Author: Compass Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Compass Podcast host Ryan Dunn walks us through Lectio Divina—meaning “divine reading”—an ancient contemplative practice that goes beyond simply reading sacred texts. Together, we’ll learn how to gently engage with scripture, reflect on what stands out to us, and respond through prayer and contemplation. And it’s not just about reading; we’ll discover how this approach can be applied to music, art, and even poetry, opening our hearts to the sacred everywhere we look.

(00:00) Introduction to Lectio Divina
(05:10) Guided walkthrough with Romans 8:6-11
(10:49) Exploring alternative contemplative practices
(13:04) Where to find show notes and additional episodes

Don’t miss Rev. Ryan Dunn’s practical tips on improvising spiritual practices for daily life, and listen for highlights on using music, imagery, and fiction books as sources for divine connection.

🔗 Full show notes & resources: umc.org/compass

👍 Like, subscribe, and share to help more spiritual seekers discover ways to find meaning and connection in everyday moments. Leave a rating or review to support the Compass community!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Reverend Roger Ross unpacks what it means to move from being a “kinda Christian” to a committed disciple. Through this episode of Compass, we explore the difference between just being a church member and living as a true follower of Jesus, and learn practical steps to deepen your spiritual journey, especially when you hit those invisible “spiritual walls.”

Reverend Roger Ross is a pastor, church planter, and founder of The Humility Group. His book, “Kinda Christian: From Curious to Serious about Jesus”, guides seekers and seasoned believers alike toward a deeper life with God. Roger’s broad experience in local churches—from Texas to the British island of Guernsey—fuels his passion for spiritual growth, genuine faith, and community transformation.

(00:00) Breaking Through Spiritual Walls
(05:19) Defining discipleship in action
(09:13) More than sin management
(11:50) Following in the early church
(13:46) Identifying our blind spots
(16:49) Small, connected communities
(20:21) The value of a solitude practice
(24:58) Stages of the journey of faith
(29:19) Through the wall to growth

Find out more and explore other episodes of Compass: www.umc.org/compass

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

On this episode of Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday, host Ryan Dunn sits down with Tyler Sit, pastor of New City Church in Minneapolis, to explore how faith communities navigate the complexities of politics, crisis, and community care. Set against the backdrop of heightened ICE activity and community unrest in Minneapolis, Tyler Sit shares firsthand stories of fear and resilience, and how his congregation has transformed both its ministry practices and its spirit of support in response to events in early 2026.

Rev. Tyler Sit is the planting pastor of New City Church in Minneapolis, a second-generation Chinese American, speaker, and author of Staying Awake: The Gospel for Changemakers. He dedicates his work to justice, inclusion, and mobilizing spiritual communities for collective care and transformation.

In this episode:

(00:00) Navigating faith, politics and partisanship
(01:44) Who is Rev. Tyler Sit?
(03:01) How has Operation Metro Surge affected Minnesota and the church?
(04:21) The role of a pastor is to set up blessing
(05:05) Stories of blessing
(09:00) Romans 13 and speaking truth to power
(11:07) Faithful protest
(20:24) Forgetting and rediscovering we are family
(22:40) What the operation is costing Minnesotans
(27:00) A clearer understanding of church
(34:49) Faithful responses from outside Minnesota
(40:10) More episodes to check out!

If this conversation inspired you, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review. Find more episodes of Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday, brought to you by United Methodist Communications.

www.UMC.org/Compass

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Is sharing your faith intimidating? Does the word “evangelism” bring up more anxiety than hope?

Compass dives into the big “E” word—evangelism. Together with Reverend Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand, conference evangelist for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, we challenge and expand our ideas of what it means to share faith. Rather than pushing formulas, pressure, or awkward encounters, Stephanie Moore Hand paints a picture where evangelism is rooted in authentic relationships, everyday interactions, and showing up with love and presence—whether that’s in a grocery aisle, a park, or even online.

In this episode:
(00:00) Talking about Evangelism
(04:14) Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand, Conference Evangelist
(05:43) Evangelism 8.0
(07:05) An updated definition of evangelism
(10:07) Our fear of evangelism
(12:33) What is a disciple?
(15:15) Feeling unequipped to share faith
(19:38) Justice work as evangelism
(28:18) AI-assisted evangelism
(31:28) Opening the door to evangelism

Find more episodes of Compass and notes: www.umc.org/compass

Rev. Dr. Stephanie Moore Hand is the Conference Evangelist for the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, a former Fortune 500 executive, nonprofit leader, clergy, consultant, and co-author of Doing Justice Together. Her “Evangelism 8.0” work equips communities to claim their spiritual identity while responding with love and justice in an ever-changing society.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

We’re exploring the spiritual implications of Artificial Intelligence with pastor and author Reverend Nathan Webb. Nathan is the founding pastor of Checkpoint Church, a digital-first church aimed at connecting with individuals who identify as nerds, geeks, and gamers.

Through the conversation, they explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and spirituality, discussing how AI can both enhance and complicate our spiritual practices. Nathan shares his personal experiences with AI tools that help him manage his daily tasks and ADHD, emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations in their use within faith communities. The conversation explores the potential harms of AI, particularly in how it can distort our understanding of reality and relationships, urging listeners to approach AI with a spirit of curiosity and ethical awareness.

Connect with Checkpoint Church:
https://www.checkpointchurch.com/

In this episode:
(00:00) Welcome to the discussion on Artificial Intelligence
(05:25) AI Tools for Organized Living
(09:28) Balanced Approach to AI
(13:06) Ethical Concerns Surrounding AI
(16:05) AI for Accessibility and Connection
(17:24) Texting Jesus and AI Limits
(24:06) Responsible Technology Use in Church
(25:52) AI Slop and Internet Content
(29:54) Faith, AI, and Responsible Use
(33:05) AI Use: Ethics and Reflection
(37:00) Technology as a Connection Tool

Subscribe to Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday for more content like this. Leave a comment—how has AI impacted your spiritual journey? Let’s keep the conversation going!

For full episode notes, resources, and more, visit: https://umc.org/compass

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

What does it really look like to find spiritual vitality and hope in the hardest of places? Rev. Jabe Largen opens up about his journey through addiction, tragedy, and healing in the heart of Appalachia. We explored how radical honesty and vulnerability can transform not just our personal faith but entire communities. Jabe’s story is a testament to the hope and grace that can shine through our darkest moments—and a reminder that being real and authentic is the key to meaningful connection and growth.

Rev. Jabe Largen is the Senior Pastor of Pinehurst United Methodist Church in Pinehurst, NC, where he has served since 2021. He is ordained in the United Methodist tradition as an Elder and a native of Pulaski, VA. Jabeis the author of the memoir They Call Me Jabe published near the end of 2025.

In this episode:
[00:00] Welcome to Compass
[02:49] How goes it with your soul?
[04:38] The pushback of vulnerability
[07:14] The pain of revisiting past trauma
[13:46] Finding faithful community in the midst of addiction
[17:20] What is “theodicy”?
[24:49] When to run from certainty
[28:38] Learning to pray at Narcotics Anonymous
[33:22] 12 step programs and the path of discipleship
[36:41] Out of a year of loss, what are you finding hopeful?
[41:30] End credits

For more episodes and resources to help you find spirituality in the everyday, visit: umc.org/compass

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Compass for more thought-provoking conversations on faith and real-life spirituality!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

This Christmas season, let’s be real—distraction and busyness can drain our joy. But the true gift isn’t in doing more; it’s about being more present. Host Rev. Ryan Dunn shares how simple spiritual practices—like focused breathing, one-word prayers, and sacred noticing—can interrupt the stress loop and reconnect us with what matters: ourselves, others, and the God who meets us right where we are. This year, embrace presence as your most transformative gift. Merry Christmas and stay grounded in what truly counts!

More episodes of Compass and notes available at UMC.org/Compass

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

What makes issues like immigration, equity, inclusion, and societal violence spiritual matters—not just political ones? In this episode of Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday, host Ryan Dunn sits down with Bishop Julius Trimble, General Secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society, to explore the vibrant connection between justice work and spiritual life.

Bishop Trimble shares his journey from Chicago’s South Side to advocating for social change on Capitol Hill, reflecting on how United Methodist roots—and personal encounters with beloved community—shaped his commitment to issues like healthcare, racial equity, and creation care. The conversation delves into how faith communities can move beyond “water-based theology” and “cheap grace” to embody real love and meaningful action.

Whether you’re steeped in Methodist tradition or simply curious about the intersection of faith and public life, this episode invites you to consider how loving boldly and serving joyfully can help build a more just and compassionate world.

Guest Bio:
Bishop Julius Trimble (he/him) is the General Secretary of the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society. Raised in Chicago and deeply influenced by the civil rights movement and the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Bishop Trimble has dedicated his life to advocating for justice, compassion, and the inclusion of all people as sacred worth. He is a recognized leader in both the church and broader society, passionate about equipping individuals and faith communities to live out a transformative, justice-driven spirituality.

[00:00] Faith, Justice, and Beloved Community
[04:25] Bishop Trimble’s 1985 Apartheid Seminar Experience
[06:54] Faith, justice, and community building
[11:13] Honoring stories in our spiritual lives
[14:47] Faith, justice, and real-life challenges
[18:49] “Budgets reflect values and justice”
[23:26] “Water-Based Theology” and “Cheap Grace”
[25:06] Cheap Grace vs. True Responsibility
[29:50] Listening without fixing
[32:48] Be a blessing to others
[35:30] Compass: more episodes

For more episodes and resources to help you find spirituality in the everyday, visit: umc.org/compass

👍 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Compass for more thought-provoking conversations on faith and real-life spirituality!

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Let’s revisit an older episode of Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday because it’s so relevant for the space we’re inhabiting right now. In this episode, originally released in August of 2022, Brian McLaren joined the podcast to address questions like: “What does it mean to claim the Christian faith when there are terrible things being done in the name of Christianity?” And “Am I still Christian if I believe differently?” In our current era of Christian Nationalism, these questions are once again relevant.

Brian McLaren is an author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for “a new kind of Christianity” – one that is just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. He gained a lot of notoriety for writing several well-regarded books, including “A New Kind of Christianity” “A Generous Orthodoxy”, “Everything Must Change”, “Faith After Doubt” (January 2021), and “Do I Stay Christian?” (May 2022).