PlainSpoken

Dr. David F. Watson is the Academic Dean and Professor of New Testament at United Theological Seminary. He is one of a few authors of the Transitional Book of Doctrines and Discipline for the Global Methodist Church. He also sits on the Transitional Leadership Council (TLC) for the Global Methodist Church, which is currently its primary coordinating body. Dr. Watson is well established as an authority in Wesleyan history and theology, regularly speaking at traditionalist Methodist gatherings. He has published many books and essays with respect to our doctrinal heritage, which you can find referenced in the links below. In this conversation, we cover several topics, including the essential nature of Methodism that the world needs, optimism about the future, the balance needed with respect to church growth vs. church righteousness, charismatic Christianity, scriptural literalism vs. scriptural relativism, and many other pertinent and practical concerns when doing church, both on a local level, and on a denominational level.For those with the patience and passion for discerning in the most important things, I’m confident you will appreciate this conversation. Thanks to Dr. Watson for being available and giving in our time together. Enjoy!Faculty Page - https://united.edu/faculty-directory/david-f-watson/Personal Website - https://davidfwatson.me/about/Firebrand Magazine - https://firebrandmag.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

Pastor Boniface Mukii is navigating the waters of building Methodism in Kenya. In this interview, he takes the time to explain the dynamics at play in the capitol city area, Nairobi, where he serves as a police officer. It turns out there are some pressures moving him and many others to the Global Methodist Church before the UMC's General Conference next year. If you have been tracking developments with the liberal imposition on faithful African Methodists, this will further confirm what you know, but it will also give new information about how Western power is compromising the integrity of their churches. Pray for Rev. Mukii's church plant, and for Kenyan Methodists as they navigate hostile developments.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

Part 2 of Jeffrey's interview with Lloyd Lunceford.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

Lloyd Lunceford, Esq has been working in church disaffiliation law in the US for decades. Now in semi-retirement, he took the time to visit with me and help me to understand some of the basics of this area of law that most people don't understand. If you and your church have been interested to learn more about litigation against hostile conference entities, this will almost certainly be helpful for you to consult.Show Notes:Taylor Porter Website:https://www.taylorporter.com/our-attorneys/lloyd-j-luncefordLloyd Lunsford's Email:lloyd.lunceford@taylorporter.comLloyd Lunsford's Book:https://www.amazon.com/Guide-Church-Property-Law/dp/1934453080/ref=sr_1_1?qid=1691013991&refinements=p_27%3ALloyd+J.+Lunceford&s=books&sr=1-1Advertising 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

Adam Hamilton pastors the largest church in The United Methodist Church, Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, KS. He has spoken several times on the floor of General Conference, and he has filmed segments representing the denomination's position on theological issues. He is very much in the mainstream with respect to the average UM pastor's theology.In this segment, I sit down with TJ and our mutual friend Robby to go through clips of Hamilton's preaching that TJ had selected. This would be categorized as a reaction video. Robby brings his own flair to the conversation, marked with spiritual insights that neither one of us would have. We hope you 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

As the church in America continues to wonder at the sudden and rapid decline of church involvement, different theories and explanations are being put forth. In this segment, I go through a piece written by Jake Meador, published in The Atlantic (see link below), it is posited that American public life has culturally excluded the distinctly Christian way of life. I go through a couple tweets and then get into the article. This is not meant to be particular to a Methodist audience. Rather, I hope it is relevant to Christians of different traditions as we try to work out what it is that we can do in the present moment to beat back the gates of hell. I hope this is helpful to you.Links:Atlantic Article:https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/07/christian-church-communitiy-participation-drop/674843/The Great Dechurching:https://www.amazon.com/Great-Dechurching-Leaving-Going-Bring/dp/0310147433Advertising 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

Yesterday I posted a comparative analysis of the FAQ submitted by the Oklahoma Conference of the UMC and the answer First Church OKC issued. It was okay. What I should've done is what I did today, which was walk through the text of Judge Aletia Haynes Timmons' ruling pertaining to the whole trial. She was much better than I have been at being simultaneously insightful and amusing. So in this piece, I correct some unintentional misinformation I gave yesterday up front, then I walk through her ruling with minimal commentary because it really isn't needed. I hope you enjoy it, that you learn, and if you're part of the Oklahoma delegation this Saturday, that you come to understand why all this was necessary. As a reminder, if you want to see any of the documents pertaining to the First Church OKC case, you can find EVERYTHING at https://www.firstchurchokc.com/legal-faq-court-documentIf you are a voting delegate this Saturday, let me know, publicly hear or privately at plainspokenpod@gmail.com what it is that you need to know before you vote. I want to make sure everyone gets answers to their questions before the day of.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

Affairs with First (UM) Church of Oklahoma City have resulted in an emergency specially called conference of the Oklahoma Annual Conference. The Conference is bristling in response to a ruling from a state judge, which mandated that the hold such a meeting to mirror the same dynamics of the April conference. This means they had to invite back delegates from 55 churches who had already left the conference months ago, including me. In this segment, I read over the FAQ they issued, compare it to an answer from First Church, and do my own analysis. The first block is my legal analysis thanks to a lawyer taking pity on me. The middle block is the document. The last block is my moral analysis. I’m hoping that delegates who don’t really know what is going on will take the time to learn what both sides are saying and consider the veracity and weight of each party.Links:Conference FAQ - https://okumc-email.brtapp.com/files/files_library/faqs+regarding+the+litigation+brought+by+first+umc.pdfFirst Church’s FAQ Page - https://www.firstchurchokc.com/legal-faq-court-documentAdvertising 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 a United Methodist Church in Birmingham Alabama decided to use more "inclusive" language when saying the Lords Prayer. When confronted by a member of another church, the pastor (Stephanie York-Arnold), explained why they chose to do so, and later produced a video to explain to everyone. In this video we examine that explanation and breakdown the issues from a conservative perspective. Original Video Link:https://vimeo.com/user1891267Advertising 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 just over a year the GMC has grown to over 3100 congregations and 3400 clergy. A recent article by Rev. Keith Boyette examines this growth and the hopes for the GMC, in this video Jeffrey breaks down the article and gives his own reflections on the development within the Global Methodist Church.Show Notes:Watch Us Grow Article:https://globalmethodist.org/watch-us-grow/Interview With Jeff Pospisil:https://youtu.be/TUidMSvODcUInterview With Bishop Scott Jones:https://youtu.be/eBmU7F40a-oAdvertising 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