EquipCast

Episode 90: Myth Busting: Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode  |  June 14th, 2022  |  45 mins 27 secs

The Archdiocese's Big Goal, each parish in the Archdiocese of Omaha will be a missional community, has three characteristics: collaborative leadership, a clear path to discipleship, and a culture of generosity. I believe we can't talk about these enough. So today, I have another episode on the clear path to discipleship for you. In many ways, the clear path isn't a new idea; it's just a new expression of something that is as old as the Church. Thus, people don't respond negatively to it, but I have encountered quite a few misconceptions that seem to trip people up. They think the clear path is just the newest buzzword, a quick fix that puts people on an assembly line and cuts all ministries out of a parish. If you've thought these things (or if you know someone else who has), let me mythbust for you!

Episode 89: You might be a missional community if...

Episode  |  June 7th, 2022  |  36 mins 50 secs

With the Journey of Faith underway, the words “flourishing” and “missional community” have become buzzwords in our diocese. Many good people have been asking, “Wait…ARE we a missional community? What does it even mean for an entire parish to be missional?” We have a definition: an outward looking group of disciples, under the care of a pastor, sent by Jesus to make disciples. However, a definition is only a starting point for understanding, so today, I bring you You Might Be a Missional Community If… Calvin Mueller and I discuss some indicators of a missional community so that you might know if you are or not.

Skill Demo 10: How to Set a Real Time Agenda

Episode  |  May 31st, 2022  |  12 mins 25 secs

Making the shift towards becoming a missional community, whether that's in a parish or a ministry, often means taking steps into the unknown. It means opening ourselves to new the things that God desires for us, and as silly as it might sound, good meetings are important to discerning the steps to following his will. But, have you ever had the experience of going to a meeting, having good discussion, getting through the entire agenda only to discover that you didn't actually talk about the most important topics. Today, I'm going to teach you how to set a real time agenda to help ensure you and your team have the most productive meetings.

Episode 88: Bringing Catholics Back

Episode  |  May 24th, 2022  |  40 mins 20 secs

As the archdiocese goes through the pastoral planning process called Journey of Faith, I'm sure you've heard some of the statistics. One of the most striking is: Since 2003, Mass attendance in the archdiocese has declined by 42%.  This is more than a number; it's souls. Who comes to mind when you think about that reality? A friend? Neighbor? Siblings or children? We all have someone who has left the Catholic faith, and I hazard to guess that this causes all of us some grief. We want to know why people walk away, and where they go. We want some way to talk to them and to, hopefully, bring them back. Today's conversation is about just that.

Episode 87: Why Programs Don't Work

Episode  |  May 17th, 2022  |  40 mins 39 secs

I’ve got a program this is going to change hearts and transform lives! It builds relationships, causes conversions, and could be a real blessing to your parish, BUT there’s a catch…

Program’s aren’t silver bullets, and they can’t survive in a vacuum.

A program that works has:

• a goal for success
• a target audience that isn’t defined by age or state of life
• a support system of ongoing relationships
• disciples who are working together to shift parish culture

All this may seem like a lot, but today’s episode provides some easy first steps for fostering good programs that flourish.

Episode 86: Scruffy Hospitality

Episode  |  May 3rd, 2022  |  32 mins 51 secs

One thing the pandemic taught me is that people are starving for friendship. It is unfortunately easy to go through life making surface level connections with people but not to form the deep bonds of true friendship. We can be surrounded by people and yet feel so very alone. And so, today I bring you Austin Casselberry, a person that I like to call a “prophet of friendship”. He offers wisdom on how to intentionally cultivate friendships with true depth.

Skill Demo 9: How to share the gospel through your testimony.

Episode  |  April 26th, 2022  |  13 mins 31 secs

He is risen! He is risen indeed! Are you convinced that Jesus’s death and resurrection can have a profound impact on your life and on the lives of others? If yes, are you comfortable and confident sharing that good news with others? Jesus has changed my life, and I want others to have that same experience. However, it took me a long time to feel comfortable sharing the gospel, and it took a lot of practice to share it well. How do I reflect on the work Jesus is doing in my life and share it in a way that is intentional but not forced?
Jen Moser, breaks down the answer in 13 minutes.

Episode 85: Happy Easter!

Episode  |  April 19th, 2022  |  24 mins 42 secs

“We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!” This season is meant to have a lasting effect on our lives, so today, I invite you to pause and reflect. Archbishop Lucas gives his insights on the resurrection and his desire for each of us to experience the grace of Easter personally.

Episode 84: More Blessed to Give

Episode  |  April 5th, 2022  |  38 mins 42 secs

As disciples, we are called to "give back" or to steward the gifts that we have been given by God. I'd be very surprised if this was a new concept to any of you. 

However, an area where most of us are less comfortable is development. Asking a person directly for money is a difficult conversation without the right perspective and tools. 

Today's guest, Chris Kuetemeyer, is a profession in the world of development and a former FOCUS missionary. He understands that to ask for money, he needs to first invite people into the mission of the Church. When he sits down with a doner, he invites them to be a partner in a ministry. The donor may not be doing the physical work, but they are responsible for that work even happening. This inclusion makes all the difference.

Skill Demo 8: How to talk to the poor

Episode  |  March 29th, 2022  |  8 mins 44 secs

Danny Leger, cofounder of Hope of the Poor, walks us through how to talk to the homeless.

Episode 83: Make Change Easier to Experience

Episode  |  March 22nd, 2022  |  43 mins 52 secs

If I were to sit you down and say, “You are about to experience a big life change”, what would be your first reaction? Does the word “change” invoke dread or excitement?

No matter who you are, a priest, a parish staff member, or an engaged parishioner, you know that bringing about change can be very difficult. Deciding on and implementing a new program is often the easy part. Helping parishioners shift their attitudes and habits is where it gets tricky.

So, if you’ve ever experienced change and it didn’t go so well, then this episode is for you! Kay Doyle is an expert at change management, and she applies her wisdom to parish life.

Episode 82: Religious Ed that's Tailored to YOUR Needs

Episode  |  March 15th, 2022  |  1 hr 5 mins

As a director at the Archdiocese, I'm given free stuff all the time. Typically, we're talking sample materials for the latest evangelization or catechetical program. I pass these along to one of my staff to review, and if it's good, I might see it again.

A few months ago, I received a box that looked beautiful like it came out of a pottery barn catalog, and it said "Mend" on the top. I walked it down to Jodi Phillip's office (our Catechetical Specialist) fully intending to hand it off. But when I realized that it was brimming with hands-on activities that could help me teach my son about the sacrament of reconciliation...I took it home.

Transmitting the faith to our children is so difficult with the culture actively working against us, and this box give me some tools to have intentional conversations with my family.

I tell you this today because Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries provide more than boxes for the sacraments. They really understand what it means to accompany families, and they want to help parishes do this well. They are more devoted to the process of catechesis than they are to a particular program. And so, whether you work for a parish or you are parent wanting a great resource for your children/grandchildren, I invite you to check them out!