PlainSpoken

If you believe that resolutions reflect the general sentiment of a body, as they are designed to be, then it would be wise to consider the language adopted by the jurisdictions of The United Methodist Church when determining if this organization will continue to be friendly to conservatives who maintain a traditional biblical theology. Take a few minutes to read the text of the first of three resolutions adopted by the South Central Jurisdictional Conference a couple weeks ago.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

Jeffrey was able to visit with Mr. Mafunda for the better part of an hour about some of the same dynamics that he addressed with Rev. Dr. Kulah and Rev. Emmanuel. Mafunda has a different country of origin, sits in a different social location, has a real world job outside of ministry, and was able to offer an earnest assessment of his own theology in the midst of other Africans and their particular theological traditions. Consider his words in contrast to what has been offered thus far. Though he and Kulah would agree about much, Mafunda offers a good deal of analysis and reflection that hadn't yet been offered, including an especially engaging portion on what offerings the African Methodists have to Americans that is currently not appreciated. 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 Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Ande Emmanuel heads up the Africa Voices of Unity caucus. He is an elder in the Nigeria United Methodist Church. He and Jeffrey were able to arrange a time to visit about dynamics on the African continent pertaining to The United Methodist Church denomination. This adds texture to the conversation with Rev. Dr. Kulah and prepares the stage nicely for the conversation with Mr. Simon Mafunda, head of the Wesleyan Covenant Association in Africa, which will be posted next week. In the meantime, get ready to learn how Rev. Emmanuel sees the current conflicts and challenges within the UMC, as well as his love for Jesus Christ and the ministry within his 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 Get full access to PlainSpoken at plainspokenpod.substack.com/subscribe

Pastor Jeffrey was able to sit down with Reece Player the pastor of Baker & Turpin United Methodists Churches located in the panhandle of Oklahoma. Born in South Africa and raised in Oklahoma Reece gives us his personal testimony and how the Lord led him to where he is today.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 is an interview with Rev. Dr. Kulah, Dean of the Bishop John G. Innis Graduate School of Theology. Jerry has been a leader at General Conference for several years. People of all stripes should acknowledge him to be a man of conviction and faith.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

Brian Mangan is the United Methodist elder appointed to Will Rogers UMC in Tulsa, OK. He has an interesting story involving the gift of tongues, the charismatic tradition in general, infertility, and adoption. 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

In this episode, we discuss a recent GBCS email addressing the topic of abortion, dynamics in African Methodism, pastors quiet quitting their churches, nonprofit disaster recovery and ministry, and a 'red tagging' incident in the Philippines. Brian Mangan is a United Methodist elder with a background in the charismatic tradition. He offers his unique viewpoint to elucidate the topics at hand.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

Take a listen to learn about the life of this young female clergy whose life has been powerfully touched by our Lord!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

James and I go a few years back. He's strong in many areas that I am weak. He has a great perspective on the integrity of Wesleyanism. 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

How should we interpret the words and actions of the UMC's bishops? Which bishops are leaving? To which other bodies/denominations are churches and people leaving to? What is the reaction from left-leaning persons to those on the right who are trying to lead the way? And let's hear a testimony from someone who grew up in the church and her reasons for leaving...CHAPTERS0:00 - Intro1:03 - Wesleyan Reflection3:00 - Introduction of James & Asbury UMC Status6:24 - Departing Conservative Bishops14:17 - GMC vs FMC vs Nondenominational Options22:38 - Current Functional Role of Bishops30:30 - Mark Tooley & the Institute for Religion & Democracy47:10 - Mindy Dennison's Good News Magazine PieceLINKSThree conservative UMC bishops have left the UMC in the last few months:- Mike Lowry - https://firebrandmag.com/articles/crossing-the-rubicon-a-bishop-says-goodbye-to-the-united-methodist-church- Scott Jones - https://www.txcumc.org/newsdetail/bishop-jones-announces-retirement-16528832- Jones stood against other bishops - https://michiganumc.org/13783/- Mark Webb - https://www.unyumc.org/images/uploads/Retirement_letter_to_Conference.pdf- Bishops getting raises again - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/inflation-and-salaries- Denominational income up from last year - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/grappling-with-mixed-news-on-giving-church-exits- 32 active bishops in the US, plus 1 Karen Oliveto. Are any conservative, or are the rest institutionalist or liberal? President is Thomas Bickerton. Portraits of all bishops - https://www.unitedmethodistbishops.org/bishopsGMC vs FMC vs Nondenominational- Jay Therrell’s “Holy Boldness” - https://wesleyancovenant.org/2022/08/30/holy-boldness/Breakdown of the Degradation of the Bishopric- John Lomperis wrote “Liberal Bishops Have Redefined United Methodist Polity” https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/08/29/bishops-redefine-united-methodist-polity/IRD Conversation- Exposees on seminaries - Iliff - https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/02/14/united-methodist-iliff-paganism/ - Duke - https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/04/05/queer-god-duke-divinity/Death Fantasy of Mark Tooley Posted Online- It began with anger at Tooley’s article in the Wall Street Journal: “A Messy Methodist Schism”- The Original Post from Stan Copeland, the “Pickling Parson” of Lover’s Lane UMC in Dallas, TX - Mark Tooley published a commentary on the mindset behind the post “Death by Bologna Sandwich: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/death-by-bologna-sandwich.html and https://juicyecumenism.com/2022/08/26/death-by-bologna-sandwich/- Copeland removed the original post when it got attention- Tooley followed up with an article in The Gospel Coalition, in which he corrected the faulty numbers on conservative denomination split-offs: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/methodists-path/Mindy Dennison’s “Sinking Sand: Why I’m Leaving United Methodism” - https://app.donorview.com/Communication/View?prm=FXGWJE8IKbpJdlwOgBRdzv_wb4aoSY5hM0ECQaDWLTPzXSwmkb7DB49tKGzbZn5SMvcsXbZpMc67IrmvsQ2tHM3Bvc00rqgzynjuYs6oKrRjMio5mVw2BKP8w_baRCYh3qy7PN79TxJoKtmt0WEJx5WvpdkFJ-TTdZqaJcvzwUwZStLd9Eb1TMo6k9MUZIxaeirrgQ_XmA-qMNdhkL4ZqNpMd8w6bnjLnwEFndhuD341- What do United Methodists really believe? Article - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/what-do-united-methodists-really-believe- 2019 General Conference Report of Cara Nicklas - https://peopleneedjesus.net/2019/03/04/cara-nicklas-a-lay-delegate-perspective-on-gc2019/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