LAKELAND — The Florida Conference’s delegates to this year’s General Conference are finding that a big part of their job is sorting through thousands of pages of information from conference organizers and hundreds more from groups trying to influence them on hot issues.

Despite that deluge of information, several delegates say they are focusing on prayer, worship and personal conversations to prepare for the May 2-12 assembly in Cleveland, Ohio.

Rodell Roberts, a member of Ebenezer United Methodist Church in Jacksonville and a six-time veteran of General Conference, said he has been "flooded with letters" and "can’t even number the hundreds of pieces of information" he has received.

"The only thing you can do is read it and browse it…listen to the facts and make our decision," he said.

The Rev. Phil Roughton, pastor of First United Methodist Church, Ormond Beach, has also been reading extensively the conference and denominational materials he has received, but is looking to outside sources, too. "I just ordered my fourth book on homosexuality," he said. "I’m seeking to understand scripture…I’ve been visiting a lot of Web sites and reading a lot of articles and news stories."

Katie McEntire, 19, a lay member of United Methodist Church of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach and the youngest member of the delegation, said she has been doing her share of reading, but has primarily been talking to people. "I’ve been talking to pastors and lay people, people who’ve been [to the conference] before," she said. "I’ve been discussing the issues with people I trust and value their opinion."

All three say prayer for themselves and others has been a big part of their preparation.

While a majority of delegates to General Conference believe the homosexuality issue and recommendation of the Connectional Process Team will capture most of the attention, several Florida delegates expect to tackle other issues.

Roughton expects "more volatile conversation and debate," but does not believe General Conference will change many things. "The make-up of General Conference is more orthodox and more conservative than it’s been in the past."

He thinks the conference will be somewhat chaotic because of actions by groups like Soulforce, a non-violence group calling for "a 24-hour Soulforce Direct Action for Justice" on its Web site ( http://www.soulforce.org ).

"I think there will be a really big push for more missions, especially to Mozambique," McEntire said. "The big thrust will be for an evangelistic and mission orientation."

She said she also expects youth and young adults to capture some attention, particularly the work of the National Committee on Youth and the Shared Mission Focus on Young People.