PlainSpoken

This week we end part 8, the judicial administration, of the GMC Transitional Book of Doctrine & Discipline. The majority of the discussion concerned the Connectional Council on Appeals, the highest judicial body of the Global Methodist Church and how it operates. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf Link to Judicial Practice and Procedure Rules of the Global Methodist Church (JPP) - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Judicial-Practice-and-Procedure-Rules-English.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.

Jamie Bambrick is the creator of the famous “The Christian Super Bowl Ad They SHOULD Have Made,” which was circulated in response to the wrongheaded “Jesus Gets Us” campaign. He is an Irish Anglican associate pastor at a vital church outside of Belfast. In this conversation, Jamie and I speak about the larger cultural forces that impact our ministries despite thousands of miles between us. We find ourselves at a point in history at which some quality reflection can be done on how it is that the church needs to perhaps stand against the tides of a culture awash in ungodly forces. There is a good deal of history and theology interspersed here in our words. Those concerned with how to do ministry in this present age might do well to attend upon Jamie’s contributions here. For those who want to follow Jamie, you can find him here: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@jamie.bambrick Twitter/X: @j_bambrick

Talking about things that interest me in Methodist world

I was sent a copy of a document submitted to Sara Hotchkiss, the Business Manager of the UMC General Conference. Africa Initiative leadership, on behalf of the many delegates they have consulted, made a formal request on March 4 to meet several needs in order for African participation to be possible. It seems to have fallen on deaf ears, as Hotchkiss has refused to respond. What is obviously at stake is the legitimacy of the assembled body. If the African delegation, which is already abysmally underrepresented, is reduced by 25%, any sane person is right to ask if any decisions made can be honored. In seeking victory on liberalizing the positions of the church, it would seem the General Conference staff are cutting off their nose to spite their face...

After six questions dealing with the nature of God the Father, we now approach the second person of the Trinity: the Son. Christ is at the center of our salvation. This segment lines out only the starting foundation upon which we will build in the coming weeks. The authors of the catechism laid out several New Testament texts for us to review and connect when considering the person and work of Christ. What does it mean to call him "Lord"? How is Christ unique? How are we like him? These questions and many more are addressed in this segment. 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.

Rev. Forbes Matonga recently published an op-ed in UM News saying that if Regionalization does not require a reworking of the episcopacy, then none of it counts for very much. The way that bishops interact with the denomination, as well as the general boards and agencies, seems to have greater power than most appreciate. As delegates assemble next month in Charlotte, Regionalization will be at the top of the agenda. However, is it, as Matonga claims, a "smoke screen"? In this segment, the crew picks up where Matonga left off. If you haven't seen it already, I published our time with Rev. Matonga on the morning of Tuesday, March 12. You might consider watching that before this, as it lays a good foundation. This segment picks up by rehearsing the history of bishops in Methodism, then we examined a number of angles around how bishops are currently utilized in the UMC, and why that could continue to be an Achilles heel in the polity of the denomination going forward.

On Friday, the usual folks gathered to record our 'Considering Charlotte' series. As we were to talk about the episcopacy of the UMC, I invited Rev. Forbes Matonga. Forbes had just published an op-ed through UM News, stating that without reforming the episcopacy, the Regionalization of the UMC was a smoke screen. It was my original intent that our time with him would fit into the larger topic, but it really became its own thing. The group agreed that I should publish it separately, as it went much further on several other topics. Rev. Matonga has been a leading voice in the African UMC for several years. He has had the patience for the process while maintaining his theological clarity. One would be wise to consider his words in dialogue with other voices speaking to these things. Link to Forbes Matonga's UM News article: "African regionalization support hardly unanimous" - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/african-regionalization-support-hardly-unanimous

Last week video was circulated on Twitter of Mark Nakagawa, who had retired as a District Superintendent from the California Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church last year. He recently made headlines when he wrote a swastika on a neighbor's property. This segment deals with why he might have done this, what ideology would undergird such behavior, and what, if anything, that has to do with mainline denominationalism. This has some summary history of neoMarxism involved that may shed some light. It also addresses contemporary antisemitism in America. This stuff is probably all connected. If you would like to become a supporter of my work, you should go to plainspoken.locals.com. Thanks!

This episode builds on top of the foundation already covered. Namely, the nature of God the Father. All of these first episode have intersected with Article I of the Confession of Faith of the EUB. It is becoming clear how the authors wove a doctrinal web for us to construct a theological foundation upon. This series is seeking to establish a solid doctrinal foundation for Global Methodists and all Christians more broadly. Take some time to learn from this unique dynamic of a father instructing his daughter in the faith. 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.

Episode 21, Paragraphs 809 - 118. This week deals with trials and appeals within the judicial system of the Global Methodist Church. What happens when charges are brought against someone within the church? Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf Link to Judicial Practice and Procedure Rules of the Global Methodist Church (JPP) - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Judicial-Practice-and-Procedure-Rules-English.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.

The three key words for this session are “Creator, Sovereign, Preserver.” What do each of them mean? How do they impact our relationship with the Lord? How do the realities of God’s nature impact the ways in which we go about our lives together? As always, I urge you to consider the ways in which you can use this material to benefit your local church, especially the children in your orbit. Folks need to be equipped with good, biblical doctrine. Susanna and I are doing whatever we can to give this next generation of Methodists the vocabulary they need to reclaim your faith. Use us! 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.

Links: Robert’s Regular Blog & Bible Study - https://www.mattchristiansenmedia.com/bible-study William Layne Craig’s “Defenders” Series - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIpO3BUiq2IH1ocE76paUM_OxUZTL3XYh&si=OmrVaS16H6UKNm2S "Doctrine of Election: Doctrine of Salvation” Podcast Series - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIpO3BUiq2IHt7bJnTIuln-uDzSxaOGGu&si=B7TCPlsk_Cr6E6JB William Layne Craig’s “Doctrine of Man” Series - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIpO3BUiq2IFJ7TORDSoj3VLiTv5oMbVj&si=FbO-3R3uj1ZhmUspA Write-Up on the Kalam Cosmological Argument - https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/popular-writings/existence-nature-of-god/the-kalam-cosmological-argument?gad_source=1 Presentation of the Ontological Argument by Gavin Ortlund - https://youtu.be/11bcuapYEsA?si=gT-o3dIyZmpJldWh Presentation of the Fine Tuning Argument by Luke Barnes - https://youtu.be/lKxCVZVBgoI?si=S41UQ4lf68--27e2

This episode picks up where we left off previously. We began by addressing questions presented by viewers and commenters. We talked about the likelihood that petitions from those who have since left will be discarded, among other topics. The largest area of concern for this episode was the utility of the favored regionalization plan when it does not plan to eliminate the previously-racialist jurisdictional system. 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/1KTnzUbOO6NORahwa_nrdxKV1ftNxUQpQ/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=true

Rev. Housholder has an MDiv. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Bonn. As a multi-vocational pastor at The Well at Surf City, he has 40 years of ministry experience. David is a biblical linguist specializing in Semitic studies. He also happens to be a STEM Representative for the Senior Leadership Team at Concordia University-Irvine. David is the author of four books. He is an ordained pastor in the Foursquare Church and a founding pastor of the Well a Surf City. HE has been married 42 years to Wendy and is father of Lars. He lives in California, so of course he is a surfing Instructor. He climbed Mt Whitney this past August. A message from Dave: "Write, call, and email. Your voice makes a difference! We encourage everyone who listens to PLAIN SPOKEN to contact them asking them simply to let the congregations leave who choose to leave. Dottie Escobido, Bishop: 626.568.7313. bishop@calpacumc.org US MAIL: P.O. Box 6006, Pasadena, CA 91102-6006 Sandra Olewine, District Superintendent: 619.239.9980 southdistrict@calpacumc.org US MAIL 26001 Muirlands Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Links: Surf City Church's Website - https://surfcity.church Video of Christmas at Surf City Church a couple months ago - https://youtu.be/Z7EOK77Wk1g?si=_Eszb6bRxRLGdXIR

This segment begins Part 8, which deals with the judicial branch of the denomination. Virtually all parties are agreed that there needs to be a means for the denomination to defend itself against bad actors on the inside. What does that look like? Will the denomination be able to correct bishops? Laity? What is the process for bringing up clergy on charges? Are those accused protected very well, or is it a guilty until proven innocent framework? This area, in particular, caused a lot of dysfunction in the UMC. In our conversation, I highlight a number of issues presented by our past that will hopefully be remedied in this new covenant body. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf Link to Judicial Practice and Procedure Rules of the Global Methodist Church (JPP) - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Judicial-Practice-and-Procedure-Rules-English.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.

I have recently been covering the formation of the Revised Social Principles in The United Methodist Church. I have also done a segment covering the Social Witness of the Global Methodist Church. Both documents were crafted in part by Chappell Temple. C. Chappell Temple is a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and teacher, who has been appointed to serve as the lead pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Sugar Land, Texas, a southwestern suburb of Houston. He holds degrees from SMU, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Rice University, and is an adjunct faculty member in the Houston program of Perkins School of Theology, teaching United Methodist history, doctrine, and polity. He has started teaching for Baylor at Truett in the last couple of years, teaching Methodist topics and Pastoral Care. He is now a Presiding Elder in the Trinity Conference of the GMC. He is a great fan of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, G.K. Chesterton, C.K. Barrett, J.I. Packer, N.T. Wright, and other British thinkers who, like him, don’t believe in using their actual first names. He blogs at chappelltemple.com.

Regionalization is perhaps the biggest push this year's General Conference is receiving from institutional bodies. As this episode demonstrates, it is the latest iteration of a legislative effort that has failed at the last couple General Conferences. The basic idea is to create a new level of administration for the denomination that will allow for continental regions to become more isolated from the influence of other continental regions, simultaneously gaining rights to further adjust their norms to suit their context. It will require a very invasive amendment to the denomination's constitution, which will require, not just a 2/3 majority vote at General Conference, but also a 2/3 vote of all annual conference delegates the following year. There is a lot on the line with this issue. This is only the first episode in which we will talk about it, with two more to follow. This episode covers a good deal of the history and the framework out of which this push has come. The topic isn't boring. It is rather necessary to understanding the precipice upon which the UMC currently sits. 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/1KTnzUbOO6NORahwa_nrdxKV1ftNxUQpQ/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=true

Listening to Kenneth Feinberg reflect on the disavowal of his mediation efforts caused me to really question if I had seen things wrongly all along. Mr. Feinberg seems at peace about it all. Maybe I should be. For reasons I explain in this segment, it still seems blatantly wrong, especially when the consequences are so huge. Spent a few minutes with me as I explain some basic Christian ethics that many can't see because they are too close.

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.