Churches struggle with contemporary worship Churches seek answers to declining            membership in new worship styles.

Contemporary worship is not a fad, and the debate over its place in the church is not new to Methodism, according to Dan Francabandiero, president of the Fellowship of United Methodists in Music and Worship Arts and organist at Riverside Park United Methodist Church in Jacksonville.     Despite this, many church members and leaders are struggling over what contemporary worship is, whether it is right for their church and how to do it.    Full Story

Share Jesus Mission helps churches reach neighbors As many as 60,000 of an estimated 400,000 unchurched people in the Jacksonville metropolitan area were contacted during the July 19-23 Share Jesus Mission, according to Jacksonville District Superintendent Teri Hill. "That's a lot of seeds," she said.     Although the 17 United Methodist churches involved in the one-week mission program hope to benefit by increased attendance and membership, "the main thing was to make contact," Hill said.   Full Story

Church's outreach is saving lives The price that gambling addicts pay can be a high one, as the Rev. Steve Hoffman, pastor of Fulford United Methodist Church in North Miami Beach found last Good Friday. While helping his church prepare for its Easter service at the Performing Arts Center, he met the father of a young man who had attempted suicide because of a gambling problem. He also learned the value of the church's Gamblers Anonymous ministry.   Full Story

Youth choir shares messages through pop music When you walk into Sunday worship at Trinity United Methodist Church here, you're just as likely to hear rock 'n' roll as "Rock of Ages." Yet, while it may not seem like worshipful music to many, the Sonlight Youth Choir is learning and teaching God's message through some of today's hit music, according to choir secretary Amy Haines.     Full Story

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