PlainSpoken

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. 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. 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. 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

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 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

Last week video was circulated on Twitter of Mark Nakagawa, who had retired as a District Superintendent from the California Pacific Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church last year. He recently made headlines when he wrote a swastika on a neighbor's property. This segment deals with why he might have done this, what ideology would undergird such behavior, and what, if anything, that has to do with mainline denominationalism. This has some summary history of neoMarxism involved that may shed some light. It also addresses contemporary antisemitism in America. This stuff is probably all connected.If you would like to become a supporter of my work, you should go to plainspoken.locals.com. Thanks! 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 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. 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

Given that the topic of Regionalization is set to be the main priority at April's 2020/2024 General Conference of the UMC, we knew we should spend one more week on the topic. Thus far, we had done a good job rehearsing the history leading up to this point and giving broad sketches of the favored plans before the conference. Yet there were a number of lingering issues that needed addressing for a sympathetic portrait to be rendered of the legislation. Amy was kind enough to put energy into making this episode a more charitable picture of the Christmas Covenant legislation, as well as the overall project of Regionalization. She asked Lloyd Nyarota, one of the original Christmas Covenant authors, to present on the history of its development and the theology undergirding it. What follows is indeed lengthy, but we wanted to do our part to make sure we had provided ample time for the alternative viewpoint. Speaking for myself, I learned several new things and was glad I spent the time on this when it was over. I hope you have a similar experience. 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

Episode 21, Paragraphs 809 - 118. This week deals with trials and appeals within the judicial system of the Global Methodist Church. What happens when charges are brought against someone within the church? 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

The three key words for this session are “Creator, Sovereign, Preserver.” What do each of them mean? How do they impact our relationship with the Lord? How do the realities of God’s nature impact the ways in which we go about our lives together? As always, I urge you to consider the ways in which you can use this material to benefit your local church, especially the children in your orbit. Folks need to be equipped with good, biblical doctrine. Susanna and I are doing whatever we can to give this next generation of Methodists the vocabulary they need to reclaim your faith. Use 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

Robert Worthington is an immigrant from Chile. Having studied here as a foreign exchange student, he came to love the Christian faith through the Methodist lens. He is somewhat of a polymath in the professional world, but his calling seems to be to apologetics, which is rightly understood as effectively engaging detractors of the faith. In our conversation, Robert winsomely presented the gospel, as well as how to advance the cause of Christ against our many cultured despisers. He has personal experience engaging in the sort of interfaith dialogue that is required in our pluralistic society. He is also patient in his demeanor, which is important when dealing with hardheaded people like me. Many are sure to enjoy learning from Robert quite a bit!Links:Robert’s Regular Blog & Bible Study - https://www.mattchristiansenmedia.com/bible-studyWilliam Layne Craig’s “Defenders” Series - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIpO3BUiq2IH1ocE76paUM_OxUZTL3XYh&si=OmrVaS16H6UKNm2S"Doctrine of Election: Doctrine of Salvation” Podcast Series - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIpO3BUiq2IHt7bJnTIuln-uDzSxaOGGu&si=B7TCPlsk_Cr6E6JBWilliam Layne Craig’s “Doctrine of Man” Series - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIpO3BUiq2IFJ7TORDSoj3VLiTv5oMbVj&si=FbO-3R3uj1ZhmUspA Write-Up on the Kalam Cosmological Argument - https://www.reasonablefaith.org/writings/popular-writings/existence-nature-of-god/the-kalam-cosmological-argument?gad_source=1Presentation of the Ontological Argument by Gavin Ortlund -Presentation of the Fine Tuning Argument by Luke Barnes - 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

Dr. Lathem is the Co-Founder and President Emeritus of the Wesleyan Seminary of Venezuela (Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela). www.semwesven.org The Seminary is 21 years old and offers an Associate and a Bachelor Degree. It is located in Barquisimeto, Venezuela and has trained over 1,000 Christian leaders, and in partnership with the International Leadership Institute has trained over 5,000 leaders. The Seminary is the only school of its kind in Venezuela offering academically sound educational/Christian opportunities to pastors and students in an affordable and accessible manner within the Wesleyan Tradition. This is a great opportunity for partnerships by people who want to make a real difference in the lives of people serving Christ in one of the most critical countries in the Western Hemisphere. Dr. Lathem also had the privilege to preside at the founding conference of the Methodist Church of Venezuela in 2007. The conference began with 12 churches and now has 59 churches. He considers this one of the greatest honors of his life. In 2014 he co-founded the Wesley Medical Center on the Campus of the Seminario Wesleyano de Venezuela. It is the first Protestant Medical Center in Venezuela, employing 100 medical professionals in 5 locations. The work in Venezuela has been accomplished through the support of Venezuela Now, Inc. a non-profit GA corporation he founded in 2002. www.venezuelanow.org Dr. Lathem is the former District Superintendent of the Atlanta-Marietta District of the North Georgia Conference of the United Methodist Church where he supervised the work of 42,000 members. He has pastored churches since 1972. His experience includes numerous seminars, training events, church consultations, mentoring, teaching in 5 seminaries, crusade evangelism, ministry pioneer, camp meetings, and revivals nationally and internationally. His last pastoral appointment was to the Mount Pisgah UM Church which he served for over 17 years. During his tenure, it grew from 75 in worship to an average of 3,000, the fourth largest UMC (based on average attendance) in the U.S. More importantly, during those years over 60% of the 5000 new members (net) who joined were by Profession of Faith. He has always been committed to reaching the unchurched with the Good News of Jesus Christ. Links: Venezuela Now, Inc. - www.venezuelanow.org 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