CHURCH CONVENTIONS IN 2010
For the first time in my ministry I attended both the North American Christian Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, in July and the National Missionary Convention in Peoria, Illinois, in November in 2009. When I have spoken speak about these conventions to our church family I have learned no one who has attended either of the conventions. Our conventions are an opportunity to learn about the international movement called the Restoration Movement involving sister churches such as Christ’s Church at Tiffin. Each convention is designed for instruction, inspiration and worship. Since we do not have a denominational hierarchy there is basically no ‘denominational business’ to conduct. The North American Christian Convention does have a 60 second meeting for the attenders to approve the committee that plans the next year’s convention. Long business meetings will not be found in a North American Christian Convention (NACC) or a National Missionary Convention (NMC). However, missions’ boards often meet since the members usually are attending the convention.
Both conventions conduct morning and evening worship services consisting of thousands of fellow Christians from across the USA and the world. Singing and praying with thousands of other worshipers is an awesome experience. Outstanding preachers and speakers can be heard at the worship services. The worship teams who lead the music combine the latest contemporary Christian music with the old classic hymns. The purpose of the convention is to instruct us to be better servants of our Lord Jesus Christ, to lift up discouraged servants of our Lord, and to inspire us to better witnesses for Christ.
One of the most impressive aspects of the conventions is the displays of Bible colleges, parachurch ministries, and foreign and domestic missions. I am amazed at how many missions have arisen to evengelize the world without a massive missions organization as overseer. Most of the mission world done by missionaries is accomplished through independent support of the churches. I always enjoy visiting old friends and acquaintances which are often in the display areas. We need to know what other churches, ministries and missions are doing for the cause of Christ.
I encourage Christ’s Church to participate in next year’s conventions. The NACC will be held in Indianapolis July 6-9, 2010. We could take a group from CCAT to enjoy a week of encouragement and instruction in addition to the fellowship. Would you consider going with us? The NMC is scheduled for November 18-21, 2010, in Lexington, Kentucky. Alexis and I plan to attend both the NACC in Indianapolis and the NMC in Lexington. I met several attenders of the NMC who were on the missions committee or team from their churches. Each of them reported they were learning about new ideas for their churches to be involved in missions. We could also benefit from our missions’ ministry attending the NMC. Would you consider going to the NMC?
In early 2010 we will work on a package to learn what the expenses would be for each convention. The hotel rooms are often discountly deeply for our conventions. If we traveled together we could save some travel expenses. It would be a great experience for us. Give it some thought and let me know.
In His Service, Terry Jones, Senior Minister