I think everybody recognized that attendance would be lower just by virtue of it being in North Carolina. It is my understanding that that is not unusual. I have said before that I believe that if they had known what all would be taking place last year, they probably would have selected a different venue. I guess we'll know more in the future.
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I do not believe that speakers get paid. It is considered an honor to speak at GC. Choirs and people who sing and the like also must pay their way.
I can absolutely confirm the last part. Our choir has sang at GC twice, I was in it the first time, my wife the second, of which the choir sang in three services. I was in the drama team this last GC.
The only break was that we got free passes to the services we were involved in so we didn't have to pay at the door.
It is absolutely an honor to be a part in those ways. We would have felt wierd if money were involved.
It was sort of hushed I'm sure. Blame it on the economy though?
Well, remember gas in NC at the time of GC was around 4 bucks a gallon.
I know many many folks who live here IN NC who couldnt afford the 120 fillup just to get there. 50 bucks to drive around while there. 120 bucks to fill up to get back home. Those of us blessed to be close enough for one tank to almost cover the whole trip were a little better off, but the high cost of everything else prevented us staying for every service.
Can you imagine the costs of driving a motor home or large van at 4 to 6 miles per gallon from the midwest or even a state or two away at 4 bucks per gallon???
We're talking multiple house payments here. In gas alone.
Then factor in high food costs, layoffs, slow work at home etc.
There was under 10,000 this year. In previous years attendance one reached these levels. However, probably due to registration fees, other conferences, GC not changing and keeping up with the times, the crowds have shrunk.
They are currently looking into restructuring GC to minister more.
Restructuring it to what?A Dr Robert Schuller seminar style format? I can drive down to Rick Warren's Saddleback ch. for that (which many upc leaders do anyways)
Is the goal no longer for it be a large international convention held in large arenas?
Only 4100 registered for GC this year. There are always no-shows but those that pay at the door would balance that out.
Yep...those 'real' numbers will get you every time.
Yes, I'm told by a friend who attended that it was akin to attending a regional conference in terms of numbers of people there. There are MANY churches (not necessarily UPC) that could accomodate this kind of crowd and would not charge anywhere NEAR what a convention center charges. It would be a blow to the ego though.
Well, remember gas in NC at the time of GC was around 4 bucks a gallon.
I know many many folks who live here IN NC who couldnt afford the 120 fillup just to get there. 50 bucks to drive around while there. 120 bucks to fill up to get back home. Those of us blessed to be close enough for one tank to almost cover the whole trip were a little better off, but the high cost of everything else prevented us staying for every service.
Can you imagine the costs of driving a motor home or large van at 4 to 6 miles per gallon from the midwest or even a state or two away at 4 bucks per gallon???
We're talking multiple house payments here. In gas alone.
Then factor in high food costs, layoffs, slow work at home etc.
the economy and gas prices were a factor no doubt, but I know a lot of friends who feel like GC has become a drag. just plain boring. No offense, but having it in Greensboro didn't help.
GC has been declining in numbers for sometime. There have been other periods of recession in the USA in years past and the crowd was still great.
A crowd of only 4,100 at GC speaks volumes as to the direction that it's going
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