The bishop was bold enough to challenge us to have a membership of 400,000 by the year 2000. Having a heart for evangelism and having brought a church in Atlanta from 400 to 6,000 members in 11 years he knew it could be done. With his warm, winning ways he approached people in restaurants, malls and supermarkets, asking them about their faith and inviting them to worship in one of our United Methodist churches. We didn’t fulfill Lin’s vision, but God’s good providence lets us go forward with this goal.

Lin learned the Mormons have now passed the United Methodists in membership. In the 1830s Methodism was the largest faith in the United States. Lin affirmed the work of Church Development, led by Dr. Charles Courtoy, brought in Dr. Roger Swanson to lead us in evangelism and faith sharing, affirmed the Celebrate Jesus movement, and did all in his power to help us reach people for Christ. During 1999 the conference grew, for the first time in several years, by 1,433 members. The average attendance at worship was up by 722, and the average attendance in Sunday schools was up by 3,966. These are modest numbers, but we are moving in the right direction, thanks to Lin and many faithful clergy and lay persons who believed the vision.

Lin knew individual lives and society as a whole could be changed as people are won to Christ and discipled in the faith. True Christian faith is an antidote to sin, hate, selfishness, racism, sexism, ageism, war and all manner of evil. That is why he had such big dreams for Florida. We can be a true community of love and service if the spirit of Christ is lived out in us. He was not just playing the numbers game.

Another of Lin’s visions was that we, as a covenant community, should be faithful in our giving for outreach ministries. He believed every congregation could fully contribute to their fair share apportionments, or missional giving. It simply takes leadership, vision and interpretation on the part of pastor and lay leadership to motivate people to give to good causes. As we end the year 2000, I trust every congregation will fulfill its missional responsibilities in honor of Lin — and more important, our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Lin is no longer with us physically, but his spirit and vision remain to encourage us and help us understand that Spirit-filled people of faith can bring healing and renewal in our tired, old society. I, for one, want to keep faith with our loving, charismatic, fallen leader, Bishop Cornelius LINton Henderson. Will you join me?