I recently attended the 102nd Holy Convocaton of the Church of God in Christ in Memphis. This was my 24th straigt year attending. I can rember in 1985, I was just 20 when I attended my first and not even a member of COGIC. I went with friend. Coming from a Baptist Church that didn't push conventions, I was totaly at awe in what I saw in Memphis. The large crowds of people, the fine clothing people were wearing, how the whole city was reconizing the presence of the COGIC, how the eating establishments extend hours, and in some cases won't close to accomodate the saints and aints. The Midnight musical. I only attended one day that year because I had to go to a funeral in Mississippi the next day but I had to come back.

The next year, I transferred to Rust College to work as student sports information directer. This was in Holly Springs Ms, 34 miles away from Memphis I joined Christ Temple COGIC in Holly Springs under watch care. I didn't know that this small town church had one of best evangelist in the country as a pastor, Eld Albert Pass. I learned a lot about holiness, the Holy Ghost, and this was a door that in the 20 plus years later has led for me to travel to countries in Africa. During this time I was able to attend the convocation every night in Memphis. It was a blessing. The preaching, the singing, the eating, the fellowship, meeting people from all over the world. Yes I know now that all this was not spiritual, but I was young. I quickly found out that the COGIC Holy Convocation was the premier church convocation in the world. Since most of the Gospel artist belonged to the COGIC, I loves hearing the late James Moore, Mattie Moss Clark and her daughters, the late Timothy Wright, the late James and Kevin Lennox, and others. I also saw how commercialism took over because with 40000-50000 in attendance, money was to be made, and everybody wanted our money. The vendors, hotels, clothing stores, all looked forward to us. The convocation could be used as a lesson on how to market. Notice how gospel projects are often released right before November.

As the years went on, things changed, We move to larger venues, artist outside of COGIC began to be part of our musicals and annual concert. I started going to the day classes and day services as I matured and found out it was more than music there. We were still the COGIC and you know we could still get a shout and dance in. However, in the last few years, there seems to be a change. The crowds began to thin out. Hotel rooms could actually be found at the last moment. Also the worship began to change, praise and worship began to set in during the worship and we stopped dancing like we used to. Don't get me wrong, I love praise and worship, but we are the Church of God in Christ, we must not forget where we came from. No one seems to concerned with being filled with the Holy Ghost, yes, it appears we have started to become just another church convention. While I have trouble adopting to change, How did the more older saints feel from the days people came here fasting( Many restaurant s didn't allow blacks to eat) looking for a blessing from God instead of a big social gathering that it was when I got started

Speaking of change, for those who don't know, in 2010, for the first time, the Convocation will be held outside of Memphis in St Louis. I will miss going to Memphis as I began to cry on the inside when leaving this past Monday. All of the great times I had there, the people I met, friends that I still have. Going to eat at Piccadilly's and this year at Chow Time, a Black and Chinese buffet that is looking to expand outside of Memphis with a little help in franchising.(hint) I will mis travelling on I-57 with our favorite stops in Effiingham and of course Boomland. Just Monday, a saint lost her wallet, only to be found by another saint at Boomland, and he saw her ID, called her relative, and tracked her down. Where will we stop on the way to St Louis? Where will will we eat?( I heard there is one Picccidilly there) will the city welcome us? Would business hours extend for us? One of the reasons we are leaving Memphis is because of the jacked upped hotel and car rental prices(law of supply and demand). Will St.Louis do the same? Most important, will WE get backed to seeking the Lord now that we will be removed from traditions that may have gottenin the way. We shall see what we see