For example, the REV Youth Leadership Convention of the Florida Conference is held once a year to foster leaders who will be better equipped and committed to REVolutionizing youth for Christ. Key elements include worship sessions, training seminars, round table discussions, hands-on learning activities, and a relaxing banquet.
12 Ways to Make Your Convention Run Smoothly
- Pray! Pray! Pray! Stay connected with Christ’s creativity, strength and love throughout the whole process.
- Understand your purpose for the convention and keep coming back to it throughout each step.
- Start earlier than you think you need to (no matter what the area— planning, advertising, setting up, scheduling. etc.).
- Surround yourself with a core group of dependable people. Delegate and follow up.
- Write down everything while brainstorming and evaluating (and be sure to put the list where you can find it when you need it!)
- Do everything you can possibly do ahead of time, because there will be plenty of surprises to fill up the last minute.
- Schedule speakers and special guests far in advance.
- Allow room for each participant’s creativity (musicians, seminar, speakers, artists, etc.)
- Advertise way in advance and don’t stop promoting. (For REV conventions we begin five months in advance, and follow a bellshaped pattern for advertising: we begin with simple announcements and increased information [posters and brochures] until we reach the peak. Then, we taper off with more letters, postcards, and phone calls for reminders and encouraging registration, ending the promotion two weeks prior to the convention.)
- Keep your focus on creating moments where leaders can come in contact with the Greatest Teacher through seminars, worship, and play. You can’t go wrong when the focus is Christ.
- Keep it as simple as possible.
- Make it FUN!
“From: ABZ’s of Adventist Youth Ministry”
© 2000 John Hancock Center for Youth&Family Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.
