PlainSpoken

Rev. Drew Ensz is clergy in the Virginia Annual Conference. Has been awaiting a church trial for years after having been brought up on charges for conducting the legal wedding ceremony of two gay men in his capacity as clergy of a college ecumenical ministry. We focused a little on his story in our segment on Bishop Sharma Lewis' conduct in the Mississippi Annual Conference, bringing up two clergy for performing the nuptials for a 'nonbinary' couple. As another who had drawn the attention of Bishop Lewis, Rev. Ensz is eager to tell his story and to advocate for change within The United Methodist Church. Though his worldview and theology are the polar opposite of ours, we thought it would be helpful to discuss the issues at play with him in a spirit of mutual respect. Drew was a joy to speak and share that time with. Our hope is that you learn about him, about how the UMC's justice system can often break down, and how there isn't much ground for mutual cooperation in a covenant body that is home to liberal and conservative visions of sexual ethics. Please let us know your thoughts on the conversation in the comments. What points do you find helpful? Where do you think we got things right? What seemed off base, strange, or false to you? Use this as an exercise to see if you might be able to speak accurately about what you believe without the invective and hate that so often accompanies these conversations. Also, we hope this helps you think about how you can pray for those with whom you disagree. We want this to turn down the temperature in the UMC. Your prayers are essential for helping that to happen.Links from Interview:- https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/judicial-council-memorandum-1466- https://vimeo.com/721268808- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4706071/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

We're thankful for everyone that has been tuning into our program as of late and we've been getting some great questions recently that we would like to address. Here is a response to two of those questions from one of our viewers.How are you able to do what you do under your Bishop and District Superintendent?&How are you able to effectively serve your churches and do this podcast at the same time?If you have any questions you would like to ask us you can contact us at:PlainSpokenPod@gmail.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 Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

This is an update on the case of Bishop Minerva Carcaño, who was put on suspension for unnamed charges more than a year ago. The General Commission on Race & Religion has publicly reprimanded those responsible for her case and demanded an immediate lifting of her sanction. Meanwhile, another group of oppressed people from California-Nevada have simultaneously reprimanded GCORR for demanding justice because it might violate their justice. All this while the Council of Bishops is gathering to livestream everything they're doing outside of closed door session. Well, they haven't streamed anything all day, but I'm sure all is well!Urgent request from GCORR Board regarding Bishop Carcaño's suspension - https://www.gcorr.org/news/urgent-request-from-gcorr-board-regarding-bishop-carcaos-suspension Timeline of Carcaño's Suspension - https://www.cnumc.org/newsdetails/conference-committee-on-episcopacy-outlines-process-involving-bishop-carca-o-17192125Statement from California-Nevada Clergy - https://hackingchristianity.net/2023/05/california-nevada-clergy-respond-to-calls-to-lift-their-bishops-suspension.html?fbclid=IwAR2Boqa6AS3eEwcU8Z6brMaJQZxn43OVFrVA7WtLNF2gM9huz23VuQ21TL8Article on Council of Bishops Meeting - https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/newsdetail/umc-bishops-to-meet-in-person-april-30-to-may-5-first-since-2019-17410006Judicial Council Ruling #1450 - https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/memorandum-1450Council of Bishops Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/umcbishopsAdvertising 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

Being connected together is a hallmark of being a Methodist, unfortunately we as conservatives can sometimes forget that. Rather than banding together and tackling issues head on we've isolated ourselves in our smaller communities, its time for that to change.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

First United Methodist of Shreveport Louisiana voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church this month, but that was not before a lawsuit and a well funded #StayUMC campaign that brought the church's drama into the spotlight.Show Notes:FUMC Shreveport Website:https://firstshreveport.com/FUMC Shreveport Press Release:https://s3.amazonaws.com/media.cloversites.com/76/76668e34-eac2-4436-8b4d-8be57de991f3/documents/FUMC_Disafiliation_Announcement_Letterhead.pdfLawsuit Article:https://natchitochesparishjournal.com/2023/03/24/first-united-methodist-church-of-shreveport-intervenes-vote-may-proceed/Bishop Williamston Profile:https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/person-detail/4172924FUMC Shreveport Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHPLUftWolyPMXxVVEw12eQFUMC Shreveport Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/fumcshreveportStay UMC Shreveport Page:https://www.facebook.com/Stay-United-Methodist-102046336194851UM Data FUMC Shreveport Stats:http://umdata.org/ChurchProfile.aspx?ChurchID=716181Advertising 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 Oklahoma Annual Conference hosted a "Special Called Conference" at which the two churches I serve were allowed to disaffiliate. This has some implications for me and my ministry that I wanted to explain. Also, PlainSpoken is doing well. I wanted to say out loud some things about what loyalties I hold and what my intentions are as I speak to sensitive topics.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

Last year 106 churches in the Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church filed suit against the conference in order to leave the organization. A Florida judge has now dismissed this lawsuit. We look into the details of happened with the case.Show Notes:WCA Update:https://wesleyancovenant.org/2023/04/18/an-update-on-lawsuits-across-the-usa/Annual Conference Update:https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/court-dismisses-disaffiliation-lawsuit-against-the-florida-conference-17399166#:~:text=The%20Court%20today%20issued%20an,settling%20matters%20of%20church%20doctrine.UM News Article:https://www.umnews.org/en/news/exiting-florida-churches-lawsuit-dismissed#:~:text=A%20Florida%20county%20judge%20has,exit%20costs%20under%20church%20law.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

As many annual conferences around the country begin to gather to vote one disaffiliation what are some of the issues or common objections that will be put forward by those in opposition to churches leaving? In this video we explore some of the reasons why annual conferences might object to letting a local congregation leave, and if those objections actually hold any water.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

Recently the North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church declared "Exigent Circumstances" and seized the property of Fifth Avenue United Methodist Church, a 175 year old congregation in Wilmington North Carolina. The members of the church, some who have been members their entire lives, were completely blindsided by the act. The congregation, who's members were beginning the process of disaffiliation, were locked out of the building after their final service on Easter. In this video we take a look at what happened with this historic church.Show Notes:NC Annual Conference Press Release:https://nccumc.org/news/2023/03/wilmington-church-closure-brings-rebirth-and-opportunity/Affidavit:https://wesleyancovenant.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Affidavit-Fifth-Avenue-UMC.pdfFifth Avenue Congregation Press Release:https://juicyecumenism.com/wp-content/uploads/20230327-Fifth-Avenue-Press-Release-Approved-for-release-to-media.pdfUM Data Church Profile:http://umdata.org/ChurchProfile.aspx?ChurchID=460185Church Facebook Page:https://www.facebook.com/5thAveUMCChristian Post Article:https://www.christianpost.com/news/nc-church-trying-to-leave-umc-is-shut-down-by-denomination.htmlWCA Article:https://wesleyancovenant.org/2023/04/09/chaos-in-carolina-seizing-assets-and-closing-a-church/It May Happen to You, Too Article:https://juicyecumenism.com/2023/04/12/it-may-happen-to-you-too-bishop-connie-shelton-shows-danger-of-staying-united-methodist/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

Today we look at another United Methodist Annual Conference and how they are dealing with disaffiliation. The Florida Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, lead by newly elected Bishop Tom Berlin, has implemented that disaffiliating churches are required to obtain potentially costly insurance policies on top of the other costs to leave the conference, which could leave some churches unable to leave.Show Notes:UM Data Website:http://umdata.org/Letter From Bishop Carter:https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/update-from-bishop-carter-about-churches-withdrawing-from-lawsuit-17170418Judicial Council Decision 1449:https://www.resourceumc.org/en/churchwide/judicial-council/judicial-council-decision-home/judicial-decisions/decision-1449Moving The Needle - WCA Article:https://wesleyancovenant.org/2022/10/10/moving-the-needle/Bishop Tom Berlin Response:https://revtomberlin.com/response-to-gmc-pastor-letter/Florida AC DEI & CRT:https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/what-christians-need-to-know-about-policies-that-exclude-dei-and-crt-17371462Additional Article That Explains The Insurance Issue:https://www.flumc.org/newsdetail/17270843Advertising 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