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

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 … Continue reading "96: Using your imagination in prayer"

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 … Continue reading "World-changing: Rethink Church audiomagazine October 2022"

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 … Continue reading "95: An ongoing history of hell"

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 … Continue reading "94: Satanic panic and holy imagination with Derek White"

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. … Continue reading "93: Experiencing God in nature with Victoria Loorz"

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 … Continue reading "Discipleship: Rethink Church audiomagazine September 2022"

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 … Continue reading "92: Homelessness, justice and divine disruptions with Kevin Nye"

“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 … Continue reading "91: When we question if we really want to Christian, with Brian McLaren"

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 … Continue reading "Missional: Rethink Church audiomagazine August 2022"

Rev. Abigail Browka, founder of the Everyday Sanctuary app, provides the story of starting an app-based ministry centered on contemplative practices. She provided the unique challenges and benefits of starting a faith community in a digital space as well as some insights on thinking innovatively in ministry.

Check out the Everyday Sanctuary community: https://everydaysanctuary.com/

This episode was part of a livestreamed podcast-a-thon from United Methodist Communications.

You can learn more about Pastoring in the Digital Parish at www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish