Compass Podcast: Finding the spirituality in the day-to-day

The United Methodist Church is going to be in the news due to the big General Conference Gathering. Here’s why.
ALSO, we’re going to miss a couple of full episodes due to the big event. We’ll be back with new episodes on May 15, 2024.

Join us as Dr. Richard Beck discusses mysticism in daily life, and how enchantment can transform our view in “Hunting Magic Eels.”
Feeling world-weary? Richard discusses how moral beauty & acts of kindness can awaken awe. Explore the mystical in the mundane on the Compass Podcast!
Richard is a Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University, and he is the author of the popular blog Experimental Theology: The Thoughts, Articles and Essays of Richard Beck. His latest book is called “Hunting Magic Eels: Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age… it is out now. As an experimental psychologist and a practicing Christian, Richard attempts “to integrate theology with the experimental social sciences.”
In this episode:
(00:00) Compass podcast embraces awe and mystery.
(06:15) Enchantment focuses on experiential perspective, openness to surprise.
(07:44) Yearning for enchantment amid shifting religious beliefs.
(12:12) Vocational crisis due to moral questioning.
(14:48) Natural beauty not main trigger for awe.
(18:28) Small local churches offer moral beauty weekly.
(22:38) Biking to work, sunrise, prayerful start.
(24:42) Embracing the little way in daily life.
(30:16) Criticism about depending solely on God’s aid.
(33:39) Using poetry to find meaning in life.
(34:58) Seek joy, God’s witness, widen divine encounters.
More episodes and show notes available at umc.org/compass
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

Are you sometimes afraid to ask questions about faith and spirituality? Does doubt scare you a little bit? Do you have some questions you’re skeptical about ever finding the answers to?
Debie Thomas’s approach to faith as a storied theology challenges the conventional beliefs. Her insights offer a refreshing perspective on the dynamic nature of faith, inviting us to embrace our evolving spiritual journeys.
Debie is the author of “A Faith of Many Rooms”. She is also a columnist and contributing editor for The Christian Century. Debie’s perspective is one of an explorer, a believer, a doubter, and a wonderer.
In this episode:
(00:00) Welcome to Compass
(04:26) Questioning God’s gender and accountability for events.
(07:20) Interpreting ancient stories and understanding their context.
(12:38) Faith is a mystery that sparked curiosity.
(14:16) Shift from self-driven faith to communal spirituality.
(17:06) Support from others sustains me on journey.
(21:46) Creating opportunities for intergenerational connections is beautiful.
(23:50) We want stories with struggle, growth, support.
(27:04) Compass community explores spirituality, recommends podcast episodes.
For notes and more episodes: www.umc.org/compass
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

Lenny duncan takes us through a spiritual journey in hip-hop on Compass. Engage in conversations about systemic change and personal faith.
If you want to hear some cultural commentary from a spiritual perspective, if you want to explore how hip-hop music speaks to both our human experience and our longing for spiritual connection, and if you want to learn a bit about the church of the future, stay tuned for this conversation with lenny.
Lenny is a writer, speaker, scholar, and media producer working at the forefront of racial justice in America. lenny is the author of Psalms of My People, Dear Church, and Dear Revolutionaries, and co-creator of the podcast BlackBerryJams with PRX. A PhD student in Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion. lenny is originally from West Philadelphia, has hitchhiked thousands of miles on American byways, and makes home up and down the I-5 to see found family, and in the E bay for research.
In this episode:
(00:00) “Book explores hip hop’s spiritual authenticity.”
(06:25) Amid conflict, empathize with those you oppose.
(12:20) Jimmy Hendrix, hip hop, music, family, church.
(13:08) Early exposure to Nation of Islam, gang culture.
(17:52) Early hip hop parties provided community for kids.
(21:09) Understanding hip-hop as a nerdy experience.
(27:30) The struggle of artists in hustle culture.
(30:40) Reflection on societal gaze and impact on art.
(33:31) Considering the legacy of humanity through music.
(37:55) Women and queer artists leading innovative hip-hop.
(40:50) Interpretation of Jesus creates ontological problem.
(43:20) Share songs for spiritual playlist in community.
Compass is hosted by Rev. Ryan Dunn and is a production of United Methodist Communications.
For episode notes and more episodes: www.umc.org/compass

We’re talking with Christine Valters Paintner about the spiritual significance of fasting and Lent. Christine, the founder of the Online Abbey of the Arts, shares her insights on how fasting can go beyond traditional ideas of abstaining from food and can instead be a way to open ourselves to a deeper encounter with the divine. Christine outlines the various forms of fasting, including from multitasking and inattention, and the practice of fasting from scarcity, speed, and certainty. 
Christine founded the Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery offering classes and resources on contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a Benedictine Oblate, poet, writer, spiritual director, retreat facilitator, teacher, and pilgrimage guide. She has authored over 20 books, including her most recent: A Different Kind of Fast.
In this episode:
(00:00) Liturgical seasons offer opportunities for renewal.
(04:29) Online community brings together contemplative practice, creativity.
(08:24) Embrace full presence by fasting from multitasking.
(13:31) Letting go of planning and surrendering control.
(17:39) Finding sacred moments in contemplative walks.
(20:44) Seeking nourishment for a famished heart.
(25:44) Seeking deeper connection to the divine mystery.
(28:37) Intensifying focus, choosing life-giving practices, practicing resurrection.
(31:10) Reflect, share, and explore spiritual practices.
Find episode notes at www.umc.org/compass
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

Faith, science and life calling! In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with Rev. Kara Slade, an engineer turned priest whose journey from the world of mechanical engineering to the pulpit is an interesting blend of spirituality and professional transformation. 
Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade holds a PhD in Christian theology and ethics from Duke University.  She also earned a PhD in mechanical engineering and materials science and then joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a research engineer and test manager for a variety of civilian and military projects. Kara’s career took a turn towards ministry (as we’ll hear), and today she serves as associate rector at Trinity Church in Princeton, New Jersey. Along the way, she’s written many enlightening articles and a book entitled “The Fullness of Time”.
In this episode:
(00:00) Podcast episode featuring engineer turned priest’s journey.
(03:33) Career changes.
(06:53) Struggled with faith, left church, worked for NASA.
(11:28) Struggles with faith and government work post-9/11.
(13:19) Christian life involves repentance, brings whole self.
(17:07) Evolution theories shape human social and political beliefs.
(23:06) Assuming bias impacts technology, particularly for people of color.
(26:39) Scripture is primary, but don’t over-construct.
(28:47) Priest emphasizes humility and reason in faith.
(32:41) Exploring spiritual forces, justice, and cultural conflicts.
(38:03) Reflect on science, religion, share your thoughts.
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.
Find show notes and more episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/compass

We’re talking with Rev. Heather Jallad about the creative, fun and innovative ways that church is coming together and meeting the world. It’s an invitation to Rethink Church.
This episode of Compass dives into new expressions of church like Dinner Church and Messy Church. It’s all inspiring… and it gets us thinking about how we, individually might both connect with spiritual community and how we might become involved in leading the church into new areas of witness.
Rev. Heather Jallad serves as the Associate Director of Training for Fresh Expressions NA, Community Engagement Pastor at Cannon UMC in Snellville, Georgia, and as a Specialist for the North Georgia Annual Conference. She pioneered the Common Ground Network, a network of fresh church expressions and The Douglasville Dinner Church in Douglasville, GA and a collaborative Dinner Church in Grayson, GA.
In this episode:
(00:00) Reverend Heather Jallad’s inspiring work on church.
(04:24) Introduced to dinner church, partnered with school.
(08:19) Fresh expression emphasizes mutuality and shared meals.
(11:21) Adapting church to fit modern schedules and lifestyles.
(14:56) Church planters stumbled onto non-traditional methods.
(24:34) Pandemic of loneliness, longing for community meals.
(30:29) Traditional roles expanded to engage new members.
(32:39) Promoting house churches for effective discipleship.
(35:37) Recognition of Pioneers in the church community.
(45:18) Geeky church models dive complete.
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.
Find show notes and more episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/compass

In this episode, we sit down with Abigail Browka, the curator of the Everyday Sanctuary app, and we get into the importance of real-life experiences and faith journeys. 
Pastor Abigail shares profound insights into tapping into creative spirituality, from the necessity of supporting one another in our spiritual paths to the role of brief, accessible spiritual practices in our daily lives. Together we’re going to explore the significance of daily spiritual practices, silent retreats, and the emergence of new spiritual practices and faith communities. This episode promises to inspire a deeper understanding of spirituality and encourage you to embrace it in your everyday life.
Abigail Browka is the founder and curator of the Everyday Sanctuary mobile app, which was launched in 2021 during the pandemic. With the intent to bring sacred practices into everyday life, Abigail created the app to provide a satisfying spiritual practice in less than 5 minutes, no matter where you are. Her goal is to make it easy for people to connect with God, whether they are at the doctor’s office, in the carpool line, or at a friend’s house. She also hosts a podcast as another way to help people find their spiritual connection. If you’ve followed our related Rethink Church social media accounts, you’ve seen Abigail as we feature a spiritual practice from her on those channels every Thursday.
In this episode
[00:00] Compass podcast promotes spiritual awareness and gratitude.
[04:58] Busy individuals finding God in everyday life.
[10:22] Creating accessible, 5-minute spiritual connections through app.
[14:02] Affirming daily spiritual practice and benefits of silence.
[15:09] Quiet space allows for reflection and appreciation.
[19:11] Emerging ministries adapting to changing world.
[21:53] Harvard study shows importance of healthy relationships.
[26:22] Community participation in events creates connections.
[30:14] Frequent contact, but infrequent meaningful conversations.
[33:18] Explore spiritual practices, share your experiences, and inspire.
For show notes and more episodes of Compass, visit www.umc.org/compass

Ryan Dunn addresses the struggle to find peace during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Offering contemplative practices for a more peaceful Christmas, Ryan explores ways to connect with God’s loving and peaceful spirit during this special time of year.
From leveraging inconveniences as moments of reflection to turning preparations into prayers, listeners are guided through five contemplative practices to infuse the holiday season with spiritual significance. Join us as we delve into the significance of Christmas and uncover ways to find inner peace amidst the chaos.
In this episode:
(00:00) the importance of peace and Christmas
(01:27) Intro to contemplative practices
(02:22) Using inconveniences as reminders
(03:20) Preparation as prayer
(03:30) Practicing fasting
(04:27) Reading Luke 1 and 2
(04:56) Engaging with Christmas imagery
(06:21) Closing and additional resources
More from the Compass podcast: www.umc.org/compass

Niceness in church communities can sometimes conceal deeper issues of injustice. It’s important to disrupt the status quo and engage in conversations about patriarchy, inequality, and systems of oppression.
In this episode, you probably want to listen for the ways in niceness, though well-meaning, can be a hindrance to equality and justice. Also listen for the word “complementarianism” and how its practical application can limit everybody.
Liz Cooledge Jenkins is a writer, preacher, and former college campus minister with degrees from Stanford University (BS Symbolic Systems) and Fuller Theological Seminary (MDiv). v). She believes that people, faith communities, and religious traditions are at their best when they’re always forming and re-forming – open to change, learning, growth, and transformation. She wants to live out a feminist, antiracist, inclusive, community-oriented, earth-healing kind of Christian faith.
In this episode:
(00:00) Let’s meet Liz Jenkins
(03:54 Hierarchy, church patriarchy, feminism in media.
(08:41) A first stand against biases
(11:54) Niceness can hide injustice and hinder change.
(17:22) Understanding Paul’s writings in modern context.
(18:41) That time when the Hebrew midwives defy pharaoh to save boys.
(21:51) Hopes to help church and community.
(25:10) Words of wisdom and gratitude for conversation.
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications. Find notes and other episodes at www.umc.org/compass

We’ll explore questions like: Does God need our worship? Are some sins worse than others? How does spirituality affect mental health? Can science and religion coexist? Where do we see evidence of God? And why would a good God allow for evil?
We’ll provide perspectives and insights on these questions, emphasizing that our answers are not meant to be definitive, but rather to encourage thoughtful consideration and invite the presence of the Holy Spirit as we seek understanding through grace and faith.
In this episode:
(00:00) Asking tough questions about Christianity
(03:28) Does God need our worship?
(07:27) Are some sins worse than others?
(10:04) How does spirituality affect my mental health?
(13:09) Can science and religion co-exist?
(16:20) Where do you see evidence of God?
(19:24) Why is there evil?
(23:20) More about Compass
Interested in the whole video series from Rethink Church? https://www.umc.org/en/rethink-church/topics/questioning/questions-on-faith-video-series

The Compass Podcast looks into a topic that has been making headlines and stirring heated debates: the Israel and Gaza conflict. Specifically, we will address a perplexing phenomenon: the religiously driven blind support of Israeli militarism by some Christians. What theological perspectives drive such a fascination with this conflict and where did those ideas come from? Let’s take a quick look at the historical roots of the conflict, unraveling the layers of religious beliefs, and examining the concept of eschatology and its influence on these perspectives.
In this episode:
[00:00] Could this be sign of the End Times?
[01:12] Christians support and how violence hampers peace.
[03:49] Holocaust fuels Zionism, UN plans partition.
[10:41] Hamas attacks Israel, Israel responds forcefully.
[13:06] Eschatology, Israel war, end times, dispensationalism, premillennialism
[16:13] Israel, church, prophecy, temple, second coming.
[18:52] Faithful taken away, tribulations, Armageddon, millennial kingdom.
[23:53] Witness of mercy, peace shows God’s movement.
[25:28] More about Compass
For more spiritual practices and inspiration for your spiritual journey: www.umc.org/compass

Join us as we explore the intersection of faith, culture, and personal experiences with Rev. Mark Feldmeir. Mark’s faith journey led him to question the nature of God’s power, especially in the face of suffering and evil. He emphasized that God’s power is not coercive or unilateral, but rather persuasive. Mark also reflected on the significance of personal experiences with God, often recognized only in hindsight. He highlighted the importance of paying attention to the small, ordinary, and imperfect moments of life, as these often serve as avenues through which we can hear the voice of God.
In light of the episode’s themes, we encourage you to reflect on the evidence of God’s presence in your life. Are there specific habits or spiritual practices that you employ regularly to cultivate this awareness?
Mark Feldmeir is the author of five books, including his latest work, Life after God: Finding Fath When You Can’t Believe Anymore. He has served on the Adjunct Faculty at Claremont School of Theology, where he has taught homiletics, and has spoken at various conferences throughout the country on topics ranging from preaching, politics, and pop culture. He currently serves as Lead Pastor at St. Andrew United Methodist Church in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
In this episode:
(00:00) Let’s reflect theologically on the movement of God
(00:43) Mark’s academic journey challenges beliefs about God.
(03:48) Perception of God shifted by today’s circumstances.
(09:11) Never doubted presence of God, but struggled with theological concepts.
(11:04) Reflecting on God’s power when bad things happen.
(14:29) God sightings lead to purpose in life.
(19:21) Discerning gifts for ministry, meeting deep needs.
(21:20) Book aims for deconstruction and reconstruction, resonates.
(24:38) Discovery, uncertainty, faith seeking understanding, pilgrimage.
(27:39) Diverse practices connect me with the divine.
(32:26) Join us for meaningful episodes of Compass.
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications. Find notes and other episodes at www.umc.org/compass

Hosts Ryan Dunn and Michelle Maldonado, alongside guest Ashley Boggan, take us on a journey to uncover the distinctiveness of the Methodist faith. Initially produced as part of the United Methodist Podcast-a-thon, this episode offers insightful perspectives from Dr. Ashley Boggan, the general secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Commission on Archives and History.
Ever wonder where the name “Methodist” came from? Why is Welch’s grape juice often used in United Methodist communion? What’s different about how United Methodists interact with the world? Dr. Boggan provides some historical context around what makes the United Methodist unique and peculiar amidst today’s many Christian denominations.
In this episode:
(00:00) Compass podcast explores the uniqueness of United Methodism.
(03:03) Early risers study, pray, hold each accountable. Seek mission beyond Oxford, helping the poor. Methodism: faith in action through love.
(08:34) Methodist women pushed boundaries for equality.
(11:22) Personal holiness requires relational connection with others.
(14:09) Wesley valued personal experiences in interpreting scripture.
(21:52) Methodist legacy: evolving church for community service.
(26:34) Welch’s juice and the UMC
(30:48) Interactive Methodist resource with podcast and courses.
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications and is produced by Ryan Dunn and Michelle Maldonado. See episode notes and more episodes at www.umc.org/compass

Are you ready to explore the intersections of artificial intelligence and spirituality? Join us on the latest episode of Compass as we dive into the impact of AI on the Christian spiritual journey.
We navigate the potential benefits and pitfalls of integrating AI into our everyday spirituality, play around with AI Jesus entities, and hear how Jay Cooper and the congregation of Violet Crown City Church have utilized artificial intelligence as part of their community life.
Here are a few key takeaways from this episode:
– AI can serve as a powerful tool for exploration and learning.
– It’s essential to remain skeptical of the limitations and potential biases AI may carry.
– The Christian spiritual journey is a beautiful, messy, and deeply personal endeavor. It is not about finding easy answers or relying on technological shortcuts.
In this episode:
(00:00) Exploring our use of artificial intelligence
(02:35) AI can inform Christian practice; limitations explored.
(06:52) AI Jesus on Twitch answers theological questions with patience and humor.
(09:14) Texting with AI Jesus
(11:55) Meeting with Jay Cooper and AI in Violet Crown City Church
(19:49) What happens in AI-generated worship
(26:36) AI and messy spirituality
(32:39) Artificial intelligence replacing pastors?
(43:47) New technology has always faced skepticism. AI can be helpful in certain areas, like communication and SEO.
(47:14) AI and prevenient grace
Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications and is produced by Ryan Dunn and Michelle Maldonado.
See episode notes and more episodes at www.umc.org/compass

Rev. Josh Scott, author of “Bible Stories for Grown Ups” explores with us the paradoxical possibilities of the Bible’s ancient narratives. We dive deep into the serious question of faith: “What do we make of the seeming contradictions and inconsistencies in the Bible?” Josh helps us see how asking these tough, discomforting questions can become catalysts for spiritual growth.
Josh Scott (he/him) has been a pastor for the last two decades. The focus of his work is reimagining, reframing, and reclaiming faith. For the past severak years, Josh has served as lead pastor at Gracepointe Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Gracepointe is leading the theological development and practice of Progressive Christianity. Josh is also the author of “Bible Stories for Grown Ups”. 
For more spiritual practices and inspiration for your spiritual journey: www.umc.org/compass
In this episode:
(00:00) Welcome to Compass: the Divine in the everyday
(02:53) Bible interpretation revelation during college religion class.
(08:28) Thinking Bible, notes, resources, observations, sharing.
(11:45) Bible contains contradictions but fosters meaningful conversations.
(18:42) Bible’s errors don’t discredit its importance.
(21:20) Favorite sections: gospels, Paul’s genuine letters
(27:11) Mark: The earliest and shortest gospel, full of movement. Ends with an empty tomb and a rumor. Failed discipleship is comforting.
(34:00) New book in April, contextualizing scripture stories.
(35:23) Gratitude for growth in sermons over time.

It’s time for cosmic theology as we examine the spiritual depths of Star Wars and Star Trek. Covering everything from Jedi to Klingons, Michelle Maldonado and Ryan Dunn are going boldly forth seeking the spiritual in space.
Join us as we explore the theological reflections found in these iconic franchises.
For episodes and notes, visit www.umc.org/compass
In this episode: Star Wars, Star Trek, The Next Generation, Picard, Force, franchise, theology, theological, reflection, culture, Michelle Maldonado, Ryan Dunn, Methodist, podcast, streaming, movies, film, justice, good vs evil, theodicy, exploration
 

Reverend Jerry Herships shares his unique perspective on creating a nontraditional community that connects with something bigger and provides a sense of belonging.
Jerry has worked as stand-up comedian. He wrote for Jay Leno. He’s authored a couple books, including Last Call: from serving drinks to serving Jesus and Rogue Saints: Spirituality for Good Hearted Heathens. Jerry is one of the founders of AfterHours Denver–a unique expression of church reaching outside of the traditional meeting places.
In this episode:
(02:37) Challenges with after-hours gathering: focus on Christ-likeness, reaching out to marginalized, fostering dialogue and community.
(07:10) Summary: Jesus aligns with marginalized and voiceless people. Our community supports the homeless in giving them voice and friendship.
(10:08) People seek connection and tribe, regardless of faith.
(14:29) “Discovering personal connections to the sacred”
(17:22) Being a good Christian requires effort and connection.
(21:02) Monks prove it’s hard without church.
(25:11) Pastor connects with community, emphasizes togetherness.
(29:30) Morning rituals are unavoidable but can evolve.
(33:06) Pub conversation about church connection and service.
(37:48) Rocky Mountains have high suicide rates due to access to guns and lack of mental healthcare.
(39:26) Importance of entering our space and listening.
(44:04) Explore more

Rev. Canaday shared with us his story of recovery in alcoholism and finding deep connection with a higher power. This connection led Ryan to explore the power of support groups and specifically the role of spirituality in recovery. All this ultimately led to Ryan founding a church based on recovery.
We’re five years on from that conversation, but the church–called Free Spiritual Community–is still changing lives. They’ve grown from meeting in the Canaday’s backyard to moving into their own spaces. 
The story of this community and Ryan’s ongoing story behind it are hopeful and inspiring. And totally relevant for today.
In this episode:
(00:00) Rev. Cannaday’s recovery story inspires present-day listeners.
(06:01) Hitting rock bottom
(09:46) Holding onto God, struggling with addiction, finding freedom.
(16:28) Recovery community with music, stories, and discussions.
(22:37) The need to welcome all
(24:55) A life transformed
(27:55) Family involvement in recovery ministry
(30:42) Acceptance of people expressing their experiences.
(35:11) Connect with the Free Spiritual Community
(37:39) Connect with us

Art and prayer share much in common–so much so that art can lead us into prayer and connection with the Divine. In this episode of Compass, Michelle and Ryan try out two art-based spiritual practices… and they provide directions on how you can utilize these practices as well.
To see “The Annunciation” by Henry Ossawa Tanner, visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art:
https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/104384
To view the video of this episode:

For more spiritual practices and inspiration for your spiritual journey: www.umc.org/compass
In this episode:
(00:00) Catching up
(02:49) Why art is spiritually meaningful
(09:42) Visio Divina
(20:16) Doodle Prayer
(30:28) Other episodes to check out

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the busyness of life? In the latest episode of Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday, Ryan Dunn invites listeners to disrupt their busyness through loving-kindness meditation.
The episode features a discussion on the benefits of loving-kindness meditation on mental well-being and relationships.
Here are three key takeaways from the episode:
– Practicing loving kindness towards oneself and others can have a positive impact on mental well-being and relationships.
– The practice of loving kindness can extend beyond our close circle to include neutral people, acquaintances, and even those who cause stress or pain.
– Cultivating a heart of loving kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimity can lead to positive effects on well-being, empathy, and compassion.
In this episode:
(00:00) Finding the spiritual in the everyday
(01:46) Introduction to Loving-Kindness Meditation
(03:53) History of Loving-Kindness Meditation
(06:46) Step one: get comfortable
(06:58) Step two: Set your intention
(07:25) Step three: Focus on love in your life
(09:31) Step four: Focusing on loved ones
(10:27) Step five: Focus on those outside your circle
(11:01) Step six: Focus on adversaries
(11:41) Step seven: Radiate love to all beings
(12:23) Step eight: Closing and reflection
Find more spiritual practices and inspiration for your spiritual journey: www.umc.org/compass

On this episode of Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday, host Ryan Dunn, a former youth minister, explores the factors that contribute to people leaving the church. Ryan starts by sharing how a student’s experience made him question the effectiveness of ministry for young people. The episode covers seven reasons for people leaving the church, which includes societal changes, abuse in the church, easily-found info online, and the dismissal of skepticism.
For episode notes and more episodes of the Compass Podcast: www.umc.org/compass
In this episode:
(00:00) 7 reasons people leave church
(00:44) Changing relationships
(05:58) Teenage phase is societal construct with implications.
(08:38) Prevent abuse through policies, training, and transparency.
(13:08) Limited faith = people leave to internet.
(16:06) Slow embrace of technology
(19:35) The Gospel of Sin Avoidance
(21:37) Features over experience
(24:05) Final word

Through May, our articles focused on the work of the Holy Spirit… which we’ll see can show up in some surprising places.
In this edition of the audiomagazine, we’ll hear:
(00:00) Introduction to the Rethink Church audiomagazine
(00:43) “The amazing ways God is working right now”
(06:02) “How to live a Spirit-filled life”
(11:06) “Why is my pastor playing Zelda?”
(17:12) “Why do we love Star Wars?”
Find the written articles:

* The Amazing Ways God is working right now… by Joseph Yoo https://www.umc.org/en/content/the-amazing-ways-god-is-working 
* “How to live a Spirit-filled life” by Madison Myers https://www.umc.org/en/content/how-to-live-a-spirit-filled-life 
* “Why is my pastor playing Zelda?” by Nathan Webb https://www.umc.org/en/content/why-is-my-pastor-playing-zelda 
* And “Why do we love Star Wars?” by Ryan Dunn https://www.umc.org/en/content/why-do-we-love-star-wars

Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III reflects on his upbringing with parents involved in the civil rights movement and his journey towards identifying with the black prophetic and spiritual tradition within the black church. He also dives into everyday disruptions by stressing the importance of intentional, slow connections with God through activities like walks and bike rides in natural places. In the end we’re going to see that linking love and justice combats spiritual demons and positively impacts communities.
Otis is senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He is a preacher, poet, activist, author and filmmaker with an eye toward justice and equality, as evidenced through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Dr Moss’s most recent book is “Dancing in the Darkness: Spiritual Lessons for Thriving in Turbulent Times”… it offers some needed insights for our day and age.
For episode notes and more episodes of the Compass Podcast: www.umc.org/compass
In this episode:
[00:00:00] Compass Podcast, Disrupting Everyday, Dr. Otis Moss III
[00:07:46] Love and justice: core values in gospel.
[00:11:18] Modern prayer is distorted; listening is challenging.
[00:15:23] Connecting to God through nature and scripture.
[00:18:06] “Contemplative and action-oriented spaces: Chicago’s gun violence prevention”
[00:24:00] Become student, listen to ancestral wisdom.
[00:26:45] Faith-based Live Free fights violence with youth.
[00:29:39] Podcast urges disruption of oppressive cycles.

We delve into the topic of iconoclasm and the conflict it causes in communities as they grapple with troubling figures from their spiritual history. From Confederate statues in Richmond to famous theologians who have committed atrocities, we explore how we evaluate historical figures through multiple lenses and the importance of deep discernment in Christian leadership. Join us for a conversation with scholar and author Diana Butler Bass as we explore the question of when communities need to cancel or reframe historical legacies to reflect on past mistakes and ensure justice.
Diana Butler Bass, Ph.D., is an award-winning author, popular speaker, inspiring preacher, and one of America’s most trusted commentators on religion and contemporary spirituality. She’s written 11 books. Her bylines include The New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN.com, Atlantic.com, USA Today, Huffington Post, Spirituality and Health, Reader’s Digest, Christian Century, and Sojourners. And she’s been featured talking about religion and politics on just about every major news outlet.
In this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(06:08) Empty Pedestals: The Age of Iconoclasm
(13:08) “The Importance of Reflective Engagement with History”
(15:16) Navigating the Tension Between History and Offense
(18:11) “Examining the Past, Present, and Future Lenses”
(22:02) “Why We Must Consider Future Generations”
(30:18) “The Deep Question Behind Thomas Jefferson’s Statues”
(32:38) “Reframing Public Figures: Jefferson and Washington’s Role”
(35:59) “Controversial theologians raise questions of morality”
(44:45) “Iconoclasm: The Controversial Removal of Statues”
(47:48) “Empty Altars: Searching for a New Spiritual Landscape”
For more episodes of Compass, visit: www.umc.org/compass

We’re talking diversity, inclusion, integration, hope, the church and divine intervention with John Blake. John has some interesting stories to tell about family and relationships… including his relationship with the church.
John Blake is an award-winning journalist for CNN.com. His 2020 essay, “There’s One Epidemic We May Never Find a Cure For: Fear of Black Men in Public Spaces,” was recently selected by Bustle Digital Group as one of the 11 best essays on racism and police violence. He is a Baltimore native living in Atlanta… and his book that just hit the proverbial shelves is “More Than I Imagined” which prompted our conversation with John.
In this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:39) Why John Blake is sharing his story now
(06:08) At what point did you “choose” church?
(07:54) What does real church diversity look like?
(09:47) Building a radically integrated church
(19:59) Hope for the future of the church
(22:44) Joy in relationships
(24:03) When the spirit intervenes
(29:20) “Imposter Christianity”
(32:21) Learning from Monster Culture!
The Compass podcast is a production of United Methodist Communications. For episode notes or more episodes of Compass, visit: www.umc.org/compass

Special release.
On the morning of March 27, 2023, a gunman entered Covenant School in Nashville, Tennessee, and shot 6 people to death. This event was a catalyst in Nashville, leading to protests, political intrigue and division, and the organization of a wide base of religious leaders. In this episode of Compass, Michelle Maldonado and Ryan Dunn share their experiences in response to the shootings, the political climate and their first-hand participation in some of the demonstrations and protests that have happened since March 27–including the April 17, 2023, Moral Monday demonstration in Nashville.
This episode provides insight from leaders and participants in the local actions, including Rev. Dr. William Barber of the Poor Peoples’ Campaign and Repairers of the Breach, Rev. Ingrid McIntyre, and Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye. They all share why these events have been a motivating factor in the mobilization of clergy and people of faith.
(00:00) Introduction
(00:35) Faith leaders take action
(02:26) March 27, 2023
(05:44) Demonstrations and the Tennessee Three
(08:45) Local leaders organize
(12:57) Rev. Dr. William Barber on organizing Moral Monday in Nashville
(22:07) Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye and Rev. Ingrid McIntyre on why faith leaders take action
(29:16) What happened at Moral Monday Nashville
(31:40) Speaker clips: Angera Ferrell-Zabala, Bishop Anne Henning-Byfield and William Barber
(39:18) Inside the statehouse
(44:11) The cost of inaction
(49:31) What happens now?
(52:16) Final thoughts
Please leave a rating and/or review!
The Compass podcast is a production of United Methodist Communications and releases new episodes every other Wednesday. For more information, including episode notes, and other episodes, visit: www.umc.org/compass

The April 2023 edition of the Rethink Church audiomagazine presented on the Compass podcast. In this edition, we present the latest stories and one classic read from the Rethink Church website. Throughout April 2023, our content focused on faithfulness.
We’ll hear:

* “The growing pains of faithfulness” by Madison Myers https://www.umc.org/en/content/the-growing-pains-of-faithfulness 
* “What happens when we make a faith a verb?” by Joseph Yoo https://www.umc.org/en/content/what-happens-when-we-make-faith-a-verb 
* “Why Christians care about the environment” by Ryan Dunn https://www.umc.org/en/content/why-christians-care-about-the-environment 
* And “Online Gospel: Jesus was there first” by Nathan Webb https://www.umc.org/en/content/online-gospel-jesus-was-there-first

Restlessness is not comfortable. We’d rather not spend too much time dwelling on thoughts of missing out… or of doubt… or spend too much time dwelling on mundanity of life. That’s not a comfortable place to be.
So when someone like Casey Tygrett comes along suggesting that restlessness is a gift because it opens us up to the movements of God, that feels a little jarring.
Casey Tygrett is a speaker and the director of spiritual direction practice for Soul Care, which helps church and nonprofit leaders restore health to their souls. He is the author of The Gift of Restlessness and is the host of the Restlessness is a Gift podcast. Tygrett holds an MDiv and a DMin in spiritual formation from Lincoln Christian Seminary. He and his family live in south suburban Chicago.
Connect with Casey: www.caseytygrett.com
More episodes of the Compass podcast: www.umc.org/compass
In this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:20) How goes it with your soul?
(02:57) Restlessness and exhaustion
(04:49) Restlessness and decision making
(10:05) Why write a book on restlessness?
(15:30) Restlessness reveals reality
(24:12) Spiritual journey inspires restlessness
(28:45) Restlessness and peace
(34:14) Belief and spiritual direction
(38:56) Catching up with Casey Tygrett

Rev. Richenda Fairhurst shares about the relationship between our faith, spirituality and concern for our environment. This concern compels us to respond to climate change. Rev. Richenda shares several action steps for combating climate change–both personal actions and community action.
Richenda Fairhust was trained by the Climate Reality Project and Center for Earth Ethics Ministers’ Trainings, serving afterwards as a mentor and speaker. She served as a chaplain for Occupy Wall Street in NYC and journeyed to Standing Rock to participate in prayer and solidarity during the Call to Clergy in November 2016. She founded Faiths4Future in 2020, and serves as a co-organizer for Faiths4Future and the Climate Café Multifaith. Currently she serves as Steward of Creation at Circle Faith Future.
Check out Faiths4Future: https://faiths4future.org/
In this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:32) Meet Rev. Richenda Fairhurst
(02:42) What is Faiths 4 Future?
(06:31) What pulled you into action against climate change?
(12:30) What were first personal steps against climate change?
(21:31) How do we know we’re making difference?
(26:43) On earth as it is in heaven…
(27:52) How are churches making a difference?
(33:31) Get more information
Find more episodes of the Compass podcast: www.umc.org/compass

In this edition, we present the latest stories and one classic read from the Rethink Church website. Throughout March 2023, our content focused on Lent and the resilience it inspires. We’ll hear:

* “What is Palm Sunday?” by Ryan Dunn https://www.umc.org/en/content/what-is-palm-sunday
* “Lent, fasting and revelation” by Joseph Yoo https://www.umc.org/en/content/lent-fasting-hunger-and-revelation 
* “Resilient women in the Bible” by Madison Myers https://www.umc.org/en/content/resilient-women-in-the-bible 
* And  “What’s up with churches on Twtich?” by Nathan Webb https://www.umc.org/en/content/whats-up-with-churches-on-twitch 

Christian Collins Winn joins the Compass Podcast to share how disruptive the teachings of Jesus really are–especially in regards to our social and political systems. Christian makes the claim that, though we don’t often talk about “Jubilee” and “apocalypse”, faith is all about what those terms represent and disrupting broken systems through actions like the forgiveness of debts and freedom for the oppressed and the enabling of human flourishing.
Christian Collins Winn is the author of “Jesus, Jubilee and the Politics of God’s Reign”. He is adjunct professor of religion at Augsburg University and teaching minister and theologian in residence at Meetinghouse Church in Minnesota.
In this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:41) Meet Christian Collins Winn
(04:04) Definition of “God’s reign”
(04:49) What is “Jubilee”?
(06:52) What we mean by “apocalypse”
(10:21) Jubilee in action
(14:05) Our discomfort with the terms
(17:55) Why is the Jubilee principle so important?
(20:39) Jesus and Jubilee
(24:28) God’s politics
(27:44) An example at George Floyd Square

Joseph Yoo uses the power of stories — both ancient and contemporary — to remind us how we are often unexpectedly intertwined with one another and with God.
Rev. Joseph Yoo. Joseph is the planter of Mosaic Episcopal Church located in the suburbs of Houston, Texas. And he has just released a book called “When the Saints Go Flying In” which shares some stories of celebrated people from Christian history, a few stories that we might recognize from other popular figures, and, ultimately, the ongoing story of God working in the lives of everyday people like us.
For more episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/compass
In this episode:
(00:00) Introduction
(04:00) Who is your favorite saint?
(06:30) Why write about saints?
(09:31) What makes a person a saint?
(11:22) Surprising saints?
(14:02) A forgotten saint
(21:56) Their stories enlighten our stories
(26:21) Planting a church
(28:45) Church trauma

This is the February 2023 edition of the Rethink Church audiomagazine presented on the Compass podcast.
In this edition, we present the latest stories and one classic read from the Rethink Church website.
Throughout February 2023, our content focused on being deeply rooted. We’ll hear:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:50) “The Last of Us: Hive Mind vs The Body of Christ” by Nathan Webb
(06:35) “Are Traditions Like Marriage Becoming Too Old-Fashioned” by Madison Myers 
(11:49) “How and How Much Should I Pray” by Joseph Yoo
(16:38) “Church of the None and Done” by Kristin Joyner
 

What is the season of Lent, where did it come from and why is it important? Do you know the most popular things to give up during Lent? You might be surprised by how some people practice this special season.
Compass co-hosts Ryan and Michelle share their Lenten experiences and some ideas about how we all can encounter deeper connection and spiritual meaning during this special time of year.
In this episode:
(00:00) What is Lent?
(03:08) A theatrical history of Lent
(10:05) Lent traditions from around the world
(17:49) Top things people give up for Lent, according to Twitter
(20:40) Personal practices for Lent
(28:58) Lenten blessing

Jessica Richie shares the story and practices behind “The Lives We Actually Have”, written with Kate Bowler.
“The Lives We Actually Have” (Releasing February 14, 2023) is a collection of blessings for the struggles of our shared humanity, from the New York Times bestselling authors of “Good Enough”. A blessing for a painful day? A blessing for when things don’t make sense? These feel like strange times to consider blessing. But, as Jessica points out, perhaps those are the instances when we’re drawing closest to God.
This episode contains special blessings from both Kate Bowler and Jessica Richie.
(00:00) Introduction
(00:56) Blessing our doubt from Kate Bowler
(03:11) Introducing Jessica Richie
(04:20) Developing a deeper language for talking “God”
(08:14) Why a book for blessings?
(09:54) Favorite blessings
(12:10) Blessings are a form of placement
(15:35) Compulsive blessing
(18:33) A blessing for stretching your heart

This is the January 2023 edition of the Rethink Church audiomagazine presented on the Compass podcast.
In this edition, we present the latest stories from the Rethink Church website.
Throughout January 2023, our content focused on Jesus and also questions about the United Methodist Church. We’ll hear:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:44) “Anxiety and one of Jesus’ toughest lessons” by Madison Myers 
(05:52) “The thing I wish Jesus didn’t say” by Joseph Yoo
(11:50) “The Surprising depth of Pentiment” by Nathan Webb
and
(16:45) “Are United Methodists really that different?” by Ryan Dunn 
 

Caroline Oakes shares how contemplative prayer and meditation rewire our thinking and open us up for Divine connection. In this episode, you’ll hear how Jesus practiced “the pause”–or took time away for centering and contemplation. You’ll also hear some of the ways that our own contemplative practices can change our thought processes and awaken a heightened awareness for God’s movement in our day-to-day lives.
Caroline Oakes is the author of Practice the Pause: Jesus’ Contemplative Practice, New Brain Science, and What It Means to Be Fully Human. She is a writer/spiritual director/publicist who is fascinated with the shifts in mind and spirit that slowing down and noticing can bring. Caroline has been published by The OnBeing Project (OnBeing.org), the Huffington Post,  the Bucks County Herald, Outlook by the Bay, and other online and print publications.
Connect with the Compass podcast at www.umc.org/compass
(00:00) Introduction
(01:45) Caroline’s start in contemplative practice
(09:20) Jesus’ practice of contemplative prayer
(14:54) Building new neurological connections
(19:28) Contemplative neuroscience
(26:40) What is “metanoia” and why is it important?
(30:45) Recommended contemplative practices
(38:35) Connect with Caroline Oakes

What are the best streaming shows right now for connecting faith and life through theological reflection? Compass shares their recommendations.
It’s a big episode! It’s episode 100 for the Compass podcast! And we’re introducing a new member to the Compass team. In order to get to know our team, we’re recommending several shows and movies to stream right now that help us start theological reflection and connect the Divine to our day-to-day lives.
What are you watching this year? Get some watching and streaming recommendations here!
(00:00) Introduction
(00:43) Introducing our new co-host, Michelle Maldonado!
(07:12) Agents of SHIELD
(11:20) Good Omens
(15:05) Buffy the Vampire Slayer
(17:46) Emancipation
(20:24) Smallville
(24:09) Signs
(26:39) Star Trek
(29:08) Bill and Ted Face the Music
(32:15) Lucifer
(33:23) Glitch
Want to find more ways to connect faith, spirituality and life? Visit umc.org/compass for more Compass episodes and ways to connect.
 

Happy Advent! Let’s prepare for the UPCOMING Christmas season by looking at the history and practices of the holiday.
Why is the date of Jesus’ birth celebrated on December 25? Why do we sometimes call Santa Claus “Saint Nicholas”? Was the Grinch based on a real person? We’re doing a short but deep dive into Christmas traditions and practices.
In this episode:
(00:00) Rethinking Christmas traditions
(00:59) Myth 1: Christmas is the most important Christian holiday
(04:06) Myth 2: Christmas is just an adaptation of a pagan festival
(06:06) Myth 3: Jesus was born on December 25
(07:52) Myth 4: There’s a new modern war on Christmas
(10:33) Myth 5: Writing “Xmas” is disrespectful or sacrilegious
(12:11) Myth 6: Santa Claus is Saint Nicholas
(15:33) Myth 7: Mary rode a donkey to Bethlehem
(17:02) Myth 8: A star shone directly above the birth scene
(18:05) Myth 9: Three kings were present at Jesus’ birth
(18:37) Myth 10: December is the Christmas season

Divine disruptions are happening on TikTok every day. Kelley Finch, Joseph Yoo and Sarah Tevis-Townes tell their stories of coming to TikTok and finding some beautiful relationships and community.
Find Pastor Kelley at @pastorkelley
Find Rev. Joseph at @joseph.yoo
And Pastor Sarah at @disorganized.religion
 

Throughout November of 2022, our content focused on diversity and the season of Advent. We’ll hear:
“The broken family of Black Panther” by Nathan Webb
https://www.umc.org/en/content/the-broken-family-of-black-panther-wakanda-forever 
“Why diversity in the church matters” by Madison Myers
https://www.umc.org/en/content/why-diversity-in-the-church-matters 
“Have we embraced diversity or tokenism?” by Joseph Yoo
https://www.umc.org/en/content/have-we-embraced-diversity-or-tokenism 
and
“What is Advent about?” by Ryan Dunn 
https://www.umc.org/en/content/what-is-advent-about 

Gratitude is good. But Thanksgiving is an issue. We could consider a space for lament and healing. Mark Charles, co-author of Unsettling Truths: The Ongoing, Dehumanizing Legacy of the Doctrine of Discovery, shares a history of the Thanksgiving holiday and how we can instead make room for lament that offers healing.

Learn how to utilize the contemplative practice of imaginative prayer.
This episode of Compass is an abbreviated one, as we’re working on what’s turning into a kind of double episode for next week. But in the meantime, we share another practice that leads into a deep sense of connection and helps broaden personal perspective beyond our own sense of self.
This practice is conveniently called Imaginative Prayer. There are likely a lot of variations on imaginative prayer. The particular variation we’ll utilize in this episode comes out of the Ignatian contemplative tradition.

Throughout October of 2022, our content focused on changing the world around us. This edition of the audiomagazine features articles describing how we become personal agents of change, making small actions that provide big impacts. We’ll hear:

* “How you will change the world” by Joseph Yoo https://www.umc.org/en/content/how-you-will-change-the-world 
* “Creating a world-changing legacy” by Madison Myers https://www.umc.org/en/content/creating-a-world-changing-legacy
* “Netflix’s “The Midnight Club” Is More All Saints Day than Halloween” by Nathan Webb 
* https://www.umc.org/en/content/netflixs-the-midnight-club-is-more-all-saints-day-than-halloween 
* and “5 things we can about poverty” by Ryan Dunn https://www.umc.org/en/content/5-things-we-can-do-about-poverty 

 Let’s enter into our October 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audio magazine.

According to Pew research, 62% of American Christians believe in hell. It’s actually hard to find topics that Christians agree upon more universally. But our beliefs about hell differ by a great degree: from it being a place of eternal torment to it being an ideal of separation. Where did our ideas about hell come from? Why might there be so many divergent beliefs about hell?
Let’s take a look…

Role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons have gotten a rap that they open doors to dark, sinister forces. It’s surprising (and refreshing) then to hear of them being used to inspire a sense of holy imagination and to advance the causes of justice.
In this episode, Rev. Derek White (aka The Geekpreacher) talks about the history of the Satanic Panic in regard to gaming, how roleplaying games played a pivotal role in his faith, and how he sees them inspiring a more just and grace-filled vision of the world today.
Derek White is an ordained minister who is best known for work on 3 documentaries on faith and imagination. His latest project is now available on Tubi for streaming, it’s called “The Satanic Panic and the Religious Battle for the Imagination.” Derek uses Dungeons and Dragons to teach ministry leaders how roleplaying games may be used for community formation, building bonds of commonality in an increasingly diverse world, as well as social skills training for speaking out on issues of social justice.

Victoria Loorz shares how we can cultivate moments of divine connection in nature and how these moments led her and a whole lot of people into a church-based movement to enjoy, appreciate and connect with the Divine through reflecting and experiencing the natural world. It’s the wild side of church on this episode of Compass.
Victoria Loorz is a “wild church pastor,” an “eco-spiritual director” and co-founder of several transformation-focused organizations focused on the integration of nature and spirituality.

Throughout September of 2022, our content focused on being on discipleship. Discipleship is a descriptor for the practices, processes and actions through which we express our relationship with God through Jesus. It is how we walk in faith.
This edition of the audiomagazine features articles describing discipleship, how discipleship shapes our perspectives, and practices through which we grow in discipleship. We’ll hear:
“The cost of being a follower” by Joseph Yoo (1:05)
“When does a game become sin” by Nathan Webb (9:00)
and
“5 questions to declutter your mind and connect right now” by Ryan Dunn (13:57)

Kevin Nye is our guest disrupter on this episode of Compass and he is going to share how advocating for the unhoused provides a window of opportunity for seeing a bit more clearly the movement of God-inspired justice in the world. We’re going to learn a bit about how advocating for those experiencing homelessness draws us into an awareness of God’s action in and around us.
Kevin Nye works in advocacy and homeless services… now in Minnesota. He is the author of the book: “Grace Can Lead Us Home: A Christian Call to End Homelessness.” He also writes on the intersections of theology, justice and equity, and pop culture.
(00:00) Introduction
(02:31) The a-ha moment of divine disruption
(05:14) Is the word “homeless” a problem?
(08:37) Housing is a right; it’s not earned.
(10:08) Why should we treat homelessness first?
(11:58) Taking on an abundance mindset
(14:28) Manufacturing a scarcity mindset
(17:24) Is Hell winning?
(19:19) How do you refresh your soul?
(26:11) Is “housing-first” too extravagant?
(29:45) Loving without terms attached
(33:13) the best Marvel character for spiritual reflection?

“Do I stay Christian?” That’s the title and focus of Brian McLaren’s most recent book. It provides reasons both to depart and to stay. We’re processing through some of the lingering doubts inspired through Christian history and questions of faith with Brian on this episode of Compass.
Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – one that is just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He gained a lot of notoriety for writing several well-regarded books, including “A New Kind of Christianity” “A Generous Orthodoxy” and “Everything Must Change”.  His newest books are “Faith After Doubt” (January 2021), and “Do I Stay Christian?” (May 2022).

Throughout August of 2022, our content focused on being on mission. What does that mean? Well, we have some great posts about how the church moves into the world to meet people… and also how God takes the initiative to speak to us. We’re offering a double dose of articles in this edition, so we’ll hear from our authors more than once. In this edition of the audiomag, we’ll hear:

* “Church is mission: Do you accept?” by Joseph Yoo
* “How ‘Nope’ helps us see the eschatological ending” by Nathan Webb
* “Holy intersection and Haywood Street Congregation” by Ryan Dunn
* “Why tradition actually means something in faith” by Joseph Yoo
* And “Thor and an angry god” by Nathan Webb

 Let’s enter into our August 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audio magazine.

Damon Garcia, author of “The God Who Riots”, is our fellow sojourner and seeker for this conversation on Compass.
He invites us to think about Jesus’ view of holy action and belief. It’s a bit of a disruption if you grew up with the notion of Jesus being a calm and passive presence seeking to teach people about the afterlife. Instead, Damon comes at us talking about Jesus in the here and now disrupting our acceptance of systems of harm and injustice.
Let’s meet Damon Garcia, he is a public theologian, writer and video essayist–you can find his work on YouTube and in the book “The God Who Riots: Taking back the Radical Jesus.” Damon helps people unsettle and untangle the influence of Christian teachings that have done harm in the past… things like colonialism.

Rev. Joseph Kim shares insights on our political calling in faith and raising up a prophetic witness for justice.
In America, church and state are meant to be distinct and separate. And yet, we have to admit that church often bleeds over into matters of state and vice versa, despite the intention of separation.
So when a church explicitly says “we’re going to talk about church and state”, it raises some attention–for better and worse. Pastor Joseph Kim and his faith community at Bothell United Methodist Church have been on a bit of a personally meddlesome journey, talking about prophesy and politics and a lived out faith.. and good trouble.
For sermon series and more on Joseph Kim: www.bothellumc.org
More on the Compass podcast: www.umc.org/compass

We’re revisiting a conversation with Kaitlin Curtice. We talked with Kaitlin back in 2018. She is an award-winning author, poet-storyteller, and public speaker. Kaitlin presents on the intersections of spirituality and identity and how that shifts throughout our lives.
In this episode we really focused on how she uses everyday moments as instances of awareness and appreciation–everything from doing the dishes to dealing with a nasty situation. Could such moments present Divine disruption? That’s what we got into with Kaitlin Curtice.

This is the June/early July 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audiomagazine presented on the Compass podcast.
Throughout June of 2022, our content focused on being Spirit-filled. What does that mean? Well, we have some great posts about encountering and moving with the Holy Spirit. In this edition of the audiomag, we’ll hear:

* “Pigeons, boundaries and the Holy Spirit” by Joseph Yoo
* “5 powerful practices to reclaim your spiritual flow” by Madison Myers
* “The kingdom of God is like the Force” by Nathan Webb

We’ll be back with some deep topics in August:

* How do sit with being Christian when we don’t agree with everything being done in the name of Christianity?
* Whether or not there’s a reason for our hardship in our lives.
* The sacred represented in the natural world.

And more, of course!

This was a conversation with Kate Bowler, who, at the time of original recording, was a well-regarded but not-so well-known college professor and author. She was on the verge of releasing a book called “Everything Happens for a Reason and Other Lies I’ve Loved…” which then blew up.
The book came out of Kate’s cancer diagnosis. At the time, it was a stage 4 diagnosis… which is a pretty bleak diagnosis. The book details her wrestling with the idea that God might have made this happen. And it’s somewhat ironic because as an academic, Dr. Bowler researched the prosperity gospel–the idea that faith makes good things happen.
It’s an internal conflict as old as belief. So this episode is timeless

Deep in the media vaults of the United Methodist denomination are old radio shows all about UFOs and extraterrestrial life. It would seem odd that a religious organization would be so invested in that topic. Meanwhile, NASA has funded theological projects and several faith leaders have invested in the astro-sciences.
What is going on? Do UFOs and extraterrestrials have anything to with faith and theology?
Let’s dive into the relationship…
This episode features excerpts from “Night Call”–a radio production from the late 1960’s. The show was produced by a predecessor of United Methodist Communications and discussed cultural issues of the day, including racial justice, Vietnam, the sexual revolution… and UFOs.
Also appearing on this episode (from the modern day) are Drs. Lucas Mix and David Wilkinson. Rev. Dr. Lucas Mix is a writer, Episcopalian priest, consultant for NASA, project coordinator at Equipping Christian Leadership in an Age of Science (ECLAS), and the Baruch S. Blumberg NASA/Library of Congress Chair in Astrobiology, Exploration, and Scientific Innovation. Dr. Mix hosts the Space on the Page podcast for the Library of Congress. Reverend Professor David Wilkinson is a professor in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University and has PhDs in astrophysics and systematic theology.

This episode is a re-presentation of one of our first Compass podcast episodes and it’s about our personal roles in the proliferation of racism and racial reconciliation. Despite the fact that the material presented in this episode by Rev. Brian Tillman is several years old, it’s still right on point and still really needed.

Throughout May of 2022, our content focused on connection. And we have some great posts about how we are connected in community and how we can build stronger connections–both internally and externally. In this edition of the audiomag, we’ll hear:
“The Way of Righteousness and grace in the Star Wars universe” by Ryan Dunn: https://www.umc.org/en/content/righteousness-and-star-wars
“Community is a contact sport” by Joseph Yoo: https://www.umc.org/en/content/community-is-a-contact-sport
“Five video games to enrich your faith” by Nathan Webb: https://www.umc.org/en/content/5-video-games-for-faith
And “Do you reject evil?” by Mandy McDow: https://www.umc.org/en/content/do-you-reject-evil

We’re talking with Lisa Colon DeLay in this episode about her journey of physical and spiritual integration. It’s a journey where she discovered that we are dualistic beings who are part spiritual and part material. We’re both/and. And recognizing that opens us up to utilizing spiritual practices that impact our physical states as well as physical practices that impact our spiritual health.
Lisa Colon DeLay is an author specializing in teaching spiritual growth, healing, and transformation as weekly broadcaster on the Spark My Muse podcast. Lisa also provides spiritual companionship. Her most recent book is “The Wild Land Within”.

Ready to tackle a couple tough ideas? In this episode of Compass, Rev. Dr. Mark Teasdale helps us adopt a healthy understand of the Christian ideas of evangelism and salvation.
Mark Teasdale is E. Stanley Jones Professor of Evangelism at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. He is ordained in the United Methodist Church, and is the author of Evangelism for Non-Evangelists, Methodist Evangelism, American Salvation AND, most recently, Participating in Abundant Life which was the prompt for our conversation here on the Compass podcast…

Throughout April of 2022, our content focused on seeking after Jesus. And we have some great posts about some teachings of Jesus that challenge us and nurture us. In this edition of the audiomag, we’ll hear:
“Christian judgement and the blessing of grace” by Joseph Yoo
“Batman, Easter and rebirth” by Nathan Webb
“Three teachings of Jesus for value-filled living” by Madison Myers
And “Why Christians care about the environment” by Ryan Dunn
 Let’s enter into our April 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audio magazine.

You have gifts and you are a gift to the world around you.
Don Everts is a pastor who had a startling realization while dealing with the ups and downs of pastoral and personal life: everyone is a gift. Including that vocal parishioner. Including that strange relative. Including himself.
Including you, too.
Don is the senior pastor of First & Calvary Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Missouri, and is a writer for Lutheran Hour Ministries and the Hopeful Neighborhood Project. Don has spent almost three decades helping people on college campuses and in the local church become good stewards of their God-given gifts. His many books include The Reluctant Witness, The The Hopeful Neighborhood, and, most recently, Discover Your Gifts: Celebrating How God Made You and Everyone You Know… all of which feature original research from Barna and biblical insights for our everyday lives.

All of us encounter anxiety. Current cultural conditions have feelings of anxiety on the rise–and for many anxiety is not a fleeting feeling. It sticks with us and locks us into a spiral of depression, shame, and mental paralysis.
Rev. Jason Cusick provides a practical and pastoral approach to navigating anxiety. As he shares his story, you’ll hear a hope and compassion that is grounded in faith… and it’s a little infectious. It’s our hope that Jason’s story disrupts your possible spiral of anxiety.
Jason Cusick is lead pastor at Journey of Faith in Southern California. He previously served as a pastor of care ministries, overseeing grief, recovery, crisis, and counseling ministries, and has also worked as a board-certified hospital chaplain. He’s written a book coming out April 26 titled The Anxiety Field Guide. Which you can order right now.

In this edition, we present the latest stories from the Rethink Church website and one of our most-read articles from years past.
Throughout March of 2022, our content focused on faithfulness. And we have some great posts about what faithfulness looks like in this new age and how we personally nurture our own faith. In this edition of the audiomag, we’ll hear:
“Exploring God’s behind-the-scenes faithfulness” by Madison Myers
“Faith, life and the lessons of “git gud” at video games” by Nathan Webb
“Faith and your world-changing invitation” by Joseph Yoo
And “What makes you feel spiritually alive” by Laquaan Malachi
 Let’s enter into our March 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audio magazine.

This Compass episode explores how Lent leads us into a deeper spiritual connection. Pierce Drake and Ryan Dunn discuss the meaning of Lent and how this special season in the Christian year moves us to seek a spiritual-centeredness through discipline and practice.

Did you know that there are daily practices you can utilize to seemingly slow down the pace of life, center yourself and cause some Divine disruptions in your perception?
AJ helps us see that contemplative prayer is for everyone, no matter where you are in your spiritual journey. If you’re breathing, you’re capable of contemplative prayer.
AJ Sherrill is the lead pastor at St. Peter’s Church in Mt Pleasant, South Carolina and has more than twenty years of experience as a pastor. He is an adjunct professor at Fuller Theological Seminary, where he teaches popular courses on transformational preaching and the Enneagram. AJ receives many speaking requests to lead Enneagram workshops across the country and is the author of The Enneagram for Spiritual Formation and Being with God–which is his most recent book and deals specifically with Contemplative Prayer.

This is the February 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audiomagazine presented on the Compass podcast.
Throughout February of 2022, our content focused on commitment. And we have some great posts about what commitment looks like in this new age and how we personally nurture our own feelings of commitment. In this edition of the audiomag, we’ll hear:

* “The one thing it takes to remain committed” by Joseph Yoo
* “Making a commitment to faith in a culture of disbelief” by Madison Myers
* “Why should church stay online? Wordle.” By Nathan Webb
* And “John Wesley’s 22 questions of self-examination”

The words we use matter. Words are both a reflection of what we feel inside and a means for influencing our own states of mind. Jonathan Merritt helps us understand how an inability to “speak God” might lead us to feel far from God. He also reveals how utilizing the language of faith influences our mindsets and motivations in powerful ways.
Jonathan Merritt is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week, a regular columnist for Religion News Service, and an author. His books include A Faith of Our Own, Green Like God, and Learning to Speak God From Scratch, which was released in 2018. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.
Some of the questions covered in this discussion with Jonathan:

Can you make a case to the rest of us as to why words about God and religious language might be important?
What are your favorite words for God?
Do you have least favorite words for God?
Why is it important that we reclaim—or begin to utilize—language concerning God?
What prompted your journey of relearning religious language?
We asked some of our listeners what their uncomfortable religious words were. If we may, how might someone lean into a new definition of repentance? Of Justice?

In January of 2022, we’ve focused on resilience. And we have some great posts about how you can keep on keeping on through 2022 (and beyond… as these ideas are not bound by this particular place in time). In this episode we’ll hear:

* “How faith builds your resilience skills” by Ryan Dunn.
* “Learning resilience in the most unexpected way” by Joseph Yoo
* “Stop teaching spiritual gifts, watch Encanto instead” by Nathan Webb
* “How faith can inspire resilience for 2022” by Madison Myers
* And our flashback article is “Living and the image of God” also by Ryan Dunn

So let’s enter into our January 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audio magazine.

We’ve taken several of the most-read articles from the Rethink Church page (www.umc.org/rethinkchurch) and brought them to you in audio form, so you can now get tips on spiritual practices, ideas on social justice interventions, and perspectives on healthy living wherever you listen.
In this initial edition of the Rethink Church AudioMag:
“5 ways to be more spiritual” from Mandy Sloan McDow
https://www.umc.org/en/content/5-ways-to-be-more-spiritual
“Does Jesus have something to teach us about toxic busyness” by Ryan Dunn
https://www.umc.org/en/content/does-jesus-have-something-to-teach-about-busyness
“When my faith is frightening” by Joseph Yoo
https://www.umc.org/en/content/when-my-faith-is-frightening
“Maybe God doesn’t have an exact plan for your life” by Madison Myers
https://www.umc.org/en/content/maybe-god-doesnt-have-an-exact-plan-for-your-life
And “Body and Blood: the true horror of Midnight Mass” from Nathan Webb
https://www.umc.org/en/content/body-and-blood-the-true-horror-of-midnight-mass

It’s year-end reflection time! Hosts Ryan Dunn and Pierce Drake review the moments they felt like God “showed up” in 2021. How did you see God showing up in your midst?

Amy Julia Becker is helping us disrupt the cycles of division in our society. Overcoming systems of injustice feels overwhelming for one single person, we don’t feel like our efforts could make a difference. Amy Julia shares her experience with those doubts and committing to justice anyways.
Amy Julia Becker is an award-winning writer and speaker on faith, family, disability, privilege, and healing. She is the author of four books, including “To Be Made Whole: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope”, releasing in Spring 2022, and she is the host of the Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast. Her work is featured alongside the writings of other Compass contributors in “How to Heal Our Divides”.

It’s easy to exist in an echo chamber these days. But the holidays, and Jesus’ story, remind us that beloved community neither begins nor exists in spaces where everyone else is just like us. Beloved community begins when we are intentional about participating in settings where we may not have much in common with some other participants.

Jacqui Lewis shares how a fierce love that starts with loving ourselves well will change the world. We are fully who we are–fully human–when we realize that we belong to each other. Everyone’s success depends on everyone’s success. So we are called to love one another as we love ourselves.
Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis is a public theologian and the senior minister at the multicultural Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan. She’s appeared on CBS, CNN, PBS, ABC and more. She’s written several books, including the just-released Fierce Love–which is a kind of manifesto for offering a healing antidote to our divided culture.

We all have questions about faith. Sometimes those questions are so burning that they start a proverbial fire that threatens to burn our whole system of belief down. Brian Zahnd joins the podcast to share about the ways God is revealed through both the fire and the daily workings of life.
Brian Zahnd is the founder and lead pastor of Word of Life Church, a non-denominational Christian congregation in Saint Joseph, Missouri. Brian and his wife, Peri, founded the church in 1981. Brian is probably more widely known as the author of several books, including, Sinners in the Hands of a Loving God, Water to Wine, A Farewell To Mars, Beauty Will Save the World, and his most recent work, as of this recording, is When Everything’s on Fire. This book helps our modern, skeptical minds move from deconstructing belief to reconstructing faith.

What is God doing when bad things happen? In this episode, we discuss this question and the place of hope in the midst of our messy lives with Bishop Jake Owensby.
Hope is not merely wishful thinking. Hope digs deeper and moves us in a way that wishful thinking cannot. There is hope because we act in hope. And we’ll see that because there is hope, there is a movement of the Divine.
Jake Owensby is the Bishop of the Episcopal Church in Western Louisiana. Author of five books on everyday spirituality, a speaker, and a retreat leader, Jake focuses on helping people discover meaning and purpose in their own lives. His most recent book is Looking for God in Messy Places.

Feeling a bit disconnected? Utilizing a reading plan helps us connect in community and feel connected to the Divine.
In this episode, Pierce and Ryan outline simple plans, note the benefits of investing in reading scripture, and offer a special invitation!

One of the marks of monastic communities is that they establish a rhythm of life that calls attention to the holy. 
Sister Joan Chittister, who is herself part of a Benedictine monastic community, has translated a number of these practices into everyday life for us. You may have heard of Sister Joan–she’s a well-known activist and has made a couple of appearances alongside Oprah Winfrey. She’s also authored 60 books and has won numerous awards. We’re talking with her about her recent release: The Monastic Heart: 50 Simple Practices for a Contemplative and Fulfilling Life.

Why did Jesus say some of the things he said? What do we make of these tough teachings today? Amy-Jill Levine provides some tools for processing.
Do we need to sell everything we own? Must we hate our mothers and fathers? At different points in his ministry, Jesus suggested to some people they do those very things. What tools can employ to make sense of those teachings today?
 

That video game you’ve sunk the last 7 nights into might be teaching you something about faith and connection. Rev. David Petty joins the Compass Podcast to share the story of the digital outreach community, CrossFire: Faith+Gaming. Rev. Petty points to the intersection of faith, gaming and community.
Visit the community at CrossFireCast.com

Douglas McKelvey details his motivation and process for crafting liturgical prayers for everyday events. Making coffee, changing a diaper, mourning the loss of a dog… these are prompts for prayer. Liturgical prayer offers words for the mundane and emotional moments when our own words fail us.
Doug McKelvey is the author of the Every Moment Holy series, collections of liturgical prayers for everyday life.
Find out more about Doug at www.dougmckelvey.com
Check out books and downloadable liturgies at www.everymomentholy.com

Reverend Shannon Karafanda shares #HolyMischief, a movement inspiring acts of disruption based in love.
It seems that the more kindness we show towards others, the more connected we feel towards them. So when we get stuck in cycles of negativity, or feeling like the world is against us, or feeling like everyone around us is getting on our last nerve, we’re well served by serving somebody else through an act of kindness.
Shannon is a professional Holy Mischief Maker helping others to engage in the mysterious disruption of love in action. She is an Executive Pastor at Peachtree United Methodist Church in Georgia and has a doctoral degree in transformational leadership.

Your breathing reflects the very name of God. Rev. Brian Tillman reminds us that God is present in the very breath we take. And then reminds us that injustice is mistreating all those who speak the name of God. Imagine what happens when people breathe the name of God while standing for justice.
To see the video upon which this episode is based: https://youtu.be/iCRg5a8DJBE

Steve is one of the few people we’ve talked with multiple times on the Compass Podcast. He just had so many great things to say. Steve also contributed to our Rethink Church blog, offering an important voice at the intersection of mental health, self care and spirituality.
We were shocked to learn of Steve’s passing. If you’re struggling with suicidal thoughts, please talk with someone. One of the places Steve recommended was National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – 800.273. (TALK). Those of us who care for Steve don’t want the nature of his death to be what he’s remembered for. He needs to be remembered for all the good he did, for all the help and laughter he brought. So we’re going to let Steve have the last word on this.

Pierce Drake offers a brief prayer exercise for contemplating the truth of who we are–even in the midst of our days.
Interested in the book he shares from? Find Every Moment Holy here: https://www.cokesbury.com/9781951872021-Every-Moment-Holy
 

In this episode, we’re creating our own stories of disruption through a contemplative prayer practice. The Welcoming Prayer helps us recognize what we’re feeling and where God is in the midst of our experiences.

Worship, prayer and meditation interrupt the world’s cycles of brokenness. Tyler Sit, the author of “Staying Awake” and pastor of New City Church, describes how these practices brought disruption to Minneapolis in the wake of the uprising and Derek Chauvin trial.
Rev. Tyler Sit is the church planter of New City Church, a church that focuses on environmental justice. He is a lover of Minnesota (when you live in Tennessee you don’t hear that often), a United Methodist pastor, and the son of a Chinese immigrant. Tyler has lived on four continents. He has formal training as a prison chaplain, community organizer, and social entrepreneur. When he is not at New City, you’ll find Tyler wandering around the Mississippi River.
The church he is a part of, New City, has been featured in the New York Times, The Atlantic, Minnesota Public Radio, and more.
AND, Rev Tyler has a new book out: it’s called Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers. It’s packed full of practices for people who want to make a difference for good in the world.

Humanity’s great error is that we’ve forgotten we belong to one another. When Father Gregory Boyle was sent to minister amongst the forgotten of Los Angeles, he responded by starting a movement to disrupt the cycles that suggest that one person’s life is worth more than another’s.
In this episode of the Compass Podcast, Father Greg shares some of the story behind the ministry he helped to found, Homeboy Industries. He also provides some insight on how we can all be disruptors to the cycles of marginalization.

Luke Edwards talks with us about fresh expressions of church that are disrupting the cycles of loneliness in our culture.

Dr. Miguel De La Torre, the author of “Decolonizing Christianity”, talks about living in hopelessness while being a person of faith. What does it mean for us to seek out the Jesus of the margins? How will that impact our understanding of faith and our world?
Find out more about Dr. De La Torre at drmigueldelatorre.com/

Are virtual friendships real friendships? Matt Franks and Zach Bechtold of the Bearded Theologians podcast reveal the ways in which a digitally-native culture does faith and spirituality online.
 

Deconstruction and doubts are natural to having faith. AJ Swoboda reminds us that we are not alone in our deconstruction and that reconstruction can be a beautiful, hopeful process.
AJ Swoboda is assistant professor of Bible, theology, and world Christianity at Bushnell University. He is the author of a number of books, including the award-winning Subversive Sabbath and of the recently released After Doubt.
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Chrisie Reeves-Pendergrass and Adam Baker speak on where the faith community has harmed in the realm of mental health, where the faith community has had positive impact, and what still needs to be said regarding mental health and faith.
See more from Chrisie and Adam through their podcast page: https://instructionsforlivingalife.com/

AD Thomason joined the Compass Podcast to share his experience encountering freedom through the Spirit.
AD is an adjunct professor at Kilns College where he teaches on the History of Human rights and justice, De-colonizing your faith, filmmaking and more. He has spoken in over 15 countries. Native of Detroit, Michigan, AD made it through adverse circumstances, be it violence, broken homes, racial discrimination and more. With over seventeen years of experience as it pertains to lecturing and human rights advocacy in ethnically divided countries, cultures, sub-cultures and relationships, he gives you a glimpse of God’s heart with the hope of healing and peace. AD wrote Permission to be Black: My Journey with Jay-Z and Jesus. Find out more at IAmRedRev.com.
Find out more about the Compass Podcast at umc.org/compass

Tony Caldwell joined Pierce and Ryan to talk about resilience. What are ways we can move forward in hope when so many of our circumstances feel stuck in sameness?
Tony Caldwell is a psychoanalytic psychotherapist. He also hosts the Voices of Wisdom podcast and is a featured speaker and writer for Red Letter Christians.org. He has written for many publications and newspapers and his work has been featured on CNN.

Does being faithful mean being doubtless? Brian McLaren is back on the Compass Podcast to talk about living with faith and doubt.
Brian’s new book, Faith After Doubt, is out now. He provides a glimpse into both the stories behind the book and how he lives with doubt–even while being a faith leader.
See more about Faith After Doubt: https://bookshop.org/books/faith-after-doubt-why-your-beliefs-stopped-working-and-what-to-do-about-it/9781250262776
And Brian McLaren: https://brianmclaren.net/