armed security at New York Camp meeting

[Tobiwan]

What are your thoughts?

I didn't think the offerings were that large :-)

[phkrause]

Unfortunately that's becoming the norm.

[Tobiwan]

we are not the first?

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

I hadn't heard of any "armed security" at camp meetings, but personally, I would feel safer for it. The public at large has no idea what the rationale is for the Conference{s}' decisions to follow that measure. Perhaps there was some type of governmental warning, or suspicious activity, or even a threat which was received.

Sadly, any place with a large gathering of Christians is a potential target for terrorists, and who knows where a mentally ill person will fulfill his wish to destroy other people...

[Kevin H]

I have no problem with it

[Gerr]

Well, I suppose there won't be any sermons on Ps. 34:7?

[Lauralea]

Sad but I am guessing it may not be about the money. NY is the number 1 target for terrorism in this country. The ultimate protection of course is staying close to the Lord, but reminds me of how one prophet leading a group coming back to Jerusalem from Babylon wanted an official escort, while another did not, but both had faith, per EGW. Not sure if this is exactly the same though.

[LifeHiscost]

TOBIWAN

well i am sure that in the bigger states with bigger camp meeting

that you will see this

but so far in TENNESSEE camp meeting no armed guard yet

dgrimm60

A soon as someone sees this they'll be headin' up your way. That should be enough to last them for a year. Funny (or pathetic) thing is, way back in the fifties someone broke into the room where the collections were kept before the sermon was over and made off with something over $3,000. After a little investigation, it was found to be a son of one of the parishioners.

Another strange thing is that as a new Adventist believer, I never even questioned the odd behavior of one so close to the brethren. And that was before the days of Jim and Tammy Faye Baker.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

God cares!

[TruthSeeker123]

I honestly dont know what to think. I'm not an American so could you please define what is meant by "camp meeting"? Is it the camp meeting of the 1800s (a.k.a campaigns) or the general gathering of Adventist Christians from the same church district, county or conference for a weekend of spiritual upliftment and fellowship?

[Gregory Matthews]

I lived in a country once where the Conference offices were guarded around the clock. In that same country, a local congregation discussed whether or not they should hire security to guard the parking lot during services.

Did any of you attend the 2010 General Conference? Did you notice the security that went with President Wilson once he was elected President?

[Kevin H]

I honestly dont know what to think. I'm not an American so could you please define what is meant by "camp meeting"? Is it the camp meeting of the 1800s (a.k.a campaigns) or the general gathering of Adventist Christians from the same church district, county or conference for a weekend of spiritual upliftment and fellowship?

Although some places have it weekends or shorter ones, it is traditionally a gathering of members from several churches covering a geographic area plus guests, from one Friday night of one week until the Saturday night of the next week, with staying either in tents, cabins, trailers or dormitory rooms. There are places for meetings different parts of the day and for the different age groups. While it is the wrong time of year (early summer usually) it is in a lot of ways keeping the feast of Tabernacles, the one Old Testament feast that has not yet met it's antitype. It is a wonderful time for making friendships for learning and discussion.

Sadly some places have gotten away from this. Loma Linda has like the month of August that they call "Campmeeting" but except for trying to have special theme in sermons, basically it's just the regular Sabbath school and church. Others have more traditional campmeetings but shorter in duration.

[LifeHiscost]

In a country where at any given time there are 7 serial killers active in one of the largest cities, armed guards do not seem to be any less than the better part of wisdom. Reading about the atmosphere in the land where Joshua was active and the extent of God's response, doesn't appear God's people shouldn't take precautions when the evidence calls for it.

As my father use to say, "I don't put locks on my doors to stop criminals, but to keep honest people honest." Makes sense to me.

God cares!

[Gordon1]

Neal Wilson was accompanied by a bodyguard at the 1990 Indianapolis General Conference.

[Gordon1]

There's a troubling aspect here.

Paul was mobbed and beaten, shipwrecked etc.

John Wesley had similar encounters.

If we use bodyguards today, are we preparing for the time of trouble?

And what example is shed abroad?