African-American congregations will have a chance to explore renewal and revitalization Oct. 14-15 at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon.

Bishop Ernest Lyght says the Convocation on African-American Churches is an opportunity for fellowship, education, inspiration, and encouragement. “Information about resources designed specifically for African-American congregations will be shared,” he said. The Bishop noted that “the state of black congregations in our conference is not unlike the state of Anglo congregations, both are experiencing declines in membership.”

Rev. Thomasina Stewart, Director of Ethnic Ministries for the West Virginia Conference says this year’s event will be a bit different from those in years past. “In the past, presentations focused on individual topics, like evangelism, spiritual disciplines, and outreach ministry,” she said. “This year, Rev. Dr. Fred Allen will introduce participants to a revitalization process that’s been used by small and large congregations.”

Dr. Allen is the national director for Strengthening the Black Church for the Twenty-First Century (SBC 21), a program of the General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) in Nashville, TN. “Participants will learn how to enhance and strengthen partnership and collaboration between SBC 21, their local church, district and annual conference,” Rev. Allen said.

Rev. Dr. Rodney Smothers, who leads St. Paul UMC in Bowie, Maryland, will lead a second presentation - an overview of a leadership formation incubator that includes a team coaching process for pastors and laity.

“We will be sharing new tools for a new task,” Rev. Smothers said, “Addressing evolving models for reigniting effective models of ministry in changing settings.”

For more information, contact Rev. Stewart at 1-800-788-3746 ext. 25, or by e-mail: thomet25@aol.com

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