Month: March 2024

Advancing with boldness: Exploring women’s impact at The UMC’s General Conference

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In the next installment of our special General Conference series, Dr. Ashley Boggan D. welcomes Dawn Wiggins Hare, the General Commission on the Status and Role of Women’s general secretary, and the Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell, an ordained elder in The UMC’s West Virginia Conference, to discuss the role of women through the years at the denomination’s quadrennial legislative gathering. The trio discusses how women have and have not been affirmed, the ongoing need for expansive language in legislation and how sexism remains in The UMC.

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

Interested in a deep dive into the earliest stories of Methodism? Sign up for a free, online, four-module history course titled “Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots” at ResourceUMC.org/ArchivesandHistory/Radicle-Methodism.

The digital parish from TikTok to Discord with Bethany Peerbolte

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Let’s get to know the Rev. Bethany Peerbolte and hear how it started and how it’s going in her online ministry, called “Our Tapestry.” Bethany shares how her digital ministry journey started somewhat mistakenly through some viral TikTok videos. She shares stories and practices of building community in digital spaces, increasing online engagement in church, and connecting with people beyond the church.

Bethany is a pastor in the Presbyterian Church, USA. She currently runs the all-online expression of church known as Our Tapestry–which is a plant of the Denver Presbytery. She seeks to support people in “theological deserts” and give everyone access to pastoral care, faith formation, and loving community.

In this episode:
(00:00) Explore digital ministry by learning from experts.
(03:33) TikTok algorithm shows concerning Christian content.
(08:51) Providing pastoral support online.
(10:30) Started small text chain, expanded to Discord.
(15:52) Rethinking church practices in the digital age.
(17:34) Discussing church leadership and financial questions.
(20:21) Intentionally scrolling for viral content, finding storytelling inspiration.
(28:40) Progressive Millennials and Gen Z embrace social justice.
(33:20) Creating safe online space for youth group.
(35:32) Interesting metrics drive impactful discussions and engagement.
(43:21) TikTok offers diverse first-hand perspectives.
(47:08) Stories inform our digital ministry practice, share experiences.

Pastoring in the Digital Parish is a production of Resource UMC. For show notes and more episodes: www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish

Enhancing Sermon Videos with Kathryn Price

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We spoke with UMCOM Video Producer, Kathryn Price, several years ago as we were all navigating the pandemic. On this episode of the MyCom Church Marketing Podcast, we’re checking back in with her both for a refresher on creating sermon videos and to see what new tools and features we could all be using!

This MyCom Podcast is brought to you by EO Tours, to learn more about their customized tours visit here: https://www.eo.travelwithus.com/tours/sl24092924n#eotours

 

To see & hear more MyCom content, visit https://www.resourceumc.org/en/agencies/communications/church-and-conference-resources/mycom

 

 

 

The Art of short-form video for digital ministry

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Host Ryan Dunn offers practical tips and a 7-step process for creating impactful short-form videos to enhance digital outreach and foster meaningful online relationships for the church in the digital era, in this episode of Pastoring in the Digital Parish. We’re repurposing content for the digital ministry win. There are some creative ways you can add short-form, vertical videos to you online ministry toolkit.

In this video:

(00:00) Digital parish resource for expanding ministry impact.
(04:45) Video content reaches wide audiences; it’s vital.
(06:55) Short videos convey Christ-centered community value. Clarify intent, message, and engage.
(11:13) Transcripts and editing.
(13:33) Creating specific content for a targeted audience.
(18:54) Maximize video impact with powerful call-to-action.
(21:13) Enhance video with zooming and on-screen text.
(23:58) Short form as teaser, hashtags crucial for discoverability.
(26:44) Offer grace or hide/delete the comment.

For notes, examples and more episodes: www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish

[130] Faith vacations and lostness with Debie Thomas

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Are you sometimes afraid to ask questions about faith and spirituality? Does doubt scare you a little bit? Do you have some questions you’re skeptical about ever finding the answers to?

Debie Thomas’s approach to faith as a storied theology challenges the conventional beliefs. Her insights offer a refreshing perspective on the dynamic nature of faith, inviting us to embrace our evolving spiritual journeys.

Debie is the author of “A Faith of Many Rooms”. She is also a columnist and contributing editor for The Christian Century. Debie’s perspective is one of an explorer, a believer, a doubter, and a wonderer.

In this episode:

(00:00) Welcome to Compass
(04:26) Questioning God’s gender and accountability for events.
(07:20) Interpreting ancient stories and understanding their context.
(12:38) Faith is a mystery that sparked curiosity.
(14:16) Shift from self-driven faith to communal spirituality.
(17:06) Support from others sustains me on journey.
(21:46) Creating opportunities for intergenerational connections is beautiful.
(23:50) We want stories with struggle, growth, support.
(27:04) Compass community explores spirituality, recommends podcast episodes.

For notes and more episodes: www.umc.org/compass

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

Retirement + power tools + RV = NOMADS

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A nomadic life may conjure images of aimlessly traveling with no sense of destination. For lifelong United Methodists Tammy and Rodney Ripley, who have been NOMADS for several years, their lives are far from aimless and destinations are denomination-related churches, camps and other sites where the couple joins fellow retirees to offer hope in the way of construction and other general repairs.

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.

Holy boldness: Celebrating women of Methodism

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When thinking about the earliest founders of Methodism, most likely a number of men come to mind: John Wesley, Charles Wesley, Francis Asbury, Philip Otterbein, to name a few. In addition to these men, however, are women who, in a spirit of “holy boldness,” were vital to the formation and spread of Methodism around the world. Host Dr. Ashley Boggan D., General Commission on Archives and History’s general secretary, welcomes the Rev. Dr. Donna Fowler-Marchant, in a  special episode to commemorate Women’s History Month, to discuss a few of the fearless and faithful women who are key to our denomination’s spiritual DNA.

Fowler-Marchant is the author of “Mothers in Israel: Methodist Beginnings through the Eyes of Women.” Learn more and/or purchase a copy at Cokesbury.com.

 

Google Ads and the art of digital outreach

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Rev. Jen Swindell shares her expertise on maximizing the powerful tool of Google Ads to reach new visitors and nurture community. Your church or digital ministry can utilize the Google Ads grant that offers $10,000 per month in advertising for eligible nonprofits.

Jen walks us through the ins and outs of using specific keywords to draw attention to online church marketing and how to create specialized landing pages for events and sermon series. She also explains the success stories of using targeted keywords for outreach and supporting those in need during the holidays.

Jen Swindell is the Pastor of Evangelism and Communications at North Raleigh United Methodist Church. She also coaches and consults churches in regards to their digital outreach strategies. Her goal is to help leaders make the time they already spend in social count more and have a measurable impact in their major goals and metrics.

In this episode:

(00:00) Resource for digital ministry, Google ads grant.
(04:14) Getting started on Google Ads.
(07:04) Google Ads should target popular search terms.
(09:34) Google ad campaigns require specific, relevant keywords.
(20:11) Online campaign encompasses ad groups with search radius.
(25:17) Experiencing success in Google Ads, helping churches.
(27:09) Churches must adhere to Google Ads rules.
(29:09) Regularly review and prioritize Google Ads usage.
(33:37) Reaching out, inviting, and trusting church crucial.
(36:10) Connect with Pastoring in the Digital Parish.

Pastoring in the Digital Parish is produced by Resource UMC. For episode notes and more episodes: www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish

[129] Beats, peacemaking and authenticity with lenny duncan

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Lenny duncan takes us through a spiritual journey in hip-hop on Compass. Engage in conversations about systemic change and personal faith.

If you want to hear some cultural commentary from a spiritual perspective, if you want to explore how hip-hop music speaks to both our human experience and our longing for spiritual connection, and if you want to learn a bit about the church of the future, stay tuned for this conversation with lenny.

Lenny is a writer, speaker, scholar, and media producer working at the forefront of racial justice in America. lenny is the author of Psalms of My People, Dear Church, and Dear Revolutionaries, and co-creator of the podcast BlackBerryJams with PRX. A PhD student in Historical and Cultural Studies of Religion. lenny is originally from West Philadelphia, has hitchhiked thousands of miles on American byways, and makes home up and down the I-5 to see found family, and in the E bay for research.

In this episode:
(00:00) “Book explores hip hop’s spiritual authenticity.”
(06:25) Amid conflict, empathize with those you oppose.
(12:20) Jimmy Hendrix, hip hop, music, family, church.
(13:08) Early exposure to Nation of Islam, gang culture.
(17:52) Early hip hop parties provided community for kids.
(21:09) Understanding hip-hop as a nerdy experience.
(27:30) The struggle of artists in hustle culture.
(30:40) Reflection on societal gaze and impact on art.
(33:31) Considering the legacy of humanity through music.
(37:55) Women and queer artists leading innovative hip-hop.
(40:50) Interpretation of Jesus creates ontological problem.
(43:20) Share songs for spiritual playlist in community.

Compass is hosted by Rev. Ryan Dunn and is a production of United Methodist Communications.

For episode notes and more episodes: www.umc.org/compass

Navigating the AI integration in the church with Jason Moore

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Jason Moore explores AI integration for church ministry, attitudes towards technology in ministry, and balancing a human connection in digital space on Pastoring in the Digital Parish.

In this episode, we explore Jason’s journey from AI skeptic to AI advocate. we’ll explore the practical applications of AI in church settings, from chatbot discussions to sermon preparations and creative storytelling enhancements. Jason provides some principles guiding responsible AI use in ministry and the ethical considerations we must address when embracing this technology.

Jason Moore has devoted the last two-plus decades to resource development, training, and coaching & consulting that works for local churches of all sizes, styles and means. The author of 10 books, Jason has also led hundreds of seminars and keynote addresses across North America – teaching in all 50 states in the USA.

In this episode:
(00:00) Exploring AI’s use in church settings with Jason Moore.
(05:47) AI is a conversation, not just query.
(09:15) Tool facilitates discussion, prompts sermon questions effectively.
(10:18) Use GPT chatbots for different perspectives.
(14:08) Encourage diverse representations of religious figures.
(19:16) Created popular biblical selfie series using modern relevance.
(23:38) AI can save time and build relationships.
(33:27) Caution about using Chat GPT for sources.
(36:18) AI approaching human-like intelligence, debate on possibility.
(38:31) New technology can help with creativity doubts.
(41:12) Embrace roller coasters and new experiences fearlessly.
(44:44) Join conversation on AI in digital ministry.

Pastoring in the Digital Parish is hosted by Rev. Ryan Dunn. It is a production of United Methodist Communications.

For more episodes and session notes: www.resourceumc.org/digital-parish