Best United Methodist Communications Podcasts (2024)

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[135] Exploring Hell, Purgatory, and God’s Love with Derek Kubilus 44:56

17d ago44:56

44:56

Unpacking the Mysteries of Hell and Love with Derek Kubilus on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Derek takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the complex relationship between a God of love and the concept of eternal torment. Explore his ideas on purgatorial universalism, the evolution of hell in Christian theology, and how the…

1
Conservative pastor focuses on common mission amid differences 23:18

1M ago23:18

23:18

A lifelong United Methodist and career minister who describes himself as “conservative” discusses how, rather than focus on differences within the denomination, he concentrates on the common mission to make disciples, a space that supports The UMC’s “big tent” distinction. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available he…

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MyCom Podcast 096 | Understanding AI with Rev. James Lee 46:50

23d ago46:50

46:50

AI remains a hot topic online, in the news, and in the church. UMCommunications recently hosted a webinar on AI, and hundreds of people like you signed up. We have seen an explosion of AI tools – from standalone or customized apps (like PulpitAI, which we discussed earlier this year) to AI integrations in apps you are likely already using. The next…

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[134] Spiritual practices for busy lives with Andrew Lang

1M ago

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Rediscover centering and spirituality with Andrew Lang on “Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday.” Andrew Lang, a guiding voice in spiritual practices, shares transformative insights on integrating centering practices into daily life, overcoming the “dark night of the soul,” and finding creative ways to connect with our spirituality. Listen…

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Following a ‘holy nudge’ from self-doubt to self-discovery

2M ago

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Discover how a “holy nudge” led Jordan Cramer on a journey from self-doubt to self-discovery while earning his Master of Divinity degree. The cradle United Methodist’s story of commitment and faith reveals God’s transformative power available to all of us. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a questi…

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[133] Cultivating empathy in polarized times: Insights from John Pavlovitz

2M ago

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Curious about maintaining compassion and engaging in meaningful conversations in your daily life? On Compass 133, join Ryan Dunn as he speaks with John Pavlovitz about finding common ground and exploring spirituality amidst life’s challenges. Discover how to navigate differences with empathy, find solace in nature, and embrace your faith journey au…

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Nurturing mental wellness: Embracing inclusivity for all 30:45

2M ago30:45

30:45

Mental wellness is a spectrum where each of us resides. Creating inclusive and diverse spaces so all of us can feel safe regardless of where we fall on the spectrum is a primary focus at First United Methodist Church in Holland, Michigan. First UMC’s director of education Jill DeJonge shares her own story of growing up with mental health diagnoses,…

1
[132] A historic shift in inclusion for the United Methodist Church 13:10

2M ago13:10

13:10

We’re exploring a pivotal moment in the life of the United Methodist Church—the historic 2024 General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference marked a significant turning point, as 93% of the delegates voted to lift long-standing bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the hosting of same-sex weddings by clergy and churche…

1
‘Life after Doom’: A Guide to a Better Church, a Better World 40:50

3M ago40:50

40:50

“Never waste a good crisis,” Winston Churchill was quoted as saying. In Brian McLaren’s new book, “Life After Doom,” the pastor, author and American theologian urges us to confront the multifaceted crisis facing the world, especially climate change, political polarization, religious supremacy and growing economic inequality. With The United Methodi…

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The path to General Conference: One delegate’s story 31:04

3M ago31:04

31:04

Jessica Vittorio is a lawyer by trade, someone who spends her workdays amid conflict and difficult settings. As a lay delegate at the upcoming General Conference, the lifelong United Methodist knows the business of the church also can be challenging at times. But what she has found while preparing for the denomination’s largest legislative gatherin…

1
United Methodists in the news and missing episodes 6:32

3M ago6:32

6:32

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.By United Methodist Communications

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Digital Storytelling with Sabrina Joy Stevens 50:50

4M ago50:50

50:50

Communications expert, Sabrina Joy Stevens will be hosting a MyCom Webinar on May 15th at 12pm (CST) to help our leaders with Clarity over Confusion post General Conference. Register here: https://umcom.zoom.us/webinar/register/7317103461585/WN_lIZSl3OmRcO8ykOHW356UA Subscribe to MyCom Podcasts on YouTube here: https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agenci…

1
God’s gift, our responsibility 35:11

4M ago35:11

35:11

In late 2023, the Rev. Emily Carroll from Shady Grove United Methodist Church in rural Louisiana, traveled to the United Arab Emirates to meet up with 100,000 attendees of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Rev. Emily shares about her experience, the hopeful takeaways and what we all can do to be better stewards of God’s creation, becaus…

1
[131] Keeping Christianity weird with Dr Richard Beck 37:30

3M ago37:30

37:30

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…

1
Enhancing Sermon Videos with Kathryn Price 55:33

4M ago55:33

55:33

We spoke with UMCOM Video Producer, Kathryn Price, several years ago as we were all navigating the pandemic. On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we’re checking back in with her both for a refresher on creating sermon videos and to see what new tools and features we could all be using! This MyCom Podcast is brought to you by EO To…

1
[130] Faith vacations and lostness with Debie Thomas 27:57

4M ago27:57

27:57

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 fai…

1
Retirement + power tools + RV = NOMADS 33:29

4M ago33:29

33:29

A nomadic life may conjure images of aimlessly traveling with no sense of destination. For lifelong United Methodists Tammy and Rodney Ripley, who have been NOMADS for several years, their lives are far from aimless and destinations are denomination-related churches, camps and other sites where the couple joins fellow retirees to offer hope in the …

1
[129] Beats, peacemaking and authenticity with lenny duncan 44:19

4M ago44:19

44:19

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 t…

1
Discovering thin places: How to encounter God in everyday life 33:16

5M ago33:16

33:16

The phrase, “thin places,” dates back to the ancient Celts who used it to describe those times when we feel closest to the God, as if the veil between the natural world and spiritual world becomes very thin. The Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell discusses how to discover these sacred spaces in our own lives where we can encounter God in a real and near way. …

1
Extending the Sermon (with AI) 48:33

5M ago48:33

48:33

Last year, we dipped our toes in the water of AI with an excellent primer from Kenny Jahng on what generative AI is, some ministry uses, and how to get started. Since then, I have personally used AI tools to help me refine and clarify my thoughts and writing, as a brainstorming partner in sermon prep, and I have even generated a few images for serm…

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[128] Lent, fasting and spiritual nourishment with Christine Valters Paintner 32:09

5M ago32:09

32:09

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 th…

1
Love yourself: A fresh perspective on 1 Corinthians 13 32:25

5M ago32:25

32:25

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 often is referred to as the “love chapter.” Following the verses as a checklist of what love is, we might find that we’re better at loving others than we are at loving ourselves. But to practice the commandment that Jesus calls out as the second most important – Love your neighbor as yourself – it might be worthwhile to loo…

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[127] Engaging faith and reason: Kara Slade’s spiritual journey 39:11

5M ago39:11

39:11

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 Du…

1
Meet Bishop Tom Berlin 36:38

6M ago36:38

36:38

This “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is part of our “Meet a bishop” series. Bishop Tom Berlin, a lifelong United Methodist who grew up near Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, credits his local church with creating a strong sense of community in his life. Following a call when he was a summer camp counselor, the 2022 elected bishop to the Florida Conf…

1
[126] Church Rethought: Embracing Unconventional Spaces for Community and Spirituality 46:24

6M ago46:24

46:24

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 …

1
Wellness in 2024: Divine inspiration meets Wesleyan wisdom 32:38

6M ago32:38

32:38

The topic of health and wellness isn’t new to the 21st century. Numerous Scriptures encourage us to take care of ourselves, reminding us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote a book on the topic titled “Primitive Physick,” and encouraged 18th century clergy to both care for their parishioners’ ph…

1
Connecting with the Disabled Community with Rev. Melissa Pisco 54:18

6M ago54:18

54:18

On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we welcome Rev. Melissa Pisco to talk about how a ministry that is intentionally inclusive of people with disabilities can offer a way to connect with those who are not yet a part of your church. For more info about Dan Wunderlich go to: https://www.defininggrace.com/ =============== For over 8…

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[125] Cultivating everyday spirituality in 2024 with Abigail Browka 34:22

6M ago34:22

34:22

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…

1
GC worship leader blends diversity and ministry 26:16

7M ago26:16

26:16

Serving as worship leader at The United Methodist Church’s General Conference is a feat that Raymond Trapp is embracing by offering music that both showcases the diversity of the church and also meets people at their point of need. Trapp shares insights into his musical strategy, his selfcare routine for the 11-day event and how he believes the Gen…

1
When Christmas is blue: A guided meditation with Cindy Serio 21:50

7M ago21:50

21:50

‘Tis the season for all things merry and bright. Except when you’re feeling sad, lonely and perhaps grieving. Retired United Methodist pastor Cindy Serio discusses why Christmas can be a challenging season for some folks and shares a guided meditation that acknowledges that you might feel blue at this time of the year while offering encouragement f…

1
[124] Contemplative practices for a peaceful Christmas 7:20

7M ago7:20

7:20

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 …

1
United Methodists combat HIV/AIDS with compassion and action 33:21

8M ago33:21

33:21

HIV and AIDS aren’t in the news much anymore as the western world has gained access to life-saving medications and cases have decreased. Despite the good news, the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic still exists, with the World Health Organization reporting a startling statistic: Of those people living with AIDS who don’t receive treatment, 95 percent die…

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[123] Nice church, not nice patriarchy: A conversation with Liz Cooledge Jenkins 26:41

8M ago26:41

26:41

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 li…

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Being United Methodist: A guide and celebration 34:57

8M ago34:57

34:57

Let’s celebrate being United Methodists! That single sentiment is the overarching message from a trio of United Methodist pastors – Andy Langford, Sally Langford, Ann Langford Duncan – whose new book, titled “Being United Methodist Christians,” reflects on the history and theology amid worldwide diversity, and urges members to embrace our unique co…

1
Quick takes on tough questions of the Christian faith 24:09

8M ago24:09

24:09

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…

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Empathy: The key to showing God’s love in a complex world 36:14

9M ago36:14

36:14

Navigating through the complexities of current conflicts, like the one between Israel and Hamas, can be challenging. The Rev. Dr. Ron Bell discusses how empathy, meaningful action and making room to see the humanity of others can help us rise above the political and news-driven narratives to model Christ’s love in a polarized world. More informatio…

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[121] Israel, conflict, end times and interventions of peace 25:45

9M ago25:45

25:45

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…

1
Unwrapping the sights and sounds of Christmas with Matt Rawle 49:40

9M ago49:40

49:40

Christmastime is filled with sights, sounds, tastes and smells. United Methodist minister and author Matt Rawle shares how our sensory experiences of Christmas can deepen our connection to the season’s narrative and help us create a more meaningful Advent. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a questi…

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[120] Discovering evidence of the Divine in everyday moments with Mark Feldmeir 33:14

9M ago33:14

33:14

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 …

1
Personal discipleship: The move from passive to active 29:04

10M ago29:04

29:04

Personal discipleship is more than attending Sunday School and reading the Bible. The Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye shares her thoughts on how following Jesus can move us into action in our churches and our communities. Today’s episode, which marks the 150th episode for “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” was recorded as part of the 2023 United Methodist Podcast…

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[119] What makes United Methodists different? 32:58

10M ago32:58

32:58

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 Commi…

1
[118] Artificial intelligence and your spiritual journey 48:25

10M ago48:25

48:25

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 C…

1
Moving beyond limited words for a limitless God 25:07

10M ago25:07

25:07

Words matter – even the ones we use when we talk about God – or perhaps especially the ones we use to talk about God. Meg Lassiat from The United Methodist Church’s General Commission on the Status and Role of Women discusses how words can limit or expand our relationship with God and how Scripture points us to a broader understanding of who God is…

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MyCom podcast Ep. 089: The Written Word is Dead, Right? 18:44

11M ago18:44

18:44

“The king is dead! Long live the king!” On today’s episode of the MyCom Church Marketing podcast, Dan takes us on a journey to revisit the relevance of the written word. Reports of the written word’s death have been greatly exaggerated. For more info about Dan Wunderlich go to: https://www.defininggrace.com/ This episode of the MyCom Podcast is spo…

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[117] Does the Bible contradict itself? With Josh Scott 38:28

11M ago38:28

38:28

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 cat…

1
Quests, community and faith: Online gaming with a mission 42:49

11M ago42:49

42:49

Sharing our faith where people commonly gather is a concept as old as John Wesley. The Rev. Dr. Adam Sowder believes, if Wesley were alive today, the founder of Methodism definitely would be gaming on Twitch, chatting on Discord and streaming his sermons across social media. Methodist Gaming, which Adam started, is an online community found on stre…

1
116: The Force and the Final Frontier 41:54

11M ago41:54

41:54

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/…

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Confronting trauma, building resilience 31:30

11M ago31:30

31:30

Trauma is universal and trauma, especially unaddressed, can affect how we engage with one another both inside and outside of our church communities. The Rev. Christy Miller White discusses how our behaviors can bring healing and offers practical tips for helping others and ourselves develop resiliency to live with trauma. More information and a ful…

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MyCom podcast Ep. 088: Should I Join that New Social Media Network? 26:57

12M ago26:57

26:57

In the middle of the summer, seemingly out of nowhere, there was suddenly a new social media network: Threads – the Twitter competitor from Instagram. Whether it is a brand new network that appears in the middle of the night, or there’s a platform on the rise, or simply one your church hasn’t been a part of but you’re thinking about it – there are …

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Re-listen: Rediscovering church with Jerry Herships 44:47

12M ago44:47

44:47

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 G…

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