PlainSpoken

The Association of Independent Methodists is another group, not quite a denomination, necessarily, that seeks to bring out the best of the Wesleyan tradition in its constituent local churches while not exercising any coercion over them. In the context of this season of disaffiliation from The United Methodist Church, many local churches would surely be interested in their culture and polity. Adam Godbold and Marshall Daigre were both kind to spend time with me to help me understand the history and function of today's AIM. I enjoyed my visit with them very much and hope that local churches benefit from knowledge of them and their tradition.Contact Information:The Association of Independent Methodistsaim2020.com601-362-1301Marshall DaigreChurch Health & Multiplication, AIMSenior Pastor of Harvest Pointe Methodist Church in Madison ALharvestpointe.commarshall@harvestpointe.comAdam GodboldPastor-Parish Relations Chair, AIMPastor of Faith Methodist Church in Dallas GAfaithmethodistchurch.orgadam@faithmethodistchurch.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

Rev. Rob Renfroe, newly retired clergy from the Texas Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and continuing President of Good News, took time to visit with me about the dynamics of neocolonialism in the church generally and The United Methodist Church specifically. We cover some important history for understanding our present moment with respect to African United Methodists participating in next year's General Conference, as well as frustrations more broadly with misunderstandings around how we have navigated the culture war's imposition onto shared ecclesiastical life. Rev. Renfroe explains the reason why he has chosen to remain within the UMC and what his hopes for the future are with respect to Methodism, especially as it pertains to the majority world (not the United States of America).If you would like to learn more about Good News, which has carried the banner of authentic Wesleyanism for decades, consider visiting their website: https://goodnewsmag.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

This is the third in a series we have begun, walking through the GMC's Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline. This particular segment covers seven pages that line out some of the ecclesiology (theology around the nature of the church) of the GMC. It is more interesting than it sounds.If you want to know what the GMC stands for and how you can anticipate it operating in the coming years, you should consider spending some time with TJ and me as we walk through these things together!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 one deals with the threat of conferences blocking the disaffiliations of churches that have faithfully gone through the process. In light of the successful disaffiliations of 120 churches in Virginia last week, and Oklahoma's special called conference coming up this weekend, I go through a spreadsheet reflecting that Oklahoma may actually lose almost half of its size due to disaffiliations. I think go through a John Lomperis article in which he details what has happened to the four churches that have had the rug pulled out from under them. The segment is a little spread out, but it'll interest those with a sincere interest to look at the dynamics at play here.Links:List of upcoming special called conferences - https://www.umnews.org/en/news/united-methodist-annual-conference-special-sessions-in-2023Oklahoma Conference's Self-Reported Stats on Disaffiliating Churches - https://www.okumc.org/dadata2023"What Did ‘Stay UMC’ Activists Really Win by Blocking Disaffiliations?" by John Lomperis - https://juicyecumenism.com/2023/10/04/what-did-stay-umc-activists-win/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 week, I was invited to be part of a Zoom meeting at which they announced the date and location of next year's Convening Conference for the Global Methodist Church. They gave us permission to record it and publish it ourselves. I thought y'all might enjoy watching this select crew as they received the news. I follow the footage with a demonstration of how to donate to the cause and I give some basic commentary. I hope you enjoy!To give to the GMC generally or to the Convening Conference in particular, here is the link: https://globalmethodist.org/give-online/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 the second in a series I have begun for the sake of educating the public as to the nature of the Global Methodist Church, within which I serve as an elder. Last week, I did an overview of the doctrinal basics of the GMC with TJ, my producer. This week, I sat down with my brother, Daniel, to review the ‘Social Witness’ of the Global Methodist Church. These two pages of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline spells out the essential social stances of Global Methodism. When local churches vote to join the GMC, they vote to adopt these social principles. Daniel and I read, not only the 14 principles, but also the history that produced them and the scriptures undergirding them.I previously published a shorter version of this conversation, which covered primarily what is written in the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline, with very little commentary or analysis. This one is significantly longer, which a good deal more analysis from both Daniel and myself. If you prefer a shorter presentation of the content, no offense taken here. I would point you to the shorter version of this video I posted yesterday.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 the second in a series I have begun for the sake of educating the public as to the nature of the Global Methodist Church, within which I serve as an elder. Last week, I did an overview of the doctrinal basics of the GMC with TJ, my producer. This week, I sat down with my brother, Daniel, to review the ‘Social Witness’ of the Global Methodist Church. These two pages of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline spells out the essential social stances of Global Methodism. When local churches vote to join the GMC, they vote to adopt these social principles. Daniel and I read, not only the 14 principles, but also the history that produced them and the scriptures undergirding them.I previously published a shorter version of this conversation, which covered primarily what is written in the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline, with very little commentary or analysis. This one is significantly longer, which a good deal more analysis from both Daniel and myself. If you prefer a shorter presentation of the content, no offense taken here. I would point you to the shorter version of this video I posted yesterday.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

A stroll through the Transitional Book of Doctrines & DisciplineThis is the second in a series I have begun for the sake of educating the public as to the nature of the Global Methodist Church, within which I serve as an elder. Last week, I did an overview of the doctrinal basics of the GMC with TJ, my producer. This week, I sat down with my brother, Daniel, to review the ‘Social Witness’ of the Global Methodist Church. These two pages of the Transitional Book of Doctrines & Discipline spells out the essential social stances of Global Methodism. When local churches vote to join the GMC, they vote to adopt these social principles. Daniel and I read, not only the 14 principles, but also the history that produced them and the scriptures undergirding them.This is a significantly curtailed version of the time we spent together. The full version, which I will put out soon, was more than twice as long. The bulk of this is just reading through the document without commentary. If you want to hear us comment on everything pertaining to these, then consider watching the unabridged version tomorrow. It’s okay if you would prefer to have the bare bones. I hope you benefit! Blessings to you.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

Tomorrow the Supreme Court of Oklahoma is going to hear the oral arguments on behalf of two churches that have filed against the Oklahoma Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, as well as arguments made by the conference. This is uncharted territory, and there have been irregularities along the way. Take a few minutes to consider the particulars of what is going on here, its implications for future American jurisprudence, and how it is that one might pray for a resolution in this scenario.Links:Final Special Called Conference for OKUMC Agenda - https://okumc-email.brtapp.com/files/annual_conference_files_only/2023+ac/october+2023+called+conference+agenda.pdfList of disaffiliating and closing churches coming before the OKUMC for approval - https://www.okumc.org/dadata2023Oklahoma State Courts Network Website for Oct. 5, 2023 hearing - https://oscn.net/news/2309201519/supreme-court-oral-argumentsLivestream of the Oral Arguments on Oct. 5, 2023 at 10:00 AM CDT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q0FiJXbI1a8“Confrontation With A United Methodist Bishop” - https://youtu.be/pd5ck8WxxWk“Church Of The Servant Wins Dispute Against Oklahoma Annual Conference” - https://youtu.be/s7OV_voIEKM“Church Litigation - An Interview With Lloyd Lunceford Esq.” - https://youtu.be/hxaB8FFGsk0“First Church OKC: Examining The Judge's Ruling” - https://youtu.be/VPRvyFv0gCs“First Church OKC Victorious Against Oklahoma Annual Conference in Court” - https://youtu.be/nHqSq3eABeI“First Church OKC Disaffiliation Attempts Stymied” - https://youtu.be/tv1WKxgeQKc“Attempt to Reason on First Church OKC Votes” - https://youtu.be/noouaHF85DwAdvertising 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. Dr. Daniel Topalski is the Presiding Elder of the Global Methodist Church in Bulgaria. He is passionate in his desire to reclaim much of the Methodist legacy, and to speak at length about his hopes for Bulgaria and the world. In this conversation, we cover his personal history and the history of Methodism in Bulgaria. It is a very different context than the US. If we are serious about being a global church, then it requires for us to learn about commonalities and differences across the world. Bulgaria has a unique set of challenges that offer both promise and frustration for modern evangelism. Spend some time with us to learn how to pray for this new movement!Links:Slideshow About Bulgarian Conference - https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1DZge4iE_0cCjSgH0_jFQSnpO1iLwUTnh/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=truePress Release Announcing Separation from the UMC - https://docs.google.com/document/d/15zM_1ys6lIkDeNM0U_yceg8SsH-Wov8k/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=trueMinutes of Conference Separating from UMC - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tRiHn79lXAyxyk5U4g1gOMVcGQNKIWNp/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=trueBio on Rev. Dr. Topalski - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HHXOKSRp94JgrnNeKPsG1KGkUC15fV7w/view?usp=sharingFive-Year Transition Plan for Bulgarian Conference - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1xT5koN1JZoin3I9XxHPRme3LFybt_FXK/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=117124792218903575974&rtpof=true&sd=trueAdvertising 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