What does it mean to be a connected church?
In this episode, Joe talks with Jennifer Rodia about connectionalism and what it looks like to live it out in real life. Drawing on experiences from churches in New York to communities across Africa and beyond, they explore how connection shapes faith, community, and our understanding of God.
In this episode:
- How global relationships reveal a fuller picture of God
- The shift from “serving others” to mutual community
- Why listening across differences matters
- The challenges—and gifts—of being a global church
- How stepping outside our comfort zones can deepen faith
At its core, this conversation is an invitation: to connect more deeply, listen more openly, and discover how God is at work beyond our own experience.
Helpful links
- Learn: Regionalization (UMC.org/Regionalization): How The UMC is organizing to better reflect our worldwide connections.
- Engage: Global Ministries of The UMC is a great place to learn about the church around the world.
- Stay informed: Sign up for United Methodist News Digest and watch The Recap to stay informed of our worldwide church.
Email us about this episode, ideas for future topics, or any other thoughts you would like to share.
Help us spread the word
Tell others: members of your church, coworkers, and anyone else might benefit from these conversations.
Share us on Facebook, Instagram and other social media sites.
Review us wherever you download the episode. Great reviews help others find us.
More Get Your Spirit in Shape episodes
- Get Your Spirit in Shape and other United Methodist podcasts
Thank you for listening, subscribing and sharing.
This episode posted on May 5, 2026.
Get Your Spirit in Shape and UMC.org are ministries of United Methodist Communications. For more than 80 years, we have been delivering messages of hope and leading the way in communications ministry. Join us in this vital work by making a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.
Transcript
Joe Iovino:
Welcome to Get Your Spirit in Shape. If you were with us for the last episode, you heard me share that we’re taking a different approach this year. Rather than interviews, we’re spending time in conversation—thinking together about what it means to live faithfully as United Methodists today.
There’s a lot happening in the life of the church, and a lot of questions people are carrying. So this season is about slowing down, reflecting together, and making sense of what it means to stay connected—to God, to one another, and to the church.
That’s where we’re starting today. What does it mean to be a connected church?
I’m really glad to be joined by my friend and colleague, Jennifer Rodia. Jenn serves as Head of Partnerships, News and Production at United Methodist Communications, and she’s spent years connecting with United Methodists around the world.
Jenn, thanks for being here.
Finding Connection in the Church
Jennifer Rodia:
Thanks so much. I’m excited to talk about this—I love the idea of being connected.
Joe:
You were raised in the church, right?
Jennifer:
I was raised in the Episcopal Church, then spent some time in a non-denominational church in college. Later, when I was looking for a church home in New York City, that’s when I found The United Methodist Church.
Joe:
When you think back to those early experiences of getting connected, what stands out?
Jennifer:
One thing I loved was realizing we were part of something bigger than just the church on our block.
The church I attended in New York was near the United Nations, so we had people from all over the world coming through—sometimes just for a few years. That gave me an early sense that the church wasn’t just local. It was global.
At the same time, there was a deep sense of community. That church helped form my adult faith. It’s where my son was born and baptized. It was family.
And that raises the question: why church at all? I can pray on my own. I can connect with God in nature. So what is church for?
For me, it’s community. It’s a place to serve, to share, to live out your faith—and also a place to receive when you need it.
When our son was born and had serious health issues, we were in a season where we had nothing left to give. And being surrounded by people who poured into us—it was humbling. It was healing. It was a powerful experience of grace.
The Challenges of Being a Global Church
Joe:
That’s such a powerful image—church as both giving and receiving.
You’ve also had the chance to experience the church globally in a way most people don’t. What are some of the challenges of being a global church?
Jennifer:
There are real challenges. Communication alone can be difficult. We often assume things are easy—email, internet, connectivity—but that’s not the reality everywhere.
In some places, people have to travel just to access internet, purchase time to connect, and respond quickly before they lose access again. That changes how you think about communication.
It’s made me shift from asking, “Why don’t they just…?” to asking, “What can I do differently?”
Sometimes that means using different tools, like WhatsApp. Sometimes it means being more patient. It’s about adjusting to others rather than expecting them to adjust to me.
Experiencing Church Around the World
Joe:
What about the spiritual side of your experiences? What has helped you grow?
Jennifer:
One of my earliest experiences was a mission trip to Ghana. We were all curious what worship would be like.
In New York, church was quiet and peaceful—an oasis in a noisy city. But in Ghana, it was loud, joyful, full of music and dancing. The offering itself was a dance. The service went on for hours.
At first, it felt very different. But then we realized something: the church was meeting the needs of the community.
In New York, people needed quiet and stillness. In that village, people needed energy, joy, and expression.
That experience completely shifted how I think about worship.
A Fuller Picture of God
Joe:
What would you say to someone who wonders why it matters that we’re part of a global church?
Jennifer:
For me, it comes down to this: if we believe all people are created in God’s image, then engaging with people from different cultures and contexts helps us experience a fuller picture of God.
If we only surround ourselves with people who are like us, we limit that experience.
Yes, being a global church is more complicated. But it also reflects what we’re called to be. If we want to share God’s love with the world, how could we not embrace being connected to the world?
Living It Out Locally
Joe:
How can someone in a local church begin to experience that kind of connection?
Jennifer:
Start with relationships.
That might mean connecting through a mission project, building relationships with partners in other parts of the world, or even just engaging with a nearby church that’s different from yours.
And it’s important to remember: it’s not about “helping them.” It’s about mutuality—learning from one another, sharing life together.
Those relationships can change how you see the world, how you see the church, and how you live your faith.
Joe:
And that doesn’t have to be global—it can be right down the street.
Jennifer:
Exactly. It might be as simple as partnering with another church nearby. My church recently worked with a smaller congregation down the street to support their Easter event. It brought new energy and built relationships.
But it takes intention. It takes stepping outside your comfort zone.
A Final Takeaway
Joe:
If you had one takeaway for listeners, what would it be?
Jennifer:
If we want to grow spiritually, we have to be willing to be uncomfortable.
Trying new things, connecting with people who are different from us—that can be hard. But if we stay too comfortable, we might be missing something important.
Joe:
And I’d add—listening is a big part of that. Being open enough to say, “Maybe this is church in a way I haven’t experienced before.”
Jenn, thanks so much for this conversation.
Jennifer:
Thanks for having me.
Joe:
And thanks to all of you for listening. We’ll see you next time on Get Your Spirit in Shape.
