 
New People Groups to Serve 1. Becoming More Multicultural
United Methodist camp/retreat ministry has been primarily a white, middle-class phenomenon, with some notable exceptions. The U.S. population is becoming more and more ethnically and culturally diverse. The next generation of youth, for example, will be the most diverse generation in U.S. history. Diversity training helps with concepts and with recognition of our prejudices, but in large part it has not drawn more ethnic persons into key leadership roles within our camp/retreat ministries. It will take more than attending workshops or mailing publicity brochures to encourage persons from ethnic communities to help shape our camp/retreat ministry as participants and leaders. We must extend ourselves and focus on developing personal friendships with ethnic leaders and support them as key players in shaping the future of camp/ retreat ministry. All people look to their leaders for guidance in what experiences are good and important. Involvement influences tremendously whether or not camp/retreat events will be recommended by leaders of various people groups. We, also, need to listen deeply to what these communities want and need from a camp/retreat experience, which may be quite different from what we are used to and what we currently know how to do. 2. Mainstreaming
School systems, families, and communities now expect persons of all ages and varying abilities to be able to participate in all kinds of activities, including camp/retreat experiences. This means that having skilled staff becomes more and more important. Visions for new experiences are coming to life in retreats for persons living with HIV or AIDS, adventure experiences for persons living with physical challenges, camps for children living with cancer, and others. Note, also, that many families and individuals want to participant in “regular” weeks of camp or weekend retreats, regardless of any special challenges they may have. Many prefer this to attending an event especially geared for persons who share the same physical challenges. This too calls us to think, to adapt, and to be prepared in new ways.  3. Retreat & Conference Centers: New Populations We Serve
The development of retreat and conference centers as part of our ministry has expanded rapidly in recent years. This trend changes how we identify our ministry and who we serve in significant ways. Many United Methodist Camp/Retreat ministries now host groups beyond our own congregations and members. We serve groups related to a variety of faith communities, schools, government agencies, service organizations, nonprofits of all types, family reunions, and in some rare cases where tax laws allow, even for-profit corporations. In many cases, we are no longer merely “summer” camps. Often, however, we have not clearly articulated this to our own volunteers and staff, then trained them about how this new ministry ties integrally with our core mission of helping people connect deeply with God. How does a visit to one of our sites help individuals and groups experience a community that inspires them to live more lovingly—to better appreciate and incorporate the way of Christ? For example, our cooks may continue to be under the impression that their primary job is to cook, when it is really to share the spirit of God through cooking. Do we recognize the difference? Do our cooks, maintenance staff, office personnel, directors, etc., know our mission and see themselves as crucially important to its fulfillment as we host each and every hospitality group? When do we discuss this with new employees and focus on hiring persons to help fulfill the overall mission? Without this vision, staff and volunteers could easily get the impression that our mission is simply to please people so they will return. Return for what? That’s the bottom line question. Who are we and how does retreat/conference ministry express our identity as a ministry of the church with every group we serve? Retreat and conference ministry ties directly to our mission even when we are serving groups beyond United Methodist congregations and beyond religiously affiliated groups. Too often, however, our motivation is more a financial strategy rather than a calling. Even our own language sometimes uncovers what is perhaps an unconscious split between who we say we are and what we say we are about, and how we view some of the groups who stay with us. Phrases like “other use groups” or “rental groups” reveal some current assumptions, even if we find it difficult to admit. Language has power, and it reflects or creates inner thought and direction. Remember, we’re not in the hotel, restaurant, or even recreation business; we’re in the faith formation business. It seems like very superficial thinking to rationalize that it’s on target to serve these other groups simply to generate the money we need to sustain our “real ministry.” There are a thousand ways to help persons connect with God through a ministry of “Christian” hospitality. We don’t have to offend or take over to live out our Christian identity. We can expose every retreat group to the way of love, whether they are a religiously affiliated group or not. We must remain true to who we are and to our mission regardless of whom it is that we’re serving. It’s important to get out of our boxes and to realize that we are not as bound as we imagine we are.  School groups are a perfect example. Perhaps the children are not with us to participate in our regular program of faith formation, but when we introduce them to God’s creation and encourage them to listen deeply, they will hear the Word that created all things. When they come to learn how to be peer counselors, we can encourage them to be loving and thoughtful by exemplifying these qualities ourselves. We can live in the Spirit and share the fruit of the Spirit with them (Gal. 5:22-23). In this way, they experience and learn the way of love. Our site itself can speak. Things as simple as the posters on the walls or sayings on napkins can reflect life-giving values and the way of faith. We can continue to be intentionally involved in faith formation and making disciples, even though it may take fresh forms that look different from other programs we sponsor. We must remember who we are and our purpose, or soon we will be majoring in minors—preoccupied with the trivial. Quality meals, lodging, etc., won’t matter if we fail to fulfill our primary reason for existence. Finally, a ministry of Christian hospitality at a retreat or conference center has a profound effect on the world at large. The vast majority of nonprofit groups—public schools, service organizations, etc.—have central purposes and goals focused on improving the world. They often come to our sites to participate in training, planning, becoming more effective in working together, renewal and inspiration, etc. When we grasp the tremendous difference they make in the lives of people and in society, we can offer a deeper level of hospitality that is distinct and powerful. We can see them as partners and friends in bringing justice and healing to society and to the creation. Retreat and conference ministry is a profound way in which The United Methodist Church is in mission in the world. As we very deliberately nurture and support the leaders of these nonprofit groups (and corporations with heart), we join with God in supporting those who make a positive difference in hundreds of thousands of lives. We can participate in inspiring and encouraging these groups to remember the importance of what they are about. We can honor them with thanks and appreciation. We fulfill our ministry when we understand and appreciate our uniqueness as Christian Camp/Retreat Centers. Let’s get creative about how we can fulfill our unique role. Changing LivesQuestions to Consider
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his is the second installment in a series of articles by the National Director that draws us to consider changes beyond the borders of our sites that significantly impact our ministry’s future. How do you see the landscape of our society changing? How can we be co-creators with God, bringing the kingdom of love in new ways to new circumstances?