Camping with the Mennonites

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After a few weeks of planning and preparing, we set our sights on Mountain Pine Ridge for a weekend of fun and spiritual sharing. The weather was quite fair, the mountain temperature a perfect 70°F, and the group small enough that we could all gather around the campfire to toast marshmallows and sing hymns.

  As I chatted with old friends, made new ones, and sang along with them, I was strongly reminded of my days in the Holdeman Mennonite church. The playful banter of young men and women sharing the kitchen work, the solemn ministers joking and poking each other's ribs, older ladies joining in the outdoor games, children romping and screaming in fun without ever once referring to Xbox games or the latest electronic device or the latest horror movies. In fact, based on the general conversation you would think these people had never once watched a movie or heard of an Iphone. Unlike other modern church groups I've been in where the talk (accompanied by rather strong language) was all about the latest sci-fi movie, the latest drone, the newest rock song, the most recent video game. We live in a rapidly changing society, which is why I deeply appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed this church outing where the focus was not to hang out and have fun but rather, to share with each other and pray for each other. The clean language, the respect for church leadership, the primary focus on spiritual issues all contributed to this being one of the most emotionally rewarding and spiritually refreshing events of the year for my family. My spouse actually had tears due to the beautiful 4-part acapella hymns being sung around the campfire.



Outdoor games

Cooking breakfast over an outside fire

  What do these Conservative Mennonites have that appear to be largely absent in other church groups? Is it because they do not see themselves as the one true church? Could it be their leniency towards the non-member visitors which causes the visitor to feel more at home rather than the odd outsider? How can they handle and combine technology and social media into their everyday lives without any written guidelines? If the spiritual boundaries on such issues are left up to each individual member's discernment, how can the church function smoothly as a congregation?

  These were my questions as I observed this particular Mennonite group sharing, working and praying with each other on this November weekend. And I must confess I came back duly impressed and with much to ponder about.



The recreational home of a Spanish Lookout businessman; the camping area is collectively owned by several well-to-do Spanish Lookout residents.


The circular chapel sits on top of a hill


The main building complete with kitchen and dining room


A misty morning; temperatures were around 65°F at night





















A. Mendoza

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