The Truth
in Print Vol. 29 Issue 6, July 2023
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 over the years.
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