Photo: The West building of the Orange County Convention Center, site of the 2017 Mennonite Church USA convention. Photo provided by OCCC. 

Registration numbers for the 2017 Mennonite Church USA convention in Orlando, Florida, are tracking behind numbers for the 2015 convention and planner projections.

As of April 26, total registration was at 2,850. By comparison, registration for the 2015 convention was at 3,622 on April 15, 2015.

“I am hoping for 4,000 people, but it looks like we will be closer to 3,500 participants,” wrote Glen Guyton, chief operating officer and director of convention planning for MC USA, in an April 26 e-mail.

Both Kansas City 2015 and Phoenix 2013 drew around 4,300 attendees. Pittsburgh 2011 had 6,700 attendees.

Among the factors affecting registration, Guyton notes, decline in the number of MC USA congregations has an effect. Since the 2015 assembly, three area conferences—Franklin, Lancaster and North Central—have left MC USA.

“The pool of people is smaller. Our agencies and colleges are sending fewer people,” writes Guyton. “I have also heard that people have some traumatic feelings left over from the Delegate Assembly of KC2015.”

Convention planning staff adjusted the Orlando convention in order to make it more affordable and convenient for delegates with limited vacation time. Convention is one day shorter, and delegate meetings are scheduled for the last three days of the event. In addition, staff members are planning for the Future Church Summit, a gathering that will involve delegates, agency representatives and lay leaders from across the church in a large-group visioning process to discern the future work of MC USA.

Guyton notes that lower registration numbers have and will affect convention programming.

“We have cut back on some of the extras and some of the bells and whistles. With fewer people we are cutting out some special events and activities,” said Guyton.

However, Guyton says he hopes the myriad attractions in Orlando will still be a draw. “We have great flexibility in food options, and our participants can explore all the options Orlando has to offer,” writes Guyton. “Many things are within walking distance.”

Despite lower numbers, Guyton still has big hopes for the 2017 convention.

“I hope people leave Orlando with a clear understanding that this denomination still matters, that we have a unique mission is God’s world,” he wrote. “I hope we can get beyond letting our differences divide us and begin to embrace the diverse gifts of people who consider themselves Mennonites. I hope Orlando will revitalize the men and women of Mennonite Church USA to focus not on their internal problems but to joyfully live into their calls as God’s children, spreading grace, joy, peace and hope in their communities.”

Regular registration rates are available until April 30.

Registration breakdown as of April 26:

Adults: 950
Youth/sponsors: 1,652
Junior youth/sponsors: 67
Children: 91
Volunteers: 90

Correction: A previous version of this story failed to mention that North Central Conference also voted to leave Mennonite Church USA in July 2015.