“Good youth ministry leads to readiness for Confirmation. Confirmation does not lead to involvement in youth ministry.”

In this episode, Chris and John explore the intersection of youth ministry and the sacrament of Confirmation, and how effective comprehensive youth ministry prepares young people well for Confirmation.

In this episode, we refer to these previous podcast episodes:

Rebuilding the Sacrament of Confirmation (Part 1)

Rebuilding the Sacrament of Confirmation (Part 2)

Will Restored Order Fix the Confirmation Problem?

In this episode, Chris and John break open the National Certification process for Lay Ecclessial Ministers in the United States and explore it’s pro’s and con’s.

Find out more about the National Certification Process by checking out this page on the USCCB website.

In this episode, we also refer back to Episode 41: Is Getting a Graduate Degree Worth It?

John and Chris debate how to best tackle the email problem many in ministry have. John suggests that we should all respond to emails within 24 business hours and Chris pushes back, naming that not all emails take priority.

In this episode, they share strategies about how to effectively manage your email and be responsive to the needs of your ministry.

Do you have an idea? A vision? A way to do ministry differently? And you wonder, is your pastor supportive?

In this episode, Chris and John share a 4-step strategy to get your pastor’s support about how to move your ministry forward.

In this episode, Chris and John delve into the question of parish staff working on Sunday. Sunday is when our parishes impact the most people. There is an argument to be made that Sunday needs to be a work day for parish staff.

John and Chris dive into some things to consider when making a decision about this important question.

In this episode, special guest, Katherine Angulo, shares what thriving ministry looks like and how we can prepare our young lay leaders and priests to be successful in ministry and to have longevity in their roles.  Katherine is the Program Director for Thriving in Ministry Initiatives at the McGrath Institute at Notre Dame University.

She also shares about her experience leading the Bishop D’Arcy Program in Priestly Renewal and what our priests are experiencing in the 21st Century Church.

All too often, parishes look like a revolving door of staff members being hired and then moving on. Turnover of staff is of tremendous concern and thwarts effective ministry.

In this episode, John and Chris share how parish leaders and pastors might go about stopping the constant turnover that can often plague parishes.

In this episode, we refer to 2 previous podcast episodes:

Hiring In Ministry

Managing Underperforming Staff

Sherry Weddell, in her great book Forming Intentional Disciples, suggests that we have raised Catholics who are “sacramentalized, but not evangelized.” Wow! Powerful statement!

In this archived episode, Chris and John begin the first episode of a series looking at sacramental preparation programs and how we can evangelize as well as sacramentalize. At the center of this conversation is this idea that Weddell shares:

“If our pastoral practice is to be life changing, then we must be acutely aware that the reception of a valid sacrament and the fruitful reception of sacramental grace are two different but related issues. Validity means that the sacrament was truly bestowed and the intended grace made truly present to the person receiving the sacrament. But validity does not guarantee that the grace made available has been actively received and is bearing fruit in that person’s life.” –pg. 99

Do people feel welcome in your church? That is a question that all ministry leaders need to ask themselves. In this archive episode of The Church Podcast, Chris and John explore strategies for being intentional about developing a ministry of hospitality.

At the heart of Diocesan ministry is service to their parishes and schools. In this episode, Chris and John discuss the role of Diocesan ministry and how they can best support parishes and schools.

At the same time, we share ideas for parish and school leaders on how to connect with their Diocesan structure.