Registration for Mennonite Church USA convention Kansas City 2015 was at 3,622 on April 15.
“We are running quite a bit behind Phoenix, which was historically low,” said Glen Guyton on April 15.
Guyton is chief operating officer for Mennonite Church USA.
There were approximately 4,300 people at Phoenix 2013 and 6,700 at Pittsburgh 2011.
April is still a “big push” month, said Guyton. On average, about 17 percent of people register April—mostly adults. For Phoenix 2013, 840 people registered in April.
But over half normally register in the first month registration opens, according to Guyton.
“Based on where we are now, we will struggle to reach 4,100,” he added.
The decline in registration for Kansas City 2015 is attributable to several factors:
First, Mennonite World Conference in Harrisburg, Pa., is also being held in July. Some youth groups and individuals are choosing to attend that instead, especially churches in Pennsylvania.
“Over 1,000 people from Mennonite Church USA have registered for MWC, but some will go to both conventions in July,” said Guyton.
Second, the heaviness of the conversations planned for delegates surrounding LGBT issues and sexual abuse may be detracting to some youth groups.
Third, there are more summer events competing for people’s time and attention. This includes service trips, vacations and sports. “Some people have told me that convention isn’t relevant to them anymore,” he said.
Finally, cost is also a factor. “That is why we are looking at one less day in Orlando,” said Guyton.
“The low registration for KC2015 will affect how we plan for Orlando 2017,” he said. “We will have a lot fewer hotels available, and the scope of convention will be much different.”
The upside is that this offers the opportunity to reimagine what convention could be and do things differently in the future, said Guyton.
Online registration ends June 1. After that, people must register on site.
Registration breakdown as of April 15:
Adults: 1,210
Junior youth: 93
Youth and youth sponsors: 2,129
Children: 93
Volunteer: 84
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