PlainSpoken

This episode picks up where we left off previously. We began by addressing questions presented by viewers and commenters. We talked about the likelihood that petitions from those who have since left will be discarded, among other topics. The largest area of concern for this episode was the utility of the favored regionalization plan when it does not plan to eliminate the previously-racialist jurisdictional system. To download your own copy of the Advance Daily Christian Advocate, go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/general-conference-2020-advance-daily-christian-advocate. To download a copy of Lonnie's Matrix of Petitions, go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KTnzUbOO6NORahwa_nrdxKV1ftNxUQpQ/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=true 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. Housholder has an MDiv. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Bonn. As a multi-vocational pastor at The Well at Surf City, he has 40 years of ministry experience. David is a biblical linguist specializing in Semitic studies. He also happens to be a STEM Representative for the Senior Leadership Team at Concordia University-Irvine. David is the author of four books. He is an ordained pastor in the Foursquare Church and a founding pastor of the Well a Surf City. HE has been married 42 years to Wendy and is father of Lars. He lives in California, so of course he is a surfing Instructor. He climbed Mt Whitney this past August. A message from Dave: "Write, call, and email. Your voice makes a difference! We encourage everyone who listens to PLAIN SPOKEN to contact them asking them simply to let the congregations leave who choose to leave. Dottie Escobido, Bishop: 626.568.7313. bishop@calpacumc.org US MAIL: P.O. Box 6006, Pasadena, CA 91102-6006 Sandra Olewine, District Superintendent: 619.239.9980 southdistrict@calpacumc.org US MAIL 26001 Muirlands Blvd, Mission Viejo, CA 92691 Links: Surf City Church's Website - https://surfcity.church Video of Christmas at Surf City Church a couple months ago - 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 segment begins Part 8, which deals with the judicial branch of the denomination. Virtually all parties are agreed that there needs to be a means for the denomination to defend itself against bad actors on the inside. What does that look like? Will the denomination be able to correct bishops? Laity? What is the process for bringing up clergy on charges? Are those accused protected very well, or is it a guilty until proven innocent framework? This area, in particular, caused a lot of dysfunction in the UMC. In our conversation, I highlight a number of issues presented by our past that will hopefully be remedied in this new covenant body. 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

This segment deals with five of God's qualities that are to be found throughout Christian scripture. Susanna and I walk through the suggested readings in the catechism and identify what we can see in each, connecting these themes in the end to Article I of the Confession of Faith. This is honestly a great exercise for anyone to meditate upon God's nature. I know Susanna is a little out of focus. Very frustrating, as I'm sure she is easier on the eyes than my haggard face. Forgive me! 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

I have recently been covering the formation of the Revised Social Principles in The United Methodist Church. I have also done a segment covering the Social Witness of the Global Methodist Church. Both documents were crafted in part by Chappell Temple. C. Chappell Temple is a husband, father, grandfather, pastor, and teacher, who has been appointed to serve as the lead pastor of Christ United Methodist Church in Sugar Land, Texas, a southwestern suburb of Houston. He  holds degrees from SMU, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and Rice University, and is an adjunct faculty member in the Houston program of Perkins School of Theology, teaching United Methodist history, doctrine, and polity. He has started teaching for Baylor at Truett in the last couple of years, teaching Methodist topics and Pastoral Care. He is now a Presiding Elder in the Trinity Conference of the GMC. He is a great fan of C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkein, G.K. Chesterton, C.K. Barrett, J.I. Packer, N.T. Wright, and other British thinkers who, like him, don’t believe in using their actual first names. He blogs at chappelltemple.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

This section deals almost exclusively with the Transitional Leadership Committee. This is the group that currently oversees the daily needs of the denomination, overseeing a number of other groups, some of which are stipulated in this section. This section spells out, commission, and limits the authority of this board, doing the same for Keith Boyette's position. It is illuminating in that it better explains all the developments of these last few months. It has been a wild ride, but the TLC has had a firm had on the wheel. We also try to speak to what the odds are that any group like this will exist after the Convening Conference this September. Link to Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Transitional-Discipline.20231130.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

Regionalization is perhaps the biggest push this year's General Conference is receiving from institutional bodies. As this episode demonstrates, it is the latest iteration of a legislative effort that has failed at the last couple General Conferences. The basic idea is to create a new level of administration for the denomination that will allow for continental regions to become more isolated from the influence of other continental regions, simultaneously gaining rights to further adjust their norms to suit their context. It will require a very invasive amendment to the denomination's constitution, which will require, not just a 2/3 majority vote at General Conference, but also a 2/3 vote of all annual conference delegates the following year. There is a lot on the line with this issue. This is only the first episode in which we will talk about it, with two more to follow. This episode covers a good deal of the history and the framework out of which this push has come. The topic isn't boring. It is rather necessary to understanding the precipice upon which the UMC currently sits. To download your own copy of the Advance Daily Christian Advocate, go to https://www.resourceumc.org/en/content/general-conference-2020-advance-daily-christian-advocate. To download a copy of Lonnie's Matrix of Petitions, go to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1KTnzUbOO6NORahwa_nrdxKV1ftNxUQpQ/edit?usp=share_link&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=true 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

Listening to Kenneth Feinberg reflect on the disavowal of his mediation efforts caused me to really question if I had seen things wrongly all along. Mr. Feinberg seems at peace about it all. Maybe I should be. For reasons I explain in this segment, it still seems blatantly wrong, especially when the consequences are so huge. Spend a few minutes with me as I explain some basic Christian ethics that many can't see because they are too close. 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 deals explicitly with the biblical doctrinal understanding of the Trinity. We read each of the New Testament segments that mention all three of the persons of God together, and we actually get into some pretty decent trinitarian systematic theology around soteriology (how it is that God saves us). Very decent conversation here about what it means to be saved by one God in three persons. All true believers, not just Methodists, should be interested in this conversation. 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

Kenneth R. Feinberg is one of the nation’s leading experts in mediation and alternative dispute resolution. He has been appointed to administer numerous high-profile compensation programs, having served as special master of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (appointed by the administration of President George Bush), TARP Executive Compensation, and the Agent Orange Victim Compensation Program. Feinberg was appointed by the administration of President Barack Obama to serve as administrator of the Gulf Coast Claims Facility to compensate victims of the BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. He also served as administrator of the Aurora Victim Relief Fund following the Aurora, Colorado, shootings in 2012 as well as administrator of the Virginia Tech Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund in 2007. Feinberg served as administrator of the One Fund Boston Victim Relief Fund, established to benefit the victims of the Boston Marathon attacks of April 15, 2013 and is currently working with the “RoundUp” weedkiller cancer case and the Boeing MaxAir 737 settlements. He served as assistant U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York from 1972 to 1975; special counsel for U.S. Senate Committee on the Judiciary from 1975 to 1980; chief of staff to Senator Edward M. Kennedy from 1978 to 1980; founding partner of the Washington office of Kaye Scholar in 1980; and founder of The Feinberg Group in 1993. He has served as adjunct professor of law at Harvard Law School, Columbia Law School, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Georgetown University Law Center, New York University School of Law, the University of Virginia School of Law, and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. He served as a law clerk for Chief Judge Stanley H. Fuld, New York State Court of Appeals from 1970 to 1972. Feinberg received his J.D. from New York University School of Law in 1970, where he was articles editor of the Law Review, and his B.A. from the University of Massachusetts in 1967 Links: Protocol Website: https://www.gracethroughseparation.com/legislation 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