an edition of the United Methodist Reporter A Publication of The Arkansas Conference of The United Methodist Church Eco-Friendly April 1, 2011 Two Sections, Section A Volume 157 Issue 48 Recycled Paper | Soy Ink 017000 IN THIS ISSUE Camping ministries Making space Free program helps for encounters teens discover call 2A with God Packed house: 1,300 Camping provides opportunities for children and youth to grow in their faith through the study of Scripture, attend Veritas 2011 exploration of the natural world and fellowship with friends. United Methodists in Arkansas have a variety of camp and retreat centers available for use by groups and individuals of all ages. 6A PHOTOS COURTESY CAMP TANAKO he term “summer camp” may bring to mind a range of images and would describe as “thin places”—locations where heaven and earth seem to experiences. It may mean diff erent things for Scouts than it does for touch, where God seems more readily present. Our camp and retreat centers T4-H members. It may even mean diff erent things for Christians, provide surroundings and interactions that prime us for encounters with the depending upon the traditions of their upbringing. Holy One. For United Methodists in Arkansas, “summer camp” likely spurs thoughts How many people, clergy and lay alike, have felt their fi rst inkling of a call of places such as Tanako, Bear Creek, Shoal Creek and Wayland Spring. to ministry at one of our camps? We humans may not even be able to estimate Campers may recall friendships forged, mission-related experiences, learning the number. Local churches through action, singing, games or just plain fun. May it grow again this summer. transform the world Go deeper, though, and you may hear stories of what Celtic Christians [See CAMPS, page 4A] 8A Q&A: The spiritual discipline of financial stewardship Th e Rev. Dr. Clif Christopher’s Th ere are very few who disagree would be able to know about the walking through a mine fi eld when I 2008 book Not Your Parents’ Off ering anymore. It is easily the most sacrifi ces and the failures of their deal with this, and by golly, I just Plate has sold more copies than any talked-about piece of either book, members to live out the Christian don’t want to get hurt. It’s easier to other stewardship fi nance book and it’s why several chapters are life, and help them appropriately survive if I just stay away from it.” released by its publisher, Abingdon devoted to it in the second one. along that path. Press. Pastors, the few now who say, But that does a disservice. Its new sequel, Whose Off ering “I’ve still made this decision,” frankly So it’s not just about money, it’s It does a great disservice to the An invitation to the Plate Is It? New Strategies for tell me they’ve made that choice for about the spiritual discipline of church, to the Kingdom and I think Food For Kids Club Financial Stewardship (Abingdon, all the wrong giving. to the donor, who is able to fool 2010), addresses common questions reasons. Th ey tell It’s almost never about money. themselves that a non-stewardship 12A raised by people who have read the me they’re afraid Pastors are aware, and I haven’t lifestyle is an appropriate lifestyle for fi rst book. they won’t be able found one to refute it, that the love them to be a follower of Christ. Christopher, founder of to separate their of money is easily the most prevalent And it’s the job of a pastor to be Horizons Stewardship, lives in Cabot knowledge of thing that is separating their honest and open with our people, and speaks and teaches around the someone’s giving members from loving God as fully as loving them the entire time, but country. He spoke recently with from the need to they should. In other words, it’s the pointing out to them, “Th ese things editor Amy Forbus. be their pastor. greatest sin of their congregation. are separating you from a walk with Clif I fi nd that Th ey know that. Christ that I want you to have.” You say pastors need to know how Christopher very disturbing, Being a pastor is an extraordi- Because the fact is, most of our much their members give. What do because our hope narily hard job. It’s hard to blame members are not having an aff air. you say to pastors who disagree? certainly would be that all pastors someone when they say, “I know I’m [See Q&A, page 5A] 2A April 1, 2011 Helping teens discover their EDITOR’S CORNER calling to serve God BY AMY FORBUS Miller Center provides free summer opportunity for 14 students Transitions in the works BY J.J. WHITNEY Th is morning I breathed a huge Immediately I began mentally Special Contributor sigh of relief for the church I no reviewing the taller clergy in North longer attend. Texas. I settled on an option and When I was sixteen, I felt God As many readers of this paper called him on his mobile line. (Yes, I call me. know, it’s appointment season in the was behaving badly. Sorry, folks— It was during a worship service United Methodist Church. On page I’m human.) No, my friend said, it when my dad, a pastor, shared his 4A of this issue you’ll fi nd confi rmed wasn’t him. But it might be this guy. own call to ministry experience. Arkansas Conference appointment I don’t know this guy. So I called Now, I have opportunity to changes announced as of press time. another clergy friend. (Yep, still work with young people as they More confi rmed changes will appear misbehaving, and unabashedly so.) discern their vocations in ministry. in the May 6 issue. What do you know about this guy? It has verifi ed two things I Bishop Crutchfi eld and the Not a good match, she said. Uh-oh. I experienced in discovering my own appointive cabinet have entered a felt a knot in my stomach. call: One, hearing stories is a phase of prayerful discernment. I Th en, this morning, offi cial-yet- powerful way that God calls people know I’m understating the situation unoffi cial word arrived in my email Students attending the 2009 Summer Institute visited the offices of the into the work of the kingdom. And Arkansas Conference during their week of discernment. when I say they have a tough job. My inbox. A credible source, naming a two, being in a group of peers COURTESY PHOTO offi ce isn’t too far from the conference clergyman I know. And the sigh of discerning ministry is an excellent Th e Rev. Will Choate of Argenta wrestling with the questions, ‘But room where they hold their meetings. relief fl owed forth. way to feel assured that one is on the UMC will share his call to ministry how do I make that happen?’ and I’ve seen the weight of this responsi- I believe his gift s will mesh well right path. at the opening worship service. ‘Who will help me?’” she says. bility on their faces in recent weeks. with the congregation I still love. I Th anks to a generous gift from “Any time one has the “Summer Institute helped me to Back in my old Conference, the believe he has the capacity to both Bob and Nadine Miller of First opportunity to wrestle with the answer those questions. For me, it church we called home for a decade nurture and challenge the people United Methodist Church Fort passions God has placed in them, it was a week where my heart and has known for months that Pastor there, and help them introduce more Smith, Hendrix College hosts the is an important time,” Choate says. head intersected and I heard God Woody will retire this summer. Since souls to the love of Christ. Hendrix Miller Summer Institute “Th e beauty of Summer Institute is speaking, ‘I’ll be with you. Th ey’ll be that information became common All that said, I know my angst (SI) for high school youth. SI is open that it provides this opportunity with you. You can do this.’” knowledge, people have wondered… over the decision-making process to those entering their junior year of within the context of Christian “I think the best thing about SI “Who will we get?” was nothing compared to that of high school to recently graduated community.” is that it provides a resource to “Will it be a man or a woman?” those directly involved. Th e calls seniors. Other special guests include students at a time when they may “Someone younger or older?” made by bishops and district We invite a Rev. Dede Roberts, superintendent not know where else to go,” says “Is there any chance we’ll get superintendents change the courses group of fourteen of the Central District, who will lead Rachel Kincannon, a seminary one who can play the guitar? Our of many lives. Th ankfully, they rely youth to explore participants through the diff erences student at SMU’s Perkins School of guitarist is about to move to Idaho.” on God and the information their callings between the orders of deacon and Th eology. “Will this person help us available to them, and ask for the during the June elder in the UMC, and the steps “Th ey don’t know, as in my own grow—numerically and spiritually?” Holy Spirit’s guidance.