Author: Compass Podcast

[100] Digital Ministry & Church Marketing Insights with Dan Wunderlich

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In this milestone 100th episode of the MyCOM Church Marketing Podcast, host Ryan Dunn welcomes former producer and host Dan Wunderlich, an elder in the Florida Conference of the United Methodist Church and pastor at Lakeside UMC. Join us for a deep dive into digital ministry, church communications, and innovative outreach strategies. Discover how technology and improv can enhance your church’s visibility and engagement. Perfect for church leaders seeking to adapt to changing tech trends and improve their digital outreach.

Topics Covered:
– Dan’s journey from pastoring to podcasting
– Using improv techniques in ministry
– Adapting to new technology in church communication
– Future trends in social media and youth tech use
– Strategies for engaging sermon content
– AI tools in ministry and social media strategies

Don’t miss this insightful conversation that’s packed with valuable tips for church leaders! Be sure to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated with our latest episodes.

In this episode:
(00:00) Celebrating the 100th MyCom episode
(03:23) Dan Wunderlich reflects on his 77 episodes, remote collaboration success.
(07:35) Interviews with diverse professionals broadened my perspective.
(12:11) Balancing creativity with audience preference is key.
(16:13) Strategy became outdated; learning by doing necessary.
(17:27) Early adopter of Facebook for ministry outreach.
(22:41) Gen Z editor excels in trendy video styles.
(23:41) Struggling to condense nuanced messages concisely.
(26:42) Strives for connection by improvising during sermons.
(31:24) Shift towards low-tech, mindful tech use.
(36:13) Future of United Methodist Church: contraction, adaptation, renewal.
(38:24) Episode 100 concluded; next episode in one month.

#DigitalMinistry #ChurchCommunications #ChurchMarketing #TechnologyAndReligion #DigitalOutreach #UnitedMethodistChurch #ImprovInMinistry #SermonPreparation #FutureOfChurch #PodcastingForChurches #SocialMediaStrategy

[143] Do Christians believe in ghosts? And other Halloween questions

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It’s an exploration of the mysterious, spooky, awe-inspiring realm of Halloween.

This episode looks at Halloween questions through scripture, tradition, reason, and experience—the Wesleyan quadrilateral—to uncover multifaceted answers. We’ll ponder biblical stories, explore John Wesley’s haunted childhood home, and consider contemporary beliefs about life after death. Moreover, we’ll reflect on the role of fear and how it fits into a spiritual life, examining not just the supernatural but the everyday fears that haunt us.

In this episode:
(00:00) Christian faith, ghosts, hermeneutics, theological interpretation discussed.
(01:46) Do Christians believe in ghosts? And the Wesleyan Quadrilateral
(05:09) The haunting of the Wesley home
(08:52) Fear and the spiritual life
(10:24) What happens when we die?
(11:46) Are there angels and demons?
(14:19) Should Christians celebrate Halloween?
(15:18) Haunted by our pasts

For more episodes and show notes, visit umc.org/compass

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

[142] Rage prayers and authentic peace with Elizabeth Riley

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We’re unleashing the power of “Rage Prayers” with Reverend Elizabeth Riley. Dive into the transformative practice of honest, heartfelt prayers that express our deepest emotions and frustrations. Explore how embracing our anger and lament can lead to spiritual healing and personal transformation.

Rev. Elizabeth is an Episcopal priest currently serving in the Diocese of Olympia, which covers the Western portion of Washington state. You can find her on TikTok at @TheRevRiley. And her book, Rage Prayers, comes out on October 8, 2024.

In this episode:

(00:00) Rage prayer: Expressing authentic emotions in prayer.
(03:36) Religious upbringing emphasized sin, shame, emotional manipulation.
(08:21) Rage prayers provided deep, transformative personal sustenance.
(10:05) Grieving and lamenting are integral to faith.
(14:01) Rage prayer deepens spirituality and authenticity profoundly.
(17:57) TikTok offers healing space for disillusioned faithful.
(19:37) Unconventional faith practices resonate beyond traditional Christianity.
(23:08) Explore personal, authentic prayer without restrictions.
(27:43) Passionate about digital evangelism for spiritual communities.
(30:03) More info and closing

Compass is a bi-weekly production of United Methodist Communications. More episodes and show notes are at www.umc.org/compass

[99] Engaging with purpose: Best practices in digital ministry

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Discover how digital ministry has transformed from a niche to an essential part of church outreach. Dive into our latest MyCom episode for insights on purposeful digital ministry that bridges real and virtual communities.

Tap into practical strategies and insightful discussions featuring Charles Vogl, Dr. Kelly Price, Mike Kim, Nelson Musonda, and Dana Malstaff.

In this episode:

(00:00) Crash course in digital ministry and community-building.
(05:27) Value promise essential for audience engagement and retention.
(09:23) Four categories of motivating behavior.
(12:14) Personal brand: ideas, expertise, reputation, personality.
(17:33) Finding questions helps build online spiritual community.
(21:08) Create supportive, engaging posts to influence others.
(25:27) Compelling topics for valuable content
(27:10) Creating valuable, user-focused content by connecting beliefs.

MyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications and releases new episodes on the final Tuesday of each month.

Find notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

[141] Community, comedy and church renovation

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We’re exploring the innovative ways churches in Northern Virginia are blending spirituality and community outreach–from improv church to affordable housing.

In this episode of Compass, we’re visiting four unique and innovative expressions of church in Northern Virginia and Maryland.

See how Central United Methodist Church in the Ballston neighborhood renovated their old church building in order to meet the changing needs of their neighborhood and give life to new ministries. Visit a pop-up cafe with Provision Church, helping provide a community of care and support for those who are often overlooked. Spend a night at Improv Church, laughing a path to community connection. And dig into good work and a hearty bowl of soup with Coop’s Soups.

Find more on these unique ministries:

Central UMC: cumcballston.org
Provision Church: provisionchurchnova.org
Improv Church: thevineva.org
Coop’s Soups: coopssoups.com

In this episode:
(00:00) Church: community expressions beyond traditional worship settings.
(05:21) Central UMC modernized facilities for community benefit.
(08:38) Pastor Alyssa leads Provision Church, aiding homeless.
(12:31) Free meals foster community and mutual support.
(15:19) What happens at Improv Church
(16:51) Sermon-inspired skits with impactful dual-role pastor.
(21:28) Improv church attracts reluctant family and friends.
(26:02) Ministry practiced through connections at farmer’s market.
(28:25) Coop Soups and Improv Church embrace innovation.
(30:17) Learn more about ministries at umc.org.

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications with new episodes every other Wednesday. Learn more at umc.org/compass

Building real community in digital spaces with J.J. Warren

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This is going to be the final episode branded as Pastoring in the Digital Parish. Going forward, we’ll be building our digital ministry toolkits on the MyCom Podcast. So subscribe to that to keep growing in this area of ministry. www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

In this episode, we get to visit with J.J. Warren and explore the evolving landscape of digital ministry. We talked about the dynamics of virtual church communities on platforms like Gather and Discord. J.J. shared the impactful journey of the Young Prophets Collective… which moved from a passionate group of young United Methodists to a thriving, inclusive all-digital worship community. 

Rev. J.J. Warren (he/him) is the author of two books: Reclaiming Church: A Call to Action for Religious Rejects and Where Two or Three are Connected: Being the Church in This New Era. After making an impassioned plea for the inclusion of LGBTQ+ persons at The United Methodist Church’s (UMC) top law-making assembly in 2019, Rev. J.J.’s speech went viral, and his advocacy has been covered by HuffPost, NBC, Brut Media, and WXXI Radio. He currently resides in Vienna where he is a lecturer at the University of Vienna and guest faculty online for the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School.

For more episodes of MyCom and past episodes of Pastoring in the Digital Parish, visit ResourceUMC.org

[140] Real church in digital space with J.J. Warren

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We’re borrowing an important interview from the MyCom Podcast. Host Ryan Dunn talked with Rev. J.J. Warren about what defines a church and how J.J. is putting the definition into practice through the Church of the Young Prophets. Drawing from his theological background and experiences with the Young Prophets Collective, J.J. discusses the evolution of virtual worship spaces, the significance of platforms like Discord and Instagram, and the challenges of maintaining boundaries in digital ministry.

In this episode:
(00:00) Interview on digital church from Mycom podcast.
(06:15) Reexamining the church’s role in the pandemic.
(07:46) Online connections require time, energy, emotions. Church inheritance.
(13:13) Questioning if online platforms foster authentic relationships.
(16:51) Global young people shaping the church’s future.
(18:33) Church practices adapting online during pandemic in Philippines.
(22:50) Find agency and safety at Church of the Young Prophets.
(26:17) Gather Town provides intimacy and private spaces.
(29:13) Virtual office hours across multiple time zones.
(33:06) Access the Gather campus through website link.
(34:44) Proximity and intimacy.
(39:00) Online church community fosters intentional connections.
(42:33) Setting boundaries between online church and personal life.

For episode notes and more visit umc.org/compass

[98] Building real church in digital space with J.J. Warren

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In this episode of MyCom, host Ryan Dunn engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Reverend J.J. Warren about the intricacies of building genuine emotional connections within digital church communities. Drawing from his theological background and experiences with the Young Prophets Collective, J.J. discusses the evolution of virtual worship spaces, the significance of platforms like Discord and Instagram, and the challenges of maintaining boundaries in digital ministry.

Join us as we explore innovative ways to foster intimacy and inclusivity in online spiritual environments and navigate the complexities of virtual engagement.

In this episode:
(00:00) Pastor J.J. Warren’s digital journey and advocacy.
(03:21) Misconceptions about young people and social media.
(06:43) The pandemic raised questions about online church.
(11:45) Social media as an extension of self.
(15:37) Creating safe digital space for excluded young people.
(19:02) Cultural practices in the Philippines adapting to online.
(23:18) Church offers more agency; relieving stress/anxiety.
(27:26) Create a private space for intimate communication.
(31:12) Virtual gatherings around the world for worship.
(35:12) Proximity and intimacy in virtual private space.
(39:29) Connecting community through intentional online church platform.
(43:01) Setting digital boundaries as a Gen Zer.

MyCom is a production of United Methodist Communications and releases new episodes on the final Tuesday of each month.

Find notes and more episodes at www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast

[139] From hate to hope: Neelley Hicks

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Neelley Hicks shares her experience that landed her picture in papers across the globe, stemming from a recent Unity Rally in Nashville, Tennessee. It was attended by a diverse and vibrant community and disrupted by the alarming presence of Neo-Nazis.

This episode looks into the complex emotions and motivations behind such extremist actions and explores how we can rise above hate with love and unity.

In this episode:
(00:00) Nashville unity rally against Neo-Nazi hate.
(06:22) Discussion about immigration, nationalism, and religion beliefs.
(09:33) Questioning funding for hate groups traveling to Nashville.
(13:22) Regarding deeper conversations
(14:51) Meeting Nazis
(18:38) Confrontation with masked man reveals underlying insecurity.
(22:45) Obligation to care for global human family.
(26:37) Supporting others and self-care in trauma.
(28:05) A practice of self-soothing and self-care
(31:23) Neelley shared her story about Women Rise.

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications. More at umc.org/compass

[97] YouTube tools and strategies for churches

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In this episode, host Rev. Ryan Dunn chats with guests Nathan Webb and Shane Russo about their innovative strategies for utilizing YouTube to grow their digital church communities. They dive deep into the tools, challenges, and unique approaches they leverage for successful content creation and audience engagement.

Rev. Shane Russo is the founder and lead architect of GoBe.church–an all-digital expression of church. He also is currently the lead pastor of Niles First United Methodist Church in Niles, Ohio. Check out the YouTube ministry @GoBeChurch

Rev. Nathan Webb, AKA “Nerd Pastor Nate”, is the founding pastor of Checkpoint Church–an all-digital ministry for nerds, geeks and gamers. He posts regularly on YouTube at @CheckpointChurch

The Checkpoint Church viral video Nathan and Shane referred to is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZUpgTMhNJc&t=5s

In this episode:
(00:00) Introducing Rev. Ryan Dunn, the new host
(05:40) Juggling physical church with online ministry growth.
(08:03) Transition from Twitch to YouTube reshaped outreach.
(11:44) Elements of organic virality, phenomena, Christian controversy.
(15:38) Experimenting with shorts to build online community.
(19:31) Strategize content and platform usage with purpose.
(22:35) Strategy for using YouTube in growing audience.
(25:30) Pastor discusses controversial topics, aims to inspire.
(28:36) Reluctant to engage online, but considering it.
(36:19) Dealing with toxic comments as vandalism.
(39:40) Channel strives for inclusion, not doormat behavior.
(42:39) Better timing and more strategic content choices.
(44:43) Creating and scheduling content efficiently across platforms.
(48:07) Effortlessly segment and create phenomenal clips.
(51:58) Video optimization and analytics.
(55:03) UMC podcast highlights digital storytelling and leadership.

For more episodes and episode notes: www.resourceumc.org/mycom-podcast