PlainSpoken

After what has happened to Fifth Avenue, Struthers, and First Church OKC, we are starting to see a pattern. Valuable real estate with humble attendance are targeted by increasingly impoverished annual conference leadership within The United Methodist Church. As they speak platitudes about renewal and growth, they simultaneously disenfranchise local church communities to absorb them and profit off the assets they accrued over more than a century of ministry. This latest chapter, involving two clergy and one DS that we cover, points in a very sad direction of an institution devouring its own to buttress itself as it suffers its self-caused destruction. Take some time to learn about what Christian brethren are enduring at the hands of such powers, and pray for truth and repentance.Links:Surf City 2021 Church Stats - http://www.umdata.org/ChurchProfile.aspx?ChurchID=894820Good News Magazine Article - “Surf City Disaffiliation or Eviction?”- https://goodnewsmag.org/surf-city-disaffiliation-or-eviction/Los Angeles Times Article - “United Methodist Congregations Trying to Leave Amid LGBTQ+ Schism Say They’re Being Held for Ransom” - https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2023-07-03/united-methodist-congregations-lgbtq-schism-southern-californiaEpoch Times Article - “Huntington Beach’s Oldest Church Faces Threat of Closure Amidst Property Battle” - https://www.theepochtimes.com/us/huntington-beachs-oldest-church-faces-threat-of-closure-amidst-property-battle-5446875DS Sandra Olewine’s Episcopal Bid Website - https://westernjurisdictionumc.org/sandra-olewine/John Lomperis’ account of Olewine’s dishonesty - “United Methodist Church Drops the Ball on Anti-Semitism” - https://juicyecumenism.com/2016/12/06/united-methodist-church-drops-ball-anti-semitism/Rev. George Hooper Bio - https://cumchb.org/leadership/All other stats culled from UMData.orgAdvertising 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 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

Part 2 of Jeffrey's Interview with Max Edwards of the Evangelical Methodist Church.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 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. Max Edwards is the International General Superintendent of the Evangelical Methodist Church, a denomination that broke away from The Methodist Church (predecessor to the UMC) in 1946. His denomination represents a distinct tradition that would surely be appealing to some leaving the UMC at this time. Take some time to get a feel for the ethos of the leadership and the ways in which they balance the doctrinal and ecclesiological realities similarly to, and different from, what was known in the UMC. Also note the tenor of the conversation. Rev. Edwards in congenial and gracious in disposition, even while staking a strong stand.EMC Website: https://emchurch.orgAdvertising 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 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

New Wespath data just came out revealing several very concerning trends in the mental, spiritual, and physical health of United Methodist Clergy. We go through some of the study while also looking at other social data and how it is that what we believe correlates with our health. In this one we come up against a number of things that cause most folks to take offense. This is a harsh critique of our culture as a whole, not just The United Methodist Church, and a warning about what the American church as a whole will experience if it does not quickly remember scriptural language around the purity of the church and the call to righteousness. Enjoy!Links:Religion News Service Article “United Methodist pastors feel worse and worry more than a decade ago” - https://religionnews.com/2023/08/10/united-methodist-pastors-feel-worse-and-worry-more-than-a-decade-ago/The Wespath Study “2023 Clergy Well-Being Survey Highlights” - https://www.wespath.org/assets/1/7/5991.pdfInstitute for Family Studies Article - “Why Are Liberals Less Happy Than Conservatives?” - https://ifstudies.org/blog/why-are-liberals-less-happy-than-conservativesDeseretNews Article - “Religious leaders struggle with burnout, depression and anxiety — just like the rest of America” - https://www.deseret.com/faith/2022/5/11/23058739/religious-leaders-struggle-with-burnout-depression-and-anxiety-pastor-mental-health-worker-shortageBarca Article - “Pastors Share Top Reasons They’ve Considered Quitting Ministry in the Past Year” - https://www.barna.com/research/pastors-quitting-ministry/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 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. David F. Watson is the Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament at United Theological Seminary. He is one of a few authors of the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline for the Global Methodist Church. He also sits on the Transitional Leadership Council (TLC) for the Global Methodist Church, which is currently its primary coordinating body. Dr. Watson is well established as an authority in Wesleyan history and theology, regularly speaking at traditionalist Methodist gatherings. He has published many books and essays with respect to our doctrinal heritage, which you can find referenced in the links below. In this conversation, we cover several topics, including the essential nature of Methodism that the world needs, optimism about the future, the balance needed with respect to church growth vs. church righteousness, charismatic Christianity, scriptural literalism vs. scriptural relativism, and many other pertinent and practical concerns when doing church, both on a local level, and on a denominational level.For those with the patience and passion for discerning in the most important things, I’m confident you will appreciate this conversation. Thanks to Dr. Watson for being available and giving in our time together. Enjoy!Faculty Page - https://united.edu/faculty-directory/david-f-watson/Personal Website - https://davidfwatson.me/about/Firebrand Magazine - https://firebrandmag.comAdvertising 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 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

Pastor Boniface Mukii is navigating the waters of building Methodism in Kenya. In this interview, he takes the time to explain the dynamics at play in the capitol city area, Nairobi, where he serves as a police officer. It turns out there are some pressures moving him and many others to the Global Methodist Church before the UMC's General Conference next year. If you have been tracking developments with the liberal imposition on faithful African Methodists, this will further confirm what you know, but it will also give new information about how Western power is compromising the integrity of their churches. Pray for Rev. Mukii's church plant, and for Kenyan Methodists as they navigate hostile developments.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 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

Part 2 of Jeffrey's interview with Lloyd Lunceford.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 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

Lloyd Lunceford, Esq has been working in church disaffiliation law in the US for decades. Now in semi-retirement, he took the time to visit with me and help me to understand some of the basics of this area of law that most people don't understand. If you and your church have been interested to learn more about litigation against hostile conference entities, this will almost certainly be helpful for you to consult.Show Notes:Taylor Porter Website:https://www.taylorporter.com/our-attorneys/lloyd-j-luncefordLloyd Lunsford's Email:lloyd.lunceford@taylorporter.comLloyd Lunsford's Book:https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Church-Property-Law/dp/1934453080/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1691013991&refinements=p_27%3ALloyd+J.+Lunceford&s=books&sr=1-1Advertising 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 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

Adam Hamilton pastors the largest church in The United Methodist Church, Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. He has spoken several times on the floor of General Conference, and he has filmed segments representing the denomination's position on theological issues. He is very much in the mainstream with respect to the average UM pastor's theology.In this segment, I sit down with TJ and our mutual friend Robby to go through clips of Hamilton's preaching that TJ had selected. This would be categorized as a reaction video. Robby brings his own flair to the conversation, marked with spiritual insights that neither one of us would have. We hope you enjoy!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 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

As the church in America continues to wonder at the sudden and rapid decline of church involvement, different theories and explanations are being put forth. In this segment, I go through a piece written by Jake Meador, published in The Atlantic (see link below), it is posited that American public life has culturally excluded the distinctly Christian way of life. I go through a couple tweets and then get into the article. This is not meant to be particular to a Methodist audience. Rather, I hope it is relevant to Christians of different traditions as we try to work out what it is that we can do in the present moment to beat back the gates of hell. I hope this is helpful to you.Links:Atlantic Article:https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/christian-church-communitiy-participation-drop/674843/The Great Dechurching:https://www.amazon.com/Great-Dechurching-Leaving-Going-Bring/dp/0310147433Advertising 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 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