PlainSpoken

Last week, I was invited to be part of a Zoom meeting at which they announced the date and location of next year's Convening Conference for the Global Methodist Church. They gave us permission to record it and publish it ourselves. I thought y'all might enjoy watching this select crew as they received the news. I follow the footage with a demonstration of how to donate to the cause and I give some basic commentary. I hope you enjoy!To give to the GMC generally or to the Convening Conference in particular, here is the link: https://globalmethodist.org/give-online/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

This is the second in a series I have begun for the sake of educating the public as to the nature of the Global Methodist Church, within which I serve as an elder. Last week, I did an overview of the doctrinal basics of the GMC with TJ, my producer. This week, I sat down with my brother, Daniel, to review the ‘Social Witness’ of the Global Methodist Church. These two pages of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline spells out the essential social stances of Global Methodism. When local churches vote to join the GMC, they vote to adopt these social principles. Daniel and I read, not only the 14 principles, but also the history that produced them and the scriptures undergirding them.I previously published a shorter version of this conversation, which covered primarily what is written in the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline, with very little commentary or analysis. This one is significantly longer, which a good deal more analysis from both Daniel and myself. If you prefer a shorter presentation of the content, no offense taken here. I would point you to the shorter version of this video I posted yesterday.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

This is the second in a series I have begun for the sake of educating the public as to the nature of the Global Methodist Church, within which I serve as an elder. Last week, I did an overview of the doctrinal basics of the GMC with TJ, my producer. This week, I sat down with my brother, Daniel, to review the ‘Social Witness’ of the Global Methodist Church. These two pages of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline spells out the essential social stances of Global Methodism. When local churches vote to join the GMC, they vote to adopt these social principles. Daniel and I read, not only the 14 principles, but also the history that produced them and the scriptures undergirding them.I previously published a shorter version of this conversation, which covered primarily what is written in the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline, with very little commentary or analysis. This one is significantly longer, which a good deal more analysis from both Daniel and myself. If you prefer a shorter presentation of the content, no offense taken here. I would point you to the shorter version of this video I posted yesterday.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

A stroll through the Transitional Book of Doctrines & DisciplineThis is the second in a series I have begun for the sake of educating the public as to the nature of the Global Methodist Church, within which I serve as an elder. Last week, I did an overview of the doctrinal basics of the GMC with TJ, my producer. This week, I sat down with my brother, Daniel, to review the ‘Social Witness’ of the Global Methodist Church. These two pages of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline spells out the essential social stances of Global Methodism. When local churches vote to join the GMC, they vote to adopt these social principles. Daniel and I read, not only the 14 principles, but also the history that produced them and the scriptures undergirding them.This is a significantly curtailed version of the time we spent together. The full version, which I will put out soon, was more than twice as long. The bulk of this is just reading through the document without commentary. If you want to hear us comment on everything pertaining to these, then consider watching the unabridged version tomorrow. It’s okay if you would prefer to have the bare bones. I hope you benefit! Blessings to you.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Tomorrow the Supreme Court of Oklahoma is going to hear the oral arguments on behalf of two churches that have filed against the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, as well as arguments made by the conference. This is uncharted territory, and there have been irregularities along the way. Take a few minutes to consider the particulars of what is going on here, its implications for future American jurisprudence, and how it is that one might pray for a resolution in this scenario.Links:Final Special Called Conference for OKUMC Agenda - https://okumc-email.brtapp.com/files/annual_conference_files_only/2023+ac/october+2023+called+conference+agenda.pdfList of disaffiliating and closing churches coming before the OKUMC for approval - https://www.okumc.org/dadata2023Oklahoma State Courts Network Website for Oct. 5, 2023 hearing - https://oscn.net/news/2309201519/supreme-court-oral-argumentsLivestream of the Oral Arguments on Oct. 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM CDT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0FiJXbI1a8“Confrontation With A United Methodist Bishop” - https://youtu.be/pd5ck8WxxWk“Church Of The Servant Wins Dispute Against Oklahoma Annual Conference” - https://youtu.be/s7OV_voIEKM“Church Litigation - An Interview With Lloyd Lunceford Esq.” - https://youtu.be/hxaB8FFGsk0“First Church OKC: Examining The Judge's Ruling” - https://youtu.be/VPRvyFv0gCs“First Church OKC Victorious Against Oklahoma Annual Conference in Court” - https://youtu.be/nHqSq3eABeI“First Church OKC Disaffiliation Attempts Stymied” - https://youtu.be/tv1WKxgeQKc“Attempt to Reason on First Church OKC Votes” - https://youtu.be/noouaHF85DwAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Rev. Dr. Daniel Topalski is the Presiding Elder of the Global Methodist Church in Bulgaria. He is passionate in his desire to reclaim much of the Methodist legacy, and to speak at length about his hopes for Bulgaria and the world. In this conversation, we cover his personal history and the history of Methodism in Bulgaria. It is a very different context than the US. If we are serious about being a global church, then it requires for us to learn about commonalities and differences across the world. Bulgaria has a unique set of challenges that offer both promise and frustration for modern evangelism. Spend some time with us to learn how to pray for this new movement!Links:Slideshow About Bulgarian Conference - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DZge4iE_0cCjSgH0_jFQSnpO1iLwUTnh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=truePress Release Announcing Separation from the UMC - https://docs.google.com/document/d/15zM_1ys6lIkDeNM0U_yceg8SsH-Wov8k/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=trueMinutes of Conference Separating from UMC - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tRiHn79lXAyxyk5U4g1gOMVcGQNKIWNp/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=trueBio on Rev. Dr. Topalski - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HHXOKSRp94JgrnNeKPsG1KGkUC15fV7w/view?usp=sharingFive-Year Transition Plan for Bulgarian Conference - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xT5koN1JZoin3I9XxHPRme3LFybt_FXK/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=trueAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

To join the Global Methodist Church, the assembled membership of a local church must take a vote on a statement with respect to an explicit acceptance of sections of the GMC’s Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline. In this segment, as a measure to prepare my own churches to take such a vote, I walk through Part 1 of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline, using TJ as a sounding board. This segment lays the groundwork for two new series: One on the substance of these different doctrinal pieces, and one covering the rest of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline. This segment will be good for GMC congregations, or those considering joining the GMC, to better think through their doctrinal identities and how it is that they negotiate the landscape of modern religion in America. Links:GMC Website:https://globalmethodist.orgGMC Transitional Book of Discipline:https://globalmethodist.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Transitional-Discipline.2022041257.pdfFAQ on the GMC Website w/ the Language for Affiliating with the GMC - https://globalmethodist.org/faqs/‘The Story of Christianity’ by Justo L. González, the intro to church history book I recommend - https://a.co/d/69B7wp1John Wesley’s Sermons: An Anthology, edited by Albert Outler & Richard Heitzenrater - https://a.co/d/gVUnmGoExplanatory Notes on the New Testament by John Wesley (not the version I have; can’t vouch for this) - https://a.co/d/eeB8NP2Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

The second half of our interview with the Fugate familyAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Nathan Fugate is an elder in the Global Methodist Church, serving in Ohio. He and his wife, Holly have been active in advocating on behalf of the unborn since before their marriage. The two of them have children of their own, but their convictions have also led them to become parents to orphans, as well. In this conversation, they minister to me and my wife as we seek clarity about how it is that we are hoping for our new denomination to minister to this hurting world. Holly and Nate are both gracious with me, in particular, as they gently provide a framework for engaging the world on this paramount issue, with winsomeness and love. While my demeanor is characteristically caustic, the Fugates are a gentle but firm hand on the wheel in this conversation. The first generation of Global Methodists would be wise to share in their passion for protecting the most vulnerable in our society.Links:Holly’s Article, published by UM News after the fall of Roe v. Wade - “United Methodists should support Dobbs decision” - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodists-should-support-dobbs-decisionJustice for All, the organization I learned from and worked for, who still do very solid educational and outreach work. - https://www.jfaweb.org/ --The video course from the Equal Rights Institute. - https://equalrightsinstitute.com/courses/ The National Embryo Donation Center - https://www.embryodonation.org/ The Atheist Pro-Life Organization Holly Mentioned - https://secularprolife.org/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Rev. Dr. Andy Miller III comes from a long line of Salvation Army believers, but he has bought into the vision of the Global Methodist Church, serving as an elder in the academy. He is the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Assistant Professor of Historical Theology at Wesley Biblical Seminary. He also hosts a podcast called More to the Story. He has published many resources for the local church and is increasingly involved in the conversations of what a Pan-Wesleyan future looks like and how the academy should be equipping its leadership. This conversation is ideal for those thinking about higher education in ministry, approaches to biblical interpretation, and a vision of authentic Wesleyanism in a world that very much needs it.LinksAndy’s website - https://www.andymilleriii.comAndy’s recent Heaven study for church groups - https://www.andymilleriii.com/articles/heaven-and-other-destinationsWesley Biblical Seminary website - https://wbs.edu/WBS’s Statements on Scripture & Holiness - https://wbs.edu/about/distinctives/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jeffreyrickman.substack.com Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe