Changes to annual meeting bring urgency to pre-registration

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The Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting will be held Monday, Nov. 9 at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon.


DULUTH — Limited spacing due to COVID-19 regulations brings a new urgency for messengers to pre-register for this year's Georgia Baptist Convention annual meeting.

It normally wouldn't be an issue for the 1,700-seat worship center at Ingleside Baptist Church in Macon. But, recommendations to ensure the safety of Georgia Baptist messengers stipulate a seating limit of 400 in the sanctuary. Two overflow rooms on campus will accommodate an additional 250 individuals.

Those figures make it more important than ever for messengers to pre-register, said Ricky Thrasher of Convention Planning for the Georgia Baptist Mission Board. The process, which made its debut five years ago, has proven to streamline the registration process at annual meetings past and this year has the added benefit of helping to limit crowding.

"While pre-registration isn't required to attend, it will help us greatly in preparation for messengers and maintaining social distancing," Thrasher intoned.

Letters went out this week to churches outlining the registration process and explaining the allotment of messengers. Registration prior to Nov. 2, explains the letter, allows Georgia Baptist staff to pre-package name badges and other materials that will be received upon check-in.

Due to COVID-19, this year's annual meeting will be held to one day on Nov. 9. That reflects a pattern where most state conventions either redesigned or outright canceled their annual meeting. Georgia Baptist messengers are being encouraged to arrive early and check in between 9-11:30 a.m. The annual meeting is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and adjourn by six o'clock.


Annual Meeting, COVID-19, registration