Very interesting. I grew up in othello wa and knew his dad and brother. His dad was a great guy and was the high school councilor. Had to check it out because they were Nazerines. I knew him but he was younger than i.

Reverend Oord might have known he would be welcome in the UMC; Therefore, he was willing to risk it.

Does this jerk thinks he is God almighty ? I THINK NOT.

Some of the medium sized and small size churches are going non-denominational as well. I became ordained in the FMC, I have friends in the GMC, and I have many that are in a network. I am rethinking my choice... not because I don't love the FMC... I do. But, I am convinced that my wife and I will end up non-denominational. There is still far too much fighting even among conservatives. I pray God blesses his people with awakening and organic connection.

Well done

my favorite Luthren talks to my favorite Methodist..... Great interview. I think Ryan has a future in leadership. I do think he needs to refine his arguments carefully to ensure clarity on some of the issues. I think you, Jeffrey, felt some of that clarity needed. Love both of you and your mission to shine the light on the problems in your respective denominations. If only there were more courageous folks doing the same.

Jeffery , would you or your congregation ask a homosexual not to attend your church?

Oh well I guess he can come over to the UMC. After all in my experience some of the best pastors I've ever known were former nazarines. They left the Nazarene because their pay sucks and they can be fired at the drop of a hat. One of my dear friends who used to be a pastor at the nowata Church of the nazarine went on vacation and came back to find he had been fired.

Great insight about conference decisions.

2:25 - I can just see the conversations among the Apostles and the other early Church fathers: "We're going to have one theology for larger areas and another for smaller areas." I don't remember reading about those discussions. Maybe that mentality is part of the problem.

Good for them!

We have elders and deacons. Oord was formerly ordained an elder. You are correct in your terminology.

The Great Shepherd is coming, and these wicked wolves are going to wish they were never born.

I am in my late 40s, and was raised in the United Church of Christ. Watching this video about the UM denomination and, from my experience in the UCC, there is part of me that thinks, 'OMG......this is sooooooo 1985.....' And it is not meant as a criticism, really, just that the UCC may well be a lot further along a path of disintegration and demographic decline. Going back to when the UCC was formed in the late 1950s, if the UCC membership numbers had simply kept up with overall national population growth, the current membership would be more like 4 million instead of 800,000.

Give them over to themselves

What Bishop Schol got in Nigeria was his retirement gift. What provoked the cabinet was when he said, the conference election and other activities conducted for the last three years was illegal. With this statement, we lost confidence on Schol and his sincerity in respect to the issues in Nigeria. No wonder they were papering Ande and believing in all his lies, because they are using him. It is a shame to the council of bishops that they couldn't tame Ande Rudy behavior against Bishop John Wesley Yohana, just because Bishop John Wesley stated his position in respect to human sexuality.

I grew up the UMC in the 80s & 90s. The church that I remember was dedicated to rigorous examination of scripture and to serving the community in the name of Christ. Now it seems they are more interested in following the worst aspects of popular culture (i.e. the values of the World) rather than following the teachings of Christ. When Methodist preachers started getting up to preach robed in a flag that celebrates the sin of Pride as well as pederasty, I knew I could no longer associate with them. This is sad, and I hate to see a community of faith unravel like this, but honest Christians have to decide if they will follow Christ, or a church organization that not only tolerates, but indeed celebrates sin.

Yes, Mr. Turning did do a lot in WWII. The code-breaking project involved thousands of people. He was a critical person, but one of many. He alone did not break the code.

Shocking level of arrogance!

The UMC taking away property should not be a determining factor in the movement away from the woke church. Our duty is to the gospel, not to any modern orthodoxy. A return to the roots of the early church is not a bad thing.

Will the last person left in the UMC please turn out the lights when they leave!

Prosperity gospel is heresy, but so is self avowed poverty. For centuries people used poverty as a way to think they were getting closer to God (think priests, nuns, monks who took a vow of poverty). Think about the masses who gave sacrificially to the so called "church" thinking they were gaining favor with God. All the great cathedrals of Europe were built with money fleeced from rich and poor alike, trying to gain favor with a church who they thought held their salvation in its hands. Jesus said "blessed are the poor in SPIRIT". (humility) Jesus was given gold, frankincense and myrrh at His birth, so it could be said that He started off very well. He also wore an expensive seamless garment which the soldiers gambled for at His crucifixion. It is easy to pronounce judgement against "prosperity" preachers (which I TOTALLY AGREE WITH) but at the same time we say nothing about about a Catholic priest who wears vestments that cost thousands, or a Presbyterian church that just spent 20,000.00 dollars for a hunk of carved marble for communion, when a plain wooden table is enough. Ive been to the vatican and I can say unashamedly that the "prosperity gospel" is not something new. I dont think the apostles sat in a house church burning incense or wearing anything other than everyday clothing. There is a story of a Catholic monk named Thomas Aquinas, who when visiting the Pope was taken to the Vatican treasury. The Pope said, “Look at all the silver and gold we have Thomas! No longer can we say silver and gold have I none!” Thomas looked at the Pope and said “neither can we say rise up and walk.” I am a rich man. I dont have a lot of money, but I do have a lot of power. For me, having His power IS wealth. I am a rich man! My Father gives to me the power to proclaim the Good News, to help the spiritually lame to walk, the spiritually blind to see, the thirsty soul to drink the water of Life! If you have this power, you are indeed rich, for faith is worth more than anything this world possesses. It is the power of God unto salvation. Now get out there, take the power He has given you, and command the lost and lame, to "RISE UP AND WALK". Sorry for preaching lol

As a member of the committee in my local church tasked with exploring Wesleyan denominations with which to affiliate, the response to your invitation for the bishop candidates was very concerning. Most of the former UMC churches in my area have joined the GMC and they are one our top considerations but this raises a big red flag. 38:34

Life long Methodist from a Multi generational Methodist family. Core members of our local church and the leftward drift has fragmented us into different denominations. Even the GMC is starting off on a bad foot. Uncomfortable, but important truth, female Clergy are the root cause of the woke rot. Every denomination that has embraced female clergy has suffered the same fate. Major left ward drift, fragmentation, and higher than average congregational loss. The GMC needs to be clear that they put faith over feelings and honor the scriptures.

good stuff!

ah now John Ed is MY kind of Methodist! I remember watching him on tv getting ready for church. My dad loved him and every Sunday would get up and say "Its time for John Ed". I remember John Ed telling the story of a new pastor who complained that the church furniture was not in the "liturgically correct place" and rearranged everything. The next morning before church the music minister put it all back the way it had been lol, "Pulpit always goes in the center" he said. That went back and forth every Sunday til the new pastor gave up. We Baptists love us some John Ed!

Thank you, Jeff, for the opportunity to engage in conversation about my journey in Christ. As I mentioned, having the Word of God as our common ground is important for understanding. I think seeking to understand each other is a good thing as we do the work of ministry. Let's continue to choose Jesus and walk the narrow road together.

I love you all but must disagree. To identify as an alcoholic is not a sin. Its honesty. It is true that "in Christ" that's not your identity, but as a human it is. An alcoholic who abstains is the most noble person there can be, and no one can deny that they are denying the will of the flesh. i dont think side B Christianity "celebrates" their condition. But if a person must lie in order to be accepted, how is that any kind of sanctification? All this will do is encourage cover up and lies, forcing the person who is gay to simply avoid the issue. Unless you are willing to forbid ordination to all celibate people, theres no way of avoiding ordaining a gay person at some point. They will just avoid the issue and pretend to be heterosexual and celibate. I have never met a person who has acheived entire sanctification. If its even possible, you will lose it the very moment you realized you have attained it, because recognizing that youve reached that goal, is to lose your humility, putting you right back at the bottom. Can a humble person ever really believe that they are humble? No. The minute you think you are humble, is the minute you lose your humility. My church would never ordain a divorced person or a female. Methodists ordain both. So how do you prove a divorced person isnt living in adultery according to scripture? i would ordain someone like Becket Cook in a heart beat. Few heterosexuals are as devoted to the truth as he is.. He IS a living sacrifice. Sorry for the rant, I dont have a dog in the Methodist fight, but in your zeal to leave the Saduccees, i dont want you to become a Pharisee

UMC Clergy is utterly tone deaf. They go to Seminary and they do not learn scripture. It is pathetic and disgusting.

I am just home from my GMC service in Powder Springs. GEORGIA USA. There, our 2 GMC ministers, a member, a dentist and 2 nurses announced that their mission visit to Nigeria next week to provide dental care to over 100 Nigerians has been canceled, due to the upheaval, unrest, disunity and distrust of westerners that is now occurring over the UMC issues in Nigeria. They are heartbroken they cannot go to serve.

I was a volunteer organist in a UMC church for a year. A new totally woke pastor combined with the "talking points" she was instructed to use to persuade the policy changes weren't "all that drastic". Enough lies for me. Use your recorded contemporary garage band music.

I suggest that ALL methodists return to their Bibles! If you want to be saved, and I guess that is the aim of most "church goers", you must be certain that you are aligned with scripture, NOT denominational dogma! Being a methodist won't save you! Being right with God, will!

It’s all a simple issue made complex: The Bible, and only the Bible, is trustworthy and authoritative. Everything else is just human opinion. There should be no denominations in the first place.

Gay stuff belongs in the gay community, not in public.

Just horrible.

Howdy! Would you site John Wesley's teachings that you referenced? Im not aiming to disagree, I feel this would be a useful resource.

As one who nominated an individual for bishop, I’m disillusioned by this entire process. First, the process was complicated and run on an email of an administrative assistant. Had I not followed up, the nomination wouldn’t have gone through because it was lost by said assistant. The nomination I made was not among the 9 presented. While I wasn’t given any explanation as to why not, I have frustrations with the process. I feel like if I address any of these concerns with the leadership, a target will unduly be placed on mine and my conference’s back. I’m not frustrated because my nominee wasn’t selected. I’m frustrated because: 1. This list was presented without any indication of how these 9 individuals met the criteria. 2. No criteria were presented. 3. 3 individuals are on the TLC which governed this process. 4. 1 individual is the champion of the majority report on the Episcopacy Committee. 5. Of the 9, 3 are from an area in Texas, and 6 of the individuals are from 3 conferences. Only 1 is international. Now I’m not saying these aren’t the best options, but I am saying that if I knew the full slate of nominees, perhaps this wouldn’t look so shady. 6. The day after the article on these nominees was released, delegates got an email detailing the legislation being presented at GC. This email was very transparent as it detailed why some resolutions were not considered. I felt the stark contrast between the communication. I am certainly praying about this process, but I’m feeling the UMC PTSD riding again within me, and I fear GC will be a mere rubber stamping of the will of an unelected body of leaders as represented in the TLC.

Here's the good news. Everyone who enters the church is still a sinner. Here's the bad news, they still think they are better sinners. Keep focusing on the things that affect a minority of people. Its way easier than focusing on the other sins that are an abomination to God, and affecting the majority of humans.

The churches saw the trends in society and thought that if it was going to succeed it had to cater to societal trends. What it didn’t understand is that Jesus didn’t want to be cool or hip and to try to keep up with societal changes in order to be popular. What the church also didn’t understand is that the silent majority of people reject the current changes in society and looked to the church as a place of refuge from the evil and sin they saw in society. Modern society does not represent their values and beliefs. So when the church decided it would go along with these societal changes its members no longer had a place of refuge and no reason to go to the church. People seek purity, goodness and righteousness. The church no longer supports or represent their members values and beliefs. They didn’t attend church to be indoctrinated with beliefs and values of modern, secular society. They reject those values as sinful. Church members seek to- be ye separate! If you no longer offer that, then people have no reason to attend your church. It really is as simple as that.

The UMC is controlled by fruits & nuts.

UMC is now the Bordello of Marxism

What are all the sins that are an abomination to God. How many does any church focus on. How many sinners enter every church, and how many believe their sins will be forgiven, but not thise other people. Lastly, how many sins are unforgivable.

As a retired Therapist, if they can do it, they will do it. They current crop not gay and trans people is aggressively demanding their way. That is why they chose to destroy the PCUSA and now the UMC.

Who does this guy think he is? What an arrogant pompous ass. Does he really think he can enforce an “edict” that clearly violates the 1st amendment?

Publicly calling God's Word "Sin" seems dangerously close to blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. I certainly have no desire to venture "out on that spiritual limb." The Lord's command to "Love ones neighbor as oneself" does not, and never has, encouraged or accepted what God has regards as sin. If God calls something sin or an abomination, I'm in agreement with God. Period.

Be patient, I think it will work out, but where is their resumes?

Thank you, Jeffrey, for sharing this very interesting interview.

I believe Your title is a misnomer and would like to explain why. “Teasing out white European culture” and the word of God as separate entities and thinking of Methodism as dominated by one culture smacks of liberation theology. “ She was aware that her radical seminary was using “Methodist systems.” Yes, social welfare was part of the fabric of Methodism. A perfect “system” for social activism. Helena claimed the stats were “ hammered” in at her liberal school. It’s surprising she didn’t question this but only the obvious cross dresser there. She also noted the variety on the spectrum of Christology which was not surprising in a radical program. You acknowledged historically the myth of the white man’s religion. Ethnic minorities and ethnic majorities exist in the US and churches reflect these communities. Predominately minority churches are not scratching their heads of how to import more whites. This focus serves no one. Why was it a problem that the Methodist church reflected (s) the make up of the dominant culture in the US? So, she was in a black church in LA? She had “access” there and majority status but decided to leave. Maybe because of black conservatives, but she didn’t elaborate. She also didn’t give examples of how “they,” (whoever they was) kept her down. What was the unfair assessment could well have been her imagination in the us vs them scenario. It’s also sad that her pastor never told her who she was but made “room” for her and sent her on her way to a leftist seminary. The idea in David Watson’s book that racial parity in the church is very recent is interesting. I’m wondering why you wouldn’t question his premise or consider other books on the topic if you haven’t already. She gave the impression the US was the enemy. Her comment regarding disparities and “access” by gender and racially diverse groups used God’s word to survive and create change. This is exactly what the UMC has done to divide the church by unrightly dividing God’s word. Her liberation and social justice agenda is loud and clear. Her understanding of God’s word is informed by her history and experience. So how is this different from the leftist ideology that has overtaken the UMC? Unfortunately , she is enjoying a powerful position in a GMC church that will feed the GMC as a social activist political machine. I don’t see evidence of her claim to be traditional in any sense. Her “fully” me rhetoric to have an authentic connection with her was sad. I hope she shows up as a Christian woman, who as a child of God, loves and serves others instead of deceiving them. That is her true identity. Again, the Word is according to her experience and story, so there is no basis for discussion with her. With or without God’s word, there will be racial animosity. This is sin and the remedy is Jesus Christ for our sinful nature not a movement, a person or a church. The beauty of the US is that a civil rights movement could thrive here under the protection of our Constitution which also is a living document that could be amended to outlaw an abomination like slavery. Let’s not forget the many lives lost fighting in the Civil War from various ethnicities not only to preserve the nation but to end slavery. All of this was under God’s sovereignty as He alone directs the course of history. I prefer the stories in the Bible to personal stories and narratives as well as solid Biblical commentaries. I also am glad you referred to the GMC movement instead of a church. I need a church not a movement.

You get a discipline, and you get a discipline, and you get a discipline, and ...

A couple of thoughts/questions: 1) with no conferences being consolidated, were closures of redundant personnel and offices initiated? 2) why have a slate of Bishop candidates requiring significant time spent by delegates being a total waste of time if a write-in can win with limited information available on them? 3) if it passes that each conference can have their own Book of Non-Discipline could we recommend Individual BODs? I prefer setting my own rules to follow (sorry, that is the old sinful me sneaking out). Lastly, I’m pretty creative but even I couldn’t write a horror story like this. Of course I say this in all Christian love.