PlainSpoken

This is the final section of the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline. It covers how property is going to work in the GMC. I was actually a little distressed to find that I have not administered my own GM local churches correctly. It turns out there are a few expectations that very few seem to be aware of or concerned about. It might be worth taking some time to make sure your own church is in compliance. While I'm no legal expert, it seems to me that some of this stuff could have very practical and important implications for local churchesLink to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.pdfIf you would like to make a gift directly to the church that sponsors this, here is the link: https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808If you would like to become a supporter on Locals, where we offer unique content and host exclusive live streams, go to plainspoken.locals.com. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

A GCFA report showing massive denominational reserves for The United Methodist Church calls into question the somewhat moderate reduction of the general budget being recommended by the GCFA at next month's General Conference. While it is the biggest reduction in the history of the denomination, it is also following the biggest exodus of churches the denomination has ever seen. Is this reduction sufficient to alleviate the burden on those churches left behind? There is some decent theology of money here. We compare and contrast the culture of stewardship between the UMC and what we hope the GMC will be. Matthew speaks from experience. He worked professionally in finance before pivoting into ministry. As a minister, he worked for GCFA for a few years. Today, he is the Treasurer for the MidSouth Annual Conference of the GMC. He also serves on the GMC's Transitional Finance Committee. His mind is worth consulting. He told me many things that surprised me. For instance, I was very surprised to learn how reserves in the UMC are generally invested. There is a lot more that I don't want to write up here. You'll just have to watch it. Enjoy! Links: "What's New For GC 2024: Part 1" by Taylor Watson Burton Edwards - https://www.umc.org/en/content/ask-the-umc-whats-new-gc2024-part-1-budget "Updated Reserves Analysis" 2018-2022 by GCFA - https://www.gcfa.org/_files/ugd/485b51_49a1e07af59d4b2e97b62c6f7bcf3b22.pdf "Boards Push Forward Despite Budget Cuts" by Jim Patterson - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/boards-push-forward-despite-budget-cuts Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Many heresies have developed over the years around the person of Christ. Specifically, is he a created being, lesser than the Father? Without a doubt, the answer is ‘no.’ In this segment, we go through many scriptures equating the Son with the Father, and we talk about the mystery of the God-man, who was the image of the invisible God. Take some time to think through this truth with 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. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

John Ed Mathison is a respected leader in Methodism. He was the pastor of Frazer United Methodist Church in Montgomery, AL for more than two decades. He passionately worked to make the church an engine of reaching as many people as possible, and he was met with great success. In retirement, he has continued to joyfully serve in ministry with the churches of the Alabama-West Florida Annual Conference as pulpit supply, as a friend and counselor, as a coach and mentor. When disaffiliation season began, he helped many disaffiliating churches fill the pulpit, including that of what was Auburn UMC before a great number of them left and started their own community. When the conference leadership asked him in writing to quit helping those congregations that had left, John Ed knew that he needed to end his affiliation with The United Methodist Church. After three generations tied to the denomination over the course of more than a century, John Ed left the UMC. Rather, in his article, he says the UMC left him. This is a conversation with this man who continues to pour his life out for the bride of Christ. It is intended to be a blessing to many others who are thinking of similarly ending their relationship with the UMC, and who want to count the cost with someone who is paying the price. Consider supporting John Ed's ministry at his leadership ministry. You can find him at www.johnedmathison.org, where he is regularly producing content for the good of the church, whether or not one is called a Methodist. Links: "A Defining Day," the article referenced in this piece - https://johnedmathison.org/a-defining-day/ Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Discussion with Jamie Bambrick on cultural forces impacting ministries, history of Northern Ireland, video creation for public engagement, roles of an associate pastor, immigration challenges, societal sins, balancing tradition and modernity in Methodism, and experiences in charismatic Christianity and mega church culture.

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... Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

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. Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

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 Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe