EquipCast

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.

Episode 157: Trade Perfection for God’s Plan: A Conversation with Colleen Carroll Campbell

Episode  |  August 20th, 2024  |  53 mins 21 secs

catholic, catholic ministry, catholicauthors, catholicparenting, christianliving, colleencarolcampbell, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faithjourney, making disciples, parenting, perfectionism, saints, spiritualgrowth, spiritualmemoir, theheartofperfection

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by trying to be perfect? I mean, Jesus did tell us to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Mt. 5:48), and Paul certainly took this seriously as he gladly “spent and consumed himself for souls” (2 Cor 12:15). But sometimes, I think the pursuit of perfection leaves behind God’s plan for our lives. In fact, living a holy life might mean embracing the imperfection around us. Today’s guest, Colleen Carroll Campbell, former journalist and presidential speechwriter and author of The Heart of Perfection tells us what she has learned on this topic.

Episode 156: The Culture Project: How to Talk to Teens about Sex and Identity

Episode  |  August 13th, 2024  |  50 mins 11 secs

authentic living, catholic, catholic ministry, catholic teachings, catholicism, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith journey, identity in christ, making disciples, missionaries, podcast episode, spiritual growth, theology of the body, young adults

Theology of the Body has the power to deeply impact how we approach sexual identity and self-worth. As a father, I understand how tough it can be to navigate these complex topics with today’s youth. That’s why I’m excited to introduce you to two amazing missionaries, Marshall and Reese, from The Culture Project. In this episode, they share their personal mission to spread the gospel and promote sexual integrity among young people. We dive into the importance of recognizing human dignity and how to have meaningful conversations with youth about challenging issues like sexual identity and social media. Plus, Marshall and Reese offer practical advice for parents, teachers, and mentors on how to support and guide young people in their faith and moral growth. This episode is packed with hope and encouragement, giving you the tools to better connect with and support the young people in your life.

Episode 155: ChristLife: How to Make Disciples and Change Lives

Episode  |  June 18th, 2024  |  56 mins 11 secs

catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, christlife series, dave nodar, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith sharing, gospel message., making disciples, missionary work, parish community building, personal conversion story, relational evangelization, spiritual journey

Have you ever had a moment that completely turned your life around? In a heartfelt conversation with Dave Nodar, founder of ChristLife, he opened up about that pivotal moment when Jesus’ love washed over him, sparking a deep, personal transformation and setting him ablaze with the desire to spread the Good News. Together, we dive deep into why evangelization isn’t just a task for the few but a calling for all of us. Dave puts it powerfully, saying, “If you’re baptized, no exceptions. It’s not just for missionary orders. This is for all of us. That means all the diocesan clergy and the laity, all of us are called to be missionaries.” Dave didn’t stop at just words; he brought ChristLife to life to empower parishes to echo the Gospel’s core message loud and clear. ChristLife helps individuals mature in their faith and equips them to share their faith with others.

Episode 154: Alpha in the Catholic Context

Episode  |  June 11th, 2024  |  1 hr 4 mins

alpha course, catholic, catholic evangelization podcast, catholic ministry, catholic youth ministry, disciples, effective catechesis strategies, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith conversations, making disciples, parish engagement, power of questions in evangelization, recreate church culture, youth faith engagement

How would you transform your parish if you had a proven strategy to reignite faith and build a vibrant community? Today, I’m excited to share a piece of that strategy with you—a way to create a sense of belonging before we expect people to believe or behave like us. It’s all about fostering a communal approach to faith, where everyone feels included and can directly experience the love and power of God. In this episode, Monica Martinez and Rick Grinstead from Alpha in the Catholic Context join us to discuss how to spark interest and engagement in our faith communities. They emphasize the importance of asking questions and truly listening. Plus, they share practical advice and real-life examples from Alpha, a powerful tool for introducing people to the basic tenets of Christianity.

Episode 153: The Clear Path to Discipleship in a Rural Context

Episode  |  June 4th, 2024  |  52 mins 51 secs

archdioceseofomaha, biblestudy, catholic, catholic ministry, catholicpodcast, cedarcounty, christiancommunity, churchoutreach, communitybuilding, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faithandfriendship, faithinaction, faithjourney, jakeolson, knoxcounty, making disciples, missionarydisciples, relationalevangelization, ruralevangelization, ruralministry, smallgroupministry

Did you know that on average, there’s only one priest for every 2,000 parishioners in our archdiocese? With such a large group to guide, you might wonder how it could be possible for parish leaders to help their people grow in discipleship and move towards sainthood. The Clear Path framework is key to success, but the challenge is greater in our rural communities where a single pastor often handles several parishes. To gain insight on these issues, I sit down with Jake Olson, the evangelization coordinator for Our Catholic Family, a group of parishes in the Northeast corner of Nebraska. Jake describes the clear path as a bowling alley where our ultimate goal (heaven) is like bowling a strike, and the clear path consists of bumpers that keep us aligned towards this goal. Tune in to hear Jake’s practical advice and heartfelt experiences. He shows us how small actions and genuine connections can lead to profound spiritual growth and community transformation. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, these timeless principles of evangelization are universally applicable.

Episode 152: Sanctify the Ordinary with Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, Chance and Lora Unger

Episode  |  May 28th, 2024  |  50 mins 54 secs

catholic, catholic marriage advice, catholic ministry, catholic parenting, catholic podcast, catholic saints and families, christian community, christian family life, christian friendship, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith journey, family holiness, holiness in daily life, making disciples, marriage and faith, missionaries of the holy spirit, spiritual growth, surrender to god, theology of the body

Have you ever heard the universal call to holiness, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” and instead of feeling inspired, felt discouraged? Holiness is hard, especially when we strive for it alone. When we rely solely on our own strengths, we often fail. But when we pursue holiness within the Body of Christ, leaning on both our community and God, we are much more likely to succeed. In today’s episode, Chance and Lora Unger, founders of Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in the Family, share their insights on making holy practices a regular part of family life. Our conversation highlights the transformative power of continually surrendering to God and incorporating prayer into our daily routines. The Ungers emphasize the importance of a supportive community to foster holiness in our marriages and families. They show us how holiness can begin with simple, practical steps such as daily prayer and small acts of kindness. They encourage us to embrace our daily challenges and transform these experiences through grace and prayer.

Episode 151: How to Effectively Share the Gospel of Life With Women

Episode  |  May 21st, 2024  |  50 mins 13 secs

abortion healing, catholic, catholic ministry, christian ministry, disciples, empowerment, evangelism, evangelization, identity, making disciples, pregnancy support, psychological health, relationships, reproductive health, women's health

As we approach the 2nd anniversary of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, the debate about abortion continues to divide us. Have you noticed, maybe even in your own conversations, that traditional pro-life messaging about the baby just isn't hitting home? What if I told you that by understanding the deep emotional and psychological needs of women considering abortion, we could revolutionize our approach and truly help women make life-affirming choices? Today, I chat with Megan Drapa, a researcher and education specialist for the Vitae Foundation, about what really influences women contemplating abortion. Megan shares that their research dives into the deep emotional drives behind these decisions, challenging what many of us think. She highlights that many women already see abortion as morally significant but feel driven by fear and a need to protect their identity. Our conversation sheds light on why we need more nuanced, compassionate communication to better support women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Episode 150: How to Reach One More: Equipping Disciples for Mission Alongside Our Protestant Brothers

Episode  |  May 14th, 2024  |  49 mins 32 secs

catholic, catholic and protestant collaboration, catholic ministry, church outreach strategies, cross-denominational unity, disciples, evangelism, evangelism skills and mindset, evangelization, evangelization training program, making disciples, practical steps for mission, reach one more success stories, spreading the gospel together, transforming lives through faith, unity in mission podcast

Episode 149: Find Jesus Among the Marginalized: A Conversation with Jill Lynch

Episode  |  May 7th, 2024  |  54 mins 29 secs

altruism vs. love, catholic, catholic ministry, christian service, dignity in service, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, homelessness awareness, humanitarian aid insights, jesus among the poor, making disciples, marginalized communities, service with empathy, st. vincent de paul society, understanding poverty

Why do you help the poor? In a culture where lending a hand to those in need is often seen as a noble thing to do, it's crucial for us as Christians to understand the deeper motivation behind our actions. As believers, we serve the poor out of love—a love that sees Jesus in the faces of those in need. To delve into this profound aspect of service, I invite you to listen to my recent conversation with Jill Lynch, Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Omaha. In this enlightening discussion, Jill shares her insights on recognizing the humanity and inherent worth of homeless individuals, challenging stereotypes and emphasizing the importance of empathy and dignity. Jill sheds light on the obstacles faced by the homeless, from securing identification to accessing transportation, and discusses proactive measures to prevent homelessness among the working poor. Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates the holistic approach of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, offering targeted assistance to those on the brink of homelessness. Above all, Jill emphasizes the profound truth that serving the poor is not just an act of charity, but a way to encounter Christ Himself. By treating each individual with respect and compassion, we fulfill the mission of seeing the face of Jesus in the marginalized.