Heading home from Anderson is a good opportunity to reflect on this year's North American Convention which concluded yesterday. In the past week I have summarized some of the daily highlights, but there is value in reflecting on the some of the bigger, overall issues concerning the NAC.
I think the most significant observation about this year's NAC is the positive, optimistic spirit that prevailed throughout the event. This is especially noteworthy considering the fears that negativity arising out of the event changes might cast a dark cloud over the week. The prayers leading up to NAC made a difference.
Obviously, the biggest story leading up to this year's NAC was the venue change from the Kardatzke Wellness Center to Madison Park and Park Place churches for the worship services. I think it is fair to say that the change turned out well. Sure, there were inconveniences, but these were mostly due to the closure of 5th Avenue than because of having to travel across town each evening. Madison Park in particular is a wonderful venue for a worship gathering. The layout of the room creates a much more intimate setting than what we have had in the past. And, the comfortable seats are great!
And, to everyone's surprise attendance was up significantly this year: by 14%! That is incredible considering the pre-event grumbling and the current state of the economy. I wonder, however, if that increase tells the complete story. Did that many more people really travel to Anderson this year, or is that more people from Anderson came out to the services? I suspect that the latter is more the case. Sure, there was some extra influx because of all the missionary families in attendance, but some have speculated that the lack of local cable TV coverage of the service may have brought out more locals, as did the support of the local congregations at which we were visiting.
i believe that one of the other factors making this NAC a success was the 100th anniversary celebration of global missions. Each service highlighted how God has been working through our missionary endeavors, and the preaching kept this focus alive for us, instilling the urgency of God's mission going forward. This was an invigorating theme that gets the church to move beyond itself and its self-absorption. We need more of this.
As I have previously indicated a positive spirit prevailed across the NAC this year, and that bodes well for our movement. But, of course, we cannot rest on the good vibes we experienced. The Church of God continues to struggle to find its identity and voice. Certainly, this event is step in the right direction, but let us not forget that only a very small proportion of our constituency was in attendance, especially from the geographic fringes. This speaks to the future of the NAC itself. Can we genuinely assume that this event can set the pace for the entire church across North America?
I support the move of this year's General Assembly to re-examine the viability of the NAC and to present a new roadmap for the future. I just hope that there will be courage and openness to consider new models that will better serve and draw in the diverse movement that we have become. Hopefully my previous proposal will be one idea examined.
I think the most significant observation about this year's NAC is the positive, optimistic spirit that prevailed throughout the event. This is especially noteworthy considering the fears that negativity arising out of the event changes might cast a dark cloud over the week. The prayers leading up to NAC made a difference.
Obviously, the biggest story leading up to this year's NAC was the venue change from the Kardatzke Wellness Center to Madison Park and Park Place churches for the worship services. I think it is fair to say that the change turned out well. Sure, there were inconveniences, but these were mostly due to the closure of 5th Avenue than because of having to travel across town each evening. Madison Park in particular is a wonderful venue for a worship gathering. The layout of the room creates a much more intimate setting than what we have had in the past. And, the comfortable seats are great!
And, to everyone's surprise attendance was up significantly this year: by 14%! That is incredible considering the pre-event grumbling and the current state of the economy. I wonder, however, if that increase tells the complete story. Did that many more people really travel to Anderson this year, or is that more people from Anderson came out to the services? I suspect that the latter is more the case. Sure, there was some extra influx because of all the missionary families in attendance, but some have speculated that the lack of local cable TV coverage of the service may have brought out more locals, as did the support of the local congregations at which we were visiting.
i believe that one of the other factors making this NAC a success was the 100th anniversary celebration of global missions. Each service highlighted how God has been working through our missionary endeavors, and the preaching kept this focus alive for us, instilling the urgency of God's mission going forward. This was an invigorating theme that gets the church to move beyond itself and its self-absorption. We need more of this.
As I have previously indicated a positive spirit prevailed across the NAC this year, and that bodes well for our movement. But, of course, we cannot rest on the good vibes we experienced. The Church of God continues to struggle to find its identity and voice. Certainly, this event is step in the right direction, but let us not forget that only a very small proportion of our constituency was in attendance, especially from the geographic fringes. This speaks to the future of the NAC itself. Can we genuinely assume that this event can set the pace for the entire church across North America?
I support the move of this year's General Assembly to re-examine the viability of the NAC and to present a new roadmap for the future. I just hope that there will be courage and openness to consider new models that will better serve and draw in the diverse movement that we have become. Hopefully my previous proposal will be one idea examined.
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