LAKELAND — He says he has lived his entire religious life in the Methodist Church, attending a church in Metro Orlando’s Winter Park area for 25 years and serving there in many leadership roles. He has also served the conference for three years as chairperson of the Conference Council on Ministries (CCOM).

Now, he’s taking his commitment to the United Methodist Church one step further by becoming the first lay person to serve as director of the CCOM.

Local Winter Park attorney William A. Walker II will assume the position in June after the close of the Dare to Share Jesus 1999 Florida Annual Conference Event June 1-5.

The change comes on the heels of the appointment of the current council director, the Rev. James F. Jennings, as pastor of First United Methodist Church, Sarasota, after the conference event.

The CCOM executive committee recommended that Walker serve in the position for a year, with an evaluation of the arrangement at the end of the year by the CCOM executive committee, bishop and cabinet. Walker will also decide at that time if he is able to continue. The CCOM membership voted unanimously late last April to accept the recommendation.

Dr. Keith E. Ewing, administrative assistant to Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson, said Walker was chosen because of his experience as chairperson of the CCOM and his participation on the committee that worked to develop the new CCOM structure implemented in January 1997.

"It was not an intentional effort to get a lay person," Ewing said, "but his understanding of church growth and vision to lead the Church into the 21st century made him a logical choice."

Ewing also said Walker’s availability and the unexpected time constraints in finding a replacement by the beginning of Jennings’ appointment were also factors.

Walker recently discontinued his full-time practice of 32 years with the Winter Park and Orlando offices of Winderweedle, Haines, Ward & Woodman, PA, and will serve the firm as an advisor.

Jennings requested in January that he be appointed to a church after a "time of discerning God’s will for my ministry," he said. "It became clear as the nose on my face that I was being called back to the local church…my passion is preaching and teaching and touch people. I have to ‘press the flesh.’ "

Jennings says Walker was chosen because of the continuity he offers the CCOM as its chairperson, but also his commitment to the Church: "He has the heartbeat of the CCOM and a passion for partnering with the local church. His passion and energy level will make that happen."

Indeed, Walker says the CCOM should move toward "becoming a collaborative partner with local church leadership."

"I would like the CCOM to understand itself as a vital aid to local church leadership, which is struggling to be the church in the post modern era," he said. "…to move the churches of our conference forward in a fresh model of collaboration in which change agents are empowered."