Caravan Survival Technique

Despite being amongst the most hated people by the Top Gear team, I am still happy to admit that I own a caravan. I agree with them that they can be a bit of pain on the road but I thoroughly enjoy the freedom they bring and the low cost holidays we have enjoyed as a family for several years.

Last week we had one of those family holidays down by Stoke on Trent. Beautiful countryside, quiet roads for cycling, country walks for the dog and a nearby theme park for the teenagers. It’s hardly surprising to note that the site was quiet during the week and got busy at the weekends. Busy with people who at this time of year start to go away almost every weekend. Finish work on Friday, often a bit earlier than during the rest of the week, hitch up the caravan and the escape to the country until Sunday morning. Then pack up the van and drive home in time to get ready for Monday.

Thousands of families the length and breadth of the UK repeat this weekend pattern from now until October and others do it all year long. Talking to them, it seems to be about two things: “escape” and “rest.” Or maybe it can be summed up in just one word: “survival”. The caravan is their way of surviving. It slows them down (as well as all other road users) for 48 hours. It invites them to spend time with their family (at close proximity). It reminds them of the beauty of the world (without having to care for it). The way they use the weekend (their Sabbath rest) enables them to return to work on a Monday prepared for what that week brings.

Reflecting on this made me think about what we as churches offer on the weekend (our Sabbath rest) to those who come to worship. When I was a local Pastor, I think I offered through my preaching a regular dose of challenge, questions and opportunities for more service. More often than not I was stirring people up to live for Jesus or even die for Jesus; missionally I was calling people to a life of adventure. The churches where I was pastor were busy active places with always more jobs needing done. On reflection I wonder if church members needed a caravan to get away from the tiresome nature of being part of a local church.

Reflecting on those who escape at the weekend in their caravan I question whether I got the balance right. There are many in our churches who need motivated but there are also many inside and still outwith our churches who need to find a place of rest, recovery, and survival. Where being in a community restores them rather than exhausts them. Where they are brought closer to other family members, natural and spiritual, rather than separated from them, where they find time to see the beauty of the creator and have the opportunity to worship him.

It’s not about losing the adventure. Caravanners don’t vegetate for the weekend in front of the TV. Most are very active, walking, cycling, climbing, fishing, visiting theme parks but the activity is set in a context of rest. Can we find the balance in Church life that is within scripture that talks about fulfilling a global mission of reaching the world and “my yoke is easy”. As the number of believers in this nation decreases, the risk is that we land more responsibility and pressure on fewer people. Surely we must consider our Church activities and how we value commitment so that more Christian people return to work on a Monday refreshed, restored, and ready to serve Christ with renewed vitality because of the impact of the local Church.