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Leader hitting his stride

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By DEREK MAUL

Tribune correspondent

Published: October 21, 2009

The Rev. Jamie Westlake was assigned to Brandon's First United Methodist Church in 2007. Things had been humming along quite nicely at his Fort Myers assignment, but Westlake answered the call to Brandon without hesitation.

"We're a connectional church and I serve at the pleasure of the bishop," he said.

Two years down the road, signs are the bishop made a good call.

Attendance is increasing, professions of faith are up, and more people are involved in missions than ever before.

The Brandon News talked with Westlake about his first two years.

What challenges are presented by growth?

New people are not always familiar with church. Stewardship especially can be a challenge, so the older generation has to help the younger generation grow.

Are numbers important?
Rick Warren says you count people because people count. I want to know how we're doing, but our mission statement is "To make more and better disciples of Jesus Christ." We want to do well on the "more", and I want to know how we're doing on the "better."

Why talk about "discipleship."

One goal is for everyone to be engaged and involved in a small group. We have around 600 people involved in 60 small groups. We're being very intentional, disciple-wise. Then we're studying "The Prodigal God" by Tim Keller. He suggests that the further we are from our conversion experience the more likely we are to become like the Pharisees.

How do you feel about the future?

I'm optimistic about the future because I know who God is. We should try to be salt and light: that means work to preserve that which is good and influence our culture in positive ways. That's done by being passionate followers of Jesus. We've got to start by simply being the body of Christ and letting our light shine.

What's happening in mission?

We're more organized and hands-on now. For example, participating with Feed the Bay was great - the concept of working together. We've looked around Brandon and asked "Who's doing something?" and "How can we help?" So we came alongside Cynthia Pinckney Ministries. We are blessed to be a blessing.

Are you still motivated?

Absolutely. When I first came someone asked, "How excited are you about inviting friends and acquaintances to church?" We've been working on being more invitational. Good things are happening.

Why are things going well?

People are feeling good about God's spirit being present. They're excited about what's going on, and they're invested in other people's lives. People feel a connection with God when they come here.

How can the church rebuild its influence?

Through relationships. The danger is that we become caricatures; the feeling that "church people" are a certain way. Who wants to be that?

How do you like Brandon two years in?

The church is a fit, the community is a fit; I'd like to be here a really long time. My wife, Denise, is active in the tech-team ministry - she runs a camera, she sings in a choral group. We're really pretty happy to be here.

Columnist Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul

THE REV. JAMIE WESTLAKE
BORN: Elburn, Illinois, 1962.

EDUCATION: DeLand High School, 1980; Florida Southern College, 1983; Candler Seminary, Atlanta, 1986.

MOVED TO BRANDON: 2007

@gmail.com.

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