EquipCast

Episode 154: Alpha in the Catholic Context

Episode  |  June 11th, 2024  |  1 hr 4 mins

alpha course, catholic, catholic evangelization podcast, catholic ministry, catholic youth ministry, disciples, effective catechesis strategies, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith conversations, making disciples, parish engagement, power of questions in evangelization, recreate church culture, youth faith engagement

How would you transform your parish if you had a proven strategy to reignite faith and build a vibrant community? Today, I’m excited to share a piece of that strategy with you—a way to create a sense of belonging before we expect people to believe or behave like us. It’s all about fostering a communal approach to faith, where everyone feels included and can directly experience the love and power of God. 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.

Episode 153: The Clear Path to Discipleship in a Rural Context

Episode  |  June 4th, 2024  |  52 mins 51 secs

archdioceseofomaha, biblestudy, catholic, catholic ministry, catholicpodcast, cedarcounty, christiancommunity, churchoutreach, communitybuilding, disciples, discipleship, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faithandfriendship, faithinaction, faithjourney, jakeolson, knoxcounty, making disciples, missionarydisciples, relationalevangelization, ruralevangelization, ruralministry, smallgroupministry

Did you know that on average, there’s only one priest for every 2,000 parishioners in our archdiocese? With such a large group to guide, you might wonder how it could be possible for parish leaders to help their people grow in discipleship and move towards sainthood. The Clear Path framework is key to success, but the challenge is greater in our rural communities where a single pastor often handles several parishes. To gain insight on these issues, I sit down with Jake Olson, the evangelization coordinator for Our Catholic Family, a group of parishes in the Northeast corner of Nebraska. Jake describes the clear path as a bowling alley where our ultimate goal (heaven) is like bowling a strike, and the clear path consists of bumpers that keep us aligned towards this goal. Tune in to hear Jake’s practical advice and heartfelt experiences. He shows us how small actions and genuine connections can lead to profound spiritual growth and community transformation. Whether you’re in a bustling city or a quiet rural town, these timeless principles of evangelization are universally applicable.

Episode 152: Sanctify the Ordinary with Missionaries of the Holy Spirit, Chance and Lora Unger

Episode  |  May 28th, 2024  |  50 mins 54 secs

catholic, catholic marriage advice, catholic ministry, catholic parenting, catholic podcast, catholic saints and families, christian community, christian family life, christian friendship, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, faith journey, family holiness, holiness in daily life, making disciples, marriage and faith, missionaries of the holy spirit, spiritual growth, surrender to god, theology of the body

Have you ever heard the universal call to holiness, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,” and instead of feeling inspired, felt discouraged? Holiness is hard, especially when we strive for it alone. When we rely solely on our own strengths, we often fail. But when we pursue holiness within the Body of Christ, leaning on both our community and God, we are much more likely to succeed. In today’s episode, Chance and Lora Unger, founders of Missionaries of the Holy Spirit in the Family, share their insights on making holy practices a regular part of family life. Our conversation highlights the transformative power of continually surrendering to God and incorporating prayer into our daily routines. The Ungers emphasize the importance of a supportive community to foster holiness in our marriages and families. They show us how holiness can begin with simple, practical steps such as daily prayer and small acts of kindness. They encourage us to embrace our daily challenges and transform these experiences through grace and prayer.

Episode 151: How to Effectively Share the Gospel of Life With Women

Episode  |  May 21st, 2024  |  50 mins 13 secs

abortion healing, catholic, catholic ministry, christian ministry, disciples, empowerment, evangelism, evangelization, identity, making disciples, pregnancy support, psychological health, relationships, reproductive health, women's health

As we approach the 2nd anniversary of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, the debate about abortion continues to divide us. Have you noticed, maybe even in your own conversations, that traditional pro-life messaging about the baby just isn't hitting home? What if I told you that by understanding the deep emotional and psychological needs of women considering abortion, we could revolutionize our approach and truly help women make life-affirming choices? Today, I chat with Megan Drapa, a researcher and education specialist for the Vitae Foundation, about what really influences women contemplating abortion. Megan shares that their research dives into the deep emotional drives behind these decisions, challenging what many of us think. She highlights that many women already see abortion as morally significant but feel driven by fear and a need to protect their identity. Our conversation sheds light on why we need more nuanced, compassionate communication to better support women facing unplanned pregnancies.

Episode 150: How to Reach One More: Equipping Disciples for Mission Alongside Our Protestant Brothers

Episode  |  May 14th, 2024  |  49 mins 32 secs

catholic, catholic and protestant collaboration, catholic ministry, church outreach strategies, cross-denominational unity, disciples, evangelism, evangelism skills and mindset, evangelization, evangelization training program, making disciples, practical steps for mission, reach one more success stories, spreading the gospel together, transforming lives through faith, unity in mission podcast

Episode 149: Find Jesus Among the Marginalized: A Conversation with Jill Lynch

Episode  |  May 7th, 2024  |  54 mins 29 secs

altruism vs. love, catholic, catholic ministry, christian service, dignity in service, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, homelessness awareness, humanitarian aid insights, jesus among the poor, making disciples, marginalized communities, service with empathy, st. vincent de paul society, understanding poverty

Why do you help the poor? In a culture where lending a hand to those in need is often seen as a noble thing to do, it's crucial for us as Christians to understand the deeper motivation behind our actions. As believers, we serve the poor out of love—a love that sees Jesus in the faces of those in need. To delve into this profound aspect of service, I invite you to listen to my recent conversation with Jill Lynch, Executive Director of the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Omaha. In this enlightening discussion, Jill shares her insights on recognizing the humanity and inherent worth of homeless individuals, challenging stereotypes and emphasizing the importance of empathy and dignity. Jill sheds light on the obstacles faced by the homeless, from securing identification to accessing transportation, and discusses proactive measures to prevent homelessness among the working poor. Through personal anecdotes, she illustrates the holistic approach of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, offering targeted assistance to those on the brink of homelessness. Above all, Jill emphasizes the profound truth that serving the poor is not just an act of charity, but a way to encounter Christ Himself. By treating each individual with respect and compassion, we fulfill the mission of seeing the face of Jesus in the marginalized.

Episode 148: How to Recognize Sacred Moments: A Conversation with Archbishop Lucas

Episode  |  April 30th, 2024  |  42 mins 34 secs

acts of the apostles, archbishop lucas, catholic, catholic ministry, christian community, disciples, divine opportunities, evangelism, evangelization, faith sharing, holy spirit's guidance, inspirational conversations, making disciples, personal witness, spiritual encounters

Wouldn’t it be nice if God performed some undeniable miracle and every person in the world converted? The reality is…he did. Jesus performed numerous miracles, and people still walked away from him (John 6). So, we must look to the ordinary moments. Moments with coworkers, family members, new acquaintances, and friends that may seem mundane at first, but with an openness and attentiveness to the Holy Spirit’s guidance, they become opportunities to share one’s faith or engaging in conversations about spirituality. Today, I sit down with Archbishop Lucas to talk about those moments. He emphasizes the Holy Spirit's role in orchestrating these encounters and God's unconditional love for all people, regardless of their background or circumstances.

Phase 6: Expansion - How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode  |  April 23rd, 2024  |  45 mins 38 secs

catholic, catholic ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, making disciples

Now that we’ve built a clear path, how do we make sure is survives? What comes next?
In this sixth and final episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path, Jenny Wiswell and Fr. Marcus Knecht from St. Gerald discuss the phase of expansion. They emphasize the importance of recognizing and responding to the diverse needs of parishioners at different stages of their faith journey. They underscore the importance of discernment, communication, leader recruitment, and staying humble and receptive to feedback.

Phase 5: Alignment - How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode  |  April 23rd, 2024  |  43 mins 49 secs

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What do you do with ministries that existed before the clear path? By the time you see the fruit of changed lives in your parish, it’s likely that you will ask how you can help your non-clear path ministries serve the community’s mission and goal to make disciples. In this fifth episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship, Nicole Cook and Kristi Preisman from St. Columbkille describe the process of alignment. They began by talking with their ministry leaders to understand roles, strengths, and areas in need of improvement. They determined how each ministry aligned with the overall mission of the parish and identified areas where ministries needed to adjust. Their goal was to ensure that each ministry at St. Columbkille plays a meaningful role in helping people connect with God and take their next steps in their faith journey.

Phase 3: Implementation - How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship

Episode  |  April 16th, 2024  |  38 mins 12 secs

catholic, catholic ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, making disciples

Now that you have a plan to transform your parish, how do you get started? Implementing the Clear Path to Discipleship can feel daunting when you start to understand the scope of the change that is necessary. In this third episode of the series How to Build a Clear Path of Discipleship, Jonathan Sanchez-Hidalgo, Director of Evangelization and Discipleship at St. Charles Borromeo shares his experience navigating the complexities of implementing programs within a parish setting. He highlights the importance of community involvement, the need for flexibility and initiative, and the ability to learn from failures.