In this republished conversation from the Great Catholic Parishes podcast, I join host John Poitevent to unpack why this simple shift lies at the very heart of parish renewal. People don’t grow because we tell them to—they grow because someone offers friendship, listens without judgment, and walks with them patiently. I unpack how accompaniment transforms not just individuals but the entire culture of a parish, unlocking a sense of belonging that leads people to recognize that God sees them the same way. Together, John and I try to paint a hopeful picture of what becomes possible when a parish truly commits to walking with people in love…and how everything can change from there.

[03:31] Defining Missionary Disciples
[08:43] Why Write Clear Path
[13:14] Four Stage Pathway
[16:44] Safe Questions Culture
[20:06] Belong Believe Become
[22:53] Clarity Over Programs
[27:37] Ministry Mapping Method
[30:24] Ministry Mapping Epiphanies
[32:16] Change Management Basics
[33:15] Thresholds Game and Trust
[34:59] Discernment Rosary Method
[38:12] Adult Formation Priority
[43:45] Making Formation Accessible
[49:08] Rapid Fire Q and A
[50:09] Sports Sidelines Mission Field
[55:05] Listen to Parents Needs
[57:18] Final Encouragement and Sendoff

Don’t forget to check out Great Catholic Parishes.
To watch the original interview, check out John’s YouTube channel.

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)

I love the saints—especially guys like St. John Vianney—but trying to imitate their circumstances can leave today’s priests feeling defeated before they even begin. In this episode, Fr. Scott Traynor and I get honest about how different our world is now, and why that’s not a problem to mourn but a mission to embrace. We talk about the heart of priesthood today: prayer, the sacraments, and investing deeply in a few people who can carry the Gospel into a culture that’s drifting away from Christ.

And here’s the hope: renewal isn’t about going backward. It’s about priests doing what only they can do—celebrate, preach, shepherd—and unleashing the laity to live their mission with confidence. If you’ve ever felt the weight of expectations you can’t live up to or wondered whether your parish can actually flourish in a secular age, this conversation will help you imagine a future filled with purpose and hope.

01:21 Meet Father Scott Traynor
04:34 The Legacy of St. John Vianney
10:51 Historical Context of Parish Life
21:25 Modern Parish Challenges and Solutions
31:49 The Role of the Parish Priest
37:07 The Power of Relationships in Evangelization
48:36 Building a Leadership Culture in Parishes
51:20 The Transmission of Faith in Parish Life
56:18 Practical Steps to Start Evangelizing
59:18 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Books mentioned in this podcast:

• From Christendom to Apostolic Mission
• The Advantage
• The Parish as a School of Prayer

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)

When I sit with John 17, I’m struck that He was praying for a unity that’s visible, relational, and compelling—a unity that makes the world stop and notice that He was sent by the Father. That kind of unity shows up in real friendships, in shared service, in conversations where we seek truth together—not to win an argument, but to love each other well and grow together, even when we don’t see eye to eye. It’s messy, but it’s also where the Lord does His best work.

In this episode of EquipCast, I sit down with Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman from the More Mercy apostolate to talk about what this looks like in real life. Max shares how praying with John 17 sparked a deep desire in him to build bridges with Christians from other traditions. What started as simple conversations turned into friendships that not only challenged him but also strengthened his Catholic faith. You’ll hear why unity isn’t just an ideal for theologians—it’s something we’re all called to live, one relationship at a time.

[01:36] Meet Max Chapman and Jeremiah Zimmerman
[02:46] Max's Journey: From Football to Faith
[06:20] Jeremiah's Path: From Baseball to Theology
[12:50] The Vision for Ecumenical Unity
[22:01] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Ministry
[31:39] Unity in Diversity: Different Catholic Ethnicities
[34:37] Practical Steps for Ecumenism
[37:19] Building Friendships Across Denominations
[41:02] Challenges and Joys of Ecumenical Work
[46:33] Mobilizing Lay Faithful for Ecumenism
[53:28] Encouragement and Final Thoughts

Don’t forget to check out More Mercy!

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 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)

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!

[02:09] Jim Jansen's Ministry Journey
[06:57] Challenges and Growth in Evangelization
[14:06] Transition to Archdiocese Work
[19:08] Innovative Evangelization Strategies
[34:40] The Role of Temperaments in Ministry
[35:56] The Power of Temperaments in Team Dynamics
[39:56] Integrating Temperaments in Evangelization
[48:08] Creating a Clear Path for Discipleship
[51:51] Building Effective Ministry Contexts
[56:00] Equipping for Mission and Evangelization

Don’t forget to check out Metanoia Catholic and The Clear Path book!

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)

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)

In this episode, my guests, Dcn. MJ Kersenbrock and Jan Kunz, discuss how they are implementing these efforts in the Catholic Parishes of Western Holt and Boyd Counties. They share the challenges and successes they've encountered while fostering a culture of mission. Their stories highlight the importance of perseverance, prayer, and personal relationships, as well as the transformative impact this formation process has had on individuals, who are now empowered to continue the mission, creating a ripple effect in their communities.

[01:35] Understanding the Evangelization Formation Step
[02:31] Challenges and Successes in Evangelization
[09:20] Personal Stories and Impact
[16:40] The Power of One-on-One Connections
[20:32] Skills for Missionary Discipleship
[27:51] Sharing Stories of Transformation
[31:25] Expansion and Multiplication of Cohorts
[37:24] Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles

For more on the Clear Path, read the book, A Clear Path to Discipleship, or check out our “cheat-sheet” Clear Path Definitions and Phases. Here's our Options for Evangelization Formation guide.

Also, mentioned: Evangelical Catholic

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, Monica Martinez and Rick Grinstead from Alpha in the Catholic Context join us to discuss how to spark interest and engagement in our faith communities. They emphasize the importance of asking questions and truly listening. Plus, they share practical advice and real-life examples from Alpha, a powerful tool for introducing people to the basic tenets of Christianity.

Highlights from this episode:

• The Power of Questions: Learn how asking the right questions can open hearts and minds to the gospel message.
• Building a Culture of Evangelization: Discover proven methods to transform your parish into a thriving community of faith.
• Engaging Youth: Hear firsthand experiences on how to effectively engage young people in meaningful conversations about faith, life, and purpose.

For more, go to Alpha in the Catholic Context or email Rick and Monica directly.

Check out our list of recommended Conversion Moments!

Register to attend the Alpha Training Lab on August 3.

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)

As she beautifully puts it, “[Jesus] changed the lives of the disciples, and his last command was to go out to the world and make disciples…and it's the same thing for us. Like God actually calls us to go into the world and to meet people where they are, not compromising our own beliefs. But reach the hand out, and bring them in, in a way that they can understand and accept.”

Here's a glimpse of what you'll learn in this episode:

• Strategies for engaging with outsiders and sharing your faith
• The transformative power of personal narratives in evangelization
• Insights into Mallory's encounters with saints and their impact on her faith
• Practical tips for navigating doubt and rediscovering the joy in your Catholic journey

Also, check out the resources mentioned in this episode!

• Mallory-Smyth.com
• WalkingWithPurpose.com
• Rekindled

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)