147 episodes

Faith and spirituality sometimes leave us with more questions than answers. The Compass podcast shares stories about deconstructing faith, finding meaning, seeking justice, and deepening spiritual connection through contemplative practices and worship. Join fellow spiritual seekers Michelle Maldonado and Ryan Dunn as they seek orientation to the Divine presence in the day-to-day through a Christian perspective. A production of United Methodist Communications.

Compass Podcast: Finding the spirituality in the day-to-day United Methodist Communications

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.8 • 34 Ratings

Faith and spirituality sometimes leave us with more questions than answers. The Compass podcast shares stories about deconstructing faith, finding meaning, seeking justice, and deepening spiritual connection through contemplative practices and worship. Join fellow spiritual seekers Michelle Maldonado and Ryan Dunn as they seek orientation to the Divine presence in the day-to-day through a Christian perspective. A production of United Methodist Communications.

    [130] Faith vacations and lostness with Debie Thomas

    [130] Faith vacations and lostness with Debie Thomas

    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.

    • 27 min
    [129] Beats, peacemaking and authenticity with lenny duncan

    [129] Beats, peacemaking and authenticity with lenny duncan

    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

    • 44 min
    [128] Lent, fasting and spiritual nourishment with Christine Valters Paintner

    [128] Lent, fasting and spiritual nourishment with Christine Valters Paintner

    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.

    • 32 min
    [127] Engaging faith and reason: Kara Slade's spiritual journey

    [127] Engaging faith and reason: Kara Slade's spiritual journey

    Faith, science and life calling! In this episode, we have the pleasure of talking with Rev. Kara Slade, an engineer turned priest whose journey from the world of mechanical engineering to the pulpit is an interesting blend of spirituality and professional transformation. 

    Rev. Canon Dr. Kara Slade holds a PhD in Christian theology and ethics from Duke University.  She also earned a PhD in mechanical engineering and materials science and then joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as a research engineer and test manager for a variety of civilian and military projects. Kara’s career took a turn towards ministry (as we’ll hear), and today she serves as associate rector at Trinity Church in Princeton, New Jersey. Along the way, she’s written many enlightening articles and a book entitled “The Fullness of Time”.

    In this episode:

    (00:00) Podcast episode featuring engineer turned priest’s journey.

    (03:33) Career changes.

    (06:53) Struggled with faith, left church, worked for NASA.

    (11:28) Struggles with faith and government work post-9/11.

    (13:19) Christian life involves repentance, brings whole self.

    (17:07) Evolution theories shape human social and political beliefs.

    (23:06) Assuming bias impacts technology, particularly for people of color.

    (26:39) Scripture is primary, but don’t over-construct.

    (28:47) Priest emphasizes humility and reason in faith.

    (32:41) Exploring spiritual forces, justice, and cultural conflicts.

    (38:03) Reflect on science, religion, share your thoughts.

    Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

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

    • 39 min
    [126] Church Rethought: Embracing Unconventional Spaces for Community and Spirituality

    [126] Church Rethought: Embracing Unconventional Spaces for Community and Spirituality

    We’re talking with Rev. Heather Jallad about the creative, fun and innovative ways that church is coming together and meeting the world. It’s an invitation to Rethink Church.

    This episode of Compass dives into new expressions of church like Dinner Church and Messy Church. It’s all inspiring… and it gets us thinking about how we, individually might both connect with spiritual community and how we might become involved in leading the church into new areas of witness.

    Rev. Heather Jallad serves as the Associate Director of Training for Fresh Expressions NA, Community Engagement Pastor at Cannon UMC in Snellville, Georgia, and as a Specialist for the North Georgia Annual Conference. She pioneered the Common Ground Network, a network of fresh church expressions and The Douglasville Dinner Church in Douglasville, GA and a collaborative Dinner Church in Grayson, GA.

    In this episode:

    (00:00) Reverend Heather Jallad’s inspiring work on church.

    (04:24) Introduced to dinner church, partnered with school.

    (08:19) Fresh expression emphasizes mutuality and shared meals.

    (11:21) Adapting church to fit modern schedules and lifestyles.

    (14:56) Church planters stumbled onto non-traditional methods.

    (24:34) Pandemic of loneliness, longing for community meals.

    (30:29) Traditional roles expanded to engage new members.

    (32:39) Promoting house churches for effective discipleship.

    (35:37) Recognition of Pioneers in the church community.

    (45:18) Geeky church models dive complete.

    Compass is a production of United Methodist Communications.

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

    • 46 min
    [125] Cultivating everyday spirituality in 2024 with Abigail Browka

    [125] Cultivating everyday spirituality in 2024 with Abigail Browka

    In this episode, we sit down with Abigail Browka, the curator of the Everyday Sanctuary app, and we get into the importance of real-life experiences and faith journeys. 

    Pastor Abigail shares profound insights into tapping into creative spirituality, from the necessity of supporting one another in our spiritual paths to the role of brief, accessible spiritual practices in our daily lives. Together we’re going to explore the significance of daily spiritual practices, silent retreats, and the emergence of new spiritual practices and faith communities. This episode promises to inspire a deeper understanding of spirituality and encourage you to embrace it in your everyday life.

    Abigail Browka is the founder and curator of the Everyday Sanctuary mobile app, which was launched in 2021 during the pandemic. With the intent to bring sacred practices into everyday life, Abigail created the app to provide a satisfying spiritual practice in less than 5 minutes, no matter where you are. Her goal is to make it easy for people to connect with God, whether they are at the doctor’s office, in the carpool line, or at a friend’s house. She also hosts a podcast as another way to help people find their spiritual connection. If you’ve followed our related Rethink Church social media accounts, you’ve seen Abigail as we feature a spiritual practice from her on those channels every Thursday.

    In this episode

    [00:00] Compass podcast promotes spiritual awareness and gratitude.

    [04:58] Busy individuals finding God in everyday life.

    [10:22] Creating accessible, 5-minute spiritual connections through app.

    [14:02] Affirming daily spiritual practice and benefits of silence.

    [15:09] Quiet space allows for reflection and appreciation.

    [19:11] Emerging ministries adapting to changing world.

    [21:53] Harvard study shows importance of healthy relationships.

    [26:22] Community participation in events creates connections.

    [30:14] Frequent contact, but infrequent meaningful conversations.

    [33:18] Explore spiritual practices, share your experiences, and inspire.

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

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
34 Ratings

34 Ratings

thenatedub ,

Love this podcast!

Thankful for this podcast and the interviews it hosts. Keep up the great work.

mspencer3712 ,

Thank you

I’m a UMC pastor and I love this podcast. Keep up the good work

Joe Togs ,

Substantive & moving

Methodists are known for either avoiding conflict or engaging in partisan-like rhetoric against other Methodists. This podcast is a great outlet for theologically, socially, & culturally relevant conversations about Christ’s call for the church.

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