PlainSpoken

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

This is a weekly time to talk about all things Methodist and Christian. Topics range from the UMC/GMC split to church revitalization. We talk theology and practical church stuff. There is a good crew with lots of insightful comments. Join us!

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

In this segment, I cover a series of memes published last week on the Friends of The United Methodist Church Facebook Group. It is functionally a big cope that has great potential to continue destructive trends of self-justification and projection. I worry that a lot of folks who decided to stay might unquestioning adopt some of this reasoning, and I would rob them of that if I could in order to facilitate mutual understanding. Faith seeks understanding, remember. I left the UMC, but that doesn't mean I gave up on the ability of all United Methodists to reason through things. In the lead up to General Conference 2020 in 2024, I think it is important for as many UMs as possible to sober up!

Rev. Dr. Matt O'Reilly is Lead Pastor of Christ Church in Birmingham, Alabama, Director of Research at Wesley Biblical Seminary, and a fellow of the Center for Pastor Theologians. He has been facilitating Methodist theological education online for many years. His effort is called Theology Project. Matt and his church will be hosting the Reconstructing Methodist Conference on April 26-27. Those who want to attend can get a $10 discount by the promo code ’PS10.’ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/theologyprojectonline Web: www.theologyproject.online Twitter:@mporeilly Books * Paul and the Resurrected Body: Social Identity and Ethical Practice (SBL Press) https://amzn.to/48tlyvu * The Letters to the Thessalonians (Seedbed)https://amzn.to/3GTduIP * The Question of Holiness (Seedbed, forthcoming) Links: O’Reilly’s List of Methodist Doctrines & Practices - https://5c8c126c-2e97-491d-8c3d-c68de0039a1b.usrfiles.com/ugd/5c8c12_d6a7debb6cb345b3af3dcf38dd2a2fc7.pdf Reconstructing Methodism Conference Page - https://www.reconstructingmethodism.com

We pick up in ¶409 with the specifics involved in ordaining deacons and elders, and proceeding into various ideas and capacities for ordained clergy in the GMC. We covered some good ground, so make sure to come along for the ride. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdf

On Monday it was announced that Roman Catholic practice can now be changed to be more accommodating of homosexual unions and other nontraditional couplings. There is still some confusion about to what degree this is implicitly or explicitly declaring sexual behavior to be no longer problematic in one’s relationship with the Lord or his church. While many Roman Catholics tout the faithfulness of their ‘one true church,’ Protestants like me are getting the impression that their house in struggling similarly to ours. This segment covers some of the particulars of the new language and ties the undergirding theology around sexual behavior and gender to phenomena we also see in many other denominations. In particular, we will look at the Episcopal Church and its postmortem sanctification of gay martyr Matthew Shepard, coupled with the drag show phenomenon. For those who are incredulous at the continued development of these insults, I hope it helpful to think through these things and to connect some of these dots. Links: NPR Article “Pope Francis approves Catholic blessings for same-sex couples, but not for marriage” by Becky Sullivan - https://www.npr.org/2023/12/18/1220077102/pope-francis-blessings-same-sex-couples Fiducia Supplicans (the Roman Catholic document in question) - https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2023/12/18/0901/01963.html#en Roman Catholic Bishop Robert Barron’s Statement on the document - https://twitter.com/BishopBarron/status/1737574875395391530/photo/1 IRD Article on Drag Worship Service for Matthew Shepard “Drag ‘Sister’ Indulges Episcopal Washington National Cathedral” by Jeffrey Walton - https://juicyecumenism.com/2023/12/12/perpetual-indulgence/ YouTube Video of the Actual Service at the National Cathedral - https://www.youtube.com/live/J0VGWyE6Tw0?si=xd2psBP0XOavEe9n Wikipedia Page for Matthew Shepard - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Shepard

Yesterday’s report dealt partly with an article written by Ruth Graham for the New York Times. Part of it stated the primary reason for disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church being opposition to gay marriage and ordination. I got an email from a gentleman who wanted me to speak about this. Is it really the case that the primary reason for the “biggest denominational split ever” is the gay stuff? Or are things perhaps a bit more complicated than that? Links: This PlainSpoken Substack Article - https://open.substack.com/pub/plainspokenpod/p/is-it-really-all-about-the-gay-stuff?r=17brpc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcome=true New York Times Article “With a Deadline Looming, The United Methodist Church Breaks Up - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/us/the-united-methodist-church-schism.html

The denominational woes of The United Methodist Church has been remarked upon by worldly sources a few times over the years. Now that disaffiliation season under Paragraph 2553 has concluded, a couple larger outlets have decided to tell our story to the rest of their reading audiences. In this segment, I walk through the reporting of both outlets to some degree, while also consulting a couple of other resources for ascertaining where things currently stand. While my commentary (and the buzzy audio) might be lacking in this one, the resources presented here, especially the interactive map and the GCFA list of largest churches, are worthy resources, so here are all the links to the resources consulted in this segment: Liam Adams Tweet Thread: https://twitter.com/liamsadams/status/1735718114367504847 Tennessean Interactive Map “Total churches that have disaffiliated from United Methodist Church since 2019” - https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/11865260/ UMNews Disaffiliation Numbers Spreadsheet - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/disaffiliations-approved-by-annual-conferences Jimmy Boone’s UM Disaffiliations Tally - https://www.facebook.com/groups/197734687313310/permalink/1841598499593579 Talbot Davis Tweet on NYTimes Article - https://twitter.com/TalbotDavis New York Times Article “With a Deadline Looming, The United Methodist Church Breaks Up - https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/us/the-united-methodist-church-schism.html?unlocked_article_code=1.G00.GTs9.wlHnAcOOD46l&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare GCFA’s “2020 Top 100 Churches by Attendance” - https://www.gcfa.org/_files/ugd/5524b1_20f39c75fee649c69ec49751578b2b08.pdf