LCMS Annual Black Ministry Family Convocation Cancelled

The Lutheran Church Missouri Synod Board for Black Ministry Services cancelled the 2003 Black Ministry Family Convocation, originally scheduled for July 2-6 in Memphis.

According to Dr. Phillip A. Campbell, interim executive director of the Board for Black Ministry Services, the board members considered the cancellation a wise decision considering the convocation costs close to $225,000.

Officials blame low registration for the cancellation; as of May 16, fewer than 60 people registered for the event, which typically involves more than 1,000 attendants. The board attributes the lack of registrations to the sagging economy.

Several hundred people may have been planning to register closer to the event, said Campbell, but the decision to cancel had to be made because of the commitments and deadlines involved for the convocation.

The board expects a large turnout for the next annual convocation, slated for July 7-11, 2004 in St. Louis.



By Pauline J.