“No Recording Event. No Photos.” Holdeman Leaders to Conference-Goers
This morning, Church of God in Christ Mennonite’s 2022 general conference got off to a start, as Minister Robert Koehn addressed those assembled, and the issues of emotional involvement in politics and associated conspiracy theories were discussed. However, the Holdeman Reporter has obtained a leaked letter from the Conference Arrangements Committee addressed to attendees which shows that a cloud of secrecy hangs over the event.
“In respect to God, each other, and the Conference, it is also requested that there be no photographing or recording at the Conference,” the letter to Holdeman Mennonites in attendance reads.
See Also: Leaked Holdeman Mennonite General Conference 2022 Minutes
Though evening lectures on Recapturing the Vision of the Faith Worth Dying For and Challenging spirits we are dealing with today: Questioning the authority of The Church, The Validity of Conference Decisions, and Pietism will be streamed via listentochurch.com, more sensitive topics like the discussion on The Avoidance and The Holy Kiss are scheduled for the secret morning sessions.
See also: Conference Controversies: As Leaked Media Circulates, Holdeman Leaders put Kibosh on Volleyball
Following is the full letter to conference attendees:
General Conference 2022
Cadence Bank Arena & Conference Center
Tupelo, Mississippi
November 15–17, 2022
November 4, 2022
Dear Brothers and sisters-
The time when God’s Church on earth will gather in Conference is drawing near. Many prayers for His visitation and the revelation of His will for His people continue to ascend to Heaven.
All those planning to attend are cordially welcome; the youth are especially commended for your response to the call to Conference. You will make up a strong one-fourth of the total attendance. You are not spectators; you are participants. It is a special blessing that young Christians can help determine God’s will for His Church in our day. Take that privilege seriously and prayerfully.
The Conference sessions are a worship service and brotherly council of the highest order and command our solemn reverence. Our conduct and attire should not be casual; all attendees should be dressed as we do for worship services in our congregations. In respect to God, each other, and the Conference, it is also requested that there be no photographing or recording at the Conference.
Especially for Tuesday morning, but also in the days that follow, be sure to allow ample time to arrive at the arena early enough to be in your seats and quiet before the sessions begin at 9:30 a.m., as well as for the afternoon and evening sessions. There will be many brothers and sisters to meet and acquaintances to renew, but, although that is a wonderful blessing, it should not detract from the purpose and order of the Conference. Breaktimes and mealtimes are excellent times to make those contacts. Distracting yourself and others by visiting in the corridors and commons areas during the sessions should be avoided.
There will be designated seating areas for the youth, ministers and deacons and elected delegates, their wives, and the elderly and handicapped as shown on the attached arena diagram. It is very helpful for the moderators if the ordained and elected delegates are seated on the chairs on the arena floor. (The chairs have been upgraded nicely from 2015 and should be comfortable.) There will be monitors placed in the arena so that those furthest from the platform will be able to see the speakers at the podium and the posted announcements and resolutions as well as possible.
Shuttle service to and from the arena will be provided from numerous of the Tupelo hotels. This is largely to avoid overcrowding the designated parking lots. Take advantage of that service if it is available at your place of lodging. If personal vehicles are driven to the arena area, car pool as much as possible to avoid traffic and parking congestion. Maps are attached showing the best routes to the arena as well as parking areas reserved for the Conference.
Due to the number of Conference attendees, it would be very difficult to accommodate many varied dietary needs. A list of nearby restaurants with gluten-free meal options is attached.
Congregations without resident staff are encouraged to elect a delegate to represent your congregation in that capacity. If that is done, notify Conference Services with that information.
The evening lectures and Wednesday youth singing over the noon and supper hours will be streamed to the home congregations, but the daytime sessions will not. Further streaming instructions will follow.
May God continue to bless all the Conference preparations,
-The Conference Arrangements Committee
