Report from CONVO 2018
TCR Staff
The custom of holding CONVOs began in 1987 as a part of the Bicentennial Programming led by Bishop Vinton R. Anderson to discuss the current state of the church and examine legislation in preparation for the 1988 General Conference. Over the decades, it has become a fixture in the life of the Connectional Church. This year’s CONVO was held December 5-6, 2018, with more than 200 AME clergy and lay leaders in Atlanta, Georgia. Under the leadership of Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, chair of the CONVO Committee, the attendees discussed topics drawing from the 2016 General Conference theme, “An Extraordinary History, An Incredible Future” in order to move toward strategies and concrete actions to address pressing concerns affecting the AME Church at all levels of the Connection.
The meeting opened with devotions led by Presiding Elder David Rhone (6thEpiscopal District). The meeting was presided over by Bishop Ronald Elijah Brailsford, Sr. Words of greeting were offered by Bishop Reginald T. Jackson, the president of the Council of Bishops, CONVO Chair, and host bishop. Bishop Jackson asked the question, “Do we believe we have an incredible future?” Due to the absence of Senior Bishop McKinley Young, Bishop Richardson delivered remarks on his behalf.
The Rev. Olu Brown, the pastor of Impact United Methodist Church, delivered the CONVO Keynote Address, “Believing in Our Incredible Future.” He drew from four texts: Brené Brown’s Rising Strong, his book Leadership Directions from Moses,Difficult Decisions,and Embracing “NewNext.”Through navigating the texts, he encouraged the assembly to embrace the idea of an incredible future and to be courageous, engage in difficult conversations, make difficult decisions, and embrace what is not new but next. In his response, Bishop Richardson gave specific examples of how the AME Church is being challenged including demographic pushes and the tension with social justice and evangelicals.
The afternoon session featured break-out groups along five lines: Church Growth (Bishop Michael L. Mitchell, the Rev. Dr. Ronald Slaughter, and Ms. Ametta Reaves); Budget (Bishop Vashti M. McKenzie, Bishop Clement W. Fugh, and Dr. Richard Allen Lewis); Ministers’ Bill of Rights (Bishop John F. White, Mrs. Valerie Bell, and the Rev. Leodis Strong); Social Media (Bishop Frank M. Reid, III, the Rev. Samuel L. Green, Jr., and Ms. Martinique Mix); and Church and Millennials (Bishop E. Anne Henning Byfield, the Rev. Katrese Kirk, and Mr. H. Matthew Seawright). Each session had a presenter with several respondents. A key goal was concrete legislative proposals that could be passed to the CONVO drafting committee.
On the second morning, devotionals were led by Presiding Elder Rhone. Bishop Jackson presided over the closing session by asking for the reports of the various breakout groups. Full reports are available on the AME Church website.
The Church Growth report was presented by Mrs. Robin Porter Smith (2nd Episcopal District). It focused on marketing, leadership, and worship innovations.
The Ministers’ Bill of Rights report was given by Mrs. Sandra Nelson (5th Episcopal District). It discussed ways that clergy and lay could advocate for fair treatment of pastors.
The Social Media report was given jointly by the Rev. Samuel Green, Jr. (7thEpiscopal District) and Martinique Mix (Connectional RAYAC President). The need for a cohesive AME brand and messaging was articulated and two concrete proposals to help Connectional marketing and communications were presented.
The Church and Millennials report was given by Matthew Seawright (9th Episcopal District). The absence of millennials was noticed due to the time of the meeting. Strategies were discussed to deal with engaging the 18-35 age group that brings up new iterations of the same issues of acceptance and involvement.
The Budget report looked at various ways to adjust the priorities of the Connectional Budget from Episcopal District Projects to Disaster Relief. It prompted intense debate from the body.
The CONVO wrapped up with various announcements regarding upcoming events including the Lay Organization Biennial, the Global Development Council, the dedication of a new building at AME University, and prayer requests for various Connectional bereavements and illnesses. Presiding Elder Earle Ifill (6thEpiscopal District) offered commendations to Bishop Jackson for his hosting and presiding.
The next session of CONVO will be in Atlanta. The dates are December 4-5, 2019.
The Christian Recorderacknowledges the assistance of the Rev. Carlos W. Perkins (4thEpiscopal District) for contributing information to this article.
