Magyar Egyház, 1956 (35. évfolyam, 1-11. szám)
1956-11-01 / 11. szám
MAGYAR EGYHÁZ 13 ECUMENICAL WORK CAMP . . . AN EXPRESSION OP THE PERMANENT OBLIGATION OP THE CHURCHES TO INTER-CHURCH AID AND ECUMENICAL ACTION. In 1956, the total number of young people who have participated in ecumenical work camps during the past ten years reaches 6000, and the number of camps 220. The program, which began in Europe has developed and expanded into over thirty countries around the world. Now an integral part of the work of the Division of Inter-Church Aid and Service to Refugees and the Youth Department of the World Council of Churches ecumenical work camps have won for themselves a significant place in the youth work and the on-going life of the Churches, and in the ecumenical movement. In any assesment of the program, certain features are to be noticed in its development these past years: 1. Ecumenical work camps were not long contained in Europe. The idea spread rapidly, and the past few years have seen a steady rise of enthusiasm for ecumenical work camps in Asia, and growing interest in Africa an Latin America. Special emphasis has been given through training camps in principles and techniques to Southeast Asia, South America and the Middle East. During the three seasons 1954-56, sixteen new countries were added to the list of those where the Youth Department has sponsored work camps. In 1956, almost half of the total number of camps take place in countries outside Europe. At the same time as this development takes place, the programme continues to become more and more firmly rooted in European Church life, more appreciated and understood. 2. At first, ecumenical work camps were primarly concerned with postwar reconstruction and relief work. Their field rapidly broadened to include many other types of need, both material and spiritual. The postwar period in Europe was an emergency situation, and so were the times after the disastrous floods in Holland (1953), earthquakes in Greece (1954), as well as the recent years in Korea. In all of these places, work campers have been ready to serve and meet a need. Camps have also given aid to struggling minority churches and congregations, and to projects for the revitalisation of the Church’s ministry in secularised communities. They have built schools and conference centres for the Church’s youth, and have asisted in the Churches’ missionary work and social action. 3. International work camps first began after World War I as a means of bringing young people together in the interests of international understanding, peace and reconstruction. Ecumenical work camp came into being after second World War for similar reasons, but also because of the need for practical service by youth. Alongside these trends, continuing positive values can be seen in the programme of World Council of Churches work camps as it has developed, in addition to those of material and spiritual aid ,and ecumenical education, as indicated above. New forms of witness 1. New forms of Christian witness and service are being provided for young people. Youth are anxious to work, to do something as an expression of their faith. They are eager to show that as Christians, they are not content to spend their holidays in a conventional manner, but that they want to witness to their faith through service to others. They want something more than an adventurous vacation, or international fellowship, more than an easy expression of Christian charity. A testimony to “the dignity of dirty hands” has been meaningful in many countries, especially in Africa and Asia. Personal experience 2. The personal meaning of a work camp experience for each participant cannot be studied too carefully. For some, it is their first real ecumenical encounter, and they leave with a real conviction about the ecumenical cause, a primary concern for the renewal of the Church, to be expressed in fervent work and prayer for the manifestation of her unity and the accomplishment of her mission. Thus, World Council of Churches work camps provide an excellent instrument for the training of a new generation of ecumenical leaders. For others, who come in need of a clearer understanding of their faith and personal vocation, perhaps as nominal Christians, seeking to know Jesus Christ, the camp and its common life of work and worship, study and fellowship, may be the channel through which God speaks to them and works in their lives. Youth 3. “An ecumenical work camp is a group of young people from various racial, national and Church groups who have voluntarily chosen to live together in a Christian atmosphere to do simple unskilled work on a project of vital Christian concern. Some of the campers may do this work as a witness to their Christian faith. Others may come seriously seeking some faith on which to build their lives. The purpose of the camp is not to segregate so-called “Church” youth from “non-Church” youth, but to offer the challenge of an alive and propelling faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and the implications which this faith makes to a young person. “We acknowledge Christ’s leadership over the entire life of the camp. Our obedience to him is expressed through common work and prayer, through which we may find a deep and real brotherhood. We would welcome to those camps all those who really desire to work and live in such a community.” (Statement of Policy, 1950).
