The EquipCast

Coach's Corner 23: Why Your Parish's Small Groups Don't Last

Episode  |  September 30th, 2025  |  12 mins 13 secs

archdiocese of omaha, build parish community, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic small groups, culture of accompaniment, disciples, equipcast podcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith that multiplies, grow your faith, lead with purpose, making disciples, mission-driven ministry, spiritual leadership, transformative discipleship

Small groups are both easier—and more challenging—than we think. They’re not sustained by participants or materials alone, but by vision, culture, and structure. In this episode, I share why small groups can be pandemic-proof, recession-proof, even persecution-proof—if they’re rooted in mission, shaped by a culture of accompaniment, and supported by strong leadership structures. Discover how to build small groups that don’t just care for those inside the room, but expand outward to transform your parish and beyond.

How to Choose (Part 3): Faith Formation

Episode  |  August 19th, 2025  |  56 mins 53 secs

adult faith formation, archdiocese of omaha, catechesis, catholic, catholic coaching, catholic discipleship, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic small groups, church ministry tools, clear path to discipleship, discernment rosary, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, kerygmatic catechesis, making disciples, missionary disciples, parish ministry, parish renewal, small group ministry, spiritual growth

What if your parish’s faith formation is creating consumer Catholics instead of disciples? In this episode of EquipCast, I sit down with my team to unpack what faith formation is really supposed to do—and why so many parishes get stuck. We talk about the difference between just teaching information and actually forming hearts and habits. You’ll hear why small groups matter, how to spot a healthy ministry, and what it takes to move people from simply learning their faith to living it—and then going on mission. We talk about launching apostolates, forming others, and becoming the kind of disciples who don’t just consume content but live it out with joy and purpose. Plus, we share some honest stories, practical tools (like the Discernment Rosary), and plenty of laughs. If you’ve ever wondered how to choose the right ministry for your clear path to discipleship—or how to fix the one you’ve got—this one’s for you.

How to Choose (Part 1): Conversion Moment

Episode  |  August 5th, 2025  |  1 hr 20 secs

alpha program, archdiocese of omaha, bilingual ministry, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic parish strategy, catholic podcast, catholic retreats, catholic small groups, christlife, clear path ministry, conversion moment, discernment in ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization tools, faith formation, hospitality in ministry, making disciples, missionary discipleship, parish leadership, parish renewal, spiritual conversion, unity in diversity

Need help choosing steps on the Clear Path of Discipleship that fit your community? Today, we dive into the heart of missionary transformation: the conversion moment. I sit down with my team to unpack why these moments matter—and how they’re changing lives in real time. You’ll hear unforgettable stories (like a bartender who became a parish secretary) and see how ministries like Alpha, ChristLife, and parish retreats are helping people truly encounter Jesus. But this isn’t just about programs. It’s about creating space for people to meet Jesus—and letting that encounter ripple out into the life of your parish. We talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how to choose a format that actually fits your community. We also get real about the challenges—and the surprising opportunities—of doing this in diverse or bilingual settings. If you're trying to figure out where to start, or wondering how to take your next step toward a more missionary parish, this episode is for you. Get ready to think big—and start small.

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

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

archdiocese of omaha, catechumenal model, catholic catechesis, catholic curriculum, catholic discipleship, catholic education innovation, catholic evangelization, catholic family ministry, catholic parenting, catholic parish leadership, catholic podcast, catholic resources for families, catholic sacraments, catholic small groups, equipcast podcast, experiential catechesis, faith and family life, family faith formation, fr. tim donovan, missionary families, parish renewal, pathways formation suite, religious education reform, sacramental preparation, youth ministry transformation

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!

45: Ministry or Apostolate?

Episode  |  February 16th, 2021  |  1 hr 3 mins

archdiocese of omaha, catholic apostolate training, catholic culture change, catholic discipleship, catholic evangelization, catholic lay formation, catholic leadership, catholic ministry vs apostolate, catholic mission, catholic outreach, catholic parish renewal, catholic pastoral vision, catholic podcast, catholic small groups, evangelical catholic, faith formation, fr. jeff lorig, jim jansen, lay apostolate, parish ministry, peter andrastek

Have you ever wondered about the difference between a ministry and an apostolate? Until recently, I hadn’t. These words seem like synonyms, and talking about their differences feels a bit like quibbling or semantics. However, because we’ve forgotten the difference, most of the energy in our parishes goes toward building up ministries. But without the apostolate of the laity, the Church becomes a country club, only concerned with serving its members. So what is an apostolate? And how does remembering help the lay faithful evangelize?