Author: Ryan Dunn

Unleashing the power of words with Jonathan Merritt

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The words we use matter. Words are both a reflection of what we feel inside and a means for influencing our own states of mind. Jonathan Merritt helps us understand how an inability to “speak God” might lead us to feel far from God. He also reveals how utilizing the language of faith influences our mindsets and motivations in powerful ways.

Jonathan Merritt is an award-winning contributor for The Atlantic, a contributing editor for The Week, a regular columnist for Religion News Service, and an author. His books include A Faith of Our Own, Green Like God, and Learning to Speak God From Scratch, which was released in 2018. He holds a Master of Divinity from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Master of Theology from Emory University’s Candler School of Theology. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Some of the questions covered in this discussion with Jonathan:

  • Can you make a case to the rest of us as to why words about God and religious language might be important?
  • What are your favorite words for God?
  • Do you have least favorite words for God?
  • Why is it important that we reclaim—or begin to utilize—language concerning God?
  • What prompted your journey of relearning religious language?
  • We asked some of our listeners what their uncomfortable religious words were. If we may, how might someone lean into a new definition of repentance? Of Justice?

Announcing season 3 of Pastoring in the Digital Parish

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A new season of Pastoring in the digital Parish is about to begin! Season 3 will get underway on February 23rd, just in time to power your digital ministry through Lent and beyond.

In this season we’re going to continue to share best practices for evangelism and discipleship in digital spaces–and we’re going to do so mainly by sharing the stories of other digital ministry practitioners. We’ll see what new social media trends are opening up new pathways for ministry. We’ll also spend some time diving into the changing landscape of the worldwide web… Like, what is Web 3.0? 

Not everything’s recorded yet. So if you have some suggestions for future episodes or a burning question we might be able to address, then join up with the Pastoring in the Digital Parish Facebook Group and offer your suggestion.

Making vaccines available for all with Kathleen Griffith & David Boan

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Dr. David Boan, a member of First United Methodist Church of Boise, Idaho, and Kathleen Griffith, a veteran global heath leader with the General Board of Global Ministries, discuss Love Beyond Borders, an equitable vaccine distribution campaign.

Resilience: Rethink Church AudioMag January 2022

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In January of 2022, we’ve focused on resilience. And we have some great posts about how you can keep on keeping on through 2022 (and beyond… as these ideas are not bound by this particular place in time). In this episode we’ll hear:

  • “How faith builds your resilience skills” by Ryan Dunn.
  • “Learning resilience in the most unexpected way” by Joseph Yoo
  • “Stop teaching spiritual gifts, watch Encanto instead” by Nathan Webb
  • “How faith can inspire resilience for 2022” by Madison Myers
  • And our flashback article is “Living and the image of God” also by Ryan Dunn

So let’s enter into our January 2022 edition of the Rethink Church audio magazine.

When respect is greater than conflict with David Field

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Dr. David Field, Ecumenical Staff Officer for Faith & Order and Theological Dialogue for The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops, shares thoughts on how we, as Christians, might follow the complex command to love – and respect – all people, even those with whom we vehemently disagree.

Discover how respect for others can help you keep your spirit in shape.

David is the Ecumenical Staff Officer for Faith & Order and Theological Dialogue for The United Methodist Church’s Council of Bishops. Originally from South Africa, David lives in Basel, Switzerland, where he is a member of the Kleinbasel congregation of The UMC.

Rethink Church AudioMagazine for January 2022

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We’ve taken several of the most-read articles from the Rethink Church page (www.umc.org/rethinkchurch) and brought them to you in audio form, so you can now get tips on spiritual practices, ideas on social justice interventions, and perspectives on healthy living wherever you listen.

In this initial edition of the Rethink Church AudioMag:

“5 ways to be more spiritual” from Mandy Sloan McDow

https://www.umc.org/en/content/5-ways-to-be-more-spiritual

“Does Jesus have something to teach us about toxic busyness” by Ryan Dunn

https://www.umc.org/en/content/does-jesus-have-something-to-teach-about-busyness

“When my faith is frightening” by Joseph Yoo

https://www.umc.org/en/content/when-my-faith-is-frightening

“Maybe God doesn’t have an exact plan for your life” by Madison Myers

https://www.umc.org/en/content/maybe-god-doesnt-have-an-exact-plan-for-your-life

And “Body and Blood: the true horror of Midnight Mass” from Nathan Webb

https://www.umc.org/en/content/body-and-blood-the-true-horror-of-midnight-mass

Give Love: Radical hospitality with John Calhoun

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United Methodist missionary the Rev. John Calhoun, who pastors the English-Speaking United Methodist Church of Vienna (ESUMC), shares how radical hospitality with a multicultural population is playing an important role in congregations in Austria.

Discover how hospitality can help you keep your spirit in shape.

John is an ordained elder of the New York Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church who has served in New York City, Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow and Kiev.

A season 2 review of Pastoring in the Digital Parish

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We’re stuffing your stocking with digital delights for online ministry as we close out season 2 of Pastoring in the Digital Parish. While this episode details a handful of things learned in previous season 2 sessions, it also dives into a big question: What measurements really matter in digital ministry?

Healing our divides with Amy Julia Becker

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Amy Julia Becker is helping us disrupt the cycles of division in our society. Overcoming systems of injustice feels overwhelming for one single person, we don’t feel like our efforts could make a difference. Amy Julia shares her experience with those doubts and committing to justice anyways.

Amy Julia Becker is an award-winning writer and speaker on faith, family, disability, privilege, and healing. She is the author of four books, including “To Be Made Whole: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope”, releasing in Spring 2022, and she is the host of the Love Is Stronger Than Fear podcast. Her work is featured alongside the writings of other Compass contributors in “How to Heal Our Divides”.