The EquipCast - Episodes Tagged with “Ministry”

221: The Story Behind the Thresholds with Doug Schaupp

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 20 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Are you like me? You try everything you know to share your faith with the ones you love, only to feel like you hit a brick wall. Today, I want to share with you the framework that changed my approach. I sit down with Doug Schaupp, the ministry leader who co-developed the Thresholds out of his own period of deep ministry burnout. He shares so candidly about coming home, getting in the shower after another failed conversation, and feeling completely defeated. But the beauty of Doug's story is that our fruitlessness doesn't mean God has stopped working. It’s actually an invitation to trade our rigid assumptions for true, humble accompaniment. When we stop trying to "slay people with apologetics" and instead learn to listen, ask better questions, and honor where they truly are on their journey, the weight falls off our shoulders. It turns evangelization from a high-pressure sales pitch into a joyful, relational walk toward Jesus.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] - Introduction
[02:09] - Doug's Personal Story and Ministry Roots
[07:03] - Hitting the Brick Wall and Shower Defeat
[08:27] - Mapping the Journey: The Origin of the Five Thresholds
[10:30] - The Unexpected Impact of the Thresholds
[16:59] - Breakdown of the Five Thresholds
[24:04] - Trading Rigid Assumptions for True Accompaniment
[30:40] - Pathway Thinking and Creating On-Ramps for Seekers
[43:27] - How to Get Started
[48:19] - Ecumenical Friendship and Future Collaboration

Resources Mentioned

I Once was Lost
DougSchaupp.com/
Episode 94: The Thresholds of Conversion and Discipleship
The Thresholds Game

Our Trusted Partners

Faith and Family Life Catholic Ministries (FFLCM) helps Catholic parishes and dioceses transform fragmented faith formation into an integrated, family-centered pathway of lifelong discipleship. Through the Pathways Formation suite, practical resources, leader formation, and ongoing accompaniment, they equip leaders to engage families, build sustainable teams, and cultivate faith that is lived at church and at home.

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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.

220: Reimagining Diocesan Support | How Dioceses Can Equip Their Parishes to Thrive

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Diocesan offices have operated for decades with the best of intentions: launching youth rallies, running marriage retreats, and generally, drawing people to events at centralized locations. While well meaning, these events can unintentionally usurp the work of the parish. They draw people away from their faith community rather than helping them build deep relationships and make disciples in their own neighborhoods. So what if a diocese made the bold choice to stop running programs and start supporting the work happening in the parishes? Fr. Gary Kastl joins me to talk about how the Diocese of Tulsa tore down its traditional department walls to build a Parish Support team focused entirely on the parish front lines. Because a diocese shouldn't compete with its parishes for people’s time; it should equip parishes to thrive.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] - Introduction and welcome
[01:28] - Fr. Gary Kastl on rural Oklahoma roots and meeting Christ
[04:35] - Finding a priestly vocation and asking hard questions
[12:46] - Why the church exists and keeping our eye on the mission
[17:18] - The problem with waiting for someone upstream to tell you what to do
[22:23] - Why central chancery programs can draw focus away from local parishes
[26:14] - Measuring spiritual return on investment with the widow's mite
[30:32] - OCIA as the primary health metric for making new disciples
[34:44] - How Tulsa dismantled office silos to build a Parish Support Team
[38:50] - Shifting from asking pastors to do one more thing to offering help
[44:16] - Overcoming programmatic habits through real accompaniment

Resources Mentioned

The Diocese of Tulsa Parish Support team

Our Trusted Partners

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

Hot Take | The New Evangelization Requires Repentance

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 00:00:00 -0500

We spend a lot of time searching for the next best practice or ministry tool, but what if our efforts are stalling because we have skipped the most essential step? In this hot take, I give my thoughts on why genuine renewal requires turning back to God. JD Flynn, co-founder of The Pillar, joins me to discuss why authentic evangelization flows from converted hearts. And why a collective, public witness of contrition could be precisely what unifies and revives the Church today.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[00:36] – Why best practices are not enough without repentance
[01:46] – Evangelization ad gentes versus calling God's people home
[02:46] – What public and corporate repentance could look like
[04:24] – Reimagining Lent as a collective witness to our neighbors
[05:24] – The power of a penitential revival in the Church today

Our Trusted Partners

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

219: Underneath the Pectoral Cross | The Heart of Bishop William Joensen

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Today, I talk to Bishop William Joensen of the Diocese of Des Moines, IA. I wanted to step past the formal title so you could get to know the man behind the pectoral cross, and he certainly didn't hold back. Bishop Joensen gives us a transparent look into his life and faith, sharing how a pre-med path in Iowa unexpectedly led to the priesthood and what it was like taking the helm of a diocese just months before the pandemic hit. From some fun banter about Iowa-Nebraska rivalries to his honest reflections on leadership missteps, this episode offers a rare and refreshing look into the heart, humor, and wisdom of a bishop shepherding his flock with humility.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[04:14] – Pre-Med, Family Roots, and Discerning the Priesthood
[14:07] – Friendly Rivalries and the State of the U.S. Church
[22:09] – Pastoral Planning and 18 Months of Humble Inquiry
[28:40] – Offering the Unvarnished Truth of the Gospel
[34:01] – Respecting Subsidiarity in Parish Renewal
[40:28] – Navigating Demographic Shifts and Rural Reality
[47:56] – Episcopal Leadership, Prayer, and Learning from Missteps

Resources Mentioned

Making it Personal with Bishop William Joensen

Our Trusted Partners

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

218: Partnering with the Holy Spirit

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 22 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

God is at work in the hearts of the people around us. His Spirit is everywhere and perfectly working long before we show up. In fact, our job is simply to ask, "Holy Spirit, what are you doing?" We get to ask, listen, and participate in what He is already doing in the lives of others. That is why I decided to sit down with Eric Chow, Director of Ministry and Outreach for the Archdiocese of Vancouver. He is a seasoned missionary with extremely practical advice for parish hospitality and personal mission. And today, he encourages us to recognize the “proximate periphery”, the mission field hidden in our daily routines, workplaces, and families.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction to Eric Chow
[01:32] – Eric's personal conversion
[04:50] – Lessons from Catholic Christian Outreach
[05:46] – Understanding the mission field in Vancouver
[11:29] – What parish hospitality could look like
[17:07] – The origins and mission of the Proclaim movement
[20:22] – Reaching the proximate periphery right in front of you
[27:09] – Prophetic listening and partnering with the Holy Spirit
[29:35] – Why outreach to the furthest away comes first
[32:51] – Balancing personal mission with the call to holiness
[36:31] – Living as a radical disciple while working professionally for the Church
[42:49] – Passing on a missional mindset to our children
[47:02] – A hopeful vision for the future of the Church
[49:16] – Simple steps to start praying for and reaching your mission field

Resources Mentioned

Proclaim

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

217: Inside the USCCB | What's Comes After the Eucharistic Revival?

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 15 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Seeing the people we love walk away from Jesus is one of the hardest parts of living the faith today. So I sit down with David Spesia, Executive Director for Evangelization and Catechesis at the USCCB, to talk about the massive shift happening across the country as the US bishops unite around one single priority: seeking and saving the lost. We dive into the quiet fruit of the Eucharistic Revival and talk about how to keep your eyes fixed squarely on Jesus, even when human flaws and institutional friction threaten to pull you off track.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[02:41] – Personal Encounters and Intellectual Conversion
[07:45] – Lessons from Teaching High School Religion
[16:12] – Navigating Diocesan Leadership and Building Collaboration
[22:00] – Behind the Scenes of the National Eucharistic Revival
[33:40] – Measuring Long-Term Fruits of Spiritual Renewal
[40:01] – The USCCB Mission Directive to Seek and Save the Lost
[44:03] – Evangelical Discernment and Evaluating Ministry Fruitfulness
[51:41] – Loving the Church as Christ's Body Amidst Human Brokenness

Resources Mentioned

Living as a Missionary Disciple (PDF)
Companion to the Handbook on the Catechetical Accompaniment Process

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

216: Are You Managing Programs or Making Disciples? | Solving the Parish Puzzle with Christina Semmens

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Parish renewal can feel like trying to assemble a massive puzzle without having the picture on the box to reference. Bringing your parish back to life isn't about running another program. It's an act of loving accompaniment, and Jesus is already in the work with us. Christina Semmens joins me today to talk about how putting the right leadership pieces in place creates a simple, relational way to wake up our parish communities and make disciples who thrive.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[02:00] – Christina’s Journey from Military Leadership to Parish Renewal
[10:00] – What Discipleship Culture Actually Looks Like in a Parish
[15:00] – Moving Beyond Event-Based Evangelization
[19:00] – Customized CPR and Holistic Formation
[25:00] – Waking Up the Walking Dead in Our Pews
[28:00] – Best Practices vs. Quick-Fix Silver Bullets
[34:00] – Eliminating Communication Blind Spots & Building Two-Way Dialogue
[44:00] – A 4-Step Apprenticeship Model for Coaching Leaders
[52:00] – Practical Steps to Begin When You Feel Overwhelmed

Resources Mentioned

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

Evangelization Hot Take | Choose Your Local Parish

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 01 Sep 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Adam Stephenson, our guest from the episode "Knocking on Doors", joins me for a walk where he gives his hot take on evangelization: you should stick to the parish in your own backyard. He argues that parish shopping keeps us at arms length from the real work of evangelization, while staying local invites us to love the people God has placed right in front of us. And I agreed with him…for the most part. Tune in for a mini-sode on why you should (or shouldn’t) belong to the parish whose geographic boundaries you live in.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[00:32] – The Hot Take: Geographic Parish Boundaries
[00:56] – Why Proximity Matters for Loving Your Community
[02:29] – Modern Disorientation and the Loss of Neighborhood Faith
[04:29] – Valid Exceptions for Stepping Away from Your Local Parish
[06:49] – Accompanying "Dying" Parishes and the Mission Field
[09:21] – How to Supplement Your Spiritual Life Outside Parish Walls

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

215: Overcoming Ministry Burnout | Restoring Order to Your Family and Mission

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

You leave work at five, but your brain stays parked at the office. You sit with your family, yet mentally you carry the entire parish on your back as if saving everyone depends on you. When evangelization becomes a task we tackle with our own strength, we burn out, our programs flop, and our homes suffer. This week, Hannah Keisling, Evangelization Coordinator at St. Vincent de Paul in Omaha, joins me to share how putting God first, family second, and ministry third gave her the freedom to stop forcing outcomes. We unpack why no program works without real accompaniment, how to surrender the urge to carry it all yourself, and what happens when you let the Holy Spirit do the heavy lifting.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[06:39] – Transitioning Roles and the Grief of Leaving Youth Ministry
[18:38] – Why Programs Fail Without Real Accompaniment
[22:52] – Parish-Wide Programs vs. Personal Apostolates
[34:27] – Recognizing the Warning Signs of Ministry Overload
[41:08] – Rebuilding Mental Boundaries Between Work and Family
[50:45] – Grounding Your Daily Mission in Scripture and Named Prayer

Resources Mentioned

St. Vincent de Paul Church - Omaha

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

214: Hearing God’s Voice | How to Move from One-Sided Prayer to Intimacy with Jonna Schuster

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

Imagine a standing coffee date with a friend who talks at you the entire time, looks at their watch, and then says, “Gotta go! This was great!” You’d walk away feeling pretty unsatisfied. The level of intimacy we can reach is limited when conversation remains one-sided. But, too often, we treat our prayer lives the exact same way. We focus on how well we said our prayers instead of stopping to listen to what God wants to say back.

This week, Jonna Schuster, author of Hearing God's Voice, joins me to talk about listening prayer. We dive into its theological foundations, the four primary "languages" God uses to communicate, and how learning to hear His voice shifts our daily mission from a heavy burden into a rest-filled collaboration.

Episode Timeline:

[00:00] – Introduction
[01:21] – Jonna's origin story
[08:34] – What inspired Hearing God's Voice
[14:00] – The scriptural foundation for listening prayer
[18:00] – The 4 languages of God: seeing, hearing, feeling, and thinking
[24:41] – Receiving God in the mode of the receiver
[27:58] – Physical vs. emotional feelings in prayer
[35:01] – Asking God for practical solutions and wisdom
[39:33] – Overcoming the biggest obstacles to hearing God
[46:56] – How listening prayer complements Catholic devotions
[50:50] – Moving from performance anxiety to rest and intimacy
[53:02] – What church renewal looks like when prayer becomes the norm
[59:01] – Where to begin and how to find Jonna's work

Resources Mentioned

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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.

213: Knocking on Doors | Practical Outreach for Parish Renewal

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

What happens when a priest in a cassock and a layman with a clipboard start walking their neighborhood boundaries? Join me, Jim Jansen, as I sit down with Father Jeff Loseke and Adam Stephenson from St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Gretna, Nebraska, to talk about how they took on neighborhood outreach. Instead of waiting for people to walk through their church doors, they exported their parish database into Google Maps and started showing up on front porches. From active parishioners and homebound seniors to those who haven't set foot in a church in decades, they found that personal connection opens doors to healing old wounds and bringing people back to the sacraments. Whether you're responsible for every soul within your parish boundaries or you simply want to be a better neighbor, this conversation will help you turn a walk down the street into an encounter with Jesus.

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

⭐️ Enjoying the Show?

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 back!

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 -0500

The EquipCast is back!

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.

Welcome to the EquipCast

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 25 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0500

Making disciples and leading church renewal is a big commission, but it shouldn't leave you feeling overwhelmed and stuck in an endless cycle of programs, events, and committees while our friends and neighbors desperately search for meaning. If you're tired of the grind and you want to make an impact, you don't have to carry the weight alone. Welcome to The EquipCast, a weekly podcast powered by EverydayEvangelization. I'm Jim Jansen, and whether you're a diocesan director trying to move the needle, a parish leader building a clear path of discipleship, or an ordinary everyday Catholic fighting to change the lives of your own friends and family, we're here to help you break through the default of doing more and give you a practical, actionable playbook built on honest conversations, real stories from real people.

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.

Coach's Corner 10: Why I Hate (and Love) Christmas

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 19 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

In this time of preparation for Christmas, do you find it hard to slow down? To appreciate the way Jesus comes to us? Small and humble. Well, I certainly do. I love Christmas, but I’ll be honest, I have conflicting emotions. I want salvation to be bright and loud! I want the world to be all better, and I want it to be all better now. And yet, the Lord asks us, especially during this season, to trust in his slow work and maybe to slow down a bit ourselves.

So, spend 10 minutes with me today and discover:

The unexpected joy hidden in the small and slow aspects of Christmas.
My honest reflections on grappling with the desire for immediate, grand transformations.
A prayerful invitation to trust in the slow and small salvation of God.

Prayer of Teilhard de Chardin
Above all, trust in the slow work of God. We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of all progress that it is made by passing through some stages of instability—
and that it may take a very long time. And so I think it is with you; your ideas mature gradually—let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste. Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow. Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete. —Pierre Teilhard de Chardin, SJ (Excerpted from Hearts on Fire.)

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 134: How to Become a Contagious Catholic with Marcel LeJeune

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 12 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Have you ever met a contagious Catholic? I'm not talking about cold and flu season here – I mean meeting someone whose faith is so vibrant and inspiring that it makes you want to deepen your own spiritual journey. Well, today, I had the joy of chatting with one such individual. Marcel LeJeune helped create the world’s largest campus ministry at Texas A&M, and he spills his secrets on infusing your faith with contagious enthusiasm. One of his gems from our conversation:

“Your inadequacies to the task at hand that you want to accomplish are nothing in the hands of a God who is infinitely powerful. All He has is messed up, sinful, insufficient people for the task that he wants to accomplish, and He laughs at us. All He asks is us to give Him a little bit of room and a small yes, and then get out of His way. Because here's the thing. I am neither the most talented, the smartest, certainly not the best looking of any of the people that I know, even in my local community. I'm not the best evangelist. I'm not the best theologian. I'm not the best writer or speaker. I'm not the best person to have a conversation with. I'm not the best listener. I'm not best at any of those things. And yet, God can still do big things through me and you because God is bigger than I am and bigger than you.”

In today’s episode:

Delve into the crucial role of a foundational, daily prayer life for deepening your spiritual journey.
Explore how parishes serve as hubs for equipping individuals to share their faith effectively.
Be inspired by the current positive transformations within the Church, despite the challenges.

Tune in and be empowered to share your faith boldly and authentically.

More resources from our guest:

The Contagious Catholic: The Art of Practical Evangelization by Marcel LeJeune
Catholic Missionary Disciples
Discerning Hearts

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)

Coach's Corner 9: How to BLESS others: The Art of Authentic Evangelization

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 28 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Do you feel a desire to share your faith but worry about coming across as pushy or insincere? I get it. When I go into a relationship with the motive to evangelize, it can be hard to feel genuine. That's why I want to share some practical ways with you to engage others naturally, without any hint of proselytizing.

In today’s episode, I delve into the distinction between true evangelization and proselytism, drawing insights from Pope Francis. Together, we'll explore the BLESS method – a practical acronym designed to help us engage with others in a way that feels authentic. And here's a reassuring reminder: none of this is about success. Our Heavenly Father loves you just for trying, just for joining your heart to His, which longs for the return of the lost sheep.

Here's what you'll take away:

The Distinction Between Evangelization and Proselytism: Understand the difference between true evangelization, driven by love and witness, and proselytism, characterized by manipulation and self-gain.
The BLESS Method: Discover a practical approach to engage with others naturally through prayer, active listening, shared meals, serving, and sharing your faith.
The Joy of Trying: Learn how being present in people's lives, actively listening, and serving their needs create opportunities for genuine and meaningful connections, setting the stage for sharing your faith.

For more on this topic, check out:

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 132: 400 for Thanksgiving Dinner: Serving the Poor with St. Peter’s Church

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 21 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600

How much can a simple act of kindness impact someone's life? How can your involvement in community initiatives create meaningful connections? If you've ever felt a calling to connect with those in need, this conversation is for you. It’s a journey of faith, partnership, and service, guiding you to take the first step. Discover the profound stories that emerge when people come together and learn how your simple acts of kindness can make a lasting difference in the lives of others.

In this episode, you will:

Dive into the unexpected life situations that drive individuals to seek assistance and support from generous communities.
Embrace the powerful connection between gratitude, faith, and the fulfilling sense of vocation in those dedicated to serving the less fortunate.
Explore the impact of storytelling, showcasing the positive changes donors bring to people's lives through their heartfelt contributions.
Learn to break down societal barriers and challenge preconceptions about homelessness by fostering genuine face-to-face connections with those in need.
Discover the transformative potential of involving children and teenagers in service opportunities, sowing the seeds of compassion and empathy.

Join this podcast for a journey of faith, compassion, and the transformative power of service. As today’s guest Cindy says, “You don't have to go somewhere to be on a mission trip. You can do it right here in Omaha, right here with your St. Vincent de Paul, right here with your Catholic Church.”

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 131: How to Build the Spiritual Habits of Consistancy and Honesty in Prayer

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 14 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0600

Ever wondered why prayer sometimes feels like you are talking to yourself? Do you ever look around at other leaders in your parish, thinking they've got it all figured out in the prayer department while you're struggling to keep up? Or maybe you just crave a deeper connection with God.

Today’s guest, Jim Beckman, breaks open the art of prayer. According to Jim, prayer is meant to be a real heart-to-heart with God, an open and honest exchange. As he puts it, “You can't deceive Him. You can't trick Him. You can't hide anything from Him. So why not just give up on that right away and just be who you are.”

Here's a sneak peek of what’s waiting for you in this episode:

Embrace Spiritual Growth through Prayer: Prioritize honesty and consistency in your prayer life. These are the secret sauce for personal and spiritual development.
Navigate Modern Culture for Authentic Prayer: Dial down the noise and distractions in your daily life. Create intentional spaces for prayer that are genuine and truly meaningful.
Establish Your Daily Prayer Routine: Begin by dedicating a solid 15-20 minutes each day in prayer. Build a consistent habit that deepens your connection with the divine.
Use Prayer for Healing and Challenges: Understand the transformative power of prayer. Address personal challenges and facilitate healing, especially for those in ministry leadership roles.

If you’d like to take your prayer life up a notch, check out these addition resources:

Time for God by Jacques Philippe
God, Help Me: How to Grow in Prayer by Jim Beckman
Impact Center

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)

Coach's Corner 5: Pruning for Abundance: Nurturing Growth in Your Life and Ministry

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 25 Apr 2023 04:00:00 -0500

Do you feel like the Lord is calling you to something new, but you simply don’t have the space or time in your schedule? Or are the good and restful parts of your life being neglected because you are hanging on to old habits or commitments? Cutting back to the most essential things can be difficult. This is why in today’s Coach’s Corner I focus on the art of pruning—shedding what no longer serves us to make room for growth and abundance.

By drawing parallels between the natural world and our lives, I help you recognize the signs of when it's time to prune, discover the wisdom in knowing what to cut, when to cut, and how to cut. And, I’ll give practical tips for navigating this process. Join me as I explore the biblical foundation of pruning, and with the help of the Holy Spirit let’s prune with reckless abandon so as to make way for new life that is healthier and stronger than it’s ever been.

In today’s episode, you will hear:

How to recognize when something needs to be pruned
How to decide what needs pruning
Ways to experiment with changes before committing

For one of my favorite books on this topic, check out Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud

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 91: How to Talk About Abortion

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 06:00:00 -0500

The end to abortion is here! ...Legally...at the federal level.

While we should celebrate a major victory in the fight against abortion, the work has really just begun. If we want to end abortion, not just make it illegal, then we have to change minds and hearts. Today's guest, Katherine Burow, tells us "A lot of people are pro-choice because they've never heard a compelling secular argument."

Katherines work as the Executive Director of the Abortion Dialogue Academy is to end abortion by changing the culture. They spend much of their time on Nebraska college campuses changing hearts on the topic of abortion through the use of a 7 minute argument.

She shares some of her wisdom with us today.

Want to hear more from Katherine? Check out her podcast Pro-Life in 7 Minutes.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)

Episode 57: Living Ordinary Mercy

Jim Jansen | Everyday Evangelization & Parish Ministry Tools — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 06:00:00 -0500

When you imagine yourself Living Mercy, what comes to mind first? Do you think of the saints who gave up everything for a life of poverty or service to the sick? Does that seem impossible or very far from reach?

Today, I talk to Dcn. Omar Gutierrez about Catholic Social Teaching and the lay person’s role to live ordinary mercy. He tells us, “All teachings of the Church [on this subject] start and end in the same spot: Jesus. Know him so that you can love him and so that you can be with him now and forever.”

The daily care for those in need starts with caring for those whom the Lord puts in our pathway.

But what does this look like practically, and how do we get started?

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha
Editor: Taylor Schroll (ForteCatholic.com)