January 2023 – UMC.org Podcasts

MyCom podcast Ep. 081: How to be Discovered in the New Era

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Welcome to the era of the discovery algorithm, and on this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we are talking about one of the ways you can work toward being discovered in 2023.

For more info about Dan, our host: https://www.defininggrace.com/

This episode of the podcast is sponsored by EO Travel. Christian journeys with Educational Opportunities Tours enriches the faith and lives of believers, empowers teachers and preachers, and is an unforgettable way to build your faith community.

For 80 years, United Methodist Communications has been leading the church in telling inspirational stories of God’s work in the world through The United Methodist Church, reaching new people, supporting local churches in vibrant communications ministry, equipping leaders and delivering messages of hope and healing.

This essential work requires financial support. If you believe in our mission, consider a tax-deductible donation to the work of United Methodist Communications through its Foundation.

https://www.resourceumc.org/giveUMCom

Get MONTHLY church marketing tips + FREE Downloadable resources – https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/newsletters-and-podcasts/mycom-newsletter-subscribe

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MyCom Church Marketing Articles: https://www.resourceumc.org/mycom

We’d love your input! Send ideas to podcast@umcom.org

What Amazon, eCommerce and AI can teach the church

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What does the church have to learn from Amazon? E-commerce might have a bit more to do with digital ministry than we might have previously assumed. So in this session of Pastoring in the Digital Parish we’re talking with Jason Caston about what our churches can learn from Amazon, how we can utilize AI tech like Alexa, and some of the ideas and technologies we might consider putting in our digital ministry toolkits as we prepare for the future of the church in the digital age.

Jason Caston is a digital marketing specialist for Amazon. He has over 19 years of experience in web and content development. He’s made the rounds as a speaker and presenter. And Jason is a person of faith, who has written several books about ministry in digital spaces, including “The iChurch Method” and most recently “Digital Connections”.

(00:00) Welcome
(01:56) What the church can learn from Amazon
(06:32) The church and Alexa/Smart Speakers
(08:10) What is an Alexa skill?
(09:52) Ministry consistency across platforms
(12:38) What are metrics to use in digital ministry?
(16:42) Creating a user experience for digital ministry
(22:12) What needs to be on your church’s website
(26:02) Where the church still needs to act in digital ministry
(33:19) Where to contact Jason Caston

101: Rewire your brain for powerful spiritual connections with Caroline Oakes

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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 heightened awareness for God’s movement in our day-to-day lives.

Caroline Oakes is the author of Practice the Pause: Jesus’ Contemplative Practice, New Brain Science, and What It Means to Be Fully Human. She is a writer/spiritual director/publicist who is fascinated with the shifts in mind and spirit that slowing down and noticing can bring. Caroline has been published by The OnBeing Project (OnBeing.org), the Huffington Post, the Bucks County Herald, Outlook by the Bay, and other online and print publications.

Connect with the Compass podcast at www.umc.org/compass

(00:00) Introduction
(01:45) Caroline’s start in contemplative practice
(09:20) Jesus’ practice of contemplative prayer
(14:54) Building new neurological connections
(19:28) Contemplative neuroscience
(26:40) What is “metanoia” and why is it important?
(30:45) Recommended contemplative practices
(38:35) Connect with Caroline Oakes

Spiritual trauma: Gaining insight, showing love with Christy Holden & Derrick Scott III

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Spiritual trauma happens, even in the church. Rev. Christy Holden and Derrick Scott III discuss why some have experienced spiritual pain that may make the church feel unsafe. They share ways we can prevent harm and encourage healing as conduits of God’s love.

Learn more about this episode on our website.

Have questions or comments? Email us at gysis@umcom.org.

Advice to the People called Methodists: 18th century wisdom for 2023

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“Do not imagine that you can avoid giving offense,” John Wesley tells the People called Methodists. This advice, along with four other nuggets of wisdom continues to serve as good words to us as we live out our lives and spread the love of God.

Dr. Ted A. Campbell, the Albert Cook Outler Professor of Wesley Studies at SMU Perkins School of Theology, joins Dr. Ashley Boggan D. on today’s episode.

Virtual reality ministry and church for the VR newbie

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Barbara Caneiro of the Accidental Church Communicator introduces us to the possibilities and opportunities of the metaverse and virtual reality church.

What are other possibilities beyond the virtual church service? This episode is an intro to VR, exploring how virtual reality is changing our world and the ways we relate, as well as exploring a few of the pros and cons of VR church.

Our adjunct professor for this session is Barabara Carneiro. She’s going to share her story of getting into church, getting started in the metaverse and virtual reality, and getting started in virtual reality church.

Barbara Carneiro is a mentor and a communications director as well as the owner of a branding agency for churches and Christian ministries. She founded The Accidental Church Communicator which can be visited at accidentalchurchcommunicator.com. She’s taking part in leading a church communicators conference in February 2023… and it will be a virtual reality conference.

In this episode about church, virtual reality and the metaverse:

(oo:00) Introduction
(01:56) Why “Accidental Church Communicator”?
(05:01) Church and “marketing”
(06:20) Where to begin in exploring virtual reality and the metaverse
(09:17) Why do a conference in the metaverse or virtual reality?
(13:30) Where do churches or faith communities gather in virtual reality?
(19:14) New ways of gathering in virtual reality
(25:48) New opportunities for churches in the metaverse or virtual reality
(30:07) Changing relationships in digital spaces
(32:00) Virtual reality resources for church leaders
(33:50) Information on Barabara Carneiro

Find more resources for your digital ministry toolkit and other episodes at www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish

Pastoring in the Digital Parish is a production of Resource UMC, your online resource for leaders across the United Methodist connection.

Digital Ministry: New Wineskins for faith and community

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Ready to add some time-tested tips to your digital ministry toolkit? Rev. Joe Webb shares the story of New Wineskins–a community of faith that found itself moving into the new wineskin of all-digital ministry when 2020 struck.

As Joe shares New Wineskins’ story of moving into online ministry, we’ll get some clarifying ideas about formulating a digital ministry strategy, a richer perspective for answering questions like “what is digital ministry?”, and some ideas about why congregations or faith communities need digital ministry.

Rev. Joe Webb is an ordained deacon in the United Methodist Church and hosts Accidental Tomatoes, as well as coordinates the New Wineskins network. As a writer, interviewer, and public theologian, Joe seeks out the holy in the midst of the mundane. Joe’s work is centered in living life on the edge of the inside, seeking to reform and redeem the broken institutional systems that continue to colonize and oppress the imago dei inherent in us all.

(00:00) Introduction
(03:14) Meet Joe Webb
(04:02) How did New Wineskins start?
(08:57) Becoming an online faith community
(13:11) The rhythm of online community
(16:06) Creating safe spaces online
(20:31) Digital worship
(28:43) Thinking about the future of digital ministry
(34:05) The people of New Wineskins
(36:25) Contacting Joe Webb and New Wineskins
(37:48) Contacting Pastoring in the Digital Parish

Pastoring in the Digital Parish is made possible by ResourceUMC.org, the online destination for leaders throughout The United Methodist Church. And of course, they host our website: pastoringinthedigitalparish.com, where you can find more online resources for ministry.

If you want to connect: check out our Pastoring in the Digital Parish group on Facebook. You can also send questions and ideas for future sessions at digitalparish@umcom.org.

100: 10 recommended shows to stream right now for theological reflection

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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 to stream right now that help us start theological reflection and connect the Divine to our day-to-day lives.

What are you watching this year? Get some watching and streaming recommendations here!

(00:00) Introduction
(00:43) Introducing our new co-host, Michelle Maldonado!
(07:12) Agents of SHIELD
(11:20) Good Omens
(15:05) Buffy the Vampire Slayer
(17:46) Emancipation
(20:24) Smallville
(24:09) Signs
(26:39) Star Trek
(29:08) Bill and Ted Face the Music
(32:15) Lucifer
(33:23) Glitch

Want to find more ways to connect faith, spirituality and life? Visit umc.org/compass for more Compass episodes and ways to connect.

Pilgrimage: A path to getting unstuck with Steve Manskar and Chris Heckert

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Pilgrimages are not tourism. Rather, these holy treks have the power to change lives. The Rev. Steven Manskar and the Rev. Chris Heckert discuss their roles as both pilgrimage leaders and pilgrims on “Get Your Spirit in Shape.”

Learn more about this episode at https://www.umc.org/en/content/pilgrimage-a-path-to-getting-unstuck-get-your-spirit-in-shape-ep-132

Have questions or comments? Email us at gysis@umcom.org.