2 Florida United Methodist Review Online

Annual event focuses on evangelism

"Dare to Share Jesus" was more than just a slogan; it was the heart of the event.

By Michael Wacht

LAKELAND — From the opening celebration Tuesday morning to the ordination ceremony Saturday afternoon, delegates to the Dare to Share Jesus 1999 Florida Annual Conference Event in Lakeland were challenged and equipped to reach others with the good news of Jesus Christ.

dareshare.jpg (3652 bytes) Reminders of the two-year conference theme "Dare to Share Jesus" were everywhere. Every delegate received a name tag, canvas tote bag and button imprinted with the purple and green logo. Banners hung over entrances and in the auditorium reminded attendees the importance the conference is placing on evangelism. And the Dare to Share Jesus theme was woven into the messages of speakers and presenters.

Video clips shown throughout the event also reinforced the theme. One featured lay people of all ages from around the conference explaining what it meant to share Jesus. One woman said the only joy greater than knowing Jesus was sharing the Gospel with others. Another video featured young adults challenging delegates to overcome their fears and prejudices about youth in order to offer them Jesus. "We need you and you need us," one young person said.

The Rev. Paul Butler, associate pastor at Temple Terrace United Methodist Church in Tampa and chairman of the New Church Development and Church Redevelopment Committee, told delegates more unchurched people are reached through new church starts than any other evangelism initiative. "New church starts is evangelism," he said. "It is daring to share Jesus."

The Rev. Joseph MacLaren, pastor of Aloma United Methodist Church in Winter Park and chairman of the Operation Evangelization task force, told delegates that many churches in stable or transitional areas are declining in membership, so all churches "must be intentional about making disciples." He also said many churches double or triple their attendance by transitioning to a contemporary form of worship.

Aspects of contemporary worship were modeled during the event. Mark Jaeger from Aloma United Methodist Church in Winter Park, Jarvis Wilson from Cascade United Methodist Church in Atlanta, and Lori and David Blair from Pine Castle United Methodist Church in Orlando led attendees in singing contemporary choruses and hymns with the words displayed on two video screens above the stage.

His Name Exalted banner ministry from Pine Castle United Methodist Church in Orlando provided banners featuring daily conference themes that were processed through the congregation. The opening worship celebration featured liturgical dance by the Jubilation Dancers from Broadway United Methodist Church in Orlando.

Photo by Geoff Anderson

Worship was an essential part of the dare to Share Jesus 1999 Florida Annual Conference Event, including contemporary elements, like liturgical dance by the Jubilation dancers from Broadway UMC in Orlando.

The Rev. Dr. Roger K. Swanson, the conference’s new Director of Operation Evangelization and Distinguished Evangelist, said there are many people in the United States who, if not reached by the United Methodist Church, will never receive the Gospel.

He warned delegates not to allow "the business of religion" to get in the way of making disciples. "Evangelism is not a program, not an event," he said. "It’s a congregational lifestyle."

Bishop J. Lloyd Knox told delegates that evangelism was necessary for society as well as the church. He said that while the Florida Conference lost 3,800 members last year, the state of Florida led the nation in number of hate groups with 38.

"That’s why we need evangelism," he said.