July 2023 – UMC.org Podcasts

Thriving strategies for engaging online communities

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We’re exploring some similarities and distinctive traits of ministries that are growing in digital spaces. And the good news is that these are easily repeatable action steps for growing your digital ministry. The episode concludes with a list of resources that help to shape an ongoing growth in digital ministry and my understanding of digital culture.

This episode of Pastoring in the Digital Parish is presented by: Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities. Safer Sanctuaries is a new and comprehensive resource that continues the tradition of Safe Sanctuaries ministry by building on its trusted policies and procedures. To learn more go to Safer Sanctuaries.org or call 800-972-0433.

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

In this episode:
(00:00) Welcome to Pastoring in the Digital Parish
(03:14) 1: User-focused information
(09:20) 2: Provide pastoral care
(13:19) 3: They exist for a specific community
(18:32) 4: They elevate leaders online
(20:51) 5: They are who they are… and they admit it
(23:35) Helpful resources for digital ministry
(26:12) Check out our community!

114: [Re-listen] Wagon of grace with Ryan Canaday

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Rev. Canaday shared with us his story of recovery in alcoholism and finding deep connection with a higher power. This connection led Ryan to explore the power of support groups and specifically the role of spirituality in recovery. All this ultimately led to Ryan founding a church based on recovery.

We’re five years on from that conversation, but the church–called Free Spiritual Community–is still changing lives. They’ve grown from meeting in the Canaday’s backyard to moving into their own spaces.

The story of this community and Ryan’s ongoing story behind it are hopeful and inspiring. And totally relevant for today.

In this episode:
(00:00) Rev. Cannaday’s recovery story inspires present-day listeners.
(06:01) Hitting rock bottom
(09:46) Holding onto God, struggling with addiction, finding freedom.
(16:28) Recovery community with music, stories, and discussions.
(22:37) The need to welcome all
(24:55) A life transformed
(27:55) Family involvement in recovery ministry
(30:42) Acceptance of people expressing their experiences.
(35:11) Connect with the Free Spiritual Community
(37:39) Connect with us

A poetic journey to healing with Stephon Void

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Crying out in grief. Thanking God for mercy. Asking for strength. Like a psalmist, Stephon Void used poetry to express how he felt as he navigated his father’s terminal cancer diagnosis, as well as his own chronic health concerns. Stephon’s new book, “A Healing Journey,” chronicles the cradle United Methodist’s path that eventually brought him to a place of peace.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.

Choosing to live a life of honesty and the trial that followed

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Nineteen years later, the Rev. Karen Dammann remains one of the few United Methodist clergy to be acquitted after being charged with violating church by openly coming out as a lesbian. Dammann and her clergy counsel, the Rev. Robert C. Ward, reflect on the events that led to the trial and the years since the historic moment of her acquittal.

Learn more United Methodist history by visiting umhistoryhub.teachable.com.

Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/archivesandhistory.

Using A.I. to become a digital ministry content machine

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Pastoring in the Digital Parish host Ryan Dunn provides examples and tactics for using AI to increase your ministry’s digital reach. We delve into the fascinating world of using AI to become a digital ministry content machine. Join us as we explore how pastors can leverage artificial intelligence to generate a wide range of engaging content for their online communities.

In this episode:
(00:00) Welcome to Pastoring in the Digital Parish
(01:55) What you need to turn your sermon into a content machine
(02:47) AI-enable transcription
(04:41) Creating video content
(07:38) Capitalizing on a sermon podcast
(10:52) Creating blog posts with A.I.
(12:27) Bite-sized social media content
(14:18) Asking A.I. to fill in content cracks
(17:04) Applying chatbots to churches
(22:05) Join the Pastoring in the Digital Parish community

This episode brought to us by: Safer Sanctuaries: Nurturing Trust within Faith Communities is a new and comprehensive resource that continues the tradition of Safe Sanctuaries ministry by building on its trusted policies and procedures. To learn more go to Safer Sanctuaries.org or call 800-972-0433.

Find more resources for your digital ministry toolkit: www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish

MyCom podcast Ep. 087: Basics of Logo Design

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Have you ever looked at your church logo and thought, “It might be time for a change.”? On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we welcome back graphic designer and YouTuber Will Paterson to help walk us through the basics of logo design.

For more info about Will Paterson go to:

https://www.willpaterson.design/

https://www.youtube.com/@willpatersondesign

https://linktr.ee/willpaterson

This episode of the MyCom Podcast is sponsored by Safer Sanctuaries: Safer Sanctuaries resources are endorsed by the Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church for use when developing an abuse prevention program. To learn more go to https://www.SaferSanctuaries.org or call 800-972-0433

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Methodism in Zimbabwe: A conference borne out of a mountain

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In the first “Un-Tied Methodism” international podcast, Dr. Ashley Boggan D. speaks with United Methodist leaders from the Zimbabwe West Annual Conference, Zimbabwe East Annual Conference and Africa University’s archivist and church historian to learn about the fascinating history of Mt. Makomwe, a Methodist mission started in 1905 that remains a pillar of Methodism throughout the region.

Learn more United Methodist history by visiting umhistoryhub.teachable.com.

Explore the United Methodist General Commission on Archives and History at ResourceUMC.org/archivesandhistory.

113: Art and your spiritual journey

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Art and prayer share much in common–so much so that art can lead us into prayer and connection with the Divine. In this episode of Compass, Michelle and Ryan try out two art-based spiritual practices… and they provide directions on how you can utilize these practices as well.

To see “The Annunciation” by Henry Ossawa Tanner, visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art:
https://philamuseum.org/collection/object/104384

To view the video of this episode:

For more spiritual practices and inspiration for your spiritual journey: www.umc.org/compass

In this episode:
(00:00) Catching up
(02:49) Why art is spiritually meaningful
(09:42) Visio Divina
(20:16) Doodle Prayer
(30:28) Other episodes to check out

Navigating the Digital Landscape: James Kang’s Insights on the Future of Church Ministry

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On this episode of Pastoring in the Digital Parish, we delve into the future of church ministry with our special guest, James Kang. James recounts his experiment called ‘Regular Church,’ which explores the combination of ministry in the metaverse with AI, and reveals the positive results of AI’s ability to process theological information and communicate with humans. We explore the growth of Pastoria, which began as a consultancy for ministries going digital but has evolved into an incubator model for generating ministries in various industry areas such as design, entrepreneurship, innovation, travel, and faith. He highlights the idea that these modalities can be seen as spiritual languages and encourages individuals to view their own lives and work in these industries as ministries.

We also discuss the importance of recognizing the demand for ministry work and quickly generating resources, focusing on finding the perfect fit for a ministry instead of striving for perfection.

James Kang is the founder of Pastoria, a consultancy-turned-incubator for ministries that focuses on digital transformation and self-expression. He believes that different industries, such as design, entrepreneurship, innovation, travel, and faith, can be seen as spiritual languages and opportunities for ministry. James is passionate about merging spirituality with various aspects of life and is dedicated to helping others find their own ministry within different modalities. To learn more about James and his work, visit pastoria.co.

In this episode:

(00:00) Welcome to Pastoring in the Digital Parish
(02:38) How it started and how it’s going with James Kang
(08:40) Generative AI facilitates education, theological interactions.
(13:08) AI enhances access to knowledge, but it’s not perfect.
(16:50) Exploring the modalities of peoplehood and transportation
(21:34) AI-based relationship coach offers personalized guidance.
(25:35) Safer sanctuaries message
(27:43) Important lessons for ministry: focus on resources and people.
(33:54) Future church: less member-focused, more creator-focused
(39:41) Pastor role changes, focus on spiritual guidance
(47:34) Thanks for listening!

Meet Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth

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When Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth was 9 year old, he prayed aloud at his small Alabama church, resulting in a standing ovation. His grandma then squeezed his cheeks and proclaimed that her grandson would preach one day. Though he was intent on becoming an architect, a stint in the U.S. Air Force set the teen on a path of discernment that ended with his call to ordained ministry being affirmed while serving communion to those living on the streets of South Los Angeles.

More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here.

Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org

Connect with The United Methodist Church by visiting UMC.org.