Experience the United Methodist podcast-a-thon at anytime
*By Angelika Woods
Did you miss the second annual United Methodist Podcast-a-thon hosted by United Methodist Communications’ (UMCom)? Would you like to learn about disciple-making from more than a dozen podcasts from United Methodist clergy, lay persons, annual conferences and general agencies? If you answered yes to any of the questions, you can experience the complete line-up of the podcast-a-thon, which is now available for on-demand listening.
UMCom recently celebrated the completion of its second annual Podcast-a-thon. The online event took place via the ResourceUMC website and Facebook page.
Listeners could listen to featured episodes sampling podcasts from the United Methodist general agencies—including UMCom’s “Get Your Spirit in Shape,” “Compass,” “Pastoring in the Digital Parish”—and podcasts selected from the online submissions. The five-day event focused on disciple-making, that month’s highlighted #BeUMC United Methodist shared core value.
“Being disciple makers is core to who we are called to be as United Methodists. Sharing all the ways we can be disciple makers in the world as well as grow as disciples through the variety of voices of the Podcast-a-thon is exciting and I’m grateful to be a part of the venture,” says Crystal Caviness, Manager, Member Content Development at UMCom, who hosts “Get Your Spirit in Shape” podcast and co-produced the Podcast-a-thon.
“The beauty of having 15 diverse podcasts converging on a single theme allowed listeners to appreciate the variety and innovation within the UMC while recognizing our unified commitment to one ultimate goal – making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” elaborated J. Vance Morton, director of communications and IT at the Central Texas Conference of The United Methodist Church.
The livestream videos on the ResourceUMC FB page have reached over 9800 viewers. Listeners could tune into at least one of the three podcasts presented daily at 11 a.m., noon, and 1 p.m. CT. The hope was that listeners would feel uplifted, motivated and encouraged about disciple-making.
The event required in-depth strategic planning and coordination. The inaugural podcast-athon was a one-day event and the team wanted to build off 2022’s success and make the event even bigger. This led to the livestreaming aspect and an open call request for seeking United Methodist podcasters for participation. After much consideration, 15 podcasters were selected.
One of the participants was Rev. Dr. Brad Miller, a podcast producer with the Indiana Conference. His podcast, “To Be Encouraged with Bishop Trimble,“ focuses on [providing encouragement and spiritual guidance to listeners]. “I like the synergy of ‘connecting’ our podcast with other UM podcasts,” shared Miller. The podcast-a-thon provided the perfect conduit to do just that.
This year's event was also the first time the podcast-athon was live-streamed and shared across multiple United Methodist platforms.
United Methodist Communications plans to have another podcast-a-athon in 2024 and looks forward to working with fellow United Methodist podcasters again.
“The UMC podcast-a-thon was a fantastic overall experience and a great way to share the connection of United Methodists all across the U.S.,” added Morton.
Listeners can hear United Methodist Communications’ current podcast offerings at ResourceUMC.org/Podcasts and episodes from previous United Methodist Podcast-a-thon participants via the event page.
“When I first envisioned the Podcast-a-thon, it was to offer a platform for diverse voices committed to inspiring United Methodists,” says the Rev. Ryan Dunn, Minister of Online Engagement at United Methodist Communications, who hosts the agency’s “Pastoring in the Digital Parish” and “Compass” podcasts and co-producer of this year’s event. "It's proven to be an opportunity to partner with fellow communications ministries while forming community among podcast creators and our audiences."
If you are a podcaster or know someone who is, be sure to keep the United Methodist Podcast-a-thon on your radar as you may have a chance to participate in the next event. But for now, enjoy listening!
*Angelika Woods is the senior public relations specialist for United Methodist Communications.
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