The EquipCast

Michael Gormley of Catching Foxes fame gives us his thoughts on adult evangelization and how parishes should prioritize the kerygma.

A Production of the Archdiocese of Omaha

Special Guests: Jodi Meyer and Michael Gormley.

Jim and Fr. Lorig discuss an outsider friendly event, an opportunity for parishioners to introduce those they care about to the idea of faith without jumping straight to bringing them to mass. Hopefully, the lessons learned can inspire something similar in your own parishes and ministries.

With Thanksgiving upon us, I wanted to give you the chance to reflect on the ways gratitude can lead us to "live mercy". In today's episode, I sit down with Dcn. Tim McNeil, the Chancellor for the Archdiocese, as he talks about how knowing Jesus requires us to respond. "I have met this person named Jesus, and he has changed me. I’m so aware of what He has done for my life that I cannot help but share Him with others. This gratitude is the heart of evangelization. The Lord has saved me, and now the risen Christ in me longs to meet the suffering Christ in you."

Special Guest: Dcn. Tim McNeil.

A few years ago, the Archbishop’s Listening Sessions revealed that most of his people desired unity for the Archdiocese. This was so beautiful to hear because we know that unity is always the desire of God’s heart. One of Jesus’s last prayers on earth was “Father, I pray that they may all be one as you an I are one…so that the world may know that you sent me.” (John 17:21) This means that our unity as Christians is either the secret sauce that attracts the world or repels it. But unity at the local level really rests on the ability of each and every one of us to process through disagreement and conflict person to person. So what is the one thing that resolves most conflicts? Communication. In today’s conversation, we give a few scripture passages for you to mediate on as well as advice from the book Crucial Conversations.

As a leader, have you ever had this experience: The Lord places something important on your heart and you are ready to run the race for Him, but no one around you has developed the personal vision and conviction to run with you? Often, we grow and develop personally and then are surprised when no one else has. This process can take years for ourselves, and yet we expect it to take moments for others. So, how do you accompany people down the same pathways you were led without it taking the same amount of time?

Did you know that the leading edge of the baby boomers will turn 75 next year? If the majority of our population is now retired and in their twilight years, what does this mean for our parishes? Did you know that 1/3 of the population experiences a bout of poverty in a 3 year period? This means, even parishes in affluent parts of town have people in their pews facing poverty. What does this mean for the way we live mercy? This week, a local demographer, David Drozd, walks us through some of the natural consequences to the demographic changes that are happening in our communities.

Special Guest: David Drozd.

This week, we went more in-depth on The Big Goal by asking Fr. Scott Hastings to break down the 3 Key Characteristics of a Missional Community: Collaborative Leadership, a Clear Path to Discipleship, and a Culture of Generosity.

Special Guest: Fr. Scott Hastings.

Two years ago we rolled out the Vision and Priorities for the Archdiocese of Omaha. One Church: Encountering Jesus, Equipping Disciples, and Living Mercy. In the words of Archbishop Lucas, “The vision is not a project so much as a hope, of the kind of church we can be, the people that we are called to be in Jesus Christ and in our time.” Then, with COVID came the opportunity and grace to pause and reflect on the Vision and to renew our efforts. With this time, came clarity, and now, we are rolling out The Big Goal. Within 6 years, each of our parishes in the Archdiocese will become missional communities. Tune in to hear Archbishop Lucas unpack the "why" behind The Big Goal.

Special Guest: Archbishop Lucas.

Do you have an ache in your heart? Do you see something in your family, your finances, your ministry, etc. that should be different? What do you envision that it could be? Cultivating a vision of a preferred future is part of the Christian Life. In Acts of the Apostles, Peter’s first public proclamation of the Kerygma includes words from the prophet Joel,” I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions”. But not all of us have Fr. Lorig’s talent for painting a picture of what should be. So how do we develop our own clear picture of the future? Continue the conversation to hear our insights.

On the EquipCast, I spend a lot of time emphasizing the leadership skills of a missionary disciple. But this week, we spoke to Fr. Kizito, a missionary from Nigeria to our own diocese, and he reminded us that one basic skill of a missionary leader is the ability to grow in virtue.

How do I make disciples? By first being a disciple. 

So let us sit at the feet of one of Jesus's own ministers and learn about the virtues he believes are key to mission.

Special Guest: Fr. Kizito Okhuoya.