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Tuesday, July 27, 2010 |
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Your thoughts on the future of the North American Convention welcomed
By dfarlow @ 1:23 PM :: 551 Views ::
14 Comments :: Headline News
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The North American Convention of the Church of God (formerly known as Anderson Campmeeting) is a memorable tradition and has served the church well. However, as times have changed so have the needs and interests of our society. Recognizing the declining trend in attendance at the convention, the 2009 General Assembly formed a study committee to examine the viability of the convention. This committee has contracted for a detailed research program to be conducted that will seek to obtain the representative thoughts and opinions from across the Church of God regarding this important event in the life of the church.
“It is important to frequently re-examine the effectiveness of all we are doing to ensure we are meeting the ministry needs of our churches and constituents,” said David Farlow, director of communications services for Church of God Ministries. “As we conduct the research program that will inform the decisions, we must hear from all quarters within the movement. In order to do so, we have selected the Indianapolis-based Shank Public Relations Counselors, Inc., to conduct the research program. They will use a variety of survey and collection methods that will provide the opportunity for all voices to be heard.”
Key elements of the research program will include:
- An e-mail survey sent to a representative group within Church of God
- An invitation for individuals to take the survey online at the Church of God Web site (www.chog.org)
- Telephone calls made to a representative group of members
- An open discussion during the Town Hall meeting at the 2010 North American Convention
- Telephone-based focus groups
Preliminary results from the study will be shared with Church leadership later in the year with a final report to the General Assembly in 2011.
To share your thoughts on this important matter, click here to complete the survey. |
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Doyle Whitesel @
Tuesday, July 27, 2010 9:35 PM
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It isn't that I think the Convention should be abolished, but the time has come in the life of my wife and I that we cannot travel like we once did. Also our funds are quite limited. I can see the changes that are being made in society and our younger families were not brought up to attend Camp Meetings as us older ministers and laymen. I know it is a difficult decision, but we will pray for you to make a good decision by the Lord's direction.
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John L. Albright @
Wednesday, July 28, 2010 2:38 PM
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Favor a delegated assembly (details to be determined at chog offices); moving from city to city favoring various geographical areas of the chog; held in convention ceters or hotels or large retreat centers; on a biennial basis alternating years with the International Yourh Convention.
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Dale Williams @
Thursday, July 29, 2010 11:50 AM
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I am very much in favor of keeping the convention on an annual basis and meeting in Anderson as has been the case previously. If the movement yields to the temptation to move the convention around the country and/or go to some kind of biennial or similar schedule it's my opinion that the meeting will die a quick death. Families cannot plan schedules on that kind of basis and costs would surely rise prohibitively if it were to be housed in hotels and convention centers. Why would we do that when we have totally adequate facilities in Anderson and it is reasonably centrally located ? I think the late Robert H. Reardon had it exactly right when he cautioned us against such arrangements. Good steps were taken this year to meet changing worship needs - we should continue that trend (offering alternate worship styles, etc.).
If we program for success we will have success. There are not too many things that hold the CHOG together - this centrally located and historic meeting is part of that glue. We tinker with it at our own peril.
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Donia Brannen @
Thursday, July 29, 2010 12:59 PM
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I am new to the CoG attendeng just over 2 years. I live in Florida so the
distance is over 1000 miles. I am very much in favor of keeping the Convention
in Anderson. The heritage of the church is represented there and the facilities
seemed very adequate to me. In my opinion the Convention should continue
on an annual basis.When the people know a year in advance those who can
will be able to plan. Our society is expiencing rapid change and waiting more than a year to address serious issues that threaten Christianity is too long.Many persons that I talked with there were using part of
their vacation time for the Convention. Continuing to have the Convention in
Anderson gives a permanent stability to the denomination.I am committed to
attend where ever it is held but believe the church would benefit most by
keeping it there.
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William H. Jones @
Thursday, July 29, 2010 1:46 PM
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The culture has changed and a new way for us to connect is needed in my opinion. It is great for those of us in the mid-west to have the convention in Anderson, but for those west of the Mississippi it is a long trip and I fear many in the western states feel disconnected. If we could do something that was inclusive unifying for our church nationally, I would support it.
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George Valentine @
Thursday, July 29, 2010 3:06 PM
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It maybe that we have to change how often we meet. It may be more reasonable and cost effective to meet every two years. Then families could plan for the convention. And it would be more affordable.
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Sharon Berner @
Friday, July 30, 2010 3:45 PM
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Please do not move the location or stop having the NAC.
My family started attending the Camp Meeting many years ago. My younger sister and I would return empty pop bottles to the lunch stand for two or three cents each.
We would enjoy the services in the wooden tabernacle and at other times watch "Sister Cotton" dressed in all white sing "I'll Fly Away". We'll probably see that in Heaven.
My sister and I are both graduates of Anderson University.
Please don't tear out the "heart" of the CHOG.
I don't get there every year due to health reasons, but it is important to me.
Sharon Berner Class of 1969
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Richard F Martin @
Saturday, July 31, 2010 12:18 PM
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With the demise of our publication, "Vital Christianity," (The Gospe Trumpet), few using COG curricula, the generic makeover of the CBH radio program (not heard much throughout the US). the NAC - our "campmeeting" is the last thing the Reformation has in common. It is here that we connect and reconnect. It is here that we discover a church bigger than the handfull in our community. It is here we anticipate the refreshment and encouragement of dear friends, quality preaching, inspiring worship and helpful conferences. We need NAC as any large family needs reunions; the sharing of a common history and heritage shapes us and our children. Perhaps a biennial arrangement would be more economically feasable, but let's stay in Anderson, on the "campgrounds" as much as possible. Studies show that the younger generation is rarely loyal to any one church, program or event. We need to demonstrate excellence, doctrinal relevance, and a dynamic movement worthy of a lifelong commitment.
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Thomas Cockerham @
Monday, August 02, 2010 10:55 AM
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I WOULD ECHO THE WORDS OF RICHARD MARTIN IN THE JULY 31 BLOG.
LET'S KEEP THE MEETING IN ANDERSON AND GO TO A BIENNIAL MEETING.
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Mandy Bohm @
Monday, August 02, 2010 11:22 AM
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I grew up going to Anderson Campmeeting and I am raising my kids going to Anderson Campmeeting. I believe if it moved to Nashville, I would still call it Anderson Campmeeting. I value the heritage in Anderson. The city has grown and certainly meets all our needs. I hope the university is generous! It is my alma mater as well and I believe the exposure AU receives from hosting Campmeeting is a benefit the other Church of God affiliated schools do not get. I also take advantage of attending the churches of our "home-base" which have served us and led us so faithfully all these years. My family looks forward to going to Anderson each year.
We could move everything back to WV! :) All in favor say "Yee-haw!"
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By
SMC @
Tuesday, August 10, 2010 10:53 PM
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What are we trying to accomplish at camp-meeting? Is it REALLY equipping the local church to reach the lost? Ones in our community who are dying and going to hell every day? Al the while stroking our own heritage and history? We may get judged on that one.
Is the purpose of camp meeting to equip and train the body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission and the Great Commandment?
To sum it up...WHY do we have camp meeting? To maintain contact with the "good ole boy network"? To reminisce of good old days? If so, why is attendance declining and viability in question to begin with?
The KINGDOM of God is much bigger than the Church of God, Anderson< Indiana
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By
Ron Whitener @
Thursday, August 12, 2010 2:56 PM
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The day of the "Campmeeting" is behind us, wether that's good or bad is debatable. We cannot continue to come to Anderson and expect to hear the Brotherhood Hour Quartet and sit in the Tabernacle.
That said, we must look at new and inovative ways to gather as a body in a meaningful way. What pieces should be in place to attract the most diverse gathering of the CHOG? I don't know, and I'm not sure anyone else does either.
Let's visit other "denominational gatherings" throughout the US and see what works for other groups. I feel we are often trying to invent a new wheel while still pushing the old wheel that is no longer round.
Keep the meeting in Anderson, but don't expect floks to come when most churches can get what they want off the internet without driving across country.
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By
Woody Crosthwaite @
Friday, August 13, 2010 11:44 AM
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I have been attending Anderson Campmeeting/NAC for over 30 years. When I was younger I am not sure I recognized the importance of this annual gathering but then I didn't fully understand a lot of my connection to the Church of God Reformation Movement. I wonder, if, in our evaluations and assessments of the NAC; it’s purpose and continuing benefit to us as a unique and divinely inspired group within the Body of Christ we are including what God may have for us instead of making decisions on what is convenient or expedient in view of our society and culture? I sang songs like “The Church’s Jubilee” along with nearly every congregation I have been part of since I was born in 1955. With each passing year, songs that speak of the beauty of God’s church and the hope of what God will do in and through that church are being voiced less and less. Have we lost sight of who we are, and more importantly, to WHOM we belong? Is the hope of God’s unspeakable work in His church relegated now to history and to those of a long gone generation? As we watch our nation and our world crumble under the influence of secular humanism, socialism and every idea and philosophy that is born from the spirit of all that is against God and His Christ – in my opinion – we should be “holding on for dear life” to those things which gave us our identity (and uniqueness among other groups), and which continue to bring an amazing sense of unity and love within our movement. What does this have to do with NAC and its current location?
Having NAC in Anderson on a yearly basis is important for some of these reasons. First of all, our national and international offices are here. From a national and international standpoint, to have our leaders ‘at home’ and available to us to meet with, speak to, and otherwise discuss news, trends and opinions with is a valuable resource to all Church of God members whether the resource is used or not. Our first and perhaps premier university and School of Theology is here. The cooperative spirit and practical application of the University’s work in and with the NAC is indispensable. The powerful network of ministry and mission provided by the Anderson (and area) Churches of God cannot be overlooked. To move the convention to cities where the number of Church of God congregations is limited would have a profound impact on the effectiveness of our meeting. Our publishing house is “in house.” Yes, if books and sales are the only concern, UPS can take care of that regardless of where we locate the NAC. But while we browse through those books and printed materials, is the sense of history, devotion and passion also a part of the “shopping” experience? What about the available meeting spaces provided by Anderson University and local churches, even at a cost – could or would the same number of spaces be available at a hotel or convention center? Would the same number of conferences, services, and other types of fellowship and meetings continue? And as I have already mentioned; and, as others have mentioned on this message board – what of one of the last remaining “institutions” that binds us together? Our national paper is gone. State and district camp meetings are in rapid decline. I have no statistics that provide concrete evidence but I think that to some degree the “community church” concept and model has brought a level of disunity between our older, and more traditional churches and the newer community church plants. I am not bringing this up to cause division or suggest that a debate here should be had over the myriad of issues connected to my statement. I only mention it to illustrate that our unity framework is eroding. How will we maintain it at its current level of intensity and even work to restore it to greater depths if there is not something tangible to which we may attach ourselves? Is NAC that one remaining piece of tangibility for unity as a national and international movement calling all persons to a dynamic and practical faith in Christ and obedient walk in the Spirit? I believe that it is. I believe the time is coming when Anderson will not have enough beds, conference rooms, or corporate meeting spaces to house those who gather in Jesus’ name and for His sake and for the sake of His Church! Call me crazy…(lol, go ahead, others do!)…but soon our only concern is remembering to call a hotel, motel or other facility in January to book a room for June! Listen to me; please…God is not finished with us. The Reformation Movement has, without question, the brightest, most positive message of hope of any group currently in existence in this world! We should not be afraid; we should not forget where we have come from, or doubt where we are headed…we should not just join hands but LOCK arms in love, unity and with the heart of Christ Himself and fulfill the prophetic word made more sure! (2 Peter 1). I love the Lord, His church and everyone who reads this note…God bless you!
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By
Isai Calderon @
Friday, August 13, 2010 1:22 PM
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Alternate services this year did much to attract those who do not "dig" the New Age beat and grand stand music;. the Tent had the Quartet sound, Reardon had New Age and, Park Place had traditional.
All services stated two important facts; the message is central to the Church of God (it was one for all), and worship diversity is important. Good job!
Now, if we could open two more worship styles, we might have a big crowd next year.. A Blues n' Jazz and a Hard Rock, shake the floors worship services.
One of the Church of God's most salient features has been its worship diversity. Copying the model of multimillion dollar denomination cooky cutter uni worship loud style, only places the Church of God in direct competition with 80 year old models we never intended to be and from which we were an alternative.
Camp Meeting has declined because it was becoming an entropic, single message, mass media, mass music, mass powerpoint preaching, one missionological paradigm, one history, liberal opinionated bland experience!
Camp Meeting is a market place, a fair, where we can go and "shop" for worship styles, educational options, missions choices, theological tendencies, peer opinions, debates, human relations, our versions of our history. We go to it anxiously expecting to find that small group where we REALLY fit! We go to Camp Meeting expecting our maverick CHOG hero to be bestowed an unexpected honor in some small gathering in some small room.
If we continue this paradigm which imposes a ONE style and name it unity, we are finished!
We are all unique, just like everybody else! In diversity, there is unity. Lets wrestle ourselves from the grip of unity as one version, one style, one music, one political version, one liberal history, one nomenklature hero. Lets find unity in our own motto: e pluribus unum! and in one rally, Jesus for all!
See you next year!
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