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The following Q & A is a brief summary of discussions by the Virginia Conference UM Men Cabinet during the 2016-2017 period regarding future improvements to the Annual Spiritual Advance and all things that lead to making disciples. The findings from our extended discussion period helped us formulate a plan for the 2018 Spiritual Advance.
Your Brothers in Christ,
Virginia UM Men Cabinet Members
Where and when will the 2018 Spiritual Advance be held?
Baylake United Methodist Church, 4300 Shore Drive, Virginia Beach, VA, Friday, October 26, 6 pm through Saturday, October 27, 9 pm. Sunday worship service at Baylake UMC is optional.
I thought we wanted a location nearer to the state's centrally located population centers, so why are we moving our annual spiritual weekend to Virginia Beach?
After more than 30 years at the Virginia UM Assembly Center (VUMAC) in Blackstone and watching attendance steadily decline we agreed to follow the successful model of the UM Men in South Carolina that regularly experiences over 1,200 attending their spiritual weekend in Myrtle Beach each February.
An excellent case study is the South Carolina Conference UM Men who have learned a beach location provides a vacation atmosphere that encourages men and their families to attend. And according to our own survey results, Virginia's UM Men prefer a Spiritual Retreat, so beginning this year we will be hosting the event in September (October next year!) at a beach location, which coincidentally is when hotel rates are lower.
Has our purpose changed?
No. Our goal remains to grow disciples and help make new ones, and will continue having an annual theme, complimented by workshops targeted for particular needs, but our end game of making disciples is what we're all about. The UM Men vision for the Virginia Conference is: Men building God's Kingdom led by the Holy Spirit through Christian Fellowship.
Why only a two-day event?
Most men are either not willing or able to commit for an entire weekend, what with their busy lives and family obligations. But for those that want to stay overnight Saturday to attend Sunday worship, Baylake UMC will welcome us with open arms.
Who are the featured speakers? Why more than one?
James Swanson, resident bishop of the Mississippi Conference and president of the Board of Directors of the General Commission on United Methodist Men. Two other well-known speakers will be announced.
Participants have come to expect distinguished leaders, theologians, and authors coming to speak on subjects important to them. Men are looking for the tools necessary to succeed in making disciples, bringing in younger generations, and forming an effective discipleship team with our pastors and church leaders.
Can I bring my wife?
Yes! Spouses are welcome to attend the sessions. There will be workshops aimed expressly to men, but the plenary sessions will be open to everyone in attendance. Following each speaker there will be a separate small group for men and women to dig deeper into the spiritual lessons shared by our various speakers.
Where will we be staying?
We have a block of rooms with special group rates reserved at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center on Shore Drive overlooking the Chesapeake Bay.
What about music?
We will have a mix of sing-a-long favorite hymns, praise music and local choirs between speakers. No concert - just a few songs - then on to our next speaker.
Where do we eat? You are on your own for meals with plenty of break time set-aside for that purpose. A list of nearby restaurants will be provided.
What makes you think this approach will improve attendance?
The South Carolina Conference has been following and tweaking this model for five years. Starting out with just over 200 attenders, they now have over 1,200 spirit-filled men with their families alongside in February each year. Their focus remains discipleship, but they have always included special workshops of interest to millennials and Pastors.
Were SEJ and VA Conference discussions focused only on the Spiritual Advance?
Although men's participation at the local fellowship and district levels have been, and remain, very much a part of all discussions; our focus has been primarily on conducting a successful Spiritual Advance. Similar to the Virginia Conference, most all SEJ conferences are experiencing a decline in their annual event.
A focus on Younger Men's Ministry that will embrace influencing men to serve, combating domestic violence, sexual discrimination, leadership training and mentoring remain significant areas of discussion from local men's fellowships all the way up to the General Commission on United Methodist Men.
More details on the 2018 Spiritual Advance coming soon!
What's on deck for 2019?
We plan to be back at Baylake UMC on Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29, 2019, unless we exceed their seating capacity of about 350. Virginia's resident bishop, Sharma Lewis will be the keynote speaker. Plan ahead to join us!
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