PlainSpoken

Garry Ingraham is the Executive Director of Transforming Congregations and the Director of the Love & Truth Network. He and his wife have both been powerfully transformed by the Holy Spirit, coming out of sexual sin into the fulness of Christ. Garry is passionate about local churches being places of authentic transformation for sinners. He is spending his life equipping churches to do such ministry. This conversation is for any who are interested to learn of ministries aimed at engaging our culture exactly where Queer Theory/Critical Gender Theory are pushing. Garry has been on the front lines of this battle for some time. Take a bit to get to learn about him and his ministry, and how it is that you and your church might be able to come alongside him.Links:Garry’s Podcast - http://www.loveandtruthnetwork.com/podcastWebsite for Love & Truth Network - http://www.loveandtruthnetwork.comWebsite for Transforming Congregations - http://www.transformingcongregations.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 Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Last week, footage of a new creed was shared with the Internet, in which a congregation confesses a gospel outside of the one entrusted to the saints. More concerning in this worship service was the children's sermon, which used a non-biblical Jesus to justify a way of life that stands against authentic Christianity. This segment covers both portions, talking a bit about the nature of this faith and how it stands against the historic Christian faith. The purpose is not to speak ill of churches sympathetic to this ideology. Rather, it is to help viewers to identify some of the fundamental beliefs of this hostile religion so as to better sense when it starts impinging upon the identity of their own fellowships.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

Despite how hyperbolic this topic seems, there are some serious ways in which The United Methodist Church reveals a low view of nonAmerican people. The institution is unavoidably ethnocentric, to the marginalization of the majority world church. A lot of folks are so close to it that they cannot see it. This is my attempt to show as clearly as I can how flawed and sinful the whole structure is by virtue of it privileging some over others based on social location, income, and assent to the new intolerant orthodoxy. The majority of the content in this segment comes from Odell Horne’s “De-Centering Whiteness in Methodism.”LinksOdell Horne’s De-Centering Whiteness in Methodism - https://www.ministrymatters.com/all/entry/11554/de-centering-whiteness-in-methodismOdell Horne Interview - https://youtu.be/iiwdevVkhNEScott Jones Interview - https://youtu.be/eBmU7F40a-oJurisdictional Conference Resolution 1 - https://youtu.be/spkg1sC_1sAJurisdictional Conference Resolution 2 - https://youtu.be/rOcb9mekhwYJurisdictional Conference Resolution 3 - https://youtu.be/kXohKWzRhg8An Apology to Majority-World Methodists by Odell Horne - https://firebrandmag.com/articles/an-apology-to-majority-world-methodistsBickerton’s Laughable Video ‘Bishops pledge to continue dismantling racism’ - https://youtu.be/EcIg7JypKG4Advertising 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. Mao Her was the first Hmong clergy in The United Methodist Church. Though she served in a very liberal annual conference (Wisconsin), she did not feel the dysfunction of the UMC until the 2019 General Conference. It was at that time that she signed on with the Wesleyan Covenant Association, now serving as the Coordinator for her area. She has led her church through the disaffiliation process and is now serving the Global Methodist Church in her area on her TCAT. Rev. Her is a model of boldness and faithfulness. I hope you enjoy learning from her in this segment!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

Each annual conference in the UMC is expected to oversee processes around the filing of charges against clergy who work against the doctrine and discipline of the denomination. There is a longstanding effort among progressive activists to use this system to simultaneously waste money and change the norms of the covenant body. I have covered a number of these attempts. This episode gives some history for this strategy and then gives updates on two situations on which I have reported in the past. Enjoy!LinksTime Article on Amy DeLong - https://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,2080401,00.htmlUMNews Article on Amy DeLong - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/details-of-penalty-for-rev-amy-delongGood News Magazine Article on Amy DeLong - https://goodnewsmag.org/what-i-would-say-to-amy-delong/YouTube Channel Page for Transforming Congregations - https://www.youtube.com/@UChlSkHqFMga94sbAiOYzQUA Drew Ensz's Legal Case Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/EnszCaseReligionNews Article about Nonbinary Wedding - https://religionnews.com/2023/04/19/umc-clergy-reportedly-face-complaint-church-trial-after-marrying-nonbinary-couple/Just Resolution Language from Mississippi AC - https://mississippi-email.brtapp.com/viewinsite/449a8c9d8dcf3882d4cd3f32e84cd6b2?email=bonniecol@yahoo.comTimeline0:00 - Introduction1:00 - History & Background: Amy DeLong14:33 - Drew Ensz Update23:22 - Paige Swaim-Presley & Elizabeth Davidson Update27:00 - Analysis & Closing ThoughtsAdvertising 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. Daniel Hixon is a recently-disaffiliated UMC pastor, currently independent, serving in Louisiana. He is one of a few people in the Methodist sphere who has done well on YouTube. In this segment, he and I have a good chat around why disaffiliation seemed the best option for us, hopes for the future of Methodism, and how it is that believers need to be ministering to our families while in the home. LinksDaniel Hixon’s Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@danielhixon8209Daniel Hixon's Blog - http://www.gloria-deo.blogspot.com/Daniel's Video - "United Methodist Church Split as I See It" - https://youtu.be/hOvU2Us6JGkAldersgate Mission Society (Anglican/Wesleyan Initiative) - https://aldersgatemissionsociety.org/Shreveport FUMC Reporting - https://youtu.be/6uf9jgpX5GQInterview with Bishop Scott Jones - https://youtu.be/eBmU7F40a-oAelfred Rex Bible Story Book - https://a.co/d/8PQmTr9Stephen Fife Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@revfifeGrow at Home: A Biginner’s Guide to Family Discipleship - https://a.co/d/crNeSYkJonathan Pageau’s The Symbolic World Youtube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@JonathanPageauThe New City Catechism - http://newcitycatechism.com/A Catechism of Christian Faith and Doctrine for the Global Methodist Church - https://my.seedbed.com/product/a-catechism-of-christian-faith-and-doctrine-for-the-global-methodist-church/The Absolute Basics of the Christian Faith by Phil Tallon - https://my.seedbed.com/product/the-absolute-basics-of-the-christian-faith/Timeline0:00 - Introduction3:25 - Alternatives to The United Methodist Church7:30 - Prospects for Liturgical Methodist Identity15:05 - Daniel’s Bio20:55 - What ruined the UMC?24:20 - Why disaffiliate now rather than later?28:05 - Louisiana Annual Conference dysfunction30:53 - Sensitivity to progressivism in other denominations34:00 - How optimistic should we be about a sustained pure denominational movement?38:05 - How believers should minister to each other in our households57:28 - Standing against the culture1:09:00 - Prognostications about the futureAdvertising 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

First Church Oklahoma City is attempting to disaffiliate from the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. While other churches in the conference have had few issues being able to leave, leadership has decided that First Church OKC is a different case. By implementing a "viability study", continuously missed deadlines, and lack of communication on the part of the conference, the board of First Church OKC as decided on litigation. Pastor Jeffrey was able to sit down with Hardy Patton, Vice Chair of the trustees board to bring to light what has been going on with this historic church in the middle of downtown Oklahoma City.To help with their legal fund you can give at their website, once litigation is finished any excess funds will be donated to the Oklahoma chapter of the WCA to assist other churches with similar issues.https://www.firstchurchokc.com/giveAdvertising 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

Forgive the corny reference in the title. But seriously, there was a great showdown at Cal-Pac Annual Conference a few days ago by those petitioning with clear conscience to renegotiate the disaffiliation agreement. The bishop's response was resoundingly clear and emblematic of the UMC institution as a whole. Take a few minutes to see excellent modeling of pastoral non-anxious presence, coupled with brusque power politics. While those disaffiliating didn't carry the day, they definitely stand on the side of right.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 segment deals with a church that has been on my heart for several months as they have faced several serious challenges, the likes of which American churches almost never have to deal with. Take some time to learn about Gwarimpa Abuja and their pastor, Rev. Absalom Nuhu. Rev. Nuhu was recently robbed by some thugs, losing not only his money, but also his phone and laptop. My hope is that we can come alongside him and his church to bless them materially and spiritually in their time of need. They have already started construction and need our aid in order to see it through. I pray for generous hearts!Article on Gwarimpa Abuja - https://jeffreyrickman.substack.com/p/opportunity-for-blessing-gwarimpaMy Substack - jeffreyrickman.substack.comPlainSpoken Interview w/ Absalom - https://youtu.be/XBeDrVgfI2kOpen Doors Article on Nigeria - https://www.opendoorsuk.org/persecution/world-watch-list/nigeria/Link to give to Gwarimpa Abuja (Church in Nigeria) - https://tithe.ly/give?c=2198808Advertising 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

Disaffiliation is a fraught time and some annual conferences within The United Methodist Church have had more issues than most. With emotions running high, Vicar Derek Kubilus, decided to call down a "Holy Hex" upon the disaffiliation process rather than blessing those leaving the denomination. We take a look at the prayer, Bishop Tracy Malone's response, and Derek's apology.Show Notes:Thursday June 8th Meeting (Clip 1 @ 59:00)https://vimeo.com/834627846Thursday June 8th PM Meeting (Clip 2 @ 00:25)https://vimeo.com/834726381Friday June 9th AM Meeting (Clip 3 @ 39:10):https://vimeo.com/835885497Advertising 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