Bold

Monday, June 23, 2014 marks a significant turning point in the history of the Church of God Reformation Movement.

 
 

I know there's been much buzz about the "new and improved" Church of God Convention this week in Oklahoma City. This is not just about the fact that we have moved our annual event outside of Anderson, or that this is the result of our new General Director. Be not mistaken – this is not a cosmetic change. Whether or not you like the changes taking place, what is happening at this gathering represents a new way for us to meet and relate to together, and this will dramatically shape our movement for the foreseeable future.

 
 

Gilbert Stafford reminded us in his Crossroads books that our identity is shaped through our practices. Up to this point our most important corporate expression of our movement has been "campmeeting". Certainly it is years since it truly resembled a campmeeting, at least by standards of the past. The annual event has devolved significantly over the years and more recently lacked the prominence and influence it once had. Let's face it, campmeeting as a form is a cultural relic of a past era. Everyone knew something different was needed, but as with much in the Church of God, paralysis prevented us from doing what was necessary.

 
 

During times of leadership transition it is often possible to execute change, and Jim Lyon, recognizing this, has moved with swiftness to refocus our efforts in the United States and Canada by changing the conversations ("Jesus is the Subject"), reconfiguring his staff (just announced and introduced), and giving us a new event through which we could gather. What we have now with this last change is a convention that will dramatically alter how we connect with each other. For better or worse, depending on how you view things. I believe that ultimately it will be for the better.

 
 

Monday evening we observed the launch of the Church of God Convention. Even though the C word was modified several years back, we have definitely now turned the corner to a convention. This is no longer a campmeeting in any way, despite our nostalgic inclinations. Monday's "service" reminded me more of an IYC than what we experienced in Anderson for decades. This was not a church service with much corporate worship or an exegeted sermon – that will happen and perhaps this is not always the place for that. What we saw was a high energy rally featuring the music of Sidewalk Prophets and a call to boldness centered on a common cause directed against sex trafficking delivered by Jim Lyon.

 
 

More of this will unfold in the coming days, and there will be more to reflect upon once this is all over. But, what we are seeing is history making as far as the Church of God is concerned. This is definitely a time to be bold.