Psalm 50:5 "Gather my saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice."
Convocations were called principally to raise material support for the national and jurisdictional levels of the the church. The first national meetings were held for 21 days, from late November to mid-December. According to the Senior YPWW's "COGIC History Series," "the reason for calling the meeting at this time of the year was the fact that practically all of the community of the faith at that time lived in the farming districts of Mississippi, Tennessee, and Arkansas. By that time [on the calendar] their crops were all harvested and enough finance and other provisions were available which enabled them to attend and support a national meeting."
Convocations also served as opportunities for other church business to be conducted, like the ordination of elders, the appointment of overseers, and the organization of auxiliaries. They also evolved into opportunities for training and spiritual enrichment, and for the personal development of the saints.
I think it's too bad we as church members seem so impatient with the "business" side of these meetings. And its rather a shame that they have to have more spectacle and glitter to get us to attend. Why do professional recording artists have to be featured in the pre-musicals? Why do popular preachers have to be invited for the nightly services? So much money is being up-fronted now--in lining up the attractions--that some convocations are becoming a net monetary loss for the jurisdictions.
When I attend the jurisdictional meetings, I always hear a lament that "it's about money, rather than souls." I really think this is short-sighted. The meetings should be about business--and raising funds is part of business. So is making a detailed financial accounting to the members. We should leave convocation with a clear picture of how last year's finances were allocated. It really is a shame when year in and year out the books remain effectively closed to us.
And other organizational functions for the meeting are being diminished. This year New York Western 1st decided to move the ordination and licensing ceremonies from the prominence of Official Sunday to the relative obscurity of a weeknight. I realize some jurisdictions don't include the ceremonies at all. Is anybody still giving districts superintendents the space to make reports about their district's activities that year? Any missions and outreach ministries given a platform to testify about their work? Nah, we'd rather make room for a couple of out-of-state bishops and a celebrated evangelist to preach (and carry home large honorariums) than learn more about what's happening in our own jurisdiction.
I don't know... maybe I'm wrong, but it just seems the perspective is all screwy.
Tags: Convocation Jurisdictional
