Category: Compass Podcast

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Pastor David Livingston discusses the concept of abundant life and how it can be experienced in the present. He emphasizes that abundant life is not solely about material well-being or a perfect life, but rather about finding spiritual and emotional well-being in the midst of life’s challenges.

Pastor Livingston shares his personal experience with anxiety and how he has found peace and permission to be anxious through reframing the language of Jesus’ command to not be anxious. He also discusses the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care in order to maintain spiritual and emotional health. Additionally, he explores the idea of finding meaning and redemption in difficult circumstances, trusting that God is at work even in the midst of pain and suffering. Finally, Pastor Livingston offers practical suggestions for deepening one’s spiritual connection, such as journaling, prayer practices, engaging in acts of service, and reading the Bible with a focus on understanding and reflection rather than completing a set reading plan.

David is lead pastor at Old Mission United Methodist Church in Fairway, Kansas, and the author of “Getting to Good: Moving to a Fuller More Abundant Life Right Now”.

In this episode:
(00:00) Reverend David shares wisdom on spirituality and coping.
(04:53) Struggle with anxiety, find peace through faith.
(09:07) Mother soothing and comforting child with words.
(11:04) Individual response to anxiety has biochemical basis.
(13:00) Setting boundaries to manage anxiety and stress.
(18:15) Staff sponsored Bible halted, allowing others to help.
(19:53) Parenting: allowing kids to fail, avoid catastrophizing.
(22:54) Disagreement with Romans 8:28 passage interpretation.
(28:23) Life is hard, but there’s redemption.
(30:09) Journaling and prayer can bring clarity and faith.
(32:43) Devotional books help encounter the divine.
(37:23) Peter’s story reveals redemption in the gospel.
(39:12) New episode in 2 weeks. Chat then. Peace.

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Unpacking the mysteries of hell and love with Derek Kubilus on Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday. Derek takes us on a thought-provoking journey through the complex relationship between a God of love and the concept of eternal torment. Explore his ideas on purgatorial universalism, the evolution of hell in Christian theology, and how these beliefs shape our spiritual lives.

Derek has written a compelling book called “Holy Hell: A Case Against Eternal Damnation”. It is aimed at those traumatized by the fear of hell, offering hope and relief to individuals plagued by questions about the eternal fate of loved ones and themselves. We’ll explore how traditional views of eternal torment have impacted people’s relationships with God and spirituality, and how early Christian interpretations differ significantly from the dominant narrative.

In this episode:
(00:00) Compass explores spirituality, challenges conventional Christian doctrine.
(06:00) Book resonates with those questioning eternal hell.
(09:41) Exploratory theological journey led to innovative seminars.
(12:13) Convinced of purgatorial universalism, wrote book to help.
(16:43) People’s perception of God impacts relationships with others.
(19:39) Ancient Christians interpreted various words for hell.
(23:25) Spread of early Christian views on hell.
(26:09) Pruning: essential for growth and eternal punishment.
(29:17) Lost leg in 2012, endured painful rehab.
(35:32) Union with God, divinization, in human destiny. (39:36) Reinterpret old Christian standards for new generation.
(40:49) United Methodist Church embracing change with generosity.
(44:13) Busy episode, leave a rating, back soon.

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

For episode notes and more ways to engage with Compass: www.umc.org/compass

Compass releases new episodes every other Wednesday.

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Rediscover centering and spirituality with Andrew Lang on “Compass: Finding Spirituality in the Everyday.” Andrew Lang, a guiding voice in spiritual practices, shares transformative insights on integrating centering practices into daily life, overcoming the “dark night of the soul,” and finding creative ways to connect with our spirituality.

Listen in as Lang explains how centering practice can reshape our responses to life’s challenges and help build personalized spiritual rhythms. Whether grappling with the daily grind or seeking meaningful spiritual practices that fit your modern life, this episode offers practical wisdom and thoughtful reflections.

(00:00) Discovering spirituality in daily life with Andrew.
(04:39) Educator, non-profit worker, and spirituality advocate.
(09:13) Reflect on life, relationships, and behaviors honestly.
(11:29) Writing, drawing, and mapping express individual experiences.
(15:43) Embracing the spiritual connection of body and soul.
(18:31) Centering defined as finding alignment in the body.
(21:29) Physical and mental practice in different sizes.
(24:35) Glorification of dark night of the soul.
(26:28) Measuring effectiveness in spiritual practice for connection.
(30:32) Variety of meditation practices including box breathing.
(36:10) Prayer can be flexible and creative.
(37:43) Upcoming workshops on practice and self-improvement.
(40:03) Cultivating everyday spirituality for meaningful stories.

Find episode notes and more from Compass at www.umc.org/compass

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

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Curious about maintaining compassion and engaging in meaningful conversations in your daily life? On Compass 133, join Ryan Dunn as he speaks with John Pavlovitz about finding common ground and exploring spirituality amidst life’s challenges. Discover how to navigate differences with empathy, find solace in nature, and embrace your faith journey authentically.

John shares his personal journey from questioning his Christian identity to embracing a compassionate approach that transcends religious and ideological boundaries. We’ll explore the need for human connection beyond political or religious labels and John’s latest endeavors including his work on grief, his online community Empathetic People Network, and his new book “Worth Fighting For.”

John Pavlovitz is a pastor, writer, and activist from Wake Forest, North Carolina. In the past several years his blog, Stuff That Needs To Be Said, has reached a diverse worldwide audience. A 20-year veteran in the trenches of local church ministry, John is committed to equality, diversity, and justice. His books include:  If God Is Love, Don’t Be a Jerk, A Bigger Table, Hope and Other Superpowers, Low, Rise, Worth Fighting For and Stuff That Needs to Be Said.

In this episode:
(00:00) Compass with John Pavlovitz: Finding common ground.
(05:33) Exhausted people need empathy and encouragement.
(09:18) Curiosity and compassion breed meaningful conversations.
(10:59) Impactful online conversations reach a wide audience.
(15:12) Spiritual history, seeking compassion.
(20:43) Church adapting to modern challenges and changes.
(22:48) Challenging American evangelical church, seeking Jesus’ teachings.
(27:20) Embrace curiosity and find beauty in ordinary things.
(29:19) Empathetic People Network offers inclusive social platform.

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

Find more episodes and show notes at www.umc.org/compass

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We’re exploring a pivotal moment in the life of the United Methodist Church—the historic 2024 General Conference held in Charlotte, North Carolina. This conference marked a significant turning point, as 93% of the delegates voted to lift long-standing bans on the ordination of LGBTQ+ clergy and the hosting of same-sex weddings by clergy and churches. Our episode will explore the profound impact of these changes, featuring reactions from a spectrum of church leaders and participants, including the first openly gay bishop, Karen Oliveto, and voices like Bishop Kennetha Bingham-Tsai and Reverend David Meredith. Join us as we navigate through these transformative decisions, the celebrations that followed, and the renewed authenticity they bring to the church’s mission of open hearts, open minds, and open doors. Whether you’re a member of the United Methodist community or a seeker of spiritual understanding, this episode offers a deep dive into the intersection of faith, inclusivity, and social change.

Compass: Finding spirituality in the everyday is a production of United Methodist Communications. For more episodes and show notes, visit: umc.org/compass

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The United Methodist Church is going to be in the news due to the big General Conference Gathering. Here’s why.

ALSO, we’re going to miss a couple of full episodes due to the big event. We’ll be back with new episodes on May 15, 2024.

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Join us as Dr. Richard Beck discusses mysticism in daily life, and how enchantment can transform our view in “Hunting Magic Eels.”

Feeling world-weary? Richard discusses how moral beauty & acts of kindness can awaken awe. Explore the mystical in the mundane on the Compass Podcast!

Richard is a Professor of Psychology at Abilene Christian University, and he is the author of the popular blog Experimental Theology: The Thoughts, Articles and Essays of Richard Beck. His latest book is called “Hunting Magic Eels: Enchanted Faith in a Skeptical Age… it is out now. As an experimental psychologist and a practicing Christian, Richard attempts “to integrate theology with the experimental social sciences.”

In this episode:
(00:00) Compass podcast embraces awe and mystery.
(06:15) Enchantment focuses on experiential perspective, openness to surprise.
(07:44) Yearning for enchantment amid shifting religious beliefs.
(12:12) Vocational crisis due to moral questioning.
(14:48) Natural beauty not main trigger for awe.
(18:28) Small local churches offer moral beauty weekly.
(22:38) Biking to work, sunrise, prayerful start.
(24:42) Embracing the little way in daily life.
(30:16) Criticism about depending solely on God’s aid.
(33:39) Using poetry to find meaning in life.
(34:58) Seek joy, God’s witness, widen divine encounters.

More episodes and show notes available at umc.org/compass

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

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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.

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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

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We’re talking with Christine Valters Paintner about the spiritual significance of fasting and Lent. Christine, the founder of the Online Abbey of the Arts, shares her insights on how fasting can go beyond traditional ideas of abstaining from food and can instead be a way to open ourselves to a deeper encounter with the divine. Christine outlines the various forms of fasting, including from multitasking and inattention, and the practice of fasting from scarcity, speed, and certainty. 

Christine founded the Abbey of the Arts, a virtual monastery offering classes and resources on contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a Benedictine Oblate, poet, writer, spiritual director, retreat facilitator, teacher, and pilgrimage guide. She has authored over 20 books, including her most recent: A Different Kind of Fast.

In this episode:
(00:00) Liturgical seasons offer opportunities for renewal.
(04:29) Online community brings together contemplative practice, creativity.
(08:24) Embrace full presence by fasting from multitasking.
(13:31) Letting go of planning and surrendering control.
(17:39) Finding sacred moments in contemplative walks.
(20:44) Seeking nourishment for a famished heart.
(25:44) Seeking deeper connection to the divine mystery.
(28:37) Intensifying focus, choosing life-giving practices, practicing resurrection.
(31:10) Reflect, share, and explore spiritual practices.

Find episode notes at www.umc.org/compass

Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.