Get Your Spirit in Shape - United Methodist Podcast

Few, if any, people are untouched by mental health challenges either for themselves or loved ones. As we observe Mental Health Awareness Month, we explore how our Social Principles call us  as United Methodists to support and care for those living with mental health challenges, as well as how we are to care for our … Continue reading "Social Principles and Mental Health: A summons to action"

To commemorate World Press Freedom Day, two United Methodist News journalists share what it means to tell the church's story — with integrity, faith, and heart – and why independent journalism within a faith-based organization is more vital than ever. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question … Continue reading "Covering a worldwide church: Journalism with integrity and heart"

All four gospels affirm Mary Magdalene's key role in the Holy Week story as the first to witness the resurrected Jesus. Layers of misconceptions, however, surround one of Jesus' most loyal followers. Studying Mary Magdalene’s life more closely not only teaches us the truth, but also shows that her story can serve as a guide … Continue reading "Mary Magdalene: The Resurrection’s first witness"

It's time to get uncomfortable, says Dr. Ashley Boggan, author of “Wesleyan Vile-tality: Reclaiming the Heart of Methodist Identity,” a book that challenges United Methodists to reclaim our Methodist roots, embrace holy disruption, and live out the radical, inclusive love that defines our faith. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available … Continue reading "Turning the world upside down with ‘Wesleyan Vile-tality'"

Discernment. Peace. Reason. Those characteristics belong to Sophia Wisdom, a gift of the Spirit that is referenced in the Book of James. Bishop Cynthia Moore-Koikoi discusses how this little-known spiritual gift can deepen our understanding of wisdom and transform our conversations, relationships and lives. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available … Continue reading "Sophia Wisdom: Little known gift for big transformation"

Churches are good at food drives, but not as good at food justice, claims Kathy Webb, a cradle United Methodist who has worked in Arkansas politics for decades. Kathy shares how her faith integrates with social justice as a passionate advocate who engages with her community, city boards, commissions and church to tackle pressing issues … Continue reading "Taking faith into the legislature: A politician’s story"

Discover how love has unified a Los Angeles community through decades of civil unrest, gentrification and natural disasters when the Rev. Victor Cyrus-Franklin shares the story of Holman United Methodist Church, an historic church embodying its Wesleyan heritage as a center for community organizing and worship. More information and a full transcript of this conversation … Continue reading "Serving a community with unity, resilience and love"

Discover how to doodle your way to a divine connection during Lent or at any time when the Rev. Stephanie Dunn shares practical tips for integrating creativity into your spiritual journey from her new book, “Draw Close: A creative companion to Lent.” More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Learn … Continue reading "Doodle your way to a deeper faith"

In a study for Lent from the Rev. Matt Rawle, “The Final Days: A Lenten Journey through the Gospels” explores the themes of justice, poverty, freedom and love woven throughout the sacred stories of Jesus' last days on earth. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question or … Continue reading "Holy Week: A tapestry of sacred stories in ‘The Final Days'"

As a part of the “Meet a bishop” series, discover how Bishop Kristin Stoneking, the newly-elected bishop of the Mountain Sky Conference, lives into her call by striving to be an humble learner as she communicates the church’s message in a changing world. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. … Continue reading "Meet Bishop Kristin Stoneking"

‘Tis the season for all things merry and bright. Except when you're feeling sad, lonely and perhaps grieving. Retired United Methodist pastor and current spiritual director Cindy Serio discusses why Christmas can be a challenging season for some folks and shares a guided meditation that acknowledges that you might feel blue at this time of … Continue reading "When Christmas is blue: A meditation of hope"

What if, instead of having faith in Jesus, you had the faith of Jesus? Rev. Rebekah Simon-Peter, who has integrated the Jewish faith of her birth with her chosen identity as a United Methodist, urges all of us to embrace our inner divinity to live a more purposeful life, one in which we move beyond simply believing … Continue reading "Transform your faith: From believing in Jesus to believing like Jesus"

Always being joyful and finding meaning in life can be challenging for many of us.  In his new book, “A Full-Hearted Life: Following Jesus in This Secular Age,” Bishop Jake Owensby offers a guide for navigating our culture's complexities by encouraging us to embrace our true selves, cultivate genuine relationships and walk through life as … Continue reading "‘A Full-Hearted Life’: Walking in wisdom and love"

Clarity, consistency, communication and compassion. Learn how the 4 Cs that Rev. Calvin Yashie Hill used to train wild mustangs guides us in building authentic relationships across cultures. Today's “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is the second in a two-part conversation with Rev. Hill as we learn more about the culture and rituals of … Continue reading "Training wild mustangs: A guide to harmonious living"

When the Rev. Calvin Yashie Hill discovered the Wesleyan Quadrilateral as a seminary student, the Navajo holy man knew he had found his denominational home. Discover how Wesleyan discipleship aligns with indigenous spirituality and how understanding both can lead to a more welcoming church. Today's “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is part one of … Continue reading "Sacred Journeys: Weaving Navajo spirituality with Wesleyan faith"

As we honor Hispanic Heritage Month, the Rev. Dr. Lydia Munoz reminds us of the importance of listening to one another's stories and respecting one another's journeys as we live into a diverse and inclusive church that encompasses a rich tapestry of Hispanic and Latine heritage in the U.S. More information and a full transcript … Continue reading "Diversity in The UMC: Telling our stories leads to unity"

“Racism is the air we breathe, the water we swim in,” says the Rev.  Dr. Donnell FitzJeffries. In this conversation about the complexities of racism, and the challenges of honest conversations, we are encouraged to be “holy surprised” at how the church an lead the way to be transformed by our collective diversity. More information … Continue reading "Embracing Diversity in a World Where Racism is the “Air We Breathe”"

In a poignant and powerful conversation about faith and loss, Julie Hilliard Wood, a lifelong United Methodist, shares her family's story of how homophobia and rejection within the church had devastating consequences and reminds us of how critically important it is to create safe and loving spaces for all of God's children. More information and … Continue reading "Faith, loss and the fight for inclusion: A mother’s story"

Even as we believe our differences are our downfall, scripture tells us that diversity is the source of our beauty. The Rev. Beth Crissman discusses the Purple Church Initiative, a guide to harmony that challenges us to take up Jesus' call to be ambassadors of peace, and how, as John Wesley taught, to be of … Continue reading "Blessed are the peacemakers"

We live in a delight-deficient world, one where we, as adults, are driven to be productive and where play is seldom prioritized. The Rev. Tyler Strange reminds us that soul care means living from the inside out and that by rediscovering joy, we can unlock a playful spirit. More information and a full transcript of … Continue reading "Rediscovering joy: Prioritizing play in a delight-deficient world"

Protecting sacred spaces is a passion for Selena Ruth Smith. A firefighter and deaconess, the cradle United Methodist shares tips for how all of us can promote fire safety in our local congregations. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question or comment? Email us at gysis@umcom.org Connect … Continue reading "Safeguarding safe spaces: A UM firefighter’s ministry"

A lifelong United Methodist and career minister who describes himself as “conservative” discusses how, rather than focus on differences within the denomination, he concentrates on the common mission to make disciples, a space that supports The UMC's “big tent” distinction. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question […]

Discover how a “holy nudge” led Jordan Cramer on a journey from self-doubt to self-discovery while earning his Master of Divinity degree. The cradle United Methodist's story of commitment and faith reveals God's transformative power available to all of us. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question […]

Mental wellness is a spectrum where each of us resides. Creating inclusive and diverse spaces so all of us can feel safe regardless of where we fall on the spectrum is a primary focus at First United Methodist Church in Holland, Michigan. First UMC's director of education Jill DeJonge shares her own story of growing […]

“Never waste a good crisis,” Winston Churchill was quoted as saying. In Brian McLaren's new book, “Life After Doom,” the pastor, author and American theologian urges us to confront the multifaceted crisis facing the world, especially climate change, political polarization, religious supremacy and growing economic inequality. With The United Methodist Church navigating its own crisis […]

Jessica Vittorio is a lawyer by trade, someone who spends her workdays amid conflict and difficult settings. As a lay delegate at the upcoming General Conference, the lifelong United Methodist knows the business of the church also can be challenging at times. But what she has found while preparing for the denomination's largest legislative gathering […]

In late 2023, the Rev. Emily Carroll from Shady Grove United Methodist Church in rural Louisiana, traveled to the United Arab Emirates to meet up with 100,000 attendees of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. Rev. Emily shares about her experience, the hopeful takeaways and what we all can do to be better stewards of […]

A nomadic life may conjure images of aimlessly traveling with no sense of destination. For lifelong United Methodists Tammy and Rodney Ripley, who have been NOMADS for several years, their lives are far from aimless and destinations are denomination-related churches, camps and other sites where the couple joins fellow retirees to offer hope in the […]

The phrase, “thin places,” dates back to the ancient Celts who used it to describe those times when we feel closest to the God, as if the veil between the natural world and spiritual world becomes very thin. The Rev. Jane Ellen Nickell discusses how to discover these sacred spaces in our own lives where […]

1 Corinthians Chapter 13 often is referred to as the “love chapter.” Following the verses as a checklist of what love is, we might find that we're better at loving others than we are at loving ourselves. But to practice the commandment that Jesus calls out as the second most important – Love your neighbor […]

This “Get Your Spirit in Shape” episode is part of our “Meet a bishop” series. Bishop Tom Berlin, a lifelong United Methodist who grew up near Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, credits his local church with creating a strong sense of community in his life. Following a call when he was a summer camp counselor, the 2022 […]

The topic of health and wellness isn't new to the 21st century. Numerous Scriptures encourage us to take care of ourselves, reminding us that our body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, wrote a book on the topic titled “Primitive Physick,” and encouraged 18th century clergy to both […]

Serving as worship leader at The United Methodist Church's General Conference is a feat that Raymond Trapp is embracing by offering music that both showcases the diversity of the church and also meets people at their point of need. Trapp shares insights into his musical strategy, his selfcare routine for the 11-day event and how […]

HIV and AIDS aren't in the news much anymore as the western world has gained access to life-saving medications and cases have decreased. Despite the good news, the worldwide HIV/AIDS pandemic still exists, with the World Health Organization reporting a startling statistic: Of those people living with AIDS who don't receive treatment, 95 percent die. […]

Let's celebrate being United Methodists! That single sentiment is the overarching message from a trio of United Methodist pastors – Andy Langford, Sally Langford, Ann Langford Duncan – whose new book, titled “Being United Methodist Christians,” reflects on the history and theology amid worldwide diversity, and urges members to embrace our unique contributions and be […]

Navigating through the complexities of current conflicts, like the one between Israel and Hamas, can be challenging. The Rev. Dr. Ron Bell discusses how empathy, meaningful action and making room to see the humanity of others can help us rise above the political and news-driven narratives to model Christ's love in a polarized world. More […]

Christmastime is filled with sights, sounds, tastes and smells. United Methodist minister and author Matt Rawle shares how our sensory experiences of Christmas can deepen our connection to the season's narrative and help us create a more meaningful Advent. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question or […]

Personal discipleship is more than attending Sunday School and reading the Bible. The Rev. Stacey Harwell-Dye shares her thoughts on how following Jesus can move us into action in our churches and our communities. Today's episode, which marks the 150th episode for “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” was recorded as part of the 2023 United […]

Words matter – even the ones we use when we talk about God – or perhaps especially the ones we use to talk about God. Meg Lassiat from The United Methodist Church's General Commission on the Status and Role of Women discusses how words can limit or expand our relationship with God and how Scripture […]

Sharing our faith where people commonly gather is a concept as old as John Wesley. The Rev. Dr. Adam Sowder believes, if Wesley were alive today, the founder of Methodism definitely would be gaming on Twitch, chatting on Discord and streaming his sermons across social media. Methodist Gaming, which Adam started, is an online community […]

Trauma is universal and trauma, especially unaddressed, can affect how we engage with one another both inside and outside of our church communities. The Rev. Christy Miller White discusses how our behaviors can bring healing and offers practical tips for helping others and ourselves develop resiliency to live with trauma. More information and a full […]

Courageous conversations have nothing to do with being nice and everything to do with being kind, gentle and loving. The Rev. Dr. Scott Hughes of The United Methodist Church's Discipleship Ministries asserts that engaging in structured dialogues of learning – or courageous conversations – could create space for the most radical hospitality of all, a […]

Crying out in grief. Thanking God for mercy. Asking for strength. Like a psalmist, Stephon Void used poetry to express how he felt as he navigated his father's terminal cancer diagnosis, as well as his own chronic health concerns. Stephon's new book, “A Healing Journey,” chronicles the cradle United Methodist's path that eventually brought him […]

When Bishop Cedrick Bridgeforth was 9 year old, he prayed aloud at his small Alabama church, resulting in a standing ovation. His grandma then squeezed his cheeks and proclaimed that her grandson would preach one day. Though he was intent on becoming an architect, a stint in the U.S. Air Force set the teen on […]

United Methodist Andrea Gauldin-Rubio, a white woman who grew up in the rural south, shares about examining biases and recognizing white privilege, while acknowledging that anti-racism work should be ongoing and focused as much on action as on education. More information and a full transcript of this conversation are available here. Have a question or […]

At a young age, ViaFaith McCullough learned that people are more than their circumstances. After spending a summer as a college intern with The United Methodist Church's General Board of Church and Society, this cradle United Methodist discovered a deeper understanding of justice and found that, when we work together, even our simplest ideas can […]

People have told Pete Wright that, from the outside, his life looked trouble-free: loving wife and kids, fulfilling career, all the signs of success. On the inside, Pete has struggled for years with chronic depression. He shares the story of his journey, from a place where he once attempted suicide to discovering joy in the […]

Many of us seek God in the natural world, whether we backpack in the mountains, walk through a forest or relax by a lake. The Rev. Beth Jones shares how the discipline of slowing down and noticing God’s creation has the ability to heal us physically, emotionally, and spiritually, as well as repair and renew […]

In this special “Meet a bishop” episode of “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” we meet the Rev. David Wilson who recently made history as the first Native American to be elected as bishop of The UMC. Bishop Wilson tells us how growing up in The UMC prepared him for his current ministry role, the highest […]

Pause for a few quiet moments to ponder the events of Jesus’ final hours on earth through the contemplative spiritual discipline of guided meditation. The Rev. Cindy Serio, a retired United Methodist pastor and current spiritual director, leads us in a special meditation for Good Friday, helping us stay attentive to God’s invitation to us. […]

United Methodists may feel grief as the denomination experiences disaffiliations. A spiritual director shares tips for healing while explaining why compassion is needed during this fragile time.