What exactly is a camp meeting?

They have become similar to revival meetings. My experience is that they are a time to reinforce denominational doctrine & the position of the pastor as God's mouthpiece & mediator. There is a lot of guilt-ridden rhetoric about what one must do in order to be blessed or honored by God; which is always centered on the authority of the authorized house of worship. I too am a Southern Baptist, but I came out of the IFB darkness.

 

Some of the best services I have ever been in have been in this type of campmeeting setting as well as some of the not-so-best. Whenever the focus was Jesus & His power & ability (rather than man & our power & ability) the service was anointed & a lasting impact was made. However, when the sermons were guilt-trip type sermons, decisions were made, but rarely kept for any length of time. Campmeetings can be very powerful or only emotional - depending on who or what is made the focus.

 

I could not agree more!

I will preach at a camp meeting in a few weeks where issue preaching is held in disdain.

You are EXPECTED to come and make much of Christ.

Arminians and Calvinists share the platform and have one common goal- the exaltation of Jesus Christ.

The songs we sing are about HIM. The sermons we preach are about HIM.

Now that is a tremendous atmosphere!

But I have been in camp meetings where it amounted to little more than propping up one another's personal convictions as Bible Doctrine.

That is an empty, miserable atmosphere- and if I am honest, having attended many of these meetings, this describes the majority.

 

We don't celebrate MLK day, but we do celebrate Robert E. Lee's birthday. But that's another story.

They're common in the South, but not as much as they once were. In my experience, they're usually day long events with a lot of preaching, music, and what is commonly refered to in the South as "dinner on the ground".

One of my favorite songs is called "Old Campmeeting Time". Maybe it will give you an idea what it's like:

Long ago when but a boy at old camp meeting time
How my heart would beat with joy to hear the old bells chime
Calling all the saints of God into the house of prayer
Oh such praying singing shouting for the Lord was there

I like the old time preaching praying shouting singing
I like the old time reading of God's words
I like to hear that glory hallelujah singing
I like the old time worship of the Lord

Preaching in them good ole days was filled with holy flame
Preaching for the souls of men and not for wordly fame
Under such old fashion preaching sinners knelt and pray
And the Lord would save them in that good ole fashion way

I like the old time preaching praying shouting singing
I like the old time reading of God's words
I like to hear that glory hallelujah singing
I like the old time worship of the Lord

 

Why do they call it a campmeeting? Is it inside, outside, under a tent or a brush arbor? Were they originally protracted revivals?

Where did the name originate?

 

Tom, here is a good description:

The Baptist Memorial and Monthly Chronicle, "Sketches of a Southern Tour" (1843):

"It was high noon when we reached the Boiling-Spring camp-ground, and all around saw abundant indications of the immense gathering. Perchance you never saw a campground, and require some words of explanation. In the central area, to which we were at once introduced, stands the roof of a goodly sized meeting-house, some 60 or 70 feet in extent, sustained by its posts, but without any covering on the sides. All over the ground underneath and far and wide on each side, seats are closely arranged, so that the occupants shall all sit facing the stand or pulpit, erected under one end of this roof. . . .we at once recognized in the preacher no other than President Wait, of the Wake Forest College, . . . The service is now concluded; we have been introduced to the brotherhood, an ample circle of the ministers of Christ; and as a courtesy due to the strange brother— as they called us, we were announced for the next sermon ; how unfitted by fatigue may be readily conceived, but God helps the weak, that call upon Him. After this discourse the Lord's Supper was administered, and we trust to many a believing heart the Saviour manifested Himself in the breaking of bread."

Interesting insight into how pre-SBC Baptists practiced communion (at a statewide meeting!):thumbs:

 

Sounds like some churches I've seen in Hawaii....

 

Here are a few images and links.

...Bob





Lithograph by Peter D. Meyers (1834)





Higher Ground Camp Meeting Services, Salem Camp Ground (modern camp ground), Covington, Georgia.





The Hartselle Camp Meeting is underway for the 110th consecutive year at the Hartselle Tabernacle. Photo by Gary Cosby Jr. 6/20/09.





Camp Achor is an old-fashioned Baptist camp meeting. It is hosted by South Side Baptist Tabernacle in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Camp Achor is held in a giant tent on the church property at 6710 Textile Road each year beginning the second Sunday in July.

 

IFB darkness??

I dont know anything about the IFB, other than a moderator on the "other denominations" board is IFB. (he is "DHK")

Is it ultra ULTRA legalistic?


AiC

 

I have seen them last a day, a weekend and a week. I've been blessed at many of them

Off subject, anytime I think of that old song I think of Jake Hess, I've heard him do it with the Statesman, Masters Five and many other groups he has been with, great old song and I don't think life gets much better than the reading of Scripture, praying to God and preaching of Christ and fried gospel bird, potato salads and banana pudding. All can be found at most camp meetings.

 

A Good Camp Meeting is as Close to Heaven . . .

. . . as we can get here on earth!

There is fantastic preaching, heart changing messages, singing, clapping of hands, stomping of feet, and if the camp meeting is well planned and prayerfully turned over to God, the Holy Ghost will let you know of His presence and power in that place. You will leave camp-meeting ready to change the world for Jesus. raying:

I used to think of camp-meeting being the place where I could go to get my spiritual batteries RECHARGED! :applause:

I miss the old camp meetings. However, I look forward to that kind of atmosphere in heaven. I know there'll be everlasting singing around the throne, and if you don't like singing, praising and worshipping the Father, heaven will greatly disappoint you. :smilewinkgrin:

Shalom,

Pastor Paul :type:

 

Why do you totaly ridicule IFB? Being saved by grace through faith and worshipping the Lord is not darkness!! People are getting saved every day in Independent Fundamental Baptist churches! On Christ the solid rock I stand!

I am IFB since I left the SBC due to the major shift to liberal and incorrect doctrine. People to understand sin and God's punishment for sin in order to be saved. We don't worship a namby pamby God! If the preaching makes you uncomfortable (you call it guilt ridden) then maybe you should pray and ask God for guidance.

 

Could you please enlighten us on the incorrect doctrine that is being taught in SBC churches? "Namby pamby" - what do you mean? I'm not familiar with that language...is it Greek?

 

The term "camp meeting" implies that people would come and stay for several days or longer, not going home or to work. As one of the photos given us by another commenter shows, people would bring or rent tents, but then gradually some of these gatherings institutionalized. Particularly among Methodists, there were settlements in various locations to operate revivals, perhaps along with Bible study ... Asbury Park, New Jersey, comes to mind. Here in the Washington, DC, area, there is a community named Washington Grove, now an incorporated town, but originally a Methodist camp meeting ground at which people built ever more permanent houses and ultimately just move in!

Years ago I played the organ for a Methodist camp meeting in Kentucky, and enjoyed it very much. I still quote occasionally the outline of a sermon preached by the late Bishop Walter Gum.

 

Pot, meet kettle- lol!

 

"Namby pamby" is English, and means, "Weak or ineffective." It comes from the nickname of an English poet, Ambrose Philips (1674-1749) who apparently wrote poems for or about children, using rather flowery language.

 

I am glad to see this thread continuing. Here are a few more camp meeting images.



















To be continued...

 

More camp meeting images.



















More camp meeting images to continue . . .

 

More camp meeting images.



















More to follow. . .