REFLECTIONS: Convocation didn’t suffer from General Conference hangover
Okay. In an earlier article on this web blog, I suggested that perhaps holding the CME Convocation in the General Conference year might serve as a burden on the Church, especially the average member in attendance. But after witnessing the recently concluded Convocation in Houston, TX, it seems there was no discernible hangover from the General Conference at all. I haven’t seen the official numbers yet, but attendance appeared to be good. The Communion Service on Wednesday night was especially packed, practically to overflowing in the Westin Galleria Ballroom. Nevertheless, taking into consideration the overall gestalt of the Convocation, I do have a few points of vew. (1) The preaching was outstanding. If their words are reflective of the hearts of our CME leaders, then it is clear that a new day is on the horizon in the CME Church. The preached word came with power and vision. The preachers challenged the Church at every level to be more accountable, respectful, responsible, compassionate, and longsuffering of others. (2) Although evidently fewer than usual, the Convocation seminar topics appeared relevant and timely. They were defintely related to our new "Good to Great" theme for this new quadrennium. (I think CMEs really like this new theme.) (3) I wonder if holding the meeting in a mall negatively impacted the success of the paying exhibitors and vendors. After laying out the usual nominal fee to set up and take advantage of Convocation traffic, I wonder if they got what they deserved. Locating the vendors and exhibitors on the fourth floor of the main hotel may have been the best location available given the logistical parameters. But from what I could tell, people were really hitting the mall! (4) At the end of the week, there was a lot of mumbling and grumbling about the fact that there was no Convocation transportation for persons needing to get back to the airports. More than a few people were not happy. I don’t know exactly what happened to create the transportation problem, but I do hope it will be fixed by the time we get to Las Vegas next year. (5) And speaking of Las Vegas, boy that was a surprise! When the announcement came during the Convocation Luncheon on Thursday that we are going to Las Vegas for the Convocation in 2007, the audience let out a huge roar. It was like someone had kicked a field goal and won the CME football game! I don’t recall ever hearing a roar like that before when other Convocation sites were announced—not Louisville, not Knoxville, not Nashville, or any other location. I really pray that the Church is making the right decision by taking our annual meeting to “Sin City.” Surely, Las Vegas will be the better for us being there. I just hope we will have more of an impact on the city than the city will have on us. (Photo above is the Ministers' Spouses, Widows/Widowers Department and Episcopal Advisors (Bishops' Wives) at the CME Convocation.