LAKELAND — Should the United Methodist Church advertise on television? Should it take action addressing suicide among homosexual teens? Should all conference-sponsored events provide for complete participation by hearing-impaired persons? Those were just a few of the issues delegates addressed at the Dare to Share Jesus 1999 Florida Annual Conference Event June 1-5.

A total of 18 resolutions were presented for consideration and vote. Several generated significant debate.

One of the mostly intensely discussed resolutions that did not pass asked churches to stop gay teenage suicide. Presented by a group of 18 laity and clergy, the resolution cited statistics about high rates of gay teens dropping out of school, running away and committing suicide and the increase of anti-gay violence. It called for churches to become "safe havens of intentional love," offering support and education to gay and lesbian teens and their families.

Terry Dewis, a sponsor of the resolution, said the education and protection referred to in the resolution were intended for all youth and particularly gay youth. She said the resolution was a "cry for help from gay children" and asked churches to "open our doors a little wider and offer support" to gay teens.

The Rev. Al McGowen spoke against it, saying the resolution "eliminates the possibility of homosexual teens being liberated from this sin bondage."

Brian Baggs II, the Melbourne District’s youth delegate, was also against the resolution because it did not address suicide among all teens. "If 33 percent of teen suicides were white, would we help only white teens?" Baggs asked resolution sponsors.

The issue of same-sex unions was addressed during discussion on a resolution calling for clergy to be held accountable. Citing a "problem of Christian accountability within the United Methodist Church organization" and "a few church leaders who have acted outside the law of the Church" by conducting same-sex unions, the resolution called for the Council of Bishops to more strictly enforce the Book of Discipline.

Roy Bowen from Lakewood United Methodist Church, Jacksonville, said "this problem is literally tearing our church apart."

"Our problem is with the 1 percent of United Methodist ministers throughout the United States who have chosen not to follow the Discipline and the word of God," he said, adding that he wanted not only those who celebrate same-sex unions to be held accountable, but those who advocate worship of the goddess Sophia, deny the deity of Jesus Christ and are pro-choice on abortion.

The Rev. John Powers of First United Methodist Church, Oviedo, spoke against the resolution, saying it "villainizes the people taking a stand of conscience…who are like Paul, who stood against the Discipline of his day."

Russell Victor, a lay delegate from Jacksonville, said that people sometimes find themselves in "ministries that are very unclear" and that the resolution "could start a witch hunt."

Bishop Cornelius Henderson called for a head count to be "absolutely sure" of the vote. The resolution passed by a count of 750-356.

A resolution on revising Charles Wesley’s hymns also generated discussion. It addressed the "lack of theological depth in certain contemporary hymns and praise choruses" by putting the vast collection of poems and hymns written by John and Charles Wesley into more contemporary lyrical and musical settings. It asked the conference’s Discipleship and Communications teams to encourage musicians to recast Wesleyan hymns into "contemporary musical forms" and provide opportunities for musicians to showcase their work and share ideas.

Winnie Ingram, a lay delegate from First United Methodist Church, St. Augustine, said she was against the resolution because she loved the old hymns and believed there was nothing wrong with the words or the music. Dorothy Preston, a lay delegate from the Jacksonville District, said, "Let them [contemporary worshippers] make their own hymns and leave Charles Wesley’s hymns alone."

Despite the opposition, the resolution passed.

Other resolutions that passed:

• called for General Conference to revise the Book of Discipline to balance clergy and laity representation to General Conference;
• urged the conference to request that the United States government find alternative humanitarian solutions for the people of Iraq;
• called for General Conference to amend the Book of Discipline to remove moral ambiguity on the issue of abortion;
• called for the Council of Bishops to take leadership in the fight against legalized gambling;
• requested that General Conference support the effort to save United Methodist Student Day special offering;
• requested that General Conference authorize the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry develop a 25-year plan to raise $300 million in endowment funds for the 11 Historically Black Colleges and Universities of the United Methodist Church;
• requested that all conference events be fully ccessible to those with hearing impairments;
• requested the continuation of the National Plan for Hispanic Ministry into the 2001-2004 quadrennium;
• requested that General Conference support funding for the Communication Commission’s Igniting Ministry campaign and the conference consider supporting a co-marketing effort;
• called for the conference and its churches to dialog with companies and urge legislators to take action against environmentally detrimental pollutants; and
• called for Florida legislators to decrease legalized gambling activity.

Resolutions that failed:

• requested that the conference make the names of lay delegates to annual conference available to local churches;
• urged the conference to petition General Conference to amend the Book of Discipline and allow for non-geographic, mission-based conferences and jurisdictions; and
• requested that General Conference continue Peace With Justice Sunday offerings as they are.