PlainSpoken

Bishop Scott Jones served faithfully in The United Methodist Church all his adult life. He has now chosen to answer the call to be one of two full-time bishops in the Global Methodist Church. I learned that he would be speaking at a church nearby in Claremore, so I extended the invitation to him and his wife Mary Lou Reece to sit down for a visit. They were gracious to accept the invitation, to have lunch at home with my family, and to let me learn from them for a little more than an hour on camera.Bishop Jones ordained me a few weeks ago, but I hadn't taken the time to learn much about him. There is still much that I'm interested to learn. This conversation will frustrate those who know him well and want an expert interview. However, if you're like me and just want a sense for who he is, I am certain this will be a good way for you to spend your time.The success or failure of the GMC will depend in large part of who is in leadership. Bishop Jones is one of the most visible and vocal personalities leading at the moment. The fact that he was humble enough to visit a tiny church in a tiny town on a tiny (but growing!) podcast says a lot about his humility and his earnest desire to know and be known. He was very gracious with me, on camera and off. I am very grateful to his wife for being a part of our conversation. I hope you feel the warmth of their personalities in this time they spent on screen.From here, they went and spent a few hours with the folks in Claremore. The fact that they can spend their days this way is really incredible. I would be so tired. They were, rather, quite lively. I learned later that they maintained their vim and vigor for the folks in Claremore. Truly remarkable people! Please keep them in your prayers as they seek to serve the church in truth.I hope you enjoy the conversation.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

Jeff Pospicil has an active YouTube channel, on which he provides many resources for individuals and churches to be faithful with their money. He was the Treasurer for the Dakotas Annual Conference, where they thrived under his leadership. Jeff has conservative principles that directly translated, not just to financial wellbeing, but theological health in his context. He was recently recruited by the GMC to head up the financial ministry of the new denomination.One of my main gripes with the UMC was how they behaved around money. They hoarded it, they were secretive about how it was spent, where they kept it, how much there was, and they acted entitled to it. Jeff put my spirit at ease by showing his character and explaining his principles as it comes to financial leadership. This is a man who has practiced what he preaches. This is honestly a very interesting conversation about the overlap of financial ministry, Christian theology, and politics. I hope you benefit from it, and are encouraged by it, as much as I was. And make sure to support Jeff with your prayers! And follow him online!Jeff's Youtube Page:https://www.youtube.com/@JeffPospisil/featuredAdvertising 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 engagement with our show has been pretty incredible. On a daily basis, we are getting mail with personal encouragements as well as updates on things happening around the UMC. This episode covers three letters.If you wish to mail PlainSpoken a written letter, here is our mailing address:PO Box 129,Nowata, OK 74048The first letter is a brief congratulation on my ordination.The second video is from a North Texas context in which those in authority have disparaged the faith of a Christian sister.The third video is from a South Carolina pastor who is concerned with the theological doctrinal wherewithal that the average "conservative" United Methodist church has. There are also a few updates on what I have been up to and where things are headed. It isn't a real dense episode. Thanks for joining me!If you're interested in the stuff being produced at Arizona State University pertaining to the biblical worldview, here is a link to what they are doing: https://www.arizonachristian.edu/culturalresearchcenter/research/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

If those leaving the UMC for conscience's sake want to do better, rather than perpetuating the same dysfunction in another decade or so, then it would do them well to discern what beliefs and practices got them to this point. If conservatives want to hear about how perfect they have been while the liberals have been evil and at fault for every single thing, then they aren't going to like me very much. I think conservatives have done a lot to create the current situation. If they aren't self-aware, they will do the same thing again, wherever they go.This installment deals with the practice of assenting to ordain people at Annual Conference session who have no interest in fulfilling their vows. The ritual of group-lying is fatally problematic and can only result in the demoralization the UMC has seen. As people leave the UMC, they must commit to no longer assent to lies. We must allow God to heal our seared consciences so that we are no longer untroubled by flagrant dishonesty on the conference conciliar level.Links:"Transitional United Methodist Integrity" - John Lomperis - https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/08/17/united-methodist-integrity/AN ORDER FOR ADMISSION OF CLERGY CANDIDATES TO MEMBERSHIP IN AN ANNUAL CONFERENCE - Discipleship Ministries - https://www.umcdiscipleship.org/book-of-worship/an-order-for-admission-of-clergy-candidates-to-membership-in-an-annual-conference"Disobedience, Forced Unity Disrupt UMC Florida Conference" - Dr. David deSilva - https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/06/14/disobedience-forced-unity-disrupt-umc-florida-conference/"From Skeptic to Believer" - Eric Huffman - https://goodnewsmag.org/244456/Captain Jean Luc Picard being compelled to lie under duress - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X-2d4COiKsAdvertising 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 East Ohio Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church has forced a congregation in Struthers Ohio to close their doors against their will. This unfortunate patter of behavior seems to be commonplace in The United Methodist Church in this season of disaffiliation, we look into this case and explore what happened to Struthers United Methodist Church. Show Notes:Christian Post Article:https://www.christianpost.com/news/united-methodist-congregation-says-closure-process-was-unfair.htmlNPR Article:https://www.npr.org/2023/05/17/1175452002/church-closings-religious-affiliation#:~:text=Church%20closings%20have%20created%20crisis,opportunity%2C%20for%20the%20faithful%20%3A%20NPR&text=Press-,Church%20closings%20have%20created%20crisis%2C%20and%20opportunity%2C%20for%20the%20faithful,shattered%20congregations%20in%20its%20wake.DS Profile:https://www.eocumc.com/mahoningvalley/ds.htmlBishop Profile:https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/2463406Advertising 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 Dennison was in ministry for two decades in the Oklahoma Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church. His final appointment at Asbury (formerly United Methodist Church) in Tulsa put him in a position to see many financial realities of the conference that most laity and clergy in the conference are still ignorant about. Both he and Jeffrey were disciplined by the bishop for speaking publicly about concerns they had about financial protocols in the conference. Now that they have both severed their relationships with the conference, they get together to compare notes and try to fit the pieces of this puzzle together.This video is for folks to understand how and why it is that many desire to leave the UMC. Many in conferences outside of Oklahoma may see similar signs of paternalism and obscurantism. Or perhaps you want to speak publicly about an issue that you're afraid will get you in trouble with the bishop, and you would benefit from hearing two guys talk about what that is like.We are trying to steer clear of the bitterness and pettiness that naturally arises from these situations. We prayed before recording that our words would only bright about truth for the benefit of all who watch it, and that it would lead to good for those leaving and for those staying within the UMC. We would like to think these concerns will be received in good faith by people of all dispositions, especially as annual conferences continue to meet and do business together. If the culture of secrecy persists, The United Methodist Church has no right to expect fidelity from its constituent members, nor are they worthy to demand the tithes of their disciples.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

Two big events taking place this Saturday at the same time. Each has potential to be really great! The Arkansas Annual Conference is holding their next Special Called session. The last one didn't go very well. We are hopeful that this one, under their new bishop, will go much more smoothly! Also, the Heartland TCAT of the Global Methodist Church is going to be holding a two-day event called The Summit, which will end with the ordination of a new class of clergy. Watch or listen to learn more details.Links:https://arumc.org/may-2023-annual-conference-special-session/https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/4173673https://heartlandgmc.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

Jeffrey attended the Oklahoma Annual Conference's "Special Called" session on April 22 with the lay leaders of the churches he serves in Nowata and Delaware, alongside TJ who attended as press. The four of them gathered to discuss what they experienced on the day of the conference, and what lessons they thought they learned that might be pertinent to people in other conferences struggling to ratify disaffiliations. Each of them had their own insights and encouragements. We hope you enjoy the earnest discussion. Blessings to everyone navigating these tense waters!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

Jason Sutfin is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church, currently serving in the Arkansas Annual Conference. As the UMs in Arkansas prepare for their next Special Called session on May 13, Jason wanted to help me understand the different dynamics at play there. This obviously intersects with the reporting I did on last year's session, which refused to ratify the disaffiliations of three churches. This video is for anyone who wants to better understand the (dys)function of this particular conference and how at least one elder sees the options before them.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

United Methodist Bishop James Nunn recently sent a letter that has requested that all clergy that have disaffiliated from The United Methodist Church to turn in their credentials or be charged with disobedince to the book of discipline. According to the Bishop the recent judicial council decision does not impact this request. Clergy who refuse to submit their credentials before May 6th 2023 (The letter was sent on May 2nd), will be charged with paragraph 2702.1d and "do not have the right to a fair process". Join us as we take a look at the Bishop's demands and the recent Judicial Council rulings.Show Notes:UM News Article:https://www.umnews.org/en/news/court-rules-on-exiting-clergy-and-churchesDecision 1482:https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/judicial-council-decision-1482#:~:text=Decision-,An%20annual%20conference%20cannot%20condition%20the%20disaffiliation%20of%20a%20local,retire%20or%20surrender%20their%20credentials.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