Three months of preparation, three days of church services, seminars, meetings, and the 80th convention is history. Out of all that was planned, what was accomplished and what wasn’t realized? Let’s begin with what was accomplished.
The delegates of 27 of the Association’s 33 churches, some of the Association’s partners, and representatives of various Christian Associations were able to gather and spend an edifying time in the seminars and evening services. Both delegates as well as guests had an opportunity to listen to great singing of choirs, individual performers, and the “Kovcheg” group. Everyone really enjoyed the city tour and a prayer in the capitol. Russian Baptist Church of Bryte who was hosting the event was very welcoming in the decoration, wonderful food, and friendly waiters. There was positive feedback about the seminars and the follow-up discussions. The women had their own spiritually-edifying fellowship. There was an introduction of a new missionary project “Spain”, and more than $6,000 was raised in its support.
For the first time, the Association’s departments were able to represent their ministries through banners and brochures. The convention’s delegates and guests had an opportunity to ask the departments’ representatives questions about their ministry and organizing similar ministry in their churches.
As far as the business part of the convention is concerned, there was an affirmation of the updated Association’s Vision and a new rules on the work of the Nomination Commission. There was a report of the Association’s treasurer followed by the audit report. The “Forward” church previously part of Slavic Church of Orange County (Pastor V. Gorelov) was added to the number of the Association’s self-governing churches.
In general, that was the accomplishment at the convention. Unfortunately, there were also things that were not successful.
There was no success in mass involvement of the youth in the convention. Just as in the previous years, the youth participated in the music program of the evening services, but there were hardly any young people in the congregation. A few more arrived on Saturday for the business part of the convention.
There was no success in approving the participants of the evening services in regard to sermons and singing in English. Since most of the congregation of the evening services were the elderly who did not know English, they were genuinely lost during the sermons, and expressed their disdain for the English songs.
There was no success in attracting many volunteers to get involved in the departments’ ministries. Only one or two instead of the expected dozens were the result of the ministries’ marketing.
But there is no reason to be downcast. We will be grateful to God for what was accomplished, and will pray that all of the things that were not accomplished this time will be done next time. We will search for new ways to host the conventions, new topics, and interests for people of all generations. We will learn to understand and accept each other regardless of the differences in age, upbringing, or culture.
Video recording of the convention can be viewed on the YouTube channel – click here. Photos from the convention may be found here: First Day | Second Day | Third Day.
