The EquipCast - Episodes Tagged with “Church Growth”

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

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Grab Your Free Tools: Get the playbook that actually changes lives at EverydayEvangelization.org.
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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.

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.