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Brian Frick is the Associate for Camp and Conferences Ministries with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He has been involved in camp and conference ministry since high school. For the past ten years, Brian has served as program director of Johnsonburg Center in New Jersey, Westminster Woods in California, and Heartland Center in Missouri.

Camp and conference ministry compliments and partners with other ministry aspects of our church to foster faith development and reflection. As our communities and our church changes, our ministries need to grow and adapt with creative and emergent programming and leadership to meet new realities.

These blogs entries, though varied, are intended to spur thought and conversation around the opportunities and challenges before us.

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April 6, 2011

Identifying and Naming Changes (For a Time Such as This - Part 1)

Brian Frick

Clock Face Rapid, deep and impactful - change is all around us.

The economy is in disarray.  Or maybe a better way to say that is our economy is reflecting the upheaval of change and finding it’s way to a new normal and we all are struggling to find our place – a safe place live in a sustainable way. 

The reality of global climate change with all its extreme weather change is raising awareness and acceptance of human impact on the earth. 

Young adults are hungry for authenticity in leaders, churches, and a purpose in their life (that has always been but it is heightened now as they are coming of age in the midst of extreme change.) 

Politics are devisive. 

Giving patterns in our nonprofit experience has changed and won’t change back. 

The rich are getting richer and the rest are treading water. 

Long-term unemployment is up. 

Fear or apprehension for a changing future is prevalent. 

Church membership continues to shrink. 

Seeking a spiritual rudder (“I’m spiritual but not religious”) is a continuing movement. 

Longing for some lasting “normalcy” is evident. 

Where are we called to “be?”  How do we become prophetic and accepting witnesses of Christ’s power in the time of change?  Where are we as a people of God, as a Church called to be?  At a time when it seems people are hungry for a spiritual grounding and a Church that leads with integrity, what part do we play in that? 

In a Church that struggles to adapt to changes in funds, shrinking and aging populations – where do camp and conference ministries – centers for mission and ministry – become leaders and supporters ?  What are the strengths  of our ministry to “fill in the cracks” and pick up and partner in the ministry that the church corporate is finding it can’t afford?

What are you doing?  How and where are you seeing change?  Can you name changes you experience that aren't listed above?

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