PlainSpoken

Rev. Dr. Brian J. Abasciano is a graduate of Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity. He received his Ph.D. in Divinity/New Testament from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland. He currently serves as an adjunct professor of New Testament at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He also is the President of the Society of Evangelical Arminians. In this segment, Brian helps me to see through the Arminian lens to contemplate the nature of God and the salvation he offers. Jacob's Arminius, the namesake of Arminianism, was far from a liberal or a semi-Pelagian. People rarely understand that it is much more robust than the majority of its supporters. Dr. Abasciano does well in making the case for this framework, answering a few of my criticisms and concerns affably and capably. Links: The Society of Evangelical Armenians - https://evangelicalarminians.org Abasciano's "The FACTS of Salvation: A Summary of Arminian Theology/the Biblical Doctrines of Grace" - https://evangelicalarminians.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Abasciano.-The-FACTS-of-Salvation1.pdf 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 turned out being surprisingly interesting and well-balanced. It is equal parts recent history, General Conference petitions, ethics, and relationships. There are many petitions coming before the General Conference that deal with the question of what to do with local churches, and even annual conferences, that no longer want to be affiliated with The United Methodist Church. It is important that delegates know how to think through these things faithfully. We were able to cover a lot of good ground in this one. We hope you enjoy and benefit from spending time with us! 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/1_mbHq9ABRo8D4BjDVGcjxjx6DOxSv2Gx/edit?usp=sharing&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

We pick up halfway through Section 6, now detailing how annual conferences are supposed to be composed, how they should function, and even the different mandatory committees they require. The section ends with explicit directions as to how General Conference delegates are to be calculated. Amidst all this minutiae, we still manage to have a conversation on modern race theory, which builds on top of the foundation we have already laid. These provisions have huge implications for the state of global race relations. The Global Methodist Church has a decision to make. If it waffles, it could do a good deal of harm.Link 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

Maria Dixon, MDiv, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Communication at the Meadows School of the Arts at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, TX. Chief Diversity Officer & Senior Advisor to the President of SMU. She is an academic, consultant, and theologian that believes that strategic communication is at the heart of every successful endeavor. A self-described “vocational mutt”, she holds a BS/Marketing from the University of Alabama; Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology from Candler School of Theology/Emory University; and a PhD in Organizational Communication from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Passionate about helping organizations and non-profit leaders answer the question: “How can we communicate in a way that creates results, community, and transformation?” She has been a frequent speaker and consultant to organizations and leaders across the country. Her clients have included: Southwest Airlines, The Dance Theatre of Harlem, The Ugandan American Partnership Organization, The Open Door Pre-School, The Lydia Patterson Institute, and the General Commission on Communication of the United Methodist Church. A huge fan of the Alabama Crimson Tide, Maria is married to Rev. Jeff Hall and they are the proud parents of their 8 year old American Staffordshire Pit Bull Terrier, Mr. Thatcher Stewart Wesley Hall. They are also foster parents, having formally adopted three children out of the foster care system. Links: Maria's Blog on Patheos - https://www.patheos.com/blogs/mariadixonhall/author/mariadixon/Maria's Presentation on Cultural Intelligence - 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

Mark Holland of the Mainstream UMC caucus group sent out an email on February 5 detailing multiple points of failure by Gary Graves and his General Conference staff to coordinate April's General Conference session. In this segment, I speak to why it matters that Africans be included in order for this conference to have any legitimacy, and why it is that average United Methodists should care. I started ringing this alarm in September of last year and was written off. Watch to learn more about how bad this seems to be for the denomination. 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 Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for The Global Methodist Church is not an official doctrinal standard of the denomination, but it was created by those familiar with all of those sources. It is a synthesis of two millennia of the finest Christian thought, meant to be memorized and rehearsed within the family of God.So that is what Susanna and I did for these 30 minutes of reflection upon who God is and the implications this has for us, individually and collectively within the church. We are laying the groundwork for what will surely become a more nuanced tapestry of biblical faith. We invite you to join us on our journey!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=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

This episode covers the first half of Part 6, dealing with the General Conference and Regional Conferences, mostly. I start with an overview of the Methodist term 'conferencing' and how it is supposed to overlap with our organizational structure. Then we go down the line of how some of the particulars of conferencing are designed to take place in the Global Methodist Church. Enjoy! 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

This episode addresses the Revised Social Principles presented to the General Conference by the General Board of Church and Society. We examine how the document was crafted, the process by why it was authored and who authored it. We also look at some of the content that is a departure from the previous/current Social Principles, as well as the stated will of the General Conference. Finally, panelists speak to the likelihood that this will be given much time in plenary session, given that there are arguably more pressing issues for the assembly to address. 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 your own copy of the Revised Social Principles, go to https://www.umcjustice.org/documents/124 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 first question of the Global Methodist Church's Catechism is "Do you believe in God?" While a very basic question, the answer rendered, alongside multiple scriptural citations, gives a lot of food for thought. Yes, of course we believe in God, but in which God do we believe? What are his distinctive characteristics? Take some time to learn alongside my daughter, Susanna.Link to Global Methodist Catechism - https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Catechism-V2.pdf 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. Matt Reynolds is the President and Founder of Spirit and Truth. It is a ministry that longs to see the church fully alive! It exists to help equip a global movement of local churches to become empowered by the Spirit, rooted in the truth, and mobilized for the mission. In this conversation, he and I speak of a mutual hope for a reclaiming of original Methodist doctrine, culture, and practice. We also speak of practical realities in doing church in our present cultural moment, as well as submitting to Christ's lordship in our homes. I hope you enjoy learning from Matt!Links: Matt’s Firebrand Article - https://firebrandmag.com/articles/doctrine-spirit-and-discipline-a-holistic-vision-for-church-renewal Spirit & Truth Ministry Website - https://www.spiritandtruth.life 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