North American Christian Convention

The North American Christian Convention is an annual summer convention supported by churches, colleges, institutions, and missions programs associated with the Christian churches and churches of Christ, mainly across the United States, but also in other parts of the world. First started in 1927, it has gradually grown over the years in both attendance and location. The NACC was held annually after 1927 until the end of that decade; the deprivations brought about by the Great Depression and the dislocations caused by World War II contributed to its being held only three times in the 1930s and four times in the 1940s; since 1950 it has again become an annual event. Ministers from churches across the United States have come and spoken at the event, as well as other well-known speakers and authors of the Christian community. The NACC Mission statement is "the connecting place providing ideas, inspiration, and identity to New Testament Christian Churches and their leaders." Philosophically this organization gives all their credit to Jesus Christ.^[1]

Events

Adults

The adults are able to participate three main events, the main session, bible studies, and workshops. The main session is a time of praise and worship, sermons from guest speakers, testimonies, and a time to get to know other people. The bible studies allow adults to get together with small groups and fellowship one on one. The workshops also allow adults to choose from various classes to learn and grow from. Not only are there adult events, but events for the teens too.^[2][3]

Teens

Teens are involved in the same thing but on a level where they can have fun and grow spiritually at the same time. They have a main session with worship from high energy, world-renowned bands, guest speakers, talk sessions, and entertainment from comedians and performance groups.^[4]

Children and Toddlers

The NACC also has programs for young children as well. This day camp allows children to be in groups with other kids their age and just have fun. Each small group or camp unit is led by an adult leader who provides fun games and a learning environment. They even have daycare (Wee-One-Wigwam) for young toddlers and babies.^[5]

Bible Bowl

Another event that was held annually at the NACC was the Bible Bowl. First introduced to NACC at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Convention in 1965 it became an event that drew teens and kids ranging from grades 6-12 every year to compete in scripture memorization and other bible events. It also allowed teens and kids to fellowship with each other and grow through bible studies, guest speakers, and prayer groups. However it has not been a part of the NACC in the past few years. In 2001, Bible Bowl became independent from the NACC and started its own program as it grew. Now Bible Bowl, due to its immense population and growth over the years runs its own program in many different states every year, holding competitions and events.^[6]

Minister and Spouse

Aside from the main session held every year another event follows that is focused on bringing spouses closer together with each other and with God. This is a time where a husband and wife can get away to relax, laugh, smile and enjoy a few days of peace. Guest speakers and talented artist allow for fellowship and fun while events such as hiking, golfing and shopping let husband and wife enjoy their time away.^[7]

Leadership

The NACC Board of Stewards, Committees, and Staff members all ensure adherence to the NACC Mission and support the NACC through prayer, attendance and commitment to personal financial support.

Staff

The NACC main office is held in Cincinnati, Ohio. The Staff is about 7 to 10 members who are the project managers and consist of: The Managing Director is who handles day-to-day operations, finalizes contracts, and manages the facility plans; The Business Administrator & Church Relations handles the financial matters; The Special Events & Workshops Coordinator plans & sets up the ticketed & non-ticketed meals & receptions, as well as the workshops; The Children's Convention and Marketing/Promotions Coordinator coordinates the children's planning committee and the publicity & marketing materials; There is an Information Technology Coordinator who works part-time; The Registration and Office Services Coordinator manages registration and customer service onsite, and tons of other things here in the office; The Executive Administration and Program/Production Manager works with all the leadership committees and implement the main programming. There are a few supporting cast members outside the office, like the person who coordinates the Student Convention, and the partner that handles the registration and hotel reservation data entry.

Board of Stewards

The Board of Stewards consists of ten members who are the past President, current President, President-Elect, on average 6 members and the current NACC Executive Director. The ten of them come together and have these duties to accomplish. First, they Set and review corporate policies. Second, they worked to provide review and accountability to the Executive Director and the NACC Staff. Ensure fiscal satiability, including but not limited to, setting budgets and raising funds. Approve the venue and cities for NACC events. Then lastly they focus on long-range and strategic issues.^[8]

Continuation Committee

The Continuation Committee consists of on average 120 members including all eligible past Presidents who represent the Christian churches and churches of Christ across the United States and Canada. They are a group who serves as a support system and gives advice to the Executive Committee and the Board of Stewards. They serve a three-year term in this position. These members are from all over the country, they come together every October before the next summer convention and meets in the city that it is going to be held at. During the October planning meeting they assist the Executive committee plan for the future NACC's by providing guidance on potential speakers, workshop topics, and workshop leaders.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committees are made up of thirteen members including the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer, on average 6 members two local arrangement committee Co-Chairs, National prayer chair, and the NACC Managing Director. The main role the Executive Committee has to fill is plan and put in order all the NACC programs for their appointed year.

Presidency

The President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer are chosen three years before their convention summer. Whoever the current President is they form a Nomination Committee in the spring before the new President is elected. After the possible candidates are nominated the committee prayerfully chooses who will fill the new presidential board. The President is who provides leadership and approves all recommendations for the NACC event. He serves as the primary NACC representative to the constituency through travel, writing and speaking engagements.^[9]

Past and Future Events

^[10]

Volunteers

The President, Vice President, Committee members, and Board members (who have a great part in planning this event) are all volunteers. The Tech teams, teachers of the different workshops, people who watch the kids during the sessions and behind the scenes people are all volunteers. Most of them dedicate one week every summer to attend this event and be a volunteer at it. Without the help of volunteers this event would not be as large and affective as it is.^[9]

Location

In 1927 the NACC had its first annual summer event that was held in Indianapolis, Indiana. Since then it has been held in 20 other cities across the United States. It is usually held in the Midwest as approximately 85% of the New Testament Churches are in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Missouri. The average attendance is 8,000-12,000 for an average of three and a half nights. When the location is moved outside of the Midwest attendance can drop as low as 50%.^[8]

Support and partnership

Churches and Christian organizations from all across the United States fund the NACC. The supporting churches help the NACC continue to reach out to people all over the world who come to the event. The range of donations can go from $200 a year to $30,000+ a year! Some supporting churches include Discover Christian Church in Dublin, Ohio and Savannah Christian Church in Savannah, Georgia. Alongside supporting churches, the NACC is partnering up with many different Christian colleges such as Atlanta Christian College and Cincinnati Christian University, but also other organizations like Good News Production International and CMF International. Another way the NACC raises money and support for the program is by holding an exhibition every year.^[11]

Exhibition

The exhibition allows for hundreds of organizations such as churches, radio stations, colleges and other Christian organization to set up booths during the event and share what their school or program has to offer.

References

External links

• North American Christian Convention website
• Bible Bowl