EquipCast
Encouragement and inspiration for sharing your catholic faith
Displaying items 11-20 of 27 in total of EquipCast with the tag "parish renewal".
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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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How to Choose (Part 3): Faith Formation
Episode | August 19th, 2025 | 56 mins 53 secs
adult faith formation, archdiocese of omaha, catechesis, catholic, catholic coaching, catholic discipleship, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, catholic small groups, church ministry tools, clear path to discipleship, discernment rosary, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, kerygmatic catechesis, making disciples, missionary disciples, parish ministry, parish renewal, small group ministry, spiritual growth
What if your parish’s faith formation is creating consumer Catholics instead of disciples? In this episode of EquipCast, I sit down with my team to unpack what faith formation is really supposed to do—and why so many parishes get stuck. We talk about the difference between just teaching information and actually forming hearts and habits. 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.
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How to Choose (Part 2): Evangelization Formation
Episode | August 12th, 2025 | 1 hr 2 mins
alpha program, archdiocese of omaha, called and gifted, catholic, catholic community, catholic evangelization, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, charisms, church growth, clear path discipleship, disciples, discipleship journey, equipcast, evangelical catholic, evangelism, evangelization, faith formation, holy spirit, making disciples, mentorship matters, missionary discipleship, parish renewal, prayer life, reach one more
What if the biggest thing holding your parish back isn’t a lack of programs—but a lack of missionary disciples? In this episode, I sit down with my team to explore a step in parish life that often gets skipped: evangelization formation. We’re talking about the part of discipleship where people go from passive participants to confident, Spirit-led missionaries—and why that shift changes everything. We get honest about what it actually takes to form missionary disciples—not just run more programs. You’ll hear real behind-the-scenes stories from parishes on the ground, practical tips that work, and ways they faced the most common roadblocks we see, like fear, self-doubt, or the sense of being alone in mission.
We break down evangelization formation into clear, doable steps—like helping people pray out loud, share their story, and discover their charisms. Whether your parish is just starting out or ready to go deeper, this episode will shift how you think about forming people for mission—and give you the tools to start. -
How to Choose (Part 1): Conversion Moment
Episode | August 5th, 2025 | 1 hr 20 secs
alpha program, archdiocese of omaha, bilingual ministry, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic parish strategy, catholic podcast, catholic retreats, catholic small groups, christlife, clear path ministry, conversion moment, discernment in ministry, disciples, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization tools, faith formation, hospitality in ministry, making disciples, missionary discipleship, parish leadership, parish renewal, spiritual conversion, unity in diversity
Need help choosing steps on the Clear Path of Discipleship that fit your community? Today, we dive into the heart of missionary transformation: the conversion moment. I sit down with my team to unpack why these moments matter—and how they’re changing lives in real time. You’ll hear unforgettable stories (like a bartender who became a parish secretary) and see how ministries like Alpha, ChristLife, and parish retreats are helping people truly encounter Jesus. But this isn’t just about programs. It’s about creating space for people to meet Jesus—and letting that encounter ripple out into the life of your parish. We talk about what’s working, what’s not, and how to choose a format that actually fits your community. We also get real about the challenges—and the surprising opportunities—of doing this in diverse or bilingual settings. If you're trying to figure out where to start, or wondering how to take your next step toward a more missionary parish, this episode is for you. Get ready to think big—and start small.
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Coach's Corner 22: The Parish Pope Francis Dreamt of
Episode | June 24th, 2025 | 10 mins 44 secs
archdiocese of omaha, begin with the end in mind, canon law evangelization, catholic, catholic evangelization, catholic family ministry, catholic leadership, catholic ministry, catholic ministry training, catholic podcast inspiration, catholic youth on mission, disciples, equipcast archdiocese of omaha, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategy, jim jansen podcast, lay evangelization, making disciples, missionary disciples, missionary parish, parish outreach, parish renewal, pope francis parish vision, training for evangelizers, vatican ii parish mission, youth ministry transformation
What if our parish wasn’t just a place we come to—but a place we’re be sent from? That’s the vision: parishes as missionary outposts, where we’re formed, equipped, and fired up to bring Jesus to the world around us. Imagine a community where people are on fire with God’s love, confident in their faith, and ready to share it. A place where the fruit isn’t just attendance numbers, but transformed lives—families healed, hearts stirred, and the Gospel reaching places it’s never gone. That’s the kind of fruit we’re after. Let’s talk about how to get there.
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Episode 185: Hispanic Ministry: The gift your parish needs
Episode | June 10th, 2025 | 57 mins 30 secs
archdiocese of omaha, bilingual ministry, catholic, catholic church, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, deacon gregorio elizalde, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, hispanic catholic gifts, hispanic catholics, hispanic culture in the church, hispanic faith, hispanic ministry, hispanic spirituality, hispanic youth, intercultural ministry, jim jansen, latino catholics, making disciples, parish renewal, parish support
Could Hispanic spirituality be the gift your parish needs? In this episode, I sit down with Deacon Gregorio Elizalde, who leads Hispanic Ministry for the Archdiocese of Omaha. We talk about what really makes Hispanic ministry tick—and spoiler alert—it’s not just about translating resources into Spanish. It’s about receiving culture, building trust, and forming real relationships. Deacon Gregorio shares powerful insights into how many Hispanic Catholics show up with this deep, family-rooted faith that’s joyful, sacrificial, and incredibly contagious. There’s a deep sense of devotion, hospitality, and joy, even in the midst of hardship in Hispanic Catholic communities. And honestly, their ability to evangelize through relationships, through retreats, through just showing up with love—that’s a gift we desperately need in the Church today. If you're leading in a parish, or just want to understand how to better welcome and walk with our Hispanic brothers and sisters, this conversation will open your eyes and maybe even shift your heart.
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Episode 181: The Four Ways Forward: Becoming an Apostolic Parish in a Post-Christian World with Susan Windley-Daoust
Episode | April 29th, 2025 | 1 hr 7 mins
apostolic parish, archdiocese of omaha, catholic, catholic church, catholic ministry, church growth, church leadership, church revitalization, disciples, equipcast, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith community, making disciples, mission refocus, missionary identity, parish renewal, parish transformation, podcast episode, practical insights, radical hospitality, signs and wonders, small group discipleship, spiritual renewal, susan windley-daoust, the four ways forward
Parish renewal is the buzzword of the moment—and with it comes an overwhelming array of resources and ministries. So how do you cut through the noise to find what will truly help your parish move forward? 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.
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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 178: Measuring Faith: How Data and Devotion Are Revitalizing Sacred Heart Parish
Episode | March 18th, 2025 | 50 mins 29 secs
archdiocese of omaha, building vibrant parishes, catholic, catholic discipleship, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church growth strategies, church leadership insights, confession habits, disciples, equipcast, eucharist devotion, evangelism, evangelization, faith community, faith-filled community, father jamie zarse, leadership teams, making disciples, marriage enrichment, mass attendance, measuring spiritual progress, ocia growth, parish generosity, parish leadership, parish renewal, parish success stories, parish transformation, prayer warriors, rosary devotion, sacred heart parish, scriptural prayer, shawnee kansas, spiritual habits, transforming parishes
What does it take to build a thriving, faith-filled parish? In this episode, I sit down with Father Jamie Zarse, pastor at Sacred Heart Parish in Shawnee, Kansas, to unpack his vision for renewing his parish—starting with a team of prayer warriors and leaders—and the spiritual habits that are transforming his community. From deeper devotion to the Eucharist and the Rosary to more frequent confession and scripture-based prayer, these simple yet powerful practices are sparking real change. Mass attendance is up by 18%, generosity is growing with an additional $408,000 in tithing, and parishioners are coming alive in their faith. Father Jamie also reveals why measuring spiritual progress and forming strong leadership teams are key to sustaining this momentum. He shares how his leadership team, a mix of staff and dedicated volunteers, meets weekly to ensure they are always working on the most important things. They even use innovative tools like QR code surveys during Mass to track engagement in key spiritual habits.
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Episode 177: How Collaboration and the Temperaments Can Unlock Parish Renewal
Episode | March 11th, 2025 | 1 hr 9 mins
archdiocese of omaha, building a clear path, catholic, catholic coaching, catholic evangelization, catholic ministry, catholic podcast, church leadership, collaboration in ministry, disciples, discipleship, effective ministry teams, evangelism, evangelization, evangelization strategies, faith formation, four temperaments, making disciples, metanoia catholic, missionary disciples, parish renewal, parish support, personal growth, team dynamics
Are you part of a dynamic team that truly leverages each member’s unique gifts? Building cohesive and effective teams is essential for parish renewal and vibrant ministry. When individuals are inspired and equipped to discover, discern, and live out their God-given mission, our parishes thrive. 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!