Episode 213

Knocking on Doors | Practical Outreach for Parish Renewal

August 11th, 2026

1 hr 3 mins 46 secs

Transcript

Link with Timestamp

Download MP3 (58.4 MB)

Your Host
Tags
gretna nebraska st charles borromeo lay leadership parish mapping neighboring doorstep evangelization parish tools parish renewal new evangelization ministry jim jansen everyday evangelization evangelization discipleship diocesan directors clear path to discipleship church leadership church growth catholic anchor consulting

About this Episode

What happens when a priest in a cassock and a layman with a clipboard start walking their neighborhood boundaries? Join me, Jim Jansen, as I sit down with Father Jeff Loseke and Adam Stephenson from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Gretna, Nebraska, to talk about how they took on neighborhood outreach. Instead of waiting for people to walk through their church doors, they exported their parish database into Google Maps and started showing up on front porches. From active parishioners and homebound seniors to those who haven't set foot in a church in decades, they found that personal connection opens doors to healing old wounds and bringing people back to the sacraments. Whether you're responsible for every soul within your parish boundaries or you simply want to be a better neighbor, this conversation will help you turn a walk down the street into an encounter with Jesus.

Episode Timeline:
  • [00:00] – Introduction
  • [00:01:46] – Guest Introductions & St. Charles Borromeo’s Rapid Growth
  • [00:07:59] – Moving from a "Mega-Parish" Mindset to Neighborhood Ministry
  • [00:12:46] – Mapping Parishioners and Neighborhood Boundaries with Simple Tech
  • [00:18:34] – The Routine: Door-to-Door Walks, Prayer Booklets, and Door Hangers
  • [00:24:53] – Balancing Introversion vs. Extroversion in Doorstep Evangelization
  • [00:29:54] – Training Parish Missionaries and Mobilizing Intercessors
  • [00:32:30] – Starting the Fuse: Non-Threatening Bridges and Low-Barrier Invitations
  • [00:44:31] – Fitting Neighborhood Outreach into the Overall Parish Mission & Clear Path
  • [00:51:40] – Vision for the Future: Empowering Lay Responsibility and Local Presence
  • [01:00:27] – Final Encouragements for Pastors, Staff, and Introverted Leaders
Resources Mentioned
⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

If The EquipCast is helping you navigate the realities of parish leadership, please take 60 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired ministry leaders find these tools and realize they don’t have to walk this path alone!

Connect & Take the Next Step:
  • Grab Your Free Tools: Get the playbook that actually changes lives at EverydayEvangelization.org.
  • Bring This to Your Parish: Discover strategic training and accompaniment at Anchor Consulting.
  • Read the Book: Order your copy of A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish.

The EquipCast is powered by Everyday Evangelization in conjunction with Anchor Consulting, delivering practical evangelization strategies and parish ministry tools to help you leave your ministry better than you found it.

Copyright © 2026 Anchor Consulting. All rights reserved.