Get Your Spirit in Shape - United Methodist Podcast

United Methodist Communications•www.umc.org

We know that exercise and good nutrition help keep us physically healthy. Unfortunately, we don’t always follow through. Our spiritual lives are similar. We know what we need to grow as Christians, but sometimes we struggle. Get Your Spirit in Shape is a free, 30-minute, monthly podcast from United Methodist Communications featuring conversations with leaders, authors, and others who offer spiritual nutrition and exercises for our everyday lives. Join us as we get—and keep—our spirits in shape.

Last refreshed: July 28th, 2025 at 11:19 AM ⓘ

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Episodes

Ep. 010: Life lessons from a 95-year-old United Methodist churchgoer with Shirley Bachelder

At a time when many of us are longing to hear a word from the Lord, 95-year-old Shirley Bachelder receives explicit instructions about what to put on a billboard, who God has chosen to be her new, best friend, and where to sleep and eat when they were on the road together. “He’s interested in everything,” she says of her ongoing conversation with God. Listen to learn about love, prayer, friendship, faith and so much more! Follow us: Web: http://www.UMC.org YouTube: http://youtube.com/umcvideos F...

Oct 17, 2016•30 min

Ep. 009: College, Church and Faith with Sheila Bates

Finding a faith community in college can be challenging. Students who grew up in a local church had those ministries provided during their childhood and teenage years. Now, often for the first time, they need to seek out a place to worship and connect. The Rev. Sheila Bates of Higher Education and Ministry, and a former Wesley Foundation director, shares ideas to help students, parents and churches support the faith of these young adults while they are away at college. Follow us: Web: http://www...

Sep 16, 2016•33 min

Ep. 008: Everyday Disciples with Steve Manskar, Melanie Gordon, and Chris Wilterdink

When we become Christians, we begin a lifelong journey of following Jesus every day. John Wesley taught the early Methodists to meet together in small groups called classes, to help one another along the way. The United Methodist Church continues to encourage Christians to gather in discipleship groups that will help us grow in our love of God and neighbor. In this episode, we talk about discipleship with three leaders at Discipleship Ministries who have each authored books about leading Covenan...

Aug 17, 2016•31 min

Ep. 007: Changing Pastors? It’s Going to be Okay with Bob Kaylor

Getting a new pastor can be unsettling for a congregation. United Methodist pastor the Rev. Bob Kaylor, an author and speaker about pastoral transitions, shares ideas on how we might be receptive to new clergy leadership, and help our congregation move through a season of transition. Mostly, though, he wants each of us going through a pastoral change to know that everything is going to be okay. Follow us: Web: http://www.UMC.org YouTube: http://youtube.com/umcvideos Facebook: http://facebook.com...

Jun 02, 2016•26 min

Ep. 006: We Believe in Prayer: Bishops’ emphasis at General Conference

In another special episode from General Conference, we have edited together snippets from conversations with several of our United Methodist bishops as they tell us about their emphasis on prayer before and during General Conference. Our bishops led a 131 day prayer vigil before General Conference, are leading another during General Conference, and are making themselves available for prayer during the breaks. Follow us: Web: http://www.UMC.org YouTube: http://youtube.com/umcvideos Facebook: http...

May 17, 2016•6 min

Ep. 005: Called to Serve with Hannah Foust from General Conference

In this special episode from General Conference, I get to chat with Hannah Foust, a 14-year-old United Methodist in Indiana. Hanna felt God calling her to do something to help those in Burkina Faso without clean water. She didn’t wait until she was older, she got started right away. To date, she has raised enough money for three wells and inspired 13 more. That means that approximately 16,000 people have clean water because of Hannah’s work. I got to chat with her after she spoke on the floor of...

May 14, 2016•12 min

Ep. 004: Can You Be Social and Spiritual Too? with R. Scott Miller

Have you ever thought of using Facebook in your spiritual life? The Rev. R. Scott Miller, a United Methodist pastor in Ohio and the founder of TeKnowPreach, shares some ideas about how we can use social media to grow spiritually, and to share the story of our faith journeys when we post. Follow us: Web: http://www.UMC.org YouTube: http://youtube.com/umcvideos Facebook: http://facebook.com/unitedmethodistchurch Twitter: http://twitter.com/umchurch...

Apr 25, 2016•31 min

Ep. 003: Sacred Spaces with Whitney Simpson

Whitney Simpson, a United Methodist spiritual director, stopped by the studio for a conversation about finding and creating sacred spaces in our everyday lives. Simpson shares some great, practical tips for enriching our spiritual journeys and deepening our relationship with Jesus by finding those special spaces to be with God. Follow us: Web: http://www.UMC.org YouTube: http://youtube.com/umcvideos Facebook: http://facebook.com/unitedmethodistchurch Twitter: http://twitter.com/umchurch...

Mar 30, 2016•30 min

Ep. 002: Family Devotions with Kara Oliver and Jenny Youngman

It was great to talk with Kara Oliver and Jenny Youngman, two authors and moms who want to help all of us start times of devotions in our families. With lots of joy and laughter, Youngman and Oliver tell stories of what has worked and what they learned through trial and error. They also share wonderful ideas you could start doing today, even in your busy family. While beginning family devotions will not turn your family into a Norman Rockwell painting, it is a great way to share your faith, and ...

Feb 24, 2016•32 min

Ep. 001: When We’re Bad at Being Good with J. Brent Bill

I was pleased to have the opportunity to talk to author and self-proclaimed “bad Quaker,” J. Brent Bill. When we examine our lives, most of us can confess that we are bad at being good, as Bill does in his new book, Life Lessons from a Bad Quaker: A Humble Stumble toward Simplicity and Grace . Several weeks into New Year’s resolutions we have broken or forgotten, it is good to be reminded of the grace and love of Jesus, even when we fall short. Follow us: Web: http://www.UMC.org YouTube: http://...

Jan 13, 2016•30 min

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