PlainSpoken

Kenneth R. Feinberg is one of the nation’s leading experts in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. He has been appointed to administer numerous high-profile compensation programs, having served as special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (appointed by the administration of President George Bush), TARP Executive Compensation, and the Agent Orange Victim Compensation Program. Feinberg was appointed by the administration of President Barack Obama to serve as administrator of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility to compensate victims of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. He also served as administrator of the Aurora Victim Relief Fund following the Aurora, Colorado, shootings in 2012 as well as administrator of the Virginia Tech Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund in 2007. Feinberg served as administrator of the One Fund Boston Victim Relief Fund, established to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon attacks of April 15, 2013 and is currently working with the “RoundUp” weedkiller cancer case and the Boeing MaxAir 737 settlements. He served as assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1972 to 1975; special counsel for U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary from 1975 to 1980; chief of staff to Senator Edward M. Kennedy from 1978 to 1980; founding partner of the Washington office of Kaye Scholar in 1980; and founder of The Feinberg Group in 1993. He has served as adjunct professor of law at Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, New York University School of Law, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He served as a law clerk for Chief Judge Stanley H. Fuld, New York State Court of Appeals from 1970 to 1972. Feinberg received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1970, where he was articles editor of the Law Review, and his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in 1967 Links: Protocol Website: https://www.gracethroughseparation.com/legislation

This episode turned out being quite interesting and well-balanced. It is equal parts recent history, General Conference petitions, ethics, and relationships. There are many petitions coming before the General Conference that deal with the question of what to do with local churches, and even annual conferences, that no longer want to be affiliated with The United Methodist Church. It is important that delegates know how to think through these things faithfully. We were able to cover a lot of good ground in this one. We hope you enjoy and benefit from spending time with us! To download your own copy of the Advance Daily Christian Advocate, go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/general-conference-2020-advance-daily-christian-advocate. To download a copy of Lonnie's Matrix of Petitions, go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1_mbHq9ABRo8D4BjDVGcjxjx6DOxSv2Gx/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=true

We pick up halfway through Section 6, now detailing how annual conferences are supposed to be composed, how they should function, and even the different mandatory committees they require. The section ends with explicit directions as to how General Conference delegates are to be calculated. Amidst all this minutiae, we still manage to have a conversation on modern race theory, which builds on top of the foundation we have already laid. These provisions have huge implications for the state of global race relations. The Global Methodist Church has a decision to make. If it waffles, it could do a good deal of harm. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf If you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808 If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com.

Maria Dixon, MDiv, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Communication at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Chief Diversity Officer & Senior Advisor to the President of SMU. She is an academic, consultant, and theologian that believes that strategic communication is at the heart of every successful endeavor. A self-described “vocational mutt”, she holds a BS/Marketing from the University of Alabama; Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology from Candler School of Theology/Emory University; and a PhD in Organizational Communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Passionate about helping organizations and non-profit leaders answer the question: “How can we communicate in a way that creates results, community, and transformation?” She has been a frequent speaker and consultant to organizations and leaders across the country. Her clients have included: Southwest Airlines, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Ugandan American Partnership Organization, The Open Door Pre-School, The Lydia Patterson Institute, and the General Commission on Communication of the United Methodist Church. A huge fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Maria is married to Rev. Jeff Hall and they are the proud parents of their 8 year old American Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier, Mr. Thatcher Stewart Wesley Hall. They are also foster parents, having formally adopted three children out of the foster care system. Links: Maria's Blog on Patheos - https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mariadixonhall/author/mariadixon/

Mark Holland of the Mainstream UMC caucus group sent out an email on February 5 detailing multiple points of failure by Gary Graves and his General Conference staff to coordinate April's General Conference session. In this segment, I speak to why it matters that Africans be included in order for this conference to have any legitimacy, and why it is that average United Methodists should care. I started ringing this alarm in September of last year and was written off. Watch to learn more about how bad this seems to be for the denomination.

A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for The Global Methodist Church is not an official doctrinal standard of the denomination, but it was created by those familiar with all of those sources. It is a synthesis of two millennia of the finest Christian thought, meant to be memorized and rehearsed within the family of God. So that is what Susanna and I did for these 30 minutes of reflection upon who God is and the implications this has for us, individually and collectively within the church. We are laying the groundwork for what will surely become a more nuanced tapestry of biblical faith. We invite you to join us on our journey! If you would like to purchase your own copy of the Catechism, go here: https://my.seedbed.com/product/a-catechism-of-christian-faith-and-doctrine-for-the-global-methodist-church/ If you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808 If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com.

This episode covers the first half of Part 6, dealing with the General Conference and Regional Conferences, mostly. I start with an overview of the Methodist term 'conferencing' and how it is supposed to overlap with our organizational structure. Then we go down the line of how some of the particulars of conferencing are designed to take place in the Global Methodist Church. Enjoy! Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf If you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808 If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com.

This episode addresses the Revised Social Principles presented to the General Conference by the General Board of Church and Society. We examine how the document was crafted, the process by why it was authored and who authored it. We also look at some of the content that is a departure from the previous/current Social Principles, as well as the stated will of the General Conference. Finally, panelists speak to the likelihood that this will be given much time in plenary session, given that there are arguably more pressing issues for the assembly to address. To download your own copy of the Advance Daily Christian Advocate, go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/general-conference-2020-advance-daily-christian-advocate. To download your own copy of the Revised Social Principles, go to https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/124

The first question of the Global Methodist Church's Catechism is "Do you believe in God?" While a very basic question, the answer rendered, alongside multiple scriptural citations, gives a lot of food for thought. Yes, of course we believe in God, but in which God do we believe? What are his distinctive characteristics? Take some time to learn alongside my daughter, Susanna. Link to Global Methodist Catechism - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Catechism-V2.pdf

Rev. Matt Reynolds is the President and Founder of Spirit and Truth. It is a ministry that longs to see the church fully alive! It exists to help equip a global movement of local churches to become empowered by the Spirit, rooted in the truth, and mobilized for the mission. In this conversation, he and I speak of a mutual hope for a reclaiming of original Methodist doctrine, culture, and practice. We also speak of practical realities in doing church in our present cultural moment, as well as submitting to Christ's lordship in our homes. I hope you enjoy learning from Matt! Links: Matt’s Firebrand Article - https://firebrandmag.com/articles/doctrine-spirit-and-discipline-a-holistic-vision-for-church-renewal Spirit & Truth Ministry Website - https://www.spiritandtruth.life Spirit-Led Leader Substack - https://spiritandtruth.substack.com

This section covers a lot more details pertaining to how it is that bishops are supposed to serve. Presidents Pro Tempore aren't addressed here as much as they should be for reasons that become obvious. We spend some time figuring out the differences between a bishop and a bishop emeritus. This is a pretty standard episode in which we come to understand a good deal more about how things have already come to be the way that they currently are. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf If you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808 If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com.

This episode deals with myriad proposals coming before the General Conference that have to do with the topic of human sexuality, which is, of course, the primary issue that has divided many American denominations for some time. The panel is not all of one mind about what the right position to take on these issues is, but they are able to talk through the realities involved as the assembly prepares for a vote. In this, we speak to the dynamics of different constituencies coming together, the likelihoods of a change of the denomination's theology, and many other pertinent topics. Whether you are seasoned in these topics or you are new to it all, this episode will engage you. To download your own copy of the Advance Daily Christian Advocate, go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/general-conference-2020-advance-daily-christian-advocate.

A recent thread on The Friends of the Global Methodist Church Facebook Page suggested to me that it might be helpful to talk about the ways in which the conversation around sexually nonconforming people is going to continue in our churches. I sense that a lot of folks do not understand how this is not going to go away, and how we need to have discerning minds, lest we make room for theologies that are at odds with our fundamental doctrines. Link to CHRON article: https://www.chron.com/culture/religion/article/texas-global-methodist-church-18605641.php

This segment introduces you to my daughter, Susanna, and to the segment we hope to see through to completion, going through the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church. We hope you join us on this journey!

¶506 - ¶509 ¶506 continues a section dealing with how the episcopacy is supposed to operate. In this session, TJ and I go through the role of presiding elders and the oversight structure for governing the general connexion of this new body. We ended up having a prolonged discussion about 'inclusivity' and 'open itinerancy' and whether or not these terms signal modern woke notions of antiracism, or whether they instead participate in a colorblind meritocratic setup. I expect many will find this illuminating. Enjoy! Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf If you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808 If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com.

¶506 - ¶509 ¶506 continues a section dealing with how the episcopacy is supposed to operate. In this session, TJ and I go through the role of presiding elders and the oversight structure for governing the general connexion of this new body. We ended up having a prolonged discussion about 'inclusivity' and 'open itinerancy' and whether or not these terms signal modern woke notions of antiracism, or whether they instead participate in a colorblind meritocratic setup. I expect many will find this illuminating. Enjoy! Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf If you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808 If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com.

In this first episode, Amy Valdez Barker, former head of the Connectional Table, was able to join us to represent the General Conference process from the perspective of the institution. The crew spent an hour talking about the logistical and practical elements that go into coordinating and implementing the actual General Conference session. How are different legislative items selected, edited, and presented to the plenary body for consideration? Whose voices have more influence or are given more privilege? How do caucus groups contribute to the discourse and proceedings? How to nonAmerican delegates experience the weeks of the gathering? All these and many more questions are addressed thoughtfully by our different panelists. If you care about this April's General Conference going well, and you want to understand all the things going on behind the scenes, you would do well to spend some time with this episode. As always, we want to urge you to share this widely so as to equip the UMC denomination to be able to track and understand these proceedings. Feedback can be given to us at plainspokenpod@gmail.com. Make sure to subscribe, like, and comment as you are able. Links: UM News Article detailing many particulars of this upcoming session - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/what-comes-after-general-conference-deadline Rules from the Daily Christian Advocate, detailing how the session is to be carried out - https://drive.google.com/file/d/17xKR3idzjOlXbl_CfmrXdIJHBj7zjnS9/view?usp=sharing Bio for Amy Valdez Parker - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TVCzYIRj2E19mp-T0QDVpK4Sd__66vfE/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=true

Jeff Pospisil is a solid believer who stands at the top of the Global Methodist Church's financial ministry. He was gracious enough to accept an invitation for a conversation to elucidate the reasoning behind the switch from Wespath to GuideStone. We ended up covering a lot of other topics, as well, taking questions from PlainSpoken audience members. It was a worthy time that I hope to make a regular event on the channel. Take some time to learn about the financial ministry of the GMC and the potential we have for a bright future. If this is something you would enjoy as a semi-regular installment, make sure to let people know about it! Links: Jeff’s Accounting Website - JCT Accounting - https://jctaccounting.com/author/jefffpospisil/ YouTube Page - https://www.youtube.com/@JeffPospisil My Segment on why leaving Wespath was probably the right decision (article is below video) - https://plainspokenpod.substack.com/p/why-leaving-wespath-is-probably-the GMC Press Release - https://globalmethodist.org/gmc-announces-relationship-with-guidestone-financial-resources/ Additional GMC Publication on the Topic - https://globalmethodist.org/why-guidestone/ GMC FAQ on GuideStone Shift - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/GuideStone-FAQs.20240111.v2.pdf

The General Conference of The United Methodist Church is scheduled to convene this coming April. There has already been an organized and concerted push from institutional entities to make “regionalization” the centerpiece of the work to be accomplished. This is sure to be a primary area of deliberation. Yet there are also many other meaningful items coming to the assembly for its two-week conference. Given that the official list has not yet been published, it is difficult to confidently predict what all of them will be. Some presumptions are safer than others. In this series, these four United Methodist veterans of conference structure and protocol will do their best to anticipate the items that will come before the body. The hope is that they will help delegates to prepare to make informed and conscientious decisions when they come together, having already thought a great deal about the key proposals. As a host, I will work simply to create the space and the platform for the discussion to be had in earnest. If it is the will of the assembled body that they should adopt regionalization, liberalize the theology of sex and gender of the church, adopt new Social Principles, or do anything that stands against my convictions, then I want to defend their right to do so. I only advocate for them to do it with eyes wide open, which I hope this series serves to aid. Each of these four men of faith has a background that entitles them to consideration from United Methodist leadership. Their voices are ignored to the detriment of the denomination. I would invite you to consider them, their insights, their concerns, their hopes as you pray for The United Methodist Church. If you agree that this is a worthy effort, then make sure to subscribe and tune in over the coming weeks as we try to shed light without creating any more heat. Make sure to pray for us, too! This episode was filmed only to introduce viewers/listeners to the panel. Future episodes will have much more meaty content. Stay tuned!

Dr. Ryan N. Danker was named the Director of the John Wesley Institute in October 2021. Danker is an author, historian, and Wesley scholar committed to the Wesleyan vision. Through the John Wesley Institute, Ryan is coordinating three large events in the next three months, each of which is aimed to better equip the Wesleyan heritage into the future. In this conversation, we speak about each one. He is not concerned only with the Global Methodist Church, but with the richness of a tradition that has languished for a while. If it is to be reclaimed, it would seem such efforts are in order. Take some time to learn about the effort he is putting into buttressing Methodism. Links: The John Wesley Institute - https://nextmethodism.orgThe Mere Methodism Conference Registration Page - https://nextmethodism.org/mere-methodism/The School of Methodism Registration Page - https://nextmethodism.org/mere-methodism/

¶501 begins a section on how the Global Methodist Church envisions that bishops will operate in this new denomination. We review the broad strokes here, including how compensation is calculated, how episcopal areas work alongside annual conferences, how episcopal funds are collected and distributed, and how doctrinal fidelity is protected. I also have some inside information on a taskforce that the denomination has established to bring forth legislation at this year’s convening conference with respect to this issue. All interesting stuff. Take some time to think through these things with us. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf If you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808 If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com.

There have been a lot of developments over the last year. I wanted to take a few minutes to take stock of all that has transpired, how much this effort has grown, things I have learned and changed along the way, and hopes for 2024. For those who are interested in this format of ministry, I show some stats and reports from some of the platforms on which I publish. For those who are curious about what to anticipate in the coming year, I detail some work that I'm prepping. If you have at all been interested in my efforts to spread good information and foster good conversation, you'll enjoy this segment. This corresponds with a written report I have published on Substack, in which I have a lot more links that I can't provide here. If you want to go to that article, here is the link: https://plainspokenpod.substack.com/p/year-end-report Thanks for all the support given this channel over the last year. There is a lot more great stuff to come!

Many have predictably taken offense to my highlighting the bad behavior of people within the denomination I left earlier this year. Many within the UMC and the GMC agree that spending time naming the sins of the past and present just is not helpful. To their mind, it only exacerbates bad behavior. If folks like me would just stop, people would finally heal and remember that they are called to act like Christians. This piece is a response to a critique I got. I provide some explanations for what I understand myself to be doing and why I think it is needed, not just at the present moment, but for all history, if the church is to be who Christ requires us to be. It is admittedly a self-centered piece. I’m hoping folks apply it to themselves and their church contexts and consider whether their current approach is right.

Jim Ramsay is the Chief of Global Operations for TMS Global, formerly The Mission Society, which was an evangelical answer to the leftward drift of United Methodist foreign missions a few decades ago. TMS Global is now an interdenominational effort around the world, and it will stay that way, but they are perhaps uniquely positioned to work with Global Methodist local churches to engage in meaningful mission work. As the GMC claims that word “global,” it is incumbent upon us to think about ways that we are called to be in relationship with other people groups around the world. Non-GMC folks will also greatly benefit from the time spent in this segment exploring these issues, especially as TMS Global can also partner with you to serve those less fortunate around the world. Jim worked for 12 years in the information technology field as a programmer and IT manager prior to joining TMS Global in 1996. His family served for 10 years as missionaries in Kazakhstan, where he was part of a church-planting team and directed a school operated by the mission. He served as team leader for most of those years. The school and the church still serve the community today, fully owned and led by local leadership. Jim assumed the role of regional coordinator for Asia for TMS Global during his final two years in Kazakhstan. He joined the home office staff in 2006, initially as the senior director of field ministries, then assuming the vice president role in 2011. Jim has been a regular contributor to Good News magazine, Unfinished magazine, and the Seedbed blog. Jim is married to Shawn, who works with the third culture kid ministries for TMS Global. They raised four children during their years as missionaries, all of whom are now adults. They have one grandchild. Jim enjoys languages and had attained fluency in Danish and a working knowledge of German prior to moving to Kazakhstan, where he became fluent in Russian. He loves observing and experiencing other cultures. Jim grew up in Kentucky and remains an avid University of Kentucky basketball fan. Through experience, education, and ongoing studies, Jim has expertise in missiology, mission strategy, and mission best practices. In recent years he has studied the phenomenon of mass migrations of people and implications and opportunities that presents the church in mission. He teaches in various areas of mission, including cross- cultural ministry, cross-cultural partnerships, theology of mission, and leadership. Links: TMS Global - www.tms-global.org “Who Is My Neighbor” study, published by TMS Global (referenced in conversation) - https://neighbor.study/ Jim Ramsay’s Work Email - jramsay@tms-global.org Ramsay recommends this work as an excellent history of missionary work - https://www.amazon.com/Transforming-Mission-Paradigm-Theology-Missiology-dp-1570759480/dp/1570759480/ For those interested in what global Christianity is transforming into demographically and culturally, Ramsay recommends this book - https://www.amazon.com/Next-Christendom-Coming-Global-Christianity/dp/0199767467

This is the final section of Part 4 in the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline, which covers topics around “The Ministry of the Called.” In this final segment on Part 4, we cover the circumstances in which ordained clergy can step out of ministry for short or longer periods of time. When is the local church obligated to pay clergy while they have stepped away from serving the church? When does an ordained clergy lose their vote at annual conference session? Their vote? What process is in place to bench clergy who aren’t doing well? Do processes hamstringing bishops necessarily protect the rights of clergy? If you find these topics worthy, consider spending the time with us. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf