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

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’ … Cont...

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  “Resi...

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,...

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"

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 … Continue reading "Deeply Rooted: February 2023...

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 … Continue reading "103: Let’s get into Lent"

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 … Continue reading "102: Blessing our messy everyday lives wi...

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’ … Continue reading "Jesus and quest...

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 … Continue reading "101: Rewire your brain fo...

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 … Continue reading "100: 10 recommended shows to strea...

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 … Continue reading "99: Disrupting 10 Christmas myths"

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?”...

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 … 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 My...

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...

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 L...

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 re...

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...

“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 wan...

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"

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 … Continue reading "A fresh look at radical Jesus with Damon Garcia: Compass 89"

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 … Continue reading "The church, the state and a prophetic voice: Compass 88"