by Chris Ritter
“How can you find time to write all you do and still serve a large, growing congregation?” That is the most-asked question I get when I meet readers of PeopleNeedJesus.net. The answer is simple: Caffeine. And the caffeine is supplied by subscribers to the site. Together, they make up Team Caffeine.
When you join Team Caffeine, you receive weekly exclusive weekly posts called “Don’t Quote Me on This.” These emails are considerably less filtered than the public posts and are aimed at providing “actionable intelligence” for leaders bringing their people through turbulent times. Bishops, leading pastors, and concerned laity make up Team Caffeine. Sometimes Team Caffeine gets a first look at upcoming posts.
One of my latest subscribers wrote back: “I should have done this a year ago.” In addition to being added to the list, you will receive a weekly password that gives you access to the archives where all past messages are stored. (The word count on the archives currently stands at 37,000 words, so there is plenty there for your review.). Here’s the magic button:
What members of Team Caffeine are saying:
The most reliable and helpful resource during these uncertain times.
Cara Nicklas, Oklahoma Lay Delegate, GC2020
If I only had time to read one email or blog post per week concerning the status of the United Methodist Church it would be this one. Chris has the ability to synthesize many individual viewpoints, see emerging trends and provide concise insight. He does this with grace and an evenhanded treatment of competing viewpoints. Many people today feel the need to speak THEIR truth, Chris is called to speak THE truth. There is a huge difference.”
Frank Holbrook, Memphis Conference Lay Delegate
As for being a member of the Caffeine Team, I would say that this has been a well spring of trusted information. So glad that God led me to peopleneedjesus.
Eric Shin,
It makes my day, no, my week, whenever I see “Don’t Quote Me On This” in the subject line of my inbox! You are often the reasoned breath of sanity in the murk that swirls about us. “
Herb Flanders, North Georgia
I’m very glad to have joined the Caffeine Team. At first, I was just joining as a way to thank Chris for all of his hard work. I visit the site often, especially the Compendium, and appreciate these essential resources. However, I’ve found the weekly DQMOT emails to be some of the most valuable sources of information I read. I don’t have time to digest even a fraction of what is being published about our denomination these days. In DQMOT Chris distills the most significant news of the week along with some helpful speculation that really helps me think through it all. Joining the Caffeine Team isn’t just a good way to support this rich resources: it is an invaluable resource in its own right!
Rev. Matt Abel, Florence UMC
As an Annual Conference lay-delegate for my local church, Chris’ prolific narratives and insights about the direction of the UMC are enormously helpful to me as I work to maintain situational awareness and provide sound and fair dialogue with fellow church leaders and pastoral staff. ! Love being on your Caffeine Team!
Glenn Heistand
I have served the United Methodist Church under appointment since My efforts to understand and better serve Christ and the Church have consistently been informed and helped by your blogs, UM Compendium and this past year by investing in your caffeine support group, “Don’t Quote Me On This.”Thanks for your insights and willingness to share.
Darrell Cates
I really enjoy your email and encourage anyone who has an interest in the impending schism of the Methodist denomination to follow you. The information is helpful in making a decision on how to take the next steps for a local church when considering options after the May 2020 General Conference.
Dan Dalton, Dalton & Tomich
PeopleNeedJesus.net is my biggest resource for all things related to the UM divide. Chris has gathered and/or created a wealth of content that has been invaluable in getting me and keeping me up to date on the latest happenings. Being part of the Caffeine Team gives me an extra and early insight into situations and conversations that I would otherwise not be privy to. “Don’t Quote Me on This” is the email I most look forward to every week.
Sean Hachem
If you are ready to join Team Caffeine, just click the button below to sign ups for a $5 monthly subscription. All the donations are handled through Stripe.com and no fees are charged to you. Stripe uses all the latest measures to secure your financial information. None of that information is shared or sold.
When you subscribe you will receive an e-mail with a password to the archives. Expect a short delay because this is not auto-generated. (We get an e-mail and have to respond to it.). “Don’t Quote Me on This” is published usually on Wednesday or Thursday.
And, yes, my morning caffeine usually comes in the form of Diet Coke…
People Need Jesus 
I don’t see a link?
Deborah Todd
The Deborah Todd Agency
9618 Jefferson Hwy Ste D342
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-9636
225-907-5883
http://www.deborahtodd.com
The $5 donation button should take you there. Let me check.
OK. Thanks for asking! I think something went wrong with the color settings that made the button difficult to recognize. I would love to have confirmation that it works for you. My end may look a little different than your side. Thanks again!
No link. I would like to join team caffeine
Sent from my iPhone
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Thanks, Cam! And so sorry you have having trouble. There should be a “button” that says “$5 Contribution.” I am finding the button appears in different colors depending on the browser. If there is not enough contrast in the colors, it may just look like a random oval. The button is also near the top of the Compendium. I am really eager for feedback because things look a little different on my end. I would love a reply to this that let’s me know if you found it and why it was hard to see. Thanks again for trying!
Button does not show in email. I had to use the link at the bottom. Red button shows up fine on the web page. I have been billed waiting on login password.
I just sent you an email with what you need. This is a very helpful comment. It sounds like the e-mail you receive as someone who follows my blog does not contain the link. I have been trying to figure out why some could join and some could not. Thanks for the info.
And thanks for subscribing!
I find your writings to be well thought out and written. I look forward to more in the near future.
Chris, so here’s the deal. Anyway I can just give you a lump sum right up front and not have my account drawn every month? I know I’m probably weird, but I just don’t open ended deals like that. . But I would love to give you a donation for all you do and if that got me a year’s worth of access I would be grateful for that as well. Let me know if there is something I can do. You can email me directly if you need to. Thanks.
Brandon Fulmer
Thanks, Brandon. I appreciate your desire to be part of PeopleNeedJesus.net. I am lousy at keeping track of the financial end of things. Stripe maintains the subscriber list for me. I am afraid that I will disappoint someone if I open the door to multiple subscription options. Of course, you can opt out of Stripe at any time. Send me a message to c.ritter@peopleneedjesus.net and I will send you a gift.
Chris I pay $5 and can’t sign in. Roy Jacobsen.
You should have received a new password via email today. I will resend.
Can I get your email address?