PlainSpoken

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 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. 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 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

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 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

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 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 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 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

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 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

Episode 1 of this new series where we look into different Wesleyan denominations. Jeffrey was able to sit down with Jim Hancock of the Congregational Methodist Church to discuss his branch of Methodism and how it compares and contrasts with other Wesleyan groups.Website Of The Congregational Methodist Church:http://www.cm-church.org/homeAdvertising 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

A number of folks have been impacted by the conversation I've been hosting here on my podcast. People are regularly reaching out. I find some of these helpful springboards for thinking through things more robustly. If you're interested in hearing the reflections of those who are both pushing back and also affirming what they see here, then I hope you enjoy this.It deals with local church governance issues, daily disciplines, reclaiming the Methodist heritage, and how to discern black and white in a gray world. 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

The Baltimore-Washington Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church just held their annual conference meeting that last week. We go over some of the more surprising things that happened during the meeting and respond to them.Show Notes:https://www.bwcumc.org/news-and-views/for-bwc-its-all-about-love/https://www.bwcumc.org/events/2023-annual-conference/agenda-annual-conference-2023/https://peopleneedjesus.files.wordpress.com/2023/05/travis-knoll-incident-and-bwc-response.pdfAdvertising 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

What do United Methodists believe about Hell? Being a "Big Tent" denomination there are inherently going to be a wide range of thoughts on such a controversial subject. But how pervasive has a rejection of the historical belief become? In this video we look at what some of the clergy and those at the top of the denomination now teach and believe. The Compass Podcast:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1igP9nvyO8Rev. John Farley:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubmawHWzKc8Adam Hamilton Vespers:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvbvpPxb98oUM Produced Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDmspkibuAAArrows Mailing List:https://www.readarrows.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