PlainSpoken

This question deals with the nature of Christ in that he was active during the creation of all things. We go through the scriptures as usual to learn more about how that came to be. Enjoy this shorter episode! 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

Dan Latta, joining me from his wife’s artistic studio (hence the flowery stuff in the background), has been leading a small group of faithful who left their United Methodist local church behind. The Lord has providentially cared for them as they have sought to build a new fellowship together. Rev. Matt Sichel connected Dan and me, hoping that this segment might speak to those who are perhaps considering departing from The United Methodist Church. If you are happily placed within the UMC, then this segment is not for you. But if you or your church have been interested in exploring questions around what life looks like outside of the UM framework, then you might really enjoy this.In this segment, Dan tells the story of the fellowship he is serving. He details how they covered the task of securing a location and a leader. We talk about some basic logistics and theology around these concerns. We both prayed that this would be of benefit to many communities of faith. May it be a blessing to you. 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

Recent budgetary reporting from the General Council on Finance and Administration is sobering. The quadrennial budget is being slashed almost in half. Meanwhile, a report on reserves offers some hope about potential additional resources in the short term that could potentially offset some of the burden for those churches that have stayed in the fold.This segment deals with the general topic, how a budget is created, who participates in the discussions, how things proceed at General Conference, and how each of the different power brokers and constituencies navigate these dynamics. We hope this is of benefit to everyone as they continue praying for April's General Conference! 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 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. 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

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 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

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. 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

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/ 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 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. 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

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... 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