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

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 … Continue reading "110: Linking love and justice with Otis Moss III"

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. … Continue reading "109: From heroes to villains: The role of iconoclasm with Diana Butler Bass"

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 … Continue reading "108: John Blake explores the world-changing power of relationships"

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 … Continue reading "Faith in Action: Examining the Moral Monday Protest in Nashville"

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 … Continue reading "Faithfulness: April 2023 Rethink Church audiomagazine"

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 … Continue reading "107: When restlessness is a gift"

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’ … Continue reading "106: Climate change and taking spiritual action in response"

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 … Continue reading "Resilience: Rethink Church March 2023 audiomagazine"

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 … Continue reading "105: Jubilee, apocalypse and the politics of Jesus"

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 … Continue reading "104: Who is a saint and why do they matter? With Joseph Yoo"