida College as it was originally set up with its teaching of the bible, edification, and preacher training. It was the start of Human Tradition, a mere invention of man (2 Tim. 4:1-5, “fables” means fiction, an invention, a falsehood).  If you think well there’s really no end in sight for this kind of thing, think again. There is an “end” when churches make the right application to members, and members refuse to participate and are willing to teach others.

 

   Here is a reminder from a past article: “Florida College intrudes into the realm God assigned to His church. No one questions the right of brethren to operate an educational institution which teaches secular subject. In the past brethren opposed the Missionary Society for trying to do the work of the church in the area of evangelism. Now our brethren are saying the thing wrong with the Missionary Society is just churches sending money to it. If only “individuals” support it, it will be scriptural. Why this change? Because the support of F.C. demands it!”  Let that statement from a brother sink in!

 

   The matter of “who” supports the human society ignores the reasons against establishing a Human Organization without Biblical authority. The basic charge against the Missionary Society in the 1800s was God gave His organization, the local church. Thus what right did “man” have by his wisdom to establish a human society to do the work of churches? Why the dissatisfaction with God’s plan and lack of faith in His Word? (Rom. 10:17; 2 Tim. 4:1-5).  Brethren must see the connections of how one human society becomes the basis for authorizing another and then others.

 

   Under “Daily Schedule” besides “Counselor Meeting” and other things it lists a 7:30 DEVOTIONAL – EVERYONE, a 9:00 BIBLE CLASS, and EVENING DEVOTIONS 9:30. Then under “Evening Activities” it lists:  Sunday- Worship services @ 6:30-7:30; Wednesday- Worship Services @ 6:30; Thursday- Devotion @ 6:30.

 

Why Oppose F.C. Camps and Others

 

   There is no authority for brethren to build any human organization (an FC camp or other camps, or other organizations that camps might promote) to carry out works of the church or to conduct worship services. These camps are not designed only for play and fun, they include edification. There is nothing right about worshipping with this kind of human organization regardless of what goes on the remainder of the day!  

 

    A brother who knew better once said (when told that he really did know better) concerning F.C. Camp: “I sent them to have fun. I wish they didn’t have edification but they do.” This an example of ignoring the reasons for not sending them. They have edification and worship so identify the error as you should!

 

Additional articles on Camp:

1. Why Aren’t Your Kids At Camp? http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/kidsincamp.htm

2. It’s Camp Time Again! http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com/articles/camptimeagain.htm

  

 

 

Valley Church of Christ

2375 W. 8th Street, Yuma, AZ 85364

(928) 782-5058 ~ http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

Sunday Services – Classes ~10:00; Assembly 10:50 am; Evening: 6:00 pm.

Wednesday evening – 7:00 pm

 

To learn more call, visit or visit our website at:

http://yumavalleychurchofchrist.com

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