The EquipCast - Episodes Tagged with “Church Growth”

221: The Story Behind the Thresholds with Doug Schaupp

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Are you like me? You try everything you know to share your faith with the ones you love, only to feel like you hit a brick wall. Today, I want to share with you the framework that changed my approach. I sit down with Doug Schaupp, the ministry leader who co-developed the Thresholds out of his own period of deep ministry burnout. He shares so candidly about coming home, getting in the shower after another failed conversation, and feeling completely defeated. But the beauty of Doug's story is that our fruitlessness doesn't mean God has stopped working. It’s actually an invitation to trade our rigid assumptions for true, humble accompaniment. When we stop trying to "slay people with apologetics" and instead learn to listen, ask better questions, and honor where they truly are on their journey, the weight falls off our shoulders. It turns evangelization from a high-pressure sales pitch into a joyful, relational walk toward Jesus.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] - Introduction
[02:09] - Doug's Personal Story and Ministry Roots
[07:03] - Hitting the Brick Wall and Shower Defeat
[08:27] - Mapping the Journey: The Origin of the Five Thresholds
[10:30] - The Unexpected Impact of the Thresholds
[16:59] - Breakdown of the Five Thresholds
[24:04] - Trading Rigid Assumptions for True Accompaniment
[30:40] - Pathway Thinking and Creating On-Ramps for Seekers
[43:27] - How to Get Started
[48:19] - Ecumenical Friendship and Future Collaboration

Resources Mentioned

I Once was Lost
DougSchaupp.com/
Episode 94: The Thresholds of Conversion and Discipleship
The Thresholds Game

Our Trusted Partners

Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries (FFLCM) helps Catholic parishes and dioceses transform fragmented faith formation into an integrated, family-centered pathway of lifelong discipleship. Through the Pathways Formation suite, practical resources, leader formation, and ongoing accompaniment, they equip leaders to engage families, build sustainable teams, and cultivate faith that is lived at church and at home.

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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.

220: Reimagining Diocesan Support | How Dioceses Can Equip Their Parishes to Thrive

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Diocesan offices have operated for decades with the best of intentions: launching youth rallies, running marriage retreats, and generally, drawing people to events at centralized locations. While well meaning, these events can unintentionally usurp the work of the parish. They draw people away from their faith community rather than helping them build deep relationships and make disciples in their own neighborhoods. So what if a diocese made the bold choice to stop running programs and start supporting the work happening in the parishes? Fr. Gary Kastl joins me to talk about how the Diocese of Tulsa tore down its traditional department walls to build a Parish Support team focused entirely on the parish front lines. Because a diocese shouldn't compete with its parishes for people’s time; it should equip parishes to thrive.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] - Introduction and welcome
[01:28] - Fr. Gary Kastl on rural Oklahoma roots and meeting Christ
[04:35] - Finding a priestly vocation and asking hard questions
[12:46] - Why the church exists and keeping our eye on the mission
[17:18] - The problem with waiting for someone upstream to tell you what to do
[22:23] - Why central chancery programs can draw focus away from local parishes
[26:14] - Measuring spiritual return on investment with the widow's mite
[30:32] - OCIA as the primary health metric for making new disciples
[34:44] - How Tulsa dismantled office silos to build a Parish Support Team
[38:50] - Shifting from asking pastors to do one more thing to offering help
[44:16] - Overcoming programmatic habits through real accompaniment

Resources Mentioned

The Diocese of Tulsa Parish Support team

Our Trusted Partners

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

Hot Take | The New Evangelization Requires Repentance

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

We spend a lot of time searching for the next best practice or ministry tool, but what if our efforts are stalling because we have skipped the most essential step? In this hot take, I give my thoughts on why genuine renewal requires turning back to God. JD Flynn, co-founder of The Pillar, joins me to discuss why authentic evangelization flows from converted hearts. And why a collective, public witness of contrition could be precisely what unifies and revives the Church today.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[00:36] – Why best practices are not enough without repentance
[01:46] – Evangelization ad gentes versus calling God's people home
[02:46] – What public and corporate repentance could look like
[04:24] – Reimagining Lent as a collective witness to our neighbors
[05:24] – The power of a penitential revival in the Church today

Our Trusted Partners

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

219: Underneath the Pectoral Cross | The Heart of Bishop William Joensen

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Today, I talk to Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines, IA. I wanted to step past the formal title so you could get to know the man behind the pectoral cross, and he certainly didn't hold back. Bishop Joensen gives us a transparent look into his life and faith, sharing how a pre-med path in Iowa unexpectedly led to the priesthood and what it was like taking the helm of a diocese just months before the pandemic hit. From some fun banter about Iowa-Nebraska rivalries to his honest reflections on leadership missteps, this episode offers a rare and refreshing look into the heart, humor, and wisdom of a bishop shepherding his flock with humility.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[04:14] – Pre-Med, Family Roots, and Discerning the Priesthood
[14:07] – Friendly Rivalries and the State of the U.S. Church
[22:09] – Pastoral Planning and 18 Months of Humble Inquiry
[28:40] – Offering the Unvarnished Truth of the Gospel
[34:01] – Respecting Subsidiarity in Parish Renewal
[40:28] – Navigating Demographic Shifts and Rural Reality
[47:56] – Episcopal Leadership, Prayer, and Learning from Missteps

Resources Mentioned

Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen

Our Trusted Partners

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

218: Partnering with the Holy Spirit

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

God is at work in the hearts of the people around us. His Spirit is everywhere and perfectly working long before we show up. In fact, our job is simply to ask, "Holy Spirit, what are you doing?" We get to ask, listen, and participate in what He is already doing in the lives of others. That is why I decided to sit down with Eric Chow, Director of Ministry and Outreach for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. He is a seasoned missionary with extremely practical advice for parish hospitality and personal mission. And today, he encourages us to recognize the “proximate periphery”, the mission field hidden in our daily routines, workplaces, and families.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction to Eric Chow
[01:32] – Eric's personal conversion
[04:50] – Lessons from Catholic Christian Outreach
[05:46] – Understanding the mission field in Vancouver
[11:29] – What parish hospitality could look like
[17:07] – The origins and mission of the Proclaim movement
[20:22] – Reaching the proximate periphery right in front of you
[27:09] – Prophetic listening and partnering with the Holy Spirit
[29:35] – Why outreach to the furthest away comes first
[32:51] – Balancing personal mission with the call to holiness
[36:31] – Living as a radical disciple while working professionally for the Church
[42:49] – Passing on a missional mindset to our children
[47:02] – A hopeful vision for the future of the Church
[49:16] – Simple steps to start praying for and reaching your mission field

Resources Mentioned

Proclaim

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

217: Inside the USCCB | What's Comes After the Eucharistic Revival?

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Seeing the people we love walk away from Jesus is one of the hardest parts of living the faith today. So I sit down with David Spesia, Executive Director for Evangelization and Catechesis at the USCCB, to talk about the massive shift happening across the country as the US bishops unite around one single priority: seeking and saving the lost. We dive into the quiet fruit of the Eucharistic Revival and talk about how to keep your eyes fixed squarely on Jesus, even when human flaws and institutional friction threaten to pull you off track.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[02:41] – Personal Encounters and Intellectual Conversion
[07:45] – Lessons from Teaching High School Religion
[16:12] – Navigating Diocesan Leadership and Building Collaboration
[22:00] – Behind the Scenes of the National Eucharistic Revival
[33:40] – Measuring Long-Term Fruits of Spiritual Renewal
[40:01] – The USCCB Mission Directive to Seek and Save the Lost
[44:03] – Evangelical Discernment and Evaluating Ministry Fruitfulness
[51:41] – Loving the Church as Christ's Body Amidst Human Brokenness

Resources Mentioned

Living as a Missionary Disciple (PDF)
Companion to the Handbook on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

216: Are You Managing Programs or Making Disciples? | Solving the Parish Puzzle with Christina Semmens

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Parish renewal can feel like trying to assemble a massive puzzle without having the picture on the box to reference. Bringing your parish back to life isn't about running another program. It's an act of loving accompaniment, and Jesus is already in the work with us. Christina Semmens joins me today to talk about how putting the right leadership pieces in place creates a simple, relational way to wake up our parish communities and make disciples who thrive.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[02:00] – Christina’s Journey from Military Leadership to Parish Renewal
[10:00] – What Discipleship Culture Actually Looks Like in a Parish
[15:00] – Moving Beyond Event-Based Evangelization
[19:00] – Customized CPR and Holistic Formation
[25:00] – Waking Up the Walking Dead in Our Pews
[28:00] – Best Practices vs. Quick-Fix Silver Bullets
[34:00] – Eliminating Communication Blind Spots & Building Two-Way Dialogue
[44:00] – A 4-Step Apprenticeship Model for Coaching Leaders
[52:00] – Practical Steps to Begin When You Feel Overwhelmed

Resources Mentioned

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

Evangelization Hot Take | Choose Your Local Parish

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Adam Stephenson, our guest from the episode "Knocking on Doors", joins me for a walk where he gives his hot take on evangelization: you should stick to the parish in your own backyard. He argues that parish shopping keeps us at arms length from the real work of evangelization, while staying local invites us to love the people God has placed right in front of us. And I agreed with him…for the most part. Tune in for a mini-sode on why you should (or shouldn’t) belong to the parish whose geographic boundaries you live in.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[00:32] – The Hot Take: Geographic Parish Boundaries
[00:56] – Why Proximity Matters for Loving Your Community
[02:29] – Modern Disorientation and the Loss of Neighborhood Faith
[04:29] – Valid Exceptions for Stepping Away from Your Local Parish
[06:49] – Accompanying "Dying" Parishes and the Mission Field
[09:21] – How to Supplement Your Spiritual Life Outside Parish Walls

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

215: Overcoming Ministry Burnout | Restoring Order to Your Family and Mission

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

You leave work at five, but your brain stays parked at the office. You sit with your family, yet mentally you carry the entire parish on your back as if saving everyone depends on you. When evangelization becomes a task we tackle with our own strength, we burn out, our programs flop, and our homes suffer. This week, Hannah Keisling, Evangelization Coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul in Omaha, joins me to share how putting God first, family second, and ministry third gave her the freedom to stop forcing outcomes. We unpack why no program works without real accompaniment, how to surrender the urge to carry it all yourself, and what happens when you let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[06:39] – Transitioning Roles and the Grief of Leaving Youth Ministry
[18:38] – Why Programs Fail Without Real Accompaniment
[22:52] – Parish-Wide Programs vs. Personal Apostolates
[34:27] – Recognizing the Warning Signs of Ministry Overload
[41:08] – Rebuilding Mental Boundaries Between Work and Family
[50:45] – Grounding Your Daily Mission in Scripture and Named Prayer

Resources Mentioned

St. Vincent de Paul Church - Omaha

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

214: Hearing God’s Voice | How to Move from One-Sided Prayer to Intimacy with Jonna Schuster

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Imagine a standing coffee date with a friend who talks at you the entire time, looks at their watch, and then says, “Gotta go! This was great!” You’d walk away feeling pretty unsatisfied. The level of intimacy we can reach is limited when conversation remains one-sided. But, too often, we treat our prayer lives the exact same way. We focus on how well we said our prayers instead of stopping to listen to what God wants to say back.

This week, Jonna Schuster, author of Hearing God's Voice, joins me to talk about listening prayer. We dive into its theological foundations, the four primary "languages" God uses to communicate, and how learning to hear His voice shifts our daily mission from a heavy burden into a rest-filled collaboration.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[01:21] – Jonna's origin story
[08:34] – What inspired Hearing God's Voice
[14:00] – The scriptural foundation for listening prayer
[18:00] – The 4 languages of God: seeing, hearing, feeling, and thinking
[24:41] – Receiving God in the mode of the receiver
[27:58] – Physical vs. emotional feelings in prayer
[35:01] – Asking God for practical solutions and wisdom
[39:33] – Overcoming the biggest obstacles to hearing God
[46:56] – How listening prayer complements Catholic devotions
[50:50] – Moving from performance anxiety to rest and intimacy
[53:02] – What church renewal looks like when prayer becomes the norm
[59:01] – Where to begin and how to find Jonna's work

Resources Mentioned

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

213: Knocking on Doors | Practical Outreach for Parish Renewal

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

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?

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 back!

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The EquipCast is back!

After a few months away, I am excited to kick off a new chapter for The EquipCast. In this quick 3-minute teaser, I share a bit of my own story from this past spring, express my deep gratitude to the Archdiocese of Omaha, and share where we are heading next. Moving forward, The EquipCast is an independent production powered by EverydayEvangelization.org. While the platform is new, our mission remains exactly the same. We are here to give you practical tools, honest conversations, and encouragement for the messy work of parish renewal. You don't have to carry the weight of ministry alone.

👉 Resources & Tools: Visit EverydayEvangelization.org to access specialized tools to help train your team and guide your church renewal strategy.

Note: The EquipCast is an independent production powered by EverydayEvangelization.org and is no longer affiliated with the Archdiocese of Omaha.

How to Choose (Part 2): Evangelization Formation

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0500

What if the biggest thing holding your parish back isn’t a lack of programs—but a lack of missionary disciples? In this episode, I sit down with my team to explore a step in parish life that often gets skipped: evangelization formation. We’re talking about the part of discipleship where people go from passive participants to confident, Spirit-led missionaries—and why that shift changes everything.

We get honest about what it actually takes to form missionary disciples—not just run more programs. You’ll hear real behind-the-scenes stories from parishes on the ground, practical tips that work, and ways they faced the most common roadblocks we see, like fear, self-doubt, or the sense of being alone in mission. We break down evangelization formation into clear, doable steps—like helping people pray out loud, share their story, and discover their charisms. Whether your parish is just starting out or ready to go deeper, this episode will shift how you think about forming people for mission—and give you the tools to start.

[00:13] Series Overview: Choosing Evangelization Formation Ministry
[01:15] Understanding Evangelization Formation
[02:17] Characteristics of Evangelization Formation
[13:39] The Role of Charisms in Evangelization
[17:40] Team Approach and Mentorship in Evangelization
[24:20] Programs and Ministries for Evangelization Formation
[32:55] Discipleship and Mission
[34:24] Practical Steps for Evangelization
[35:58] Discernment in Evangelization Formation
[39:22] Deep Investment in Leaders
[41:34] Practical Ways to Discern Evangelization Formation
[45:14] Stories of Evangelization Success

Don’t forget to check out Options for Evangelization Formation. And for more on the Clear Path, read the book, A Clear Path to Discipleship: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Coach's Corner 20: Healthy Roots Equal Abundant Fruits – Church Growth Explained

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 13 May 2025 00:00:00 -0500

What’s the one thing that can produce lasting fruit in our parish ministries?If we want to see real growth in areas like attendance, vocations, and community life, we must focus on making and maturing disciples. There are no shortcuts—superficial fixes won’t yield lasting change. True fruitfulness comes from healthy individuals, thriving ministries, and a clear vision rooted in mission. In this episode, I break it all down using the metaphor of a fruit tree—and show why discipleship is the key to everything.

[00:34]Vision for Bearing Fruit
[00:55] Desiring Good Fruits
[02:33] The Role of Discipleship
[03:12] Avoiding Shortcuts
[04:04] Importance of Branches
[05:07] Focusing on the Roots
[05:54] Satisfying the Lord's Thirst
[07:04] Final Prayer and Reflection
[07:46] Closing Remarks

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 181: The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with Susan Windley-Daoust

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500

Parish renewal is the buzzword of the moment—and with it comes an overwhelming array of resources and ministries. So how do you cut through the noise to find what will truly help your parish move forward?

In today’s episode, I talk with Susan Windley-Daoust, author of The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World. Susan encourages us to focus on renewal models that prioritize:

Radical hospitality
Small group discipleship
Mission refocus
Signs and wonders

Look for resources that align with these key principles and have a proven track record. Engage your parish leadership team in discernment, and don’t be afraid to start small—what matters most is finding what genuinely supports your parish’s growth in missionary identity.

Want more practical insights? Tune in now!

[04:10] The Call to Evangelization
[19:11] Challenges in Modern Parishes
[28:30] The Four Ways Forward
[33:50] Respecting Individuality in Evangelization
[34:18] The Power of First Proclamation
[37:16] Embracing Small Groups for Spiritual Growth
[43:36] Mission Refocus and Organizational Health
[50:49] Elevating Signs and Wonders
[58:32] Encouragement for Evangelization
[01:03:15] The Mark 5:19 Project

Don’t forget to check out Susan’s book and the Mark 5:19 Project!

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Welcome to the EquipCast

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Making disciples and leading church renewal is a big commission, but it shouldn't leave you feeling overwhelmed and stuck in an endless cycle of programs, events, and committees while our friends and neighbors desperately search for meaning. If you're tired of the grind and you want to make an impact, you don't have to carry the weight alone. Welcome to The EquipCast, a weekly podcast powered by EverydayEvangelization. I'm Jim Jansen, and whether you're a diocesan director trying to move the needle, a parish leader building a clear path of discipleship, or an ordinary everyday Catholic fighting to change the lives of your own friends and family, we're here to help you break through the default of doing more and give you a practical, actionable playbook built on honest conversations, real stories from real people.

It's time to stop managing decline and to start seeing lives transformed. Hit subscribe today and visit us at everydayevangelization.org to grab your free tools and discover the playbook we've built to help you leave your ministry better than you found it.

Episode 169: Praying with Purpose: Expect God to Speak About Your Mission with Hannah Vaughan-Spruce

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 10 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Have you ever wondered how to bring the Lord into your work, expanding your prayer life beyond personal devotion? In this episode, we explore missional prayer—prayer that aligns our hearts with the Holy Spirit, focusing on the transformation of our parishes and neighborhoods. It's about moving beyond inward devotion to intentional, outward-facing prayer for mission and evangelization.

Discover how coming together as a community to seek God's guidance and power can bring about renewal and fruitfulness in our mission. Learn to pray with a purpose, trusting that God wants to work through us to reach those who don’t yet know Him.

Join me as I talk with Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, Executive Director of Divine Renovation UK, who shares her insights on:

[01:50] Hannah's Faith Journey
[06:25] Introduction to Divine Renovation
[15:43] Mission Inspired Prayer
[28:25] The Role of Prayer in Parish Meetings
[31:53] The Importance of Expecting God to Speak
[36:14] Unique Features of Missional Prayer
[45:33] Implementing Missional Prayer in Parishes
[50:04] Building a Culture of Prayer in Parishes

Check out the Genesis Compass!

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

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

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0500

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.

Join us as we dive into:

practical tips to identify and nurture potential leaders
the power of adopting a missionary mindset
structural models that can help your groups grow and thrive

Check out CCO!
Register for the Grow a Healthy Small Group Movement workshop.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 137: Making Missionary Disciples in a Parish - A Clear Path

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0600

Many of you listen to the EquipCast because you want to feel confident sharing your faith. We try to provide practical tools for this, and so we talk a lot about small groups, prayer, evangelizing adults, etc. But these are just tools, parts of a larger strategy to build flourishing parish communities. So, what does it take to actually transform the culture of a parish, to begin witnessing lives changed and to see more people in the pews? A Clear Path to Discipleship.

Today, I bring you an episode from the Huntley Leadership Podcast. Ron Huntley, a man who coaches bishops, priests, and ministry leaders all over the world, asked me to be a guest on his podcast to talk about my book: A Clear Path. I want to share this episode with you in order to draw back the veil on some of the big picture work my team and I get to do with your parishes.

In today’s episode, you will:

Understand the challenges associated with creating a clear path of discipleship in a parish or diocese.
Explore success stories from parishes that successfully implemented clear paths of discipleship.
Access practical insights and guidance on building a clear path through Jim's book, including success stories and actionable steps.

To hear more from Ron Huntley, check out the Huntley Leadership Podcast!

And if you want mor information on the book, A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish, go to https://clearpathbook.com/.

For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Special Guest: Ron Huntley.