EquipCast
Encouragement and inspiration for sharing your catholic faith
Displaying all 3 Episode of EquipCast with the tag “parish engagement”.
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How to Choose (Part 4): Relational Outreach
Episode | August 26th, 2025 | 56 mins 39 secs
archdiocese of omaha, building community, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic outreach ideas, catholic podcast, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization training, faith formation, intentional hospitality, making disciples, missionary disciples, neighborhood ministry, outreach discernment, outreach strategies, parish engagement, parish leadership, parish ministry, parish renewal, relational ministry, relational outreach, small group ministry
What if your parish’s most “welcoming” events are actually pushing people away? In this episode, I sit down with the team to unpack the surprising truth about relational outreach—and why it’s often the last step parishes build, even though it’s the first step many people need. We talk about what makes outreach truly relational (hint: it’s not donuts after Mass), how to create spaces where people feel like they belong before they believe, and why introverts might just be your parish’s secret evangelization weapon. If you’ve ever wondered how to reach people who’ve drifted from the Church—or never really connected in the first place—this one’s for you.
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Episode 179: The secret to getting more volunteers with John Poitevent from Great Catholic Parishes
Episode | March 25th, 2025 | 1 hr 5 mins
archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic ministry, church leadership, community building, disciples, discipleship, evangelism, evangelization, family faith formation, making disciples, parish engagement, parish growth, parish renewal, personal invitations, volunteer recruitment, volunteer strategies
Why is it so hard to get more volunteers? The same 10% of parishioners seem do 90% of the work. The key to changing this isn’t just recruiting more volunteers—it’s making disciples. People step up when they feel seen, invited, and part of something meaningful. That starts with personal relationships. Instead of generic announcements, we need to reach out individually, explain the impact of their involvement, and walk with them on their faith journey. When people feel valued and supported, they naturally want to serve.
In today’s episode, I talk with John Poitevent, founder of Great Catholic Parishes, about how personal invitations and a culture of belonging transform parish engagement. We discuss the power of clear roles, training, and encouragement—because when people know they matter, they show up. Listen in and let’s build a parish where everyone has a role to play. -
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.