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

• St. Charles Borromeo
• Sent Evangelization
• The Art of Neighboring by Dave Runyon

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

If The EquipCast is helping you navigate the realities of parish leadership, please take 60 seconds to leave a rating and review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Your review helps other tired ministry leaders find these tools and realize they don’t have to walk this path alone!

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.

Copyright © 2026 Anchor Consulting. All rights reserved.

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.

In part two of this conversation on what really breaks a clear path to discipleship, we talk honestly about why great programming isn’t enough, how over commitment burns out your best leaders, and why accompaniment and simplicity matter more than adding one more initiative.

If you’re longing for a parish that actually helps people take their next step with Jesus, this conversation will challenge how you think about ministry—and invite you to build a clear path that’s relational, sustainable, and truly missionary.

[00:57] Defining a Clear Path to Discipleship
[03:34] Number 6: Skip the Connectors
[14:35] Number 7: Have Something for Everybody
[23:51] Number 8: Start with a Big Public Launch
[29:20] Number 9: Exempt Current Members
[36:50] Number 10: Build it for Your Current Members
[42:28] Final Thoughts and Encouragement

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)

In this episode, I sit down with coaches from our Parish Support Team to talk honestly about how Clear Paths to discipleship can break down—often before we even realize it’s happening. We walk through five common ways parishes unintentionally derail discipleship—and what faithful leaders can do differently. We talk about slowing down to listen to the Holy Spirit, why conversion has to come before strategy, and how real fruit grows through relationships, not just programs.

If you care deeply about your parish and want to build something that actually helps people encounter Jesus and grow as disciples, this conversation will meet you right where you are. The Clear Path isn’t complicated—but it does require patience, humility, and a willingness to stay rooted in the Gospel. Take a listen—and let’s make sure we’re building with God, not just working for Him.

[00:38] Overview of the Clear Path to Discipleship
[02:20] Meet the Parish Support Team
[04:10] Number 1: Don’t Discern
[10:46] Number 2: Do it alone.
[18:27] Number 3: Do it all at once.
[26:50] Number 4: Wait for them to come to you.
[33:49] Number 5: Assume Conversion

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)

In this episode, I sit down with Jared Smyth from Communio a consultancy helping parishes build thriving marriage ministries. We talk about the quiet crisis unfolding in our parishes—and the incredible hope breaking through. Parishes that invest just a few hours into helping couples build stronger relationships are seeing renewal from the inside out: healed marriages, thriving families, and faith coming alive again.

[01:57] Jared's Background and Faith Journey
[14:15] The Importance of Marriage and Family
[17:47] Communio's Approach to Strengthening Relationships
[26:31] The Impact of Family Structure on Faith and Society
[30:13] Addressing Loneliness and Relationship Needs
[32:01] Introduction to Communio's Mission
[33:00] Data-Informed Ministry
[35:48] Marriage Enrichment Strategies
[38:54] Engaging Parish Outreach
[40:23] Ministry Engagement Ladder
[46:23] Success Stories and Impact
[55:49] Macro Trends in the Church

Don’t forget to check out Communio.org or contact Jared at jsmyth@communio.org.

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)

You’d think that if you put a dozen former FOCUS missionaries in one parish, it would explode with fruitfulness—but almost nothing happened. The truth is, even the most passionate disciples need a clear path and a culture that supports mission. Without it, the fire fizzles.

In this episode, I talk about why real change is uncomfortable but necessary, what a parish of missionary disciples actually looks like, and how a community can shift from cruise ship mode to fire station mode—where mission is normal and conversion is celebrated.

[00:00] Introduction and Conference Overview
[01:17] Personal Story and Missionary Heart
[02:46] Challenges in Building a Missionary Culture
[03:13] Three Keys to Developing Missionary Discipleship
[08:26] Key 1: Clarity About Mission and Vision
[13:06] Key 2: Organizational Health
[16:12] Key 3: Making Disciples
[19:44] Building a Clear Path to Discipleship
[22:34] Success Stories and Conclusion
[25:54] Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Don’t forget to check out FOCUS and SEEK!

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)

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.

[00:00] Series Overview: Choosing Ministries for Your Clear Path
[03:28] Understanding Faith Formation
[05:41] Characteristics of Effective Faith Formation
[10:46] Large Group vs. Small Group Faith Formation
[13:45] The Role of Accompaniment in Faith Formation
[21:00] Practical Tips for Small Group Leaders
[27:25] Facilitating Community in Faith Formation
[28:45] Importance of Support Systems for Small Groups
[39:26] Discerning Faith Formation Options
[48:34] The Power of Small Groups and Community
[52:41] Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Don’t forget to check out Options for Faith 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)

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.

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.

Here’s what to expect from this episode:
[06:37] How St. Frances Cabrini embraced Discernment and Renewal
[14:35] The Power of Community and Creativity in Faith
[18:30] Taking Leaps of Faith: Stories of Discernment and Action
[27:04] Navigating Change and Finding Purpose
[29:30] The Role of the Holy Spirit in Guiding the Community
[38:43] Reflections and Advice for Faith Communities

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)

So today, I bring you the first episode in the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship. Rachel Gifford, Director of Catechesis & Evangelization at St. Mary’s Parish, highlights her parish's journey through the phase of assessment. She shares how they examined existing programs to identify gaps in reaching newcomers and building up disciples for the work of mission. Challenges included resistance to change and feeling overwhelmed, but the parish found support in prayer, coaching, and revisiting their mission. Despite the difficulties, they saw positive outcomes, with new families registering and a renewed sense of faith in the community.

Here’s what to expect from this episode:
[03:50] The Initial Steps: Vision, Mission, and the Assessment Phase
[07:41] Navigating Challenges and Building Unity Through Assessment
[12:13] The Power of Shared Vision and Language in Transformation
[17:31] Practical Steps and Realizations in the Assessment Phase
[28:59] Detailed Breakdown of the Clear Path Stages
[38:45] Looking Ahead: Next Steps and Advice for Others

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)

Around here, we’d say that parish had a Clear Path to Discipleship. So how do we get to this ideal? If you want to hear real stories of parishes who have built a clear path, join us for our series "How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship":

Phase 1: Assessment
Phase 2: Discernment
Phase 3: Implementation
Phase 4: Communication
Phase 5: Alignment
Phase 6: Expansion

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)