Mainstream UMC Refuses African Rise to Dominance

What is to be done when one represents a constituency that gives the bulk of the money but isn't making new members, while another group that contributes very little money but is making many new members is about it take over? Well, one could accept one's role as a funder of a fruitful movement and gladly submit to the leadership of those who are bringing new souls to Christ. Or one could threaten to stop paying into the system and potentially leave altogether. Which path does Mainstream UMC take?

[@gabrielbangamususwa420]

You are Clergy , a pastor and left the UMC ...my brother it's honorable for you to start sharing great things God is doing through you and many of you in the GMC. It's not right to continue fuelling the confusion that you people left. Many times you have paraded Africans who at the helm of causing divisions in the continent instead of building. Christianity should be centred on Christ and not some . Share more of the GMC so that we will appreciate what God is doing in the new vineyard. Be Blessed.

[@plainspokenpod]

Gabriel, I have tried to learn from you where I have gone wrong. You haven’t been able to help. It honestly seems to me as though you are taking offense to my giving a platform to those who are highlighting the racism of the UMC. There is no parade here. I am having conversations that I was not welcome to have when I was UM clergy. And folks like you still don’t want me to have it. If you would like to privately speak to me and help me to understand where I am lacking, we can put that together. But I feel no shame for giving voice to those that much of your leadership seeks to silence.

[@bernhardbauer5301]

It is all about money and power. It is not about Christ.

[@ChipSmith-eg4kc]

It is not how the money is being spent = it is the fear among UMC that they will lose control over policies at home to overseas delegates who are far more conservative. The "decolonization" talk is about not losing control -what empire would want the colonials to call the shots.

[@Agben35]

Jeffrey, conservative here, would come down on the GMC side if i were a Methodist. But, i DO see the opposite side of this funding arguement. If the funds given are not being used in a way one believes prudent or aligning with beliefs, i would object. I think of the opposite arguement, “just give us your money and be quiet” would not be palatable to most anyone.

[@plainspokenpod]

I agree. I don’t know that anyone would reasonably argue for that. It is fictitious to imagine that Americans would or should just sit down and shut up. It is also silly to imagine that Africans would all be of one mind as to how money and ministry is spent and done. Up until now, it has been (at least in theory) a global process involving negotiation and exchange. I and others are saying this should not change as other parts of the world increase.

[@DougFrantz]

Africa's leadership is an amazing opportunity to preserve the UMC.

[@solemntime9121]

Maybe its time for you to STOP talking about the umc anymore. The vulnerability of the umc is too weak right now and they exhausted a loooooooooot of money from their treasuries for your benefits leaving. Because money will make you sound evil. Because it sounds like GMC wants UMC to become poor and exhausted. If you want to leave, leave all things behind and move on for good.

[@plainspokenpod]

Um, churches that left paid a lot of money to disaffiliate. If the UMC runs out of money, it will be because it squandered what was given and fails to make responsible decisions at this year's General Conference. Restructuring should alleviate any financial concerns. I addressed the notion that my disaffiliating should at all revoke any rights I have to speak about the UMC in this piece: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mafXpYitdtOde7s

[@solemntime9121]

@@plainspokenpod I dont know if it sounds good, but I am so concern how it went far especially you are a pastor. The pods sounds much political in a sense that they casted evil and you revenge evil pods for them. Revenge is not good for justice. Maybe you should check and balance the way how the attack goes. I believe any person speak hates against someone has a deeper hate to thyself. Because someone who claimed "victims" are selfish in their evil agenda. We sometimes felt that and I hope you'r not.. I hope that you will completely depart from this parasitic mindset of money and departed from the mindset of being a UMC. Because money is evil.

[@gabrielbangamususwa420]

Exactly and it's called honorable, integrity and dignity.

[@plainspokenpod]

@@solemntime9121 I can't make sense of your words without inferring that you think yourself able to read the thoughts and intentions of others. Calling someone 'parasitic' or saying they are motivated by money are really hateful ways to disregard another's voice. Gabriel, I have done plenty to acknowledge the strengths of the UMC. I'm doing a series called 'Considering Charlotte,' on which the former head of the Connectional Table was a guest. A man bent on revenge wouldn't do this. You only take offense when I give your enemies a platform. Your language sounds nice, but you refuse to engage on a serious level. I'm afraid I can't take you seriously until you stop pretending to read my mind and offering a substantial critique.

[@plainspokenpod]

@@gabrielbangamususwa420 You guys are going to have to figure out how to cope with the fact that you are not going to be able to control who talks about these things. If I am saying falsehoods, then show me where and I will correct my public statements. However, if you're just upset that someone is shining a light on western racism and African cooperation, well, I would suggest your frustration isn't really with me...