PlainSpoken

The Convening Conference for the Global Methodist Church is approaching. It will do many things similarly to how the UMC does their conferences. However, there will be many differences. The only way to navigate this September is to understand the design that they have made explicit in their "THE CONVENING GENERAL CONFERENCE COMMUNITY: PLAN OF ORGANIZATION AND COVENANT FOR OUR LIFE TOGETHER" document. So TJ and walk through this document in this segment and try to get clear on the timeline for what is to transpire. Those of you who are interested in tracking these developments in September would be wise to spend time getting oriented with us. LGMC Website: www.globalmethodist.org General Conference Website: https://www.sotheworldwillknow.org/ The Convening General Conference Community Document: https://assets-global.website-files.com/65ecb1a33dc79361d6f90b07/6619cdf0ca169e0b60fa4a89_Plan%20of%20Organization%20%2B%20Covenant%20202403.pdf Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

When the General Conference met in Charlotte, NC, Rob Renfroe was there in a different capacity than ever: He knew that the long term agenda of evangelicals would lose, so he gave no resistance. His only purpose in attending was to support those remaining evangelicals who would otherwise be trapped, advocating for a way for them to exit. For that, he was maligned and insulted, even by a person or two speaking on the floor of plenary.I wanted to take some time to hear from Rob himself to ask about things that went on behind the scenes at General Conference, and to ask him about his plans for the future now that this chapter has closed. Consider spending time with Rob and me as we digest what transpired together.If you want to show appreciation for this broadcast, you can give to my church at https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808.If you want to join my Locals community, you can go to plainspoken.locals.com.You can also support my work at plainspoken.substack.com and at jeffreyrickman.substack.com. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Mark Tooley has been the President of the Institute for Religion and Democracy for some time. The IRD is a think tank and activist coordination entity that has been operational in Methodism for some time. Mark has been a thought leader and source of information for faithful Methodists for many decades, educating and supporting evangelical Methodism consistently.In this conversation, Mark and I talk Wesleyan political theory and try to share an understanding of how contemporary institutions work. Mark explains his political framework of choice, Whiggery, alongside other models of more reactionary conservatism (which I generally adopt). It is a robust discourse, in which a final hope for the Global Methodist Church is offered. I hope this conversation is a blessing to you in the way that it was to me.Links:The Institute for Religion & Democracy - www.theird.orgMark Tooley's "Juicy Ecumenism" publication website - https://juicyecumenism.com/Tooley's most recent book, "The Peace That Almost Was" - https://www.amazon.com/The-Peace-That-Almost-Was/dp/0718022238The IRD's John Wesley Institute - https://nextmethodism.org/ Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Andrew V. Sullivan is a PhD candidate in History, doing his dissertation on Wesleyanism, currently completing his program at Liberty University. A sixth-generation Texan, he aims to serve the Global Methodist Church in the academy, helping to train up a new generation of faithful Methodist clergy to spread scriptural holiness across the land. He is of exceptional knowledge in Methodist history and theology.In this segment, he explains how Socinianism and Pelagianism are both threats to modern Methodism, and what language currently reflects a potential openness to these schools of thought. I am to speak with Andrew at least a couple more times, so go ahead and get to know him!Links:Sullivan's Article on Evangelical Arminians - https://evangelicalarminians.org/andrew-sullivan-harmony-of-the-arminian-faith-a-proposal-to-the-global-methodist-church-full-thesis/Richard Watson, Methodism's first systematic theology textbook: https://www.amazon.com/Theological-Institutes-Two-Lexham-Classics/dp/1683591208/ref=sr_1_1?crid=CEWFPP6MHGAD&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TtyqeRP1rUcs3LYl5A475LdAlmRGH1vow_-I40fdAa7hp6v0W9h6CMKCXL-blHIOwVQm7bC23tYkSRgUu859W5crAohUDVJ8j8qqPrQYmYjDD895jSiHFyglOUJD2aBQIl5mjkYuf30HbUPW5vMwhbB7lAtphZNhOJcaKfDvGDcbaN2ACABmBXz3f87HLH9KiMajudeX5bEFLPVLLP8DJaIpqrD0lmrNf9hkt3YQqYM.BDwwC6M8i-FY63Fh0X1L_rGpLZKwp92DEgGzSlMaho0&dib_tag=se&keywords=richard+watson+theological+institutes&qid=1713807737&sprefix=richard+watson%2Caps%2C127&sr=8-1.Thomas N. Ralston, Methodist Episcopal Church South - https://archive.org/details/elementsofdivini0000rals/mode/2upThomas O. Summers, Methodist Episcopal Church South - https://archive.org/details/systematictheolo02summ/page/n5/mode/2upAdam Clarke, Wesleyan Methodist Connection of Great Britain - https://bibleportal.com/commentary/adam-clarke Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Chris Ritter blogs at PeopleNeedJesus.net. He is the pastor of First Methodist Church in Geneseo, Illinois, a congregation that has been recognized for its high number of professions of faith. In addition to authoring "Seven Things John Wesley Expected Us to Do for Kids" (Abingdon Press, 2016), Chris has published several chapters and published articles on topics pertinent to Methodism, evangelism, and effective local church ministry. He was delegate to the 2016 and 2019 General Conferences of The United Methodist Church and was involved in helping develop two plans put forward by The Commission on a Way Forward. An ordained elder in the Global Methodist Church, Chris holds a doctorate in evangelism from the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University and a Master of Divinity from the Candler School of Theology at Emory University. He has been fortunate to travel and witness the vibrancy of the church outside the United States.I wanted to speak to Chris because of his proximity to the conversations that are generating this new (or older) understanding of episcopacy that will become a part of the culture of the Global Methodist Church. He also has a great birdseye view of Methodism more broadly. His is an informed perspective. I'm glad he took the time to visit with me.Links:Christopher's Website - peopleneedjesus.netChristopher's Book - https://a.co/d/2A1jFDtChristopher's article detailing new developments w/ GMC episcopacy - https://peopleneedjesus.net/2024/04/10/just-dropped-big-recommendations-on-the-proposed-shape-of-the-global-methodist-church/The "UM Fallout Compendium," which Ritter hosts and is a source for a lot of my reporting - https://peopleneedjesus.net/2024/02/24/um-fallout-a-compendium/Episcopacy recommendations from the GMC - https://globalmethodist.org/gm-churchs-transitional-leadership-council-offers-proposals-on-the-nature-of-the-episcopacy/ Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

In our 12th and final episode before the beginning of General Conference, this crew tries to ascertain the truth of where things stand. Simon was able to join us and give a report on the Africa Initiative's gathering and statements with respect to their polar opposition to Mainstream UMC, the visa process and how many delegates are left behind, and possible cooperative efforts once the African delegations are all in the US.We then spent the last 30 minutes or so talking through what the bishop's gathering right now is looking like, and some last minute options for changing the "harmful language" around sexual behavior or identity, depending on who is talking. Our crew doesn't all think the same about such things.It was an interesting and worthy time. Those interested to know the different options for what can happen in the coming weeks will be glad to spend the time with us. We hope this is of benefit to the denomination. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

A few months ago, I sat down with my friends TJ and Robby and reviewed some of the teachings of Adam Hamilton. It was a good way for friends to seek the mind of Christ and apply his scriptures to today's church.I decided to get the band back together and see what biblical and practical wisdom my brothers would have. We go over some of the video, try to reconstruct a timeline, try to wrestle with the scriptures. Overall, it's just some woefully unprepared guys trying to understand Charismatic NAR folks. I think you'll enjoy it. I enjoyed my time with my brothers in Christ.I know there have been developments since we discussed this, and my grasp of the timeline is a little off, but the conversation is worthy because of its theological commentary and the interpersonal exchange. Enjoy! Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Richard Ackerman AKA Redeemed Zoomer started the Operation Reconquista movement in earnest almost a year ago. Since then, he has amassed quite a following of young people aiming to "retake the mainline." In this conversation, we talk about the various strategies available to Christians of many traditions to fight those forces that would see the church dismembered and coopted. Ackerman is of the mind that the dominant mode of conservative warfare, retreat, is not working. Rather, he advocates for more organization, more commitment and staying power, than our adversaries.As an elder of the Global Methodist Church, I chose my strategy. However, it is possible that there is still a role to play for conservatives within the UMC. We also talk about the PCUSA and the imminent threats to conservatives in that body. Many would dismiss Ackerman as overly idealistic, but the man seems to have history on his side. Is our historical moment as exceptional as it feels, or are we just like every other generation of saints that came before?Lots of good questions answered, and some asked, in this segment. I hope you enjoy.Links:Operation Reconquista Site - https://www.operationreconquista.com/Young Methodists for Tradition - https://www.youngmethodistsfortradition.org/Article on Taylor Eubanks Lying to Punish Conservative Anglican Clergy - https://livingchurch.org/2024/04/16/weaponizing-title-iv-for-ideological-purposes/ Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

The Africa Initiative released a statement dealing with their consensus positions with respect to the primary issues before the UM General Conference next week. There has been a good deal of confusion about how United Methodists in Africa are perceiving their treatment by UM leadership. Recent statements from the UM Africa Forum and Africa Voices of Unity have made it clear that they have not been treated well. The Africa Initiative is a final nail in this coffin. This calls into the question the legitimacy of next week's meeting, as well as any decisions reached. If the assembled body is happy making decisions without the input of the full breadth of African voices, then this makes a loud statement as to the character of such a body. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

After a conference Zoom meeting to present the Dakotas delegation and the issues they will be dealing with, there were follow-up questions that were addressed on a conference Q&A document. Whoever wrote the response was candid in a way that the institution of the UMC would almost certainly not approve. This sort of breaking rank is a breath of fresh air when institutional forces are working so hard to control the narrative.The frankness of this document is really quite rare from within the UMC umbrella. Take a few moments to assess these issues without the institutional bias. Especially if you aren't quite informed yet on the issues at play, this is a good way to get a brief introduction to the topics at hand.Links:Dakotas Conference Webinar w/ Links - https://www.dakotasumc.org/news/the-business-of-general-conference-dakotas-delegations-webinar-summaryConference Q&A Document - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pdNO88jgkDyHax7HAW4X6WJd_WMIR0yVlJZkcxtZnfQ/edit Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe