By Licentiate Rickey Ciapha Dennis Jr., 7th Episcopal District
For the second consecutive year, an out-of-the-ordinary church gathering has equipped members for ministry. The God First Holy Convocation, instituted by Bishop Samuel L. Green, Sr., presiding prelate of the Seventh Episcopal District of the AME Church, occurred April 18-21 in Florence, South Carolina. The 2018 theme was “The Well.” Hundreds from South Carolina’s 400-plus churches assembled in Florence to be “empowered, encouraged, and equipped” for ministry.
This year’s Convocation featured several worship services highlighted by world-renown preachers, teachers, and theologians. Breakout sessions focused on different topics ranging from spiritual and physical health to engaging youth and community in local churches.
The Rev. Dr. Shakira Sanchez-Collins discussed the importance of physical health and the Rev. Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis discussed ways for churches to address the mental health crises. Bryant-Davis talked about “testimony services” as opportunities for parishioners to experience internal healing. Counselors, along with the National Alliance of Mental Illness, discussed the importance of support groups for persons suffering from mental illnesses.
There was also a health fair spearheaded by The Balm in Gilead that taught strategies to develop a quality life. Valerie Bell, Connectional Lay Organization President, presented with the Rev. Dr. William Watley and the Rev. Dr. Lee P. Washington on making tough decisions in ministry leadership.
A wide range of sessions was geared towards the youth as well. The Rev. Russell St. Bernard helped members explore ways to have a more relevant and meaningful youth ministry. Bishop Green, with Bishops John Bryant and Walter Thomas, Sr., discussed challenges of being called to the ministry at early ages as well as embracing the gifts God gave them.
A Friday night concert entitled “Night of Joy” featured Gospel recording artist Vashawn Mitchell. The event was sponsored by Logos Bible Software, AARP, ACS Technologies, Bank of America, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Kahn Construction, and partners dFree and Faithbox.
Upon Bishop Green’s arrival to the Seventh District, he replaced what has been traditionally known as the mid-year conference with The God First Holy Convocation. The mid-year conference has traditionally been composed of workshops and meetings composed of different ministry departments.
Bishop Green recounted in his ministry that many times at mid-year meetings, members were not engaged if they weren’t part of the Sons of Allen, Women’s Missionary Society, or the various other ministry components. “Other people who were not in those organizations stood around and did nothing,” Bishop Green said. “When you left the meeting, although you were standing around doing nothing, you left exhausted from doing nothing. God showed me there are people hungry for a Word. Hungry for opportunities to worship–looking for learning opportunities to enhance their own personal walk as well as be more effective in their own ministry context. This was perfect,” he explained further.
After being elected and consecrated a bishop in 2004, Bishop Green knew that a Holy Convocation would be necessary. “God showed me that no church is his church unless it is a church that seeks holiness,” Bishop Green said. “We needed an opportunity for dialogue, instruction, worship, preaching and praise,” he added.
Since its installment, the Holy Convocation has remained out-of-the-ordinary. Taking place at the Florence Center, the arena is transformed into a space consumed with sounds of worship and praise beneath flashing lights. All services are live-streamed on the District’s Facebook page. The event also featured a “video wall” that displayed various graphics.
The Rev. Samuel Green, Jr., Christian Education Director for the Seventh Episcopal District, said the Convocation’s production team spread across generations. Members of the team wanted the Convocation to incorporate technology and creativity in worship. “The intent was to make an experience for people so that they knew they were coming to something where their life would be transformed,” Green said. “The design of the Convocation was done with the intentionality that every space and moment created an atmosphere of learning and engagement,” he shared.
The Rev. Dr. Rickey C. Dennis, the pastor of Union AME Church in Awendaw, South Carolina, said the God First Holy Convocation is “challenging us as clergy and as leaders in the church to examine and rethink how we do church.” “As a direct product of this (God First) emphasis, clergy leaving the God First Convocation are beginning to incorporate and include and expand their ministries in the local church,” Dennis said. “There’s a beauty in training with lay and clergy. The God First Convocation message is not left at the conference. It is returning to the local church,” he added.
