The Future of Camp Meetings
by Keith Drury
It's hard to "hold your own" as a camp meeting anymore. From what I have observed, camp meetings are either flourishing or they are dying out. In some districts they have already disappeared completely. In other districts they are holding on by the skin of their teeth, and in a few they are flourishing and even growing. But even where they are growing they face increasing opposition and lack of support. Some churches become "client churches" while other churches completely ignore the camp, and even try to close it down.
Why are camps having trouble in some districts? I don't have the answers. But after 23 years straight, speaking at several camps per summer, I'll venture a few possibilities. Here are some of the factors influencing decline in the camp meeting in my opinion:
A Study of Contemporary Holiness Camp MeetingsA Discussion for their Biblical/Theological Basis and An Investigation of Their Problems In the Spring of 1995, I conducted a survey of 70 camp meetings leaders, evangelists, denominational leaders, and scholars involved with holiness camp meetings. The questionnaire consisted of five questions:
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