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NOVEMBER, 2013
CAMP HANOVER .
Denominational Study: Significant Spiritual Growth & Learning Takes Place at Camp Have you had one particular learning or spiritual growth experience that had great significance in shaping your Christian life? If you answered yes, there’s a good chance you are thinking about a time you spent at a camp,
conference or retreat. And you’re not alone. Church members, ruling elders and teaching elders were asked this question in a recent study by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). Over one-third of those surveyed identified an experience at a camp, conference or retreat as the one they considered the singular most significant experience contributing to their own faith formation. The study, known as the Presbyterian Panel, consists of three nationally representative samples of groups affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.): church members, ruling elders currently on session, and teaching elders. First created in 1973, the Presbyterian Panel provides a means for informing denominational leaders of the opinions and activities of the rank and file across the church. New samples are drawn every three years and Panel surveys are conducted quarterly. The Presbyterian Panel is maintained and directed by the office of Research Services, part of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The third survey completed by the 20122014 Presbyterian Panel focused on Spiritual Growth Experiences and was initially sampled in the Fall of 2011. The sample size consisted of 3,910 panelists. The full report of the current Presbyterian Panel and a summary of the results are now available online at www.pcusa.org/research/panel.
Camps and Retreats are Integral to Developing Our Future Leaders Camp and retreat experiences contribute to our understanding of faith and life very powerfully, but are not the most important way we learn about what we believe. Not surprisingly, worship and sermons rank highest in creating the foundation for a spiritual life and understanding one’s faith. Camp creates a bridge,
providing opportunities for us to take what we learn on Sunday mornings during worship or in Sunday school and put it into prac-
tice daily in real, tangible ways. Camp is often thought of as a ministry to the youngest in our denomination, the school -age children and youth who have fun frolicking in the summer sun – splashing about in the pool, playing elbow tag in the field, roasting marshmallows over an open fire. But the study reveals that there is more to it than that, especially for young adults, a demographic that we see disappearing from our congregations. While around a third of members report a camp (33%) or retreat (38%) as being formative in their own faith journey, around twice as many members believe camps (70%) and retreats (65%) are very important or important in the development of young adults as leaders.
When asked how old they were when they had their most significant spiritual growth experience, respondents to the survey pointed to young adulthood. The median age for these significant learning and growth experiences was 25 for members, 30 for ruling elders, and 20 for teaching elders. Camps and retreats are where these 20 to 30 year-olds stay connected to the church and deepen their faith. At camp, these young people discover and develop their leadership skills, serving as camp counselors, small group facilitators and activity leaders. Ministries like that which occur at Camp Hanover have the most ability within our denomination to reach this group and create a path for leadership development. And the research backs this up. Forty-three percent of Pastors serving in
the pulpit today reported their most significant spiritual growth experience occurred at a camp, conference or retreat. As indicated above, the median age among pastors for this experience occurred at 20 years old, and so, the experience which some of the pastors in the study identify may have occurred at later in life, after following a call into ministry and becoming a pastor. But what about for those who had such a significant experience when they were 19 years old (or younger), before they attended seminary and pursued ordination? The most common setting, according to the Panel study – no surprise – was at a camp, conference, or retreat. When Did You Last Take Time To Retreat? Retreats in particular are rated by twothirds of members (65%), 71% of ruling elders, 86% of pastors, and 79% of specialized ministers as very important or important for Christian young adult leadership development. A majority of congregations (67%) held or sponsored at least one retreat in the two years prior to the survey, and a little more than half of members and nine in ten pastors report that they would be likely to attend a retreat sponsored by their congregation in the next two years. If your congregation hasn’t gone on a retreat in two years, maybe it’s time to head out to our Presbytery’s “Place Apart” on the outskirts of Mechanicsville, and have your own significant spiritual growth and learning experience. Camp Hanover is your camp, and the staff are ready to guide and assist you in creating a retreat experience that promises to be a time for renewal and growth in an environment of Christian hospitality.
Camp Hanover Hires Program Directo
After much prayerful consideration and a thorough search mendous number of qualified candidates, the Camp Hano the Presbytery of the James is pleased to announce that H been hired to serve as Program Director, a role vital to Cam outdoor ministry and small group Christian camping. In h bronner will be responsible for leading the day to day op ver’s vibrant Summer Camping program and for develop special events throughout the year that amplify the Camp place apart for renewal and growth in an environment of C A lifelong Presbyterian, Harry's experiences attending su large role in shaping the person he is today. Zweckbronne the Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center, where he oversaw th has also served on the board of the Presbyterian Church C tor for the American Camp Association. Before answering the call to camp ministry, Harry rece Florida State University, spending 7 years as a high schoo Jersey. Family life is a priority for Harry. He loves spending Kathryn (8), and Will (6). He also likes to cook, coach you