EquipCast

Episode 167: Our Mission to Love: How to share your faith without being pushy

Episode | November 12th, 2024 | 56 mins 6 secs

authentic conversations, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, community, compassion, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith sharing, holy spirit, kindness, love, making disciples, mission, mission to love, outreach, parish life, personal testimony, relationships, service, sharing faith, spiritual growth, transformative love

I was recently asked, "How do you share your faith without coming across as pushy?" It’s a big question—how can we invite people into a relationship with Jesus without making it feel manipulative? The answer is simple: We love. The core of the Great Commission—"go and make disciples"—is the call to love because God is love. If we let that love shape and transform us, we become agents of love in our communities. This means nurturing our relationship with God first and letting that love overflow into our relationships with others. In this episode, I talk with Peter Andrastek, Senior Consultant at Evangelical Catholic. We explore how to share our faith through genuine connections and meaningful conversations. It’s about finding a balance: reaching out with urgency, yet having the wisdom to do it gently. Join me as we dive into what it means to be a missionary disciple, sharing the love we've been given in a way that feels authentic and true.

Coach's Corner 16: How to Make Evangelization a Priority

Episode | November 5th, 2024 | 9 mins 40 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, great commission, making disciples, missionary disciples, spiritual growth

Why is it so hard to prioritize evangelization? I want to love God, love my neighbor, and introduce others to Jesus, but life often gets in the way. In today’s Coach’s Corner, I’m here to offer some encouragement. When I focus on what Jesus truly asks of me—giving my heart to him in prayer and helping others draw closer to him—everything else falls into place. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed or simply looking for inspiration, this episode provides practical advice and encouragement to reignite your missionary spirit and live out your faith more fully.

Episode 166: Michelle Duppong’s Little Way of Evangelization

Episode | October 29th, 2024 | 51 mins 28 secs

catholic, catholic ministry, catholic saints, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization methods, faith in everyday life, focus, god’s mercy, inspiration and encouragement, little way of evangelization, making disciples, michelle duppong, missionary work, personal evangelization, prayer and evangelization, radiating joy, servant of god, spiritual mentorship, spiritual multiplication, st. therese of lisieux, universal call to holiness

Being holy is hard, and most of the people I look up to – the saints – lived extraordinary lives. But St. Therese taught us that sanctity is possible through her “little way”. Today, I want to introduce you to another “little way” – that of Servant of God Michelle Duppong. She lived what I like to call “the little way of evangelization” to the point that I almost didn’t hire her as a FOCUS missionary. Michelle lived an ordinary life showing that small, intentional acts of love can have a profound impact. Even during her battle with cancer, she remained committed to her mission. Her life exemplified God’s mercy and acceptance, welcoming everyone with open arms and a joyful spirit. In essence, Michelle’s story reminds us that we can find strength and purpose in our everyday actions and inspire others through our faith and love.

Step 4: Evangelization Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode | October 22nd, 2024 | 51 mins 57 secs

catholic, catholic ministry, community support, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization formation, evangelization strategies, evangelization training, holy spirit, intentional disciples, making disciples, missionary disciples, parish evangelization, personal apostolate

Does your parish actively encourage parishioners to engage in the Church’s mission to "go and make disciples" (Matt 28:19)? The Evangelization Formation step of the Clear Path equips disciples by guiding them to work with the Holy Spirit—the primary agent of evangelization—while surrounding them with a supportive community of missionary disciples who uplift and strengthen one another. It also provides practical skills, training in charisms, and tools to help disciples grow in confidence as they share their faith in everyday life. In this episode, my guests, Dcn. MJ Kersenbrock and Jan Kunz, discuss how they are implementing these efforts in the Catholic Parishes of Western Holt and Boyd Counties. They share the challenges and successes they've encountered while fostering a culture of mission. Their stories highlight the importance of perseverance, prayer, and personal relationships, as well as the transformative impact this formation process has had on individuals, who are now empowered to continue the mission, creating a ripple effect in their communities.

Step 3: Faith Formation – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode | October 15th, 2024 | 58 mins 22 secs

catechesis, catholic, catholic ministry, clear path, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, live lent together, making disciples, mentorship program, missionary disciples, small groups, spiritual growth

Most parishes form their people in the faith, but do they truly teach individuals how to pray, help them understand and actively engage with the sacraments, and guide them in making practical, moral changes in the daily lives? Developing the habits of a disciple can be challenging, and it happens most effectively within a community where people support and challenge one another to grow as followers of Jesus. In today’s conversation, Jodi Phillips and Michelle Zuhlke join me to discuss the faith formation step of building a clear path for discipleship. We explore the importance of small groups in fostering spiritual growth, emphasizing the role of personal relationships and mentorship.

Step 2: Conversion Moment – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode | October 8th, 2024 | 55 mins 5 secs

alpha course testimonials, alpha program, catholic, catholic faith, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, christian conversion, church community building, church outreach programs, conversion moments, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, faith and community, faith journey, hospitality in church, making disciples, omaha archdiocese, parish life, personal transformation stories, religious education, small groups, spiritual growth, st. columbkille parish

Does your parish have Alpha, Christ Life, a parish retreat, or some other initiative that creates an opportunity for people to hear about Jesus, reflect on their faith, and take a step towards a real and lasting relationship with him? The Clear Path step Conversion Moment is designed to help individuals encounter Jesus and make a personal decision to follow Him by offering a clear proclamation of the Gospel. My guest, Marlo Monico, shares her experience building and sustaining a Conversion Moment. She shares stories of significant personal transformations and emphasizes the importance of hospitality, community, and continuous invitation in evangelization efforts.

Step 1: Relational Outreach – The Ministries that Make Up a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode | October 1st, 2024 | 59 mins 26 secs

building authentic friendships, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic retreats, college ministry, community building in parishes, creating welcoming environments, disciples, effective parish events, engaging non-practicing catholics, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization techniques, faith community, faith formation, hospitality in ministry, intentional outreach, jpii newman center, making disciples, missionary discipleship, overcoming outreach challenges, parish outreach strategies, personal stories of faith, relational outreach, small group bible studies

Do you have a way to introduce your non-practicing friends and family members to your faith community that doesn’t involve inviting them to Mass or other gatherings that might make them feel isolated? Does your parish offer a space where you can meet and build trusting relationships with those distant from their faith? The Clear Path step Relational Outreach is designed for just that. My guests, Katie Winkler and Beth Carlson, share their experience at the JPII Newman Center, where they’ve created spaces for authentic friendships to flourish. They discuss the importance of intentionality in outreach, creating welcoming environments, and the role of personal stories and experiences in building genuine connections. Katie and Beth also highlight the challenges and learning opportunities in outreach efforts, emphasizing the need for patience and persistence in forming meaningful relationships.

Coach's Corner 15: Embrace Jesus’s Pace: How to Rest

Episode | September 24th, 2024 | 10 mins 49 secs

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, christian encouragement, christian reflection, christian work-life balance, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and productivity, isaiah 30:15, jesus’ pace of life, making disciples, repentance and renewal, ruthless elimination of hurry, sabbath rest, spiritual discipline, work from rest

Do you believe that God continues to work even when you don’t? In my own life, I’ve struggled with the idea that rest has to be earned, that I can only rest once everything on my to-do list is checked off. But the Christian vision is different. God’s work doesn’t stop when we rest. In fact, our rest is a testament to our trust in His ongoing work. Join me as we explore the beauty of working from rest, drawing examples from Jesus’s life, and discover practical ways to incorporate this principle into your daily routine.

Episode 161: Grow a Healthy Small Group Movement with Michael Hall

Episode | September 17th, 2024 | 56 mins 1 sec

archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic christian outreach, catholic ministry, cco, church community, church growth, community building, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, faith journey, healthy small groups, intentional accompaniment, jim jansen, making disciples, michael hall, missionary mindset, parish ministry, parish renewal, podcast, small group coaching, small group dynamics, small group leadership, small group movement, small group multiplication, small group strategies, small groups, spiritual growth

Small groups are vital for parish renewal—you might even be part of one yourself. But is your small group thriving and growing, or is it feeling a bit stagnant? Do you find it challenging to reach beyond the usual participants? And most importantly, are your small groups truly helping people grow in their faith journey? Today, I chat with Michael Hall, author of Intentional Accompaniment and a seasoned leader with Catholic Christian Outreach of Canada. Michael has a wealth of experience building and sustaining healthy small group movements, and he’s here to share some of the strategies and mindsets that can transform your small group from a stagnant gathering into a dynamic, missionary force. Whether you’re leading a small group, coordinating them for your parish, or simply a passionate member of one, this conversation is full of insights that can help you breathe new life into your small group ministry and make a real impact in your community.

Episode 160: When to Listen and When to Advise: Lessons from a Live Coaching Conversation

Episode | September 10th, 2024 | 47 mins 54 secs

active listening, asking the right questions, building relationships, catholic, catholic church, catholic ministry, clergy support, coaching, coaching techniques, collaboration, disciples, effective communication, empowering others, encouraging growth, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, friendship, lay leaders, leadership, making disciples, mentorship, nurturing vocations, personal growth, professional development, supportive conversations, transforming friendships, vocations

Have you ever been asked for help but then felt like you were just giving unwanted advice? It’s tough to know how to make your words count. On my team, we use an approach called coaching that focuses on active listening to really support and empower the clergy and lay leaders we work with. We’ve also found that this method can make you a better friend. Today, I bring you a live coaching session with Fr. Scott Schilmoeller, Vocations Director for the Archdiocese of Omaha. We explore how coaching principles like active listening, asking the right questions, and encouraging growth can transform not only professional roles but also personal friendships. You will also hear Fr. Schilmoeller share his experiences and strategies for promoting vocations. Whether you’re interested in coaching, vocations, or simply becoming a better friend, this episode is for you. Tune in to learn how to support and uplift those around you more effectively.

Episode 159: Why Setting Boundaries Matters to Your Ministry

Episode | September 3rd, 2024 | 49 mins 52 secs

balancing family and ministry, burnout prevention, catholic, catholic ministry, community building, disciples, effective ministry, equipcast., evangelism, evangelization, faith and boundaries, forgiveness and healing, god’s plan, holy name parishes, humility in ministry, john gencarelli, making disciples, ministry insights, ministry podcast, ministry tips, ministry work, omaha parishes, personal limits, prayer routine, rest and recovery, self-care in ministry, setting boundaries, spiritual well-being, st. phillip neri-blessed sacrament, sustainable ministry, work-life balance, youth and adult evangelization

Is it okay to set boundaries in ministry work? How do we balance being “all things to all people” (1 Cor 9:22) with the need for personal limits? Today’s guest believes that not only is it okay to establish boundaries—it’s essential. Join me as I sit down with John Gencarelli, Director of Youth and Adult Evangelization at St. Phillip Neri-Blessed Sacrament & Holy Name Parishes in Omaha. John opens up about his experience with burnout and shares how setting boundaries transformed his approach to ministry. By tracking his work hours, taking regular days off, and weaving prayer into his daily routine, John discovered how to protect his well-being while still serving effectively. He also highlights the importance of balancing family time with ministry and how thoughtful planning plays a key role in this. Ultimately, John reminds us that it’s God who saves, not us, and setting boundaries allows us to trust in His plan, ensuring that we serve effectively without burning out.

Episode 158: Turn Fatigue into Flourishing: Reignite Your Passion for Evangelization with Fr. John Riccardo

Episode | August 27th, 2024 | 55 mins 39 secs

acts xxix, biblical worldview, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, christian encouragement, christian podcast, church leadership, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith and hope, faith-based podcast, family on mission, fr. john riccardo, gospel proclamation, lay leadership, making disciples, ministry renewal, overcoming burnout, parish renewal, prayer and mission, religious inspiration, spiritual growth, the rescue project

Do you find it hard to maintain enthusiasm for evangelization? You’re not alone. Many of us in ministry face moments of profound fatigue and discouragement. But let me share something with you: the key to reigniting that passion lies in rediscovering the love and hope gifted by God which first called us to this mission.

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