PlainSpoken

Rev. Dr. Anthony McPhail is one of a few minds in the South Georgia Provisional Conference of the Global Methodist Church working to equip the laity to serve faithfully and capably in their local churches. He has designed a course that effectively edifies the people who enroll, which he describes in this conversation. We talk about the historic role of laity within Methodism, as well as the ways in which we need laity to step up right now. If you want to check out his ministry and consider being equipped as a layperson in the GMC, you can find a helpful place here: https://www.sgagmc.org/certified-lay-ministry If you want to support my work, then consider becoming a supporter at plainspoken.locals.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

Angola is a country in the southwestern part of Africa. In this conversation, Rev. Dr. Bartolomeu Sapalo, who also serves on the Transitional Leadership Council of the Global Methodist Church, tells the history of Methodism in his country, and how he came to be a primary leader in bringing the GMC to his homeland. Lots of good history here, folks. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

REV. CANON DAVID ROSEBERRY has been an ordained Anglican priest for over 40 years. He was the founding Rector of Christ Church, in Plano, Texas for over 30 years. Currently, he is the Executive Director of the non-profit ministry of LeaderWorks which serves leaders and congregations in the Anglican Church in North America. He is also leads The LeaderWorks Trust, a kickstarter program granting funds for Anglican congregations and ministries helping them clarify their vision and mobilize supporters to give generously to it. He is a preacher, teacher, speaker and coach with a growing ministry through numerous books (available on Amazon). He and his wife Fran live in Plano, Texas. They have four children and five grandchildren.I wanted to speak with him to better understand similarities and differences between what happened in The Episcopal Church and The United Methodist Church with respect to liberal ideology and the division it caused in both denominations. Both the Anglican Church in North America and the Global Methodist Church are essentially refugee denominations from these hostile takeovers. To what degree did both groups deal with the same phenomenon, and what important differences were there? It is a large, broad topic. I have already spoken with Dean Wheeler about this with respect to the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA). This picks up with the same theme. Enjoy!If you want to examine Canon Roseberry's organization, or if you are an ACNA congregation that might like to consider his services, go to https://www.leaderworks.org/And if you would like to support me and the work that I am doing, you can go to plainspoken.locals.com to become a member or, even better, a supporter! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

Mike Todd of Transformation Church has made quite a name for himself over the last few years, often from shocking and over the top sermon illustrations. In this episode we look at a few examples of his preaching and see what is potentially problematic. Link to YouTube Version:If you enjoy what we are doing you can support us by subscribing on Locals. By doing so you help support this ministry while also getting special perks. Subscribe to Us On Locals: https://plainspoken.locals.com/Subscribe To Us On Substack: https://plainspokenpod.substack.com/ Follow Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlainSpokenPod/ Follow Us On Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PlainSpoken This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

At the end of the UMC General Conference Dr John Robbins, the senior pastor of Pulaski Heights UMC, presented a statement concerning the events to his church. This video has garnered widespread support and praise from those who agree with the outcome of the decisions made at General Conference and has made its rounds around the internet. In this episode we look at the arguments made and see if they are biblically sound or if they fall short and why they do so. Link To The Full Sermon:If you enjoy what we are doing you can support us by subscribing on Locals. By doing so you help support this ministry while also getting special perks. Subscribe to Us On Locals: https://plainspoken.locals.com/ Subscribe To Us On Substack: https://plainspokenpod.substack.com/ Follow Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlainSpokenPod/ Follow Us On Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PlainSpoken This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

Talbot Davis was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Princeton University and a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary. In 30+ years of full-time ministry in the Western North Carolina Annual Conference, he has served two appointments: Mt. Carmel-Midway (1990-1999) and Good Shepherd (1999-present).In this conversation, we talk a bit about sacramental theology, church growth practices, and the ways in which doctrinal fidelity impacts, not only church growth, but how ethnically and culturally diverse a church will be. While we do not carry love for the UMC leadership, we speak to conservatives still within the UMC, asking how it is that folks can righteously continue to participate in such a body. We also talk a bit about why he and his church have chosen not to join the GMC despite having initially signaled a desire to join up. Interesting stuff!Links:Talbot's Website - https://talbotdavis.com/Come Alive Website - https://www.inviteresources.com/lp/come-alive-series This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

This is from my Weekday Morning Briefing on Locals at plainspoken.locals.com. If you enjoy this content and would like to be part of a morning community of prayer and scripture, consider joining us!This topic is in response to a post on the UMC Clergy Facebook page which reminded readers that conservative Christians are not, in fact, good people, but actually want gay people to kill themselves. I spent some time answering that critique theologically and explaining why it is that this sentiment indicates a persistent intolerance among the left of people like me. They will not make room for anyone who espouses a theology that corrects our sexual desires or behaviors. Conservatives need to wake up and understand that they will increasingly be targeted for assimilation or expulsion, not just from the UMC, but from all denominations once called "mainline."Sorry for the video quality on this one. I forgot to hit record before talking this morning, so I had to download the final product, which isn't great. Hopefully the content is enough to make up for it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

Was Jesus rich? Should we expect to be financially prosperous as Christians? You've probably seen videos floating around on the internet claiming many of those things. We take a look at a few of those videos and discuss what the Bible actually says about these things and what our response should be when presented with such ideas. If you enjoy what we are doing you can support us by subscribing on Locals. By doing so you help support this ministry while also getting special perks. Subscribe to Us On Locals: https://plainspoken.locals.com/ Subscribe To Us On Substack: https://plainspokenpod.substack.com/ Follow Us On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlainSpokenPod/ Follow Us On Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/PlainSpoken This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

In the fallout from the unfortunate General Conference of The United Methodist Church held last month, many United Methodists, inside and outside of America, are trying to discern if the UMC can continue to be a viable home for them. In Africa, many conferences are increasingly clear that they want to at least have a conversation about leaving. Some bishops are willing to shepherd their people. Bishop Quire of Liberia seems unwilling.In this segment, I detail some of the particulars around developments, trying to elucidate how it is that different forces come into play in dynamics like this. I hope Liberian brothers and sisters feel like I have accurately portrayed the situation there. I did my best to understand the Board of Ordained Ministry letter, in particular, so that a western audience can better understand how to pray for you.Links:Letter from Liberian Board of Ordained Ministry calling out Bishop Quire - https://www.facebook.com/alfredkwabena.mensah.5/posts/pfbid02Kujfpwf9aisPPqj6THCUNQyQWXSn8Jjsv4Da4u5Lia7yiEzkVewQQ5m8bzph3fDulUMNews Article Alleging 'Misinfo' - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/liberian-bishop-counters-misinformationBishop Quire's Text to Press Release - https://liberiaumc.org/statement-to-the-people-called-united-methodists-and-the-general-public-on-recent-decisions-of-the-just-ended-general-conference-of-the-united-methodist-church/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com

In previous coverage on Alabama-West Florida, we have noted a lot of strangeness. It would now seem that, despite past assurances made, the conference is entrapping all of their congregations whether or not they want to remain part of The United Methodist Church. In this segment, I read over a couple of short articles and then watch footage from this recent session of their conference.Links:"Alabama Supreme Court upholds dismissal of UMC disaffiliation lawsuit brought by 48 Methodist churches" by Caleb Taylor in 1819 News - https://1819news.com/news/item/alabama-supreme-court-upholds-dismissal-of-lawsuit-from-48-methodist-churches-seeking-to-disaffiliate-with-umc"‘Let us leave’: United Methodist churches still blocked from disaffiliating in Alabama-West Florida Conference" by Greg Garrison on AL.com - https://www.al.com/news/2024/06/let-us-leave-united-methodist-churches-still-blocked-from-disaffiliating-in-alabama-west-florida-conference.html?outputType=amp This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit plainspokenpod.substack.com