This recent announcement that the Global Methodist Church will be shifting from Wespath to GuideStone is welcome news to me. I would acknowledge that Wespath has been faithful with the funds entrusted to them. My churches' investment and endowment funds have grown and performed competitively.
Even so, it became clear to me a couple of years ago that their priorities, socially, were at odds with mine. They were signed onto the ESG investment strategy of facilitating social change by exerting pressure on companies in any number of ways. I privately wrote Wespath leadership, which was not receptive to my concerns.
GuideStone does advocate for social positions with the money they oversee. However, it is my impression that the social policies they advocate more closely align with a biblical vision that is recognizable to conservatives. I have been given the impression that their rates for health insurance are commensurate with, if not lower than, Wespath's rates. I have also understood that the performance of their portfolios are on par with Wespath's. Finally, I have always been frustrated with Wespath's lack of transparent and regular financial reporting. It is my understanding that GuideStone is more responsive and transparent.
We will soon see. I have already asked Jeff Pospicil, the GMC's Chief Financial Officer, to film a conversation with me in which we talk through a lot of the nuts and bolts of the transition. We will hopefully be able to set something up after the GMC publishes a more detailed FAQ next week.
https://globalmethodist.org/gmc-announces-relationship-with-guidestone-financial-resources/
Debra Baty is the head of Resources 4 Redemption, which is an effort aimed at spreading good information about sexual orientation and gender identity. She recently published an article about “sexual fluidity” and how it impacts our sanctification in Firebrand Magazine. It is a good piece, and Debra does worthy work. All believers in the West have to contend with the artificial ideas of the sexual revolution. There is nowhere we can go that these issues do not impact us. The only way out is through.
Debra has a personal story that is quite compelling. She is a trustworthy, thoughtful, and conscientious resource. All covenant Christian bodies need to know where they stand on these things, lest the evil one sow confusion. Now is the time to reflect upon these things. Days are coming when what we believe will be put to the test. If we have not prepared, then we cannot expect to prevail.
Resources 4 Redemption can be found at https://substack.com/@resources4redemption
If you would like to ...
I didn't realize until I finished this morning's live stream that it got cut off pretty early in the stream. It should have made me suspicious when the viewer count stayed the same and I wasn't getting any more comments. Anyway, I recorded the whole thing and have reposted it here for you. I'll clip up the two main portions and post them on YouTube later today. Sorry for the snafu, y'all. There was a small power surge and something about that threw Rumble off. Tomorrow should be normal. God bless you all!
The issue of identity, while being ubiquitous in our most divisive politics, is also central to the Christian concern. I wanted to speak to these things a bit for the sake of fellow believers who perhaps are not quite so sure how to navigate these things…
https://open.substack.com/pub/jeffreyrickman/p/the-harsh-reality-of-identity?r=17brpc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
No live stream this morning. Was up all night with a sinus infection and need to get in gear for annual conference session. I'll just plan on Monday. God bless you folks!
