The Plentiful Harvest
Lovett Weems Addresses Virginia Annual Conference
on the Need to Reach
More People, Younger People, and More Diverse People
On Monday, June 11, Dr. Lovett H. Weems, Jr., director of the Lewis Center for Church Leadership of Wesley Theological Seminary, addressed the clergy and laity of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church meeting in Roanoke, Virginia. Weems shared detailed demographic data showing that Virginia is one of the fastest growing states in the nation with an expanding population of young persons and growing diversity in many key areas across the state. Yet the United Methodist Church is reaching a much smaller percentage of the population, especially young persons and persons of color, than in previous decades. In his address entitled "The Harvest is Plentiful," Weems called on Virginia churches to reach out to "more people, younger people, and more diverse people." Weems presented information on four regions within the state -- Shenandoah, Tidewater, Capital Region, and Northern Virginia -- each containing major pockets of growth and diversity.
Download a copy of the handout accompanying the presentation
Download a list of the Counties and Cities in the Four Virginia's
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