app01 Fri, 03 Jul 2026 23:35:13 +0000 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) The EquipCast - Episodes Tagged with “Church Revitalization” https://archomahaequip.fireside.fm/tags/church%20revitalization Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 The EquipCast is your weekly playbook for practical evangelization and parish ministry tools. Hosted by Jim Jansen and powered by Everyday Evangelization, this show is built for diocesan directors, parish leaders, and everyday Catholics who are ready to stop the programmatic noise, break through the grind, and build a clear path to discipleship that actually changes lives. We’ve been talking about the New Evangelization for thirty years, yet church renewal often feels like an endless cycle of empty activity while generations continue to lose their faith. If you are tired of managing decline and spinning your wheels in the messy middle of ministry, you don’t have to carry the weight alone. Every week, we break the default of "doing more" to deliver honest conversations and real stories from people who are finally seeing their faith communities thrive. Hit subscribe, head over to EverydayEvangelization.org to grab your free tools, and discover how to leave your ministry better than you found it. en-us episodic Practical Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools for Catholic Leaders Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools The EquipCast is your weekly playbook for practical evangelization and parish ministry tools. Hosted by Jim Jansen and powered by Everyday Evangelization, this show is built for diocesan directors, parish leaders, and everyday Catholics who are ready to stop the programmatic noise, break through the grind, and build a clear path to discipleship that actually changes lives. We’ve been talking about the New Evangelization for thirty years, yet church renewal often feels like an endless cycle of empty activity while generations continue to lose their faith. If you are tired of managing decline and spinning your wheels in the messy middle of ministry, you don’t have to carry the weight alone. Every week, we break the default of "doing more" to deliver honest conversations and real stories from people who are finally seeing their faith communities thrive. Hit subscribe, head over to EverydayEvangelization.org to grab your free tools, and discover how to leave your ministry better than you found it. no parish ministry tools, practical evangelization, church renewal, parish renewal, Clear Path to Discipleship, how to share your faith, Catholic discipleship framework, New Evangelization resources, parish leadership training, diocesan directors, parish leaders, Catholic pastors, priest ministry tools, everyday Catholics, Catholic ministry podcast, managing church decline, ministry burnout, how to make disciples, evangelization strategies, Everyday Evangelization, Jim Jansen Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools whitney.a.bradley@gmail.com Episode 209: OCIA - Rediscovering the Heart of Parish Life https://archomahaequip.fireside.fm/209 ee88d5c8-8b15-46b8-82aa-5e67d45c801f Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0500 Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools 209 OCIA - Rediscovering the Heart of Parish Life full Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools What if the ancient way of welcoming seekers is exactly what we’re missing? When Dr. Chris Burgwald, Chancellor for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, and I dug into the roots of OCIA, it struck me how much wisdom we’ve left sitting on the shelf. The early Church knew how to walk with people—slowly, personally, lovingly—and somewhere along the line, we traded that for efficiency. Dr. Burgwald shows why returning to this ancient, relational way of forming disciples isn’t nostalgia; it’s the key to helping people truly encounter Jesus and find a home in His Church again. 1:03:50 no <p><strong>What if the ancient way of welcoming seekers is exactly what we’re missing?</strong> When Dr. Chris Burgwald, Chancellor for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, and I dug into the roots of OCIA, it struck me how much wisdom we’ve left sitting on the shelf. The early Church knew how to walk with people—slowly, personally, lovingly—and somewhere along the line, we traded that for efficiency. Dr. Burgwald shows why returning to this ancient, relational way of forming disciples isn’t nostalgia; it’s the key to helping people truly encounter Jesus and find a home in His Church again.</p> <p>And what’s amazing is that this shift doesn’t just change the journey for newcomers—it transforms the entire parish. When we implement OCIA the way the Church actually envisions it, gifts surface, people step forward, and a culture of prayer and hospitality begins to grow. Communities rally around seekers, and in the process, everyone gets formed. One person’s “yes” becomes an invitation for an entire parish to rediscover its mission.</p> <p>[01:15] Meet Chris Bergal<br> [12:23] Why People Are Converting<br> [17:16] What Is OCIA?<br> [22:34] Vatican II and Mission<br> [25:22] Doing OCIA Well<br> [30:20] Three Pillars of OCIA<br> [37:50] Practical Parish Implementation<br> [41:41] Parish Renewal and Activation<br> [45:13] Handling Hard Situations<br> [48:46] Not Assembly Line Discipleship<br> [52:20] Model for All Formation<br> [56:25] Teamwork and Leadership Models</p> <p>For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to <a href="https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/</a>.</p> <p>A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha<br> Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com) </p> OCIA, RCIA, parish renewal, Catholic discipleship, evangelization, accompaniment, catechumenate, parish transformation, Catholic conversion, making disciples, Catholic formation, church revitalization, missionary discipleship, Catholic leadership, parish ministry, welcoming seekers, ancient catechumenate, Church revival, Catholic podcast, EquipCast What if the ancient way of welcoming seekers is exactly what we’re missing? When Dr. Chris Burgwald, Chancellor for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, and I dug into the roots of OCIA, it struck me how much wisdom we’ve left sitting on the shelf. The early Church knew how to walk with people—slowly, personally, lovingly—and somewhere along the line, we traded that for efficiency. Dr. Burgwald shows why returning to this ancient, relational way of forming disciples isn’t nostalgia; it’s the key to helping people truly encounter Jesus and find a home in His Church again.

And what’s amazing is that this shift doesn’t just change the journey for newcomers—it transforms the entire parish. When we implement OCIA the way the Church actually envisions it, gifts surface, people step forward, and a culture of prayer and hospitality begins to grow. Communities rally around seekers, and in the process, everyone gets formed. One person’s “yes” becomes an invitation for an entire parish to rediscover its mission.

[01:15] Meet Chris Bergal
[12:23] Why People Are Converting
[17:16] What Is OCIA?
[22:34] Vatican II and Mission
[25:22] Doing OCIA Well
[30:20] Three Pillars of OCIA
[37:50] Practical Parish Implementation
[41:41] Parish Renewal and Activation
[45:13] Handling Hard Situations
[48:46] Not Assembly Line Discipleship
[52:20] Model for All Formation
[56:25] Teamwork and Leadership Models

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)

]]> What if the ancient way of welcoming seekers is exactly what we’re missing? When Dr. Chris Burgwald, Chancellor for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, and I dug into the roots of OCIA, it struck me how much wisdom we’ve left sitting on the shelf. The early Church knew how to walk with people—slowly, personally, lovingly—and somewhere along the line, we traded that for efficiency. Dr. Burgwald shows why returning to this ancient, relational way of forming disciples isn’t nostalgia; it’s the key to helping people truly encounter Jesus and find a home in His Church again.

And what’s amazing is that this shift doesn’t just change the journey for newcomers—it transforms the entire parish. When we implement OCIA the way the Church actually envisions it, gifts surface, people step forward, and a culture of prayer and hospitality begins to grow. Communities rally around seekers, and in the process, everyone gets formed. One person’s “yes” becomes an invitation for an entire parish to rediscover its mission.

[01:15] Meet Chris Bergal
[12:23] Why People Are Converting
[17:16] What Is OCIA?
[22:34] Vatican II and Mission
[25:22] Doing OCIA Well
[30:20] Three Pillars of OCIA
[37:50] Practical Parish Implementation
[41:41] Parish Renewal and Activation
[45:13] Handling Hard Situations
[48:46] Not Assembly Line Discipleship
[52:20] Model for All Formation
[56:25] Teamwork and Leadership Models

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 https://archomahaequip.fireside.fm/181 e69022a0-6207-4c91-9c6c-274f3252cf08 Tue, 29 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0500 Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools 181 The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with Susan Windley-Daoust full Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools 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. 1:07:02 no <p>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?</p> <p>In today’s episode, I talk with Susan Windley-Daoust, author of <a href="https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/the-four-ways-forward-becoming-an-apostolic-parish-in-a-post-christian-world.html" rel="nofollow noopener">The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World</a>. Susan encourages us to focus on renewal models that prioritize:</p> <ul> <li>Radical hospitality</li> <li>Small group discipleship</li> <li>Mission refocus</li> <li>Signs and wonders</li> </ul> <p>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.</p> <p>Want more practical insights? Tune in now!</p> <p>[04:10] The Call to Evangelization<br> [19:11] Challenges in Modern Parishes<br> [28:30] The Four Ways Forward<br> [33:50] Respecting Individuality in Evangelization<br> [34:18] The Power of First Proclamation<br> [37:16] Embracing Small Groups for Spiritual Growth<br> [43:36] Mission Refocus and Organizational Health<br> [50:49] Elevating Signs and Wonders<br> [58:32] Encouragement for Evangelization<br> [01:03:15] The Mark 5:19 Project</p> <p>Don’t forget to check out <a href="https://www.osvcatholicbookstore.com/the-four-ways-forward-becoming-an-apostolic-parish-in-a-post-christian-world.html" rel="nofollow noopener">Susan’s book</a> and the <a href="https://mark519project.org/" rel="nofollow noopener">Mark 5:19 Project</a>!</p> <p>For more practical advice and experiences from real people sharing their mission with the world, go to <a href="https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/" rel="nofollow noopener">https://equip.archomaha.org/podcast/</a>.</p> <p>A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha<br> Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com) </p> parish renewal, church revitalization, Susan Windley-Daoust, The Four Ways Forward, apostolic parish, radical hospitality, small group discipleship, mission refocus, signs and wonders, evangelization strategies, church growth, faith community, Catholic Church, spiritual renewal, podcast episode, Equipcast, parish transformation, missionary identity, church leadership, practical insights 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)

]]> 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)

]]>