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

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 … Continue reading "Simple life rhythms for balance and peace wit...

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 … Continue reading "Wrestling with the tough sayings alongside Amy-Jill Levine"

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 … Continue reading "Making any moment a holy moment"

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 … Continue reading "Holy mischief and disruptions of kindness"

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 … Continue reading "Breath, justice and the name of God (with Rev. Brian Tillman)"

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. … Continue reading "Remembering Steve Austin"

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 … Continue reading "How spiritual practic...

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 … Continue reading "Leaving no one at the...

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 … Continue reading "Hopelessness and decolonizing faith with Miguel De La Torre"

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 … Continue reading "Doubt and deconstruction...

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 … Continue reading "Becoming spiritually free with AD...

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 … Continue reading "Creating change when stuck in the same"

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 … Continue reading "Living with doubt"

Lindsey Krinks is a street chaplain and difference-maker. On the Compass Podcast, she shares how you will be a difference-maker, too. Lindsey Krinks is also an activist and a cofounder of Open Table Nashville. Check out Lindsey’s book, Praying with Our Feet, at http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/praying-with-our-feet/402180

Consume less, relate more. Ryan and Pierce felt a strong sense of mourning entering this holiday season. Where is the light shining this holiday time? Rev. Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping gave Pierce and Ryan some ideas for a unique holiday season. For more Compass episodes visit umc.org/compass. Check out more from Rev. … Continue reading "Keeping it simple this Christmas"

Gratitude is good for our bodies, minds and spirits. But we don’t always feel a sense of gratitude, do we? Knowing that gratitude is good, are there ways to cultivate a sense of gratitude? Pierce and Ryan dig into some practices that inspire internal thankfulness. The trick is not simply being thankful for all things. But … Continue reading "Cultivating gratitude"

We all have our own well-reasoned opinions and points-of-view. Why can’t other people see things as clearly as we do? Brian McLaren joined the Compass Podcast noting that all of us carry certain biases, and when we recognize them we are far better capable of communicating our points of view. Brian McLaren is a well-known … Continue reading "Communicating and bias with Brian McLaren"

Self-proclaimed “Nerd Pastor” Nathan Webb, founder of Checkpoint Church, joined the Compass Podcast to discuss gaming, anime, comics, and connecting on a spiritual level. We’re all geeks for something, and Nathan details how our geek-y interests can foster something deeper.