EquipCast
Encouragement and inspiration for sharing your catholic faith
Displaying all 10 Episode of EquipCast with the tag “church leadership”.
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Coach's Corner 20: Healthy Roots Equal Abundant Fruits – Church Growth Explained
Episode | May 13th, 2025 | 8 mins 16 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church community, church growth, church leadership, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, fruit tree metaphor, healthy ministries, making disciples, ministry success, missionary discipleship, parish ministry, root and branches, spiritual growth, vibrant church
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.
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Episode 181: The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with Susan Windley-Daoust
Episode | April 29th, 2025 | 1 hr 7 mins
apostolic parish, archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic church, catholic ministry, church growth, church leadership, church revitalization, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith community, making disciples, mission refocus, missionary identity, parish renewal, parish transformation, podcast episode, practical insights, radical hospitality, signs and wonders, small group discipleship, spiritual renewal, susan windley-daoust, the four ways forward
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.
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Episode 179: The secret to getting more volunteers with John Poitevent from Great Catholic Parishes
Episode | March 25th, 2025 | 1 hr 5 mins
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, community building, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, family faith formation, making disciples, parish engagement, parish growth, parish renewal, personal invitations, volunteer recruitment, volunteer strategies
Why is it so hard to get more volunteers? The same 10% of parishioners seem do 90% of the work. The key to changing this isn’t just recruiting more volunteers—it’s making disciples. People step up when they feel seen, invited, and part of something meaningful. That starts with personal relationships. Instead of generic announcements, we need to reach out individually, explain the impact of their involvement, and walk with them on their faith journey. When people feel valued and supported, they naturally want to serve.
In today’s episode, I talk with John Poitevent, founder of Great Catholic Parishes, about how personal invitations and a culture of belonging transform parish engagement. We discuss the power of clear roles, training, and encouragement—because when people know they matter, they show up. Listen in and let’s build a parish where everyone has a role to play. -
Episode 177: How Collaboration and the Temperaments Can Unlock Parish Renewal
Episode | March 11th, 2025 | 1 hr 9 mins
archdiocese of omaha, building a clear path, catholic, catholic coaching, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church leadership, collaboration in ministry, disciples, discipleship, effective ministry teams, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith formation, four temperaments, making disciples, metanoia catholic, missionary disciples, parish renewal, parish support, personal growth, team dynamics
Are you part of a dynamic team that truly leverages each member’s unique gifts? Building cohesive and effective teams is essential for parish renewal and vibrant ministry. When individuals are inspired and equipped to discover, discern, and live out their God-given mission, our parishes thrive. In this episode, I sit down with Matt Ingold of Metanoia Catholic, and he interviews me for his podcast, The Catholic Coaching Podcast. We explore how collaboration strengthens ministry by embracing diverse gifts and temperaments. Whether sanguine, choleric, melancholic, or phlegmatic, each person brings valuable strengths that contribute to a well-rounded, effective team. By recognizing these differences and assigning roles accordingly, we cultivate unity, purpose, and a faith community where everyone feels valued and empowered. Join us as we discuss practical ways to build strong teams that drive renewal and share the Gospel with joy and purpose!
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Episode 175: From Comfort Zones to Mission: Transforming Parish Mindsets Through Lifelong Learning
Episode | February 18th, 2025 | 1 hr 1 min
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church culture change, church education, church leadership, church mission, continuous learning, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith development, faith growth, fr. dave belt, lifelong learning, making disciples, mission-driven leadership, mission-oriented church, parish community, parish transformation, pastoral council, st. stephen the martyr, team building, transforming parishes
How can we help others shift from a maintenance mindset to a missional one? It starts with prayer and reflection but also requires creating an environment where people feel safe to explore new ideas and take risks. Encouraging continuous learning is key. By embracing new knowledge and experiences, we can deepen our faith and learn to live it out more fully. This journey of growth breaks down silos, builds stronger relationships, and fosters a vibrant, mission-oriented community. Join me as I sit down with Fr. Dave Belt, Pastor of St. Stephen the Martyr in Omaha, to discuss the transformative power of learning. He shares personal stories, effective team-building practices, and insights on fostering a sense of purpose and mission, Discover how helping others see their efforts as part of something larger and more meaningful can inspire a dynamic, responsive, and Gospel-rooted Church—the Church that God is calling us to be.
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Episode 171: Transform Your Parish: Fr. James Mallon on Evangelization, Discipleship, and Church Growth
Episode | January 14th, 2025 | 1 hr 6 mins
archdiocese of omaha, breaking barriers, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, church transformation, cultural shift, disciples, divine renovation, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, fr. james mallon, holy spirit, leadership, making disciples, missionary discipleship, missionary focus, parish culture shift, parish evangelization, parish renewal, pastoral activity, personal encounter with jesus, renewing faith, spiritual growth
Pope John Paul II tells us that “evangelization is the cornerstone of all pastoral action, the demands of which are primary, preeminent and preferential.” Yet, let’s be real—how often do we actually see this lived out in our parishes? Evangelization tends to take a back seat, overshadowed by other priorities, rarely making it into budgets or staffing plans. But here’s the truth: holiness and orthodoxy aren’t enough on their own to renew a parish. This week, I sit down with Fr. James Mallon, the author of Divine Renovation, to talk about how we can create parishes that inspire a commitment to Christ and cultivate a dynamic, engaged faith community. We dive into what it takes to make evangelization the heart of parish life, break through cultural barriers, and build leadership teams that lead with purpose.
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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.
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Phase 2: Discernment – How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship
Episode | April 9th, 2024 | 42 mins 46 secs
catholic, catholic ministry, christian community building, church leadership, clear path to discipleship, community engagement, disciples, discipleship journey, evangelism, evangelization, faith-based storytelling, hospitality culture, making disciples, mission-driven strategy, parish renewal, prayerful leadership, spiritual discernment
What does the Lord say about the plans you have for your parish? As you seek renewal for your parish community, are you intentionally asking for the Lord’s input? While many of us are prayerful individuals, praying collectively with a team about the strategy for becoming mission-oriented probably feels like uncharted territory. However, if we want to succeed, we must invite the Lord to be part of the process. In this second episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship, Fr. Damian Zuerlein, Dcn. Doug Lenz, and Ann Lenz from St. Frances Cabrini discuss how as they brought change to their community, they remained open to God's direction and surrendered to His will, even when faced with challenges and uncertainties. Their experiences reflect a deep sense of faith and openness to the Holy Spirit's guidance in their parish life.
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Coach's Corner 12: Renewing Our Church Through Communal Repentance
Episode | February 27th, 2024 | 7 mins 46 secs
biblical precedents, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, church mission, collective responsibility, communal renewal, community dynamics, corporate repentance, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, grace and forgiveness, implementing repentance, making disciples, personal spirituality, relationship healing, spiritual growth, theological foundations, transformation through repentance.
Have you ever found yourself saying sorry for something you didn't actually do? Like when your kid makes a mess in a store, or your team had to run extra laps in high school because of one teammate's mistake? The concept of taking collective responsibility isn’t foreign to us, but sometimes, we struggle with the idea of personally owning up to the mistakes of past generations. Today, I'd love to chat with you about the concept of communal repentance. It's about recognizing that even if we didn't directly cause a specific problem, we're all part of the same community and share in the work of seeking forgiveness and renewal together. When we come together and repent as the Body of Christ, we recognize the transformative power of God’s grace to heal relationships, restore communities, and guide them towards a more faithful and righteous path.
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Coach's Corner 2: Closing Churches
Episode | February 7th, 2023 | 8 mins 16 secs
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic church, catholic faith, christian witness, church building preservation, church closures, church growth strategies, church leadership, closing churches, community engagement, cultural transformation, equipcast, faith renewal, missionary identity, new evangelization, pastoral vision, worship renewal
Did you know that in July of this year more than 20 parishes in our diocese will cease having Sunday Mass? Maybe one of these parishes is your own. The cessation of Sunday Mass will be one of the hardest events for faithful Catholics to process. It feels like the death of a loved one. However, this is not the first time God's people have had to deal with their worship in a particular place coming to an end. I’d like to offer lessons from the past. Why is this happening and what should our response be?