To convert or to covenant: that is the question.
American Protestantism travels via two different routes. Both aim for heaven. In most theological respects the groups confess compatible convictions. Both believe in the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Both depend upon the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ to be the source of the grace that saves. Both count upon that grace to reconcile them to God, to empower faith within them toward God, and to mobilize them into service in the world created by God.
Nevertheless the “order of salvation” they map does travel via divergent routes. One insists that the route requires a mid-stream change in direction, a conversion from where you were headed to where you are now to go. The other claims that God’s calling, made manifest in baptism, nurtures age-appropriate faith in the maturing child of the covenant. Call the former group the “conversionists” and the latter the “covenanters.”
In the parental role, the conversionist prays for the children to follow the path of the prodigal, to reverse direction, and to sing, “Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me; I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.” The covenanter prays for the children to follow the path of Mary or Timothy, who confirmed for themselves the faith that claimed them through their parents.
Both trajectories have launched many into heights of Christian service and leadership. Then again, some potential converts haven’t converted; some children of the covenant have not confirmed for themselves the faith of their forebears.
We Presbyterians helped formulate the covenanters’ path, with its major turns being baptism and confirmation. Then again, many of us have experienced a conversion along the way.
In the process, we covenanters have gleaned ideas and utilized approaches developed by the conversionists. We have increasingly reached out to the unchurched to win them to Christ. We have reworked our confirmation programs so they not only indoctrinate beliefs but also promote both personal and public faith. A revival in worship, via higher church liturgy in some churches and the introduction of contemporary or multi-cultural praise in other churches, encourages soulful encounters with God. Most especially, many a pastor, elder, educator and youth leader has promoted the huge spiritual breakthroughs–conversions, so to speak–that await their charges at a church camp.
Summer students’ camp programs, youth retreats, church family retreats, contemplative retreats, Cursillo weekends (aka Pilgrimage and Walk to Emmaus), and short term mission trips all provide brief sabbaticals away from the daily grind.
More importantly, such camping events offer the opportunity to experience an intensification of one’s life in God. No, they don’t try to invent something that doesn’t exist elsewhere. They just turn up the intensity. The natural setting intensifies our awareness of a God who appreciates pristine beauty enough to have invented it. The singing, the small groups, the sports, and the fellowship all intensify our experience of Christian community. The lectures, the discussions, and the personal Bible study times all intensify our understanding of God’s Word and will. The work projects and the supervision of other campers intensify our engagement in mission.
Above all, the staff serving at the 140+ Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)-related camp and conference centers are not simply providing maintenance to facilities (although so many are making huge improvements in those facilities!). Most have felt the call to usher God’s children into an encounter with the Godhead they might never experience in other settings. They know that many a church leader has sensed God’s call while under their care. Theirs is holy ministry and they exercise their callings with a sense of thrill.
It is in appreciation for those so serving, in thanks for those who have invested their dollars and land, and in expectancy for the life-changing God-things soon to break forth at such places, that this edition of the Outlook is dedicated.
May the covenant life that sustains us be enlarged and intensified by campy conversions, so to speak.
— JHH
