Compass Podcast: Finding the spirituality in the day-to-day

[176] A practice to listen from the heart

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. 🔗 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f517.png] Full show notes & resources: umc.org/compass 👍 [https://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/17.0.2/72x72/1f44d.png] 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!

[175] Moving beyond spiritual neutral with Roger Ross

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

[174] Spirituality on the street with Rev. Tyler Sit

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

[173] Breaking the evangelism stereotype

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.

[172] AI, ethics and the spiritual journey

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