In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Tom Corcoran returns to the studio with Melissa Wilkinson to reflect on how God has been opening unexpected doors through Rebuilt Parish. Their conversation centers on Rebuilt’s growing partnership with YouVersion, the global reach of the Bible App, and what it looks like to move forward in faith while trusting God with the results.

Tom shares a leadership reflection rooted in Exodus, exploring the tension between waiting on God and taking faithful action. Together, Tom and Melissa unpack how Rebuilt’s Bible plans are now reaching tens of thousands of people across the world, how parishes can repurpose message series for deeper daily engagement, and why holy discontent can be a gift rather than a flaw in parish leadership.

The episode also includes reflections from the YouVersion Beyond a Billion celebration, powerful reminders about sowing seeds even when we never see the harvest, and encouragement for pastors and parish leaders to keep preaching, teaching, and creating with faithfulness and hope.

Want to see how your whole parish can Grow Deeper in their faith? Complete our self evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/deeperevaluation 

These plans can be used individually, in small groups, or alongside your parish message series to create daily spiritual touchpoints beyond the weekend.

Faithful leadership lives in the tension between trust and action. God opens seas, but He often asks us to step forward first. Whether you’re leading a parish, preaching a message, or building ministry systems, the call is the same: keep sowing seeds, keep moving forward, and trust God with the growth.

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Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Tom Corcoran, YouVersion Bible App, parish leadership, Catholic discipleship, Bible reading plans, ministry partnerships, holy discontent, parish renewal, evangelization, sowing seeds, leadership faithfulness

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Father Joel Wilson, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Maple Shade, New Jersey. After nearly five years in Rebuilt coaching, Father Joel shares the honest story of leading a parish through significant financial debt, the painful decision to close a longtime parish school, and the renewal that followed.

Together, they reflect on how data, both quantitative and qualitative, can inform better decisions without replacing trust in the Holy Spirit. Father Joel walks through how his parish collects and reviews metrics, how a strategic plan helped clarify mission and priorities, and why courage, prayer, and clarity are essential for parish renewal.

This conversation offers encouragement for pastors and parish leaders who feel overwhelmed by numbers, uncertain about next steps, or hesitant to pause long standing programs in order to create space for deeper discipleship.

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Renewal does not begin with perfect data or flawless plans. It begins with prayerful leadership, honest assessment, and the courage to take the next faithful step. Whether you are just beginning to track metrics or discerning a major decision, this episode is a reminder that God works powerfully through clarity, trust, and intentional action.

🎧 Listen now and share this episode with your leadership team or pastoral council.

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Parish strategic planning

Ron Huntley from Huntley Leadership returns to the Rebuilt Parish podcast to share the heart behind his new book, The Road to Renewal. Ron and Melissa talk about why renewal stories matter right now, why the problems facing the Church are often the same across the world, and what it takes to build leadership teams that actually move a parish forward. You will hear practical frameworks, honest behind the scenes moments, and a clear reminder that renewal is impossible without a real dependence on the Holy Spirit.

00:00 Welcome and Introducing The Road to Renewal

01:00 Why This Book, Why Now

02:20 The Church’s Pioneers and the Power of Shared Stories

04:25 Collaboration Over Competition

06:15 Leadership Is Ownership

07:45 Recognizing Gifts and Divine Providence

09:40 Why the Book Begins With Feeling It

12:00 Repetition, Perspective, and Shared Themes

14:00 The Same Problems Everywhere

15:25 Prayer First and the Work of the Holy Spirit

19:00 Putting the Pen Down

20:30 Discouragement and Holy Expectation

21:00 The Five Phases of Missional Momentum

26:20 Helping Other Parishes After Renewal

29:20 Niceness, Greatness, and Truth

30:35 What Actually Moves the Needle

34:30 The Leadership Meeting That Went Sideways

38:00 Defining Leadership in the Parish

42:30 Why Pastors Should Not Walk Alone

44:35 Building Teams With Different Gifts

50:15 Where to Get the Book

51:30 Closing and Gratitude

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Parish renewal, Catholic leadership, parish leadership teams, Rebuilt Parish, Ron Huntley, Huntley Leadership, The Road to Renewal, Divine Renovation, Acts XXIX, Father Michael White, Tom Corcoran, leadership development, church coaching, pastoral leadership, diocesan renewal, evangelization, discipleship, Holy Spirit, prayer and discernment, Alpha Catholic, small groups, stewardship, finance council, spiritual gifts, charisms, CliftonStrengths, Working Genius, APES assessment, Alan Hirsch, high performance teams, healthy conflict, team culture, missional momentum, sustainable fruitfulness, intentional generosity, collaboration over competition, discouragement in ministry, vision and ownership

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Brandon Hollern returns to unpack a topic many parish leaders avoid - but can’t afford to ignore: metrics. Brandon reframes parish numbers not as cold data points, but as indicators of real people, real stories, and real souls.

Drawing from his experience at Church of the Nativity, Brandon explains how tracking attendance, giving, small groups, and serving helps leadership teams shepherd people more intentionally along a discipleship path. The conversation explores how metrics reveal what’s working, where growth is needed, and how parishes can respond with pastoral care rather than fear.

If you’ve ever worried that tracking numbers feels “too business-like,” this episode offers a renewed perspective: numbers matter because people count - and faithful stewardship requires clarity, consistency, and courage.

Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation

Key Takeaways:

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Parish metrics, church data, Catholic parish leadership, discipleship tracking, church attendance, offertory trends, small groups ministry, volunteer engagement, parish dashboards, church analytics, pastoral care systems, Rebuilt Parish, Church of the Nativity, ministry metrics, parish renewal, making disciples, parish operations, faith and data, church leadership tools

Pastors carry more than most parishioners will ever see—and when they’re supported well, the whole parish gets healthier. In this episode, Melissa sits down with Henry White, Assistant to the Pastor at Church of the Nativity, to hear his faith story (including a very real season of wrestling with belief and the Catholic Church), how God opened an unexpected door into parish ministry, and what it looks like to support Father Michael White day-to-day. Henry shares the unseen pressures pastors carry, why a strong team matters spiritually and practically, and how small groups become real pastoral care in action—especially in a time when loneliness is everywhere.

Looking to strengthen your leadership team? Download our free Leadership Evaluation to gain clarity, align your staff, and take your next faithful step forward.

If you serve on a parish team—or wish your pastor had more support—share this episode with a staff member, key volunteer, or your pastor’s closest collaborators. The Church doesn’t thrive on leadership alone; it thrives when people serve together.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Catholic parish leadership, assistant to the pastor, supporting pastors, parish staff, Church of the Nativity, Father Michael White, Rebuilt Parish Podcast, parish renewal, leadership teams, pastoral support, small groups, discipleship, Catholic conversion, Gen Z Catholicism, parish operations, healthy parish culture

 What if conversations about giving felt less like “asking for money” and more like helping people talk with God about the gifts He’s entrusted to them? In this episode, Melissa sits down with Charlie Hiebler, Director of Stewardship for both Church of the Nativity and Rebuilt, to unpack a deeply relational—and deeply pastoral—approach to stewardship. Charlie shares how gratitude, visibility, and mission clarity can reshape a parish culture over time, why stewardship is really about people (not dollars), and how generosity becomes a real step on the pathway of discipleship.

Looking to strengthen your leadership team? Download our free Leadership Evaluation to gain clarity, align your staff, and take your next faithful step forward.

00:01 — Welcome + Meet Charlie Hiebler

If this conversation sparked ideas for your parish—especially around building a culture of gratitude and generosity—share the episode with a pastor or staff member who carries stewardship in their role.

Want to connect with Charlie? He invites parish leaders to reach out: [email protected].

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Catholic stewardship, parish giving, tithing, discipleship pathway, church fundraising, development director, parish renewal, generosity, stewardship weekend, donor relationships, parish culture change, gratitude in ministry, time talent treasure, Nativity STEPS, Rebuilt Parish, Catholic leadership, cheerful giver, Matthew where your treasure is, parish development, mission-driven giving

What happens when the interviewer becomes the guest? In this episode, Tom flips the script and sits down with Melissa to hear her story—from a “cradle Catholic” upbringing (and a surprising family connection to parish life), to an eighth-grade encounter with the Holy Spirit, to seasons of doubt, leadership lessons from Target, and the moment God pulled her back into the Church in a deeper way.

Melissa shares the full-circle threads that shaped her vocation: The Purpose Driven Life, Walking with Purpose, discovering Rebuilt, and how a simple “don’t leave your church—change your church” nudge became a turning point. You’ll also hear how COVID-era webinars connected her to Rebuilt more directly, what it was like rebuilding a parish team from the inside, and the discernment that led her from local parish leadership to serving the wider Church through Rebuilt.

Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson, Tom Corcoran, faith story, cradle Catholic, Catholic testimony, Holy Spirit encounter, youth ministry, Penn State Catholic, Our Lady of Victory, The Da Vinci Code faith doubts, delegation, accountability, parish staff leadership, parish renewal, Rebuilt book, Walking with Purpose, The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren, Jeff Cavins, Catholic discipleship, parish culture, church communications, parish website, COVID church ministry, NextGen ministry, rebuilding parish teams, discernment, vocation, Catholic leadership development, Hallow app, Jonathan Roumie, Craig Groeschel, Carey Nieuwhof

In this episode, Melissa and Tom sit down with Curtis Martin, founder of FOCUS, to explore what it truly takes to form missionary disciples in our time. Curtis shares his own journey back to Christ and back to the Catholic Church, the heartbeat behind FOCUS, and why evangelization begins not with programs but with people rooted in prayer.

He unpacks the simple, relational, and deeply biblical methodology FOCUS missionaries use to make disciples—one that works not only on college campuses but also in parishes. Through powerful stories, practical wisdom, and his signature analogies, Curtis casts a compelling vision for any parish longing to reach the lost and welcome them home.

Whether you're serving on a parish staff, volunteering in ministry, or simply longing for renewal in the Church, this conversation will encourage you to “get on the field” and step boldly into Christ’s mission.

00:01 — Welcome & Introduction

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Curtis Martin, FOCUS Catholic, FOCUS missionaries, SEEK conference, Catholic evangelization, parish renewal, missionary discipleship, relational evangelization, friendship evangelization, making missionary disciples, Catholic young adult ministry, campus ministry, reaching college students for Christ, Catholic vocations, parish hospitality, welcoming parish culture, parish discipleship pathway, Catholic parish growth, Rebuilt Parish podcast, Church of the Nativity, strategic evangelization, repeatable evangelization model, Catholic leadership, Great Commission Catholic Church, evangelizing the next generation, small groups, Catholic marriage and family renewal.

In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa sits down with longtime Church of the Nativity parishioner and volunteer minister, Eva Fiastro, who has been connected to Nativity for over 40 years (and whose husband goes all the way back to the “Mass-in-the-middle-school” days).

Eva shares a vivid before-and-after picture of Christmas Eve at Nativity—from a stressful holy day of obligation with hidden nativity scenes, seat-saving battles, overflow rooms, and parking chaos… to a joyful, outward-facing celebration at the Maryland State Fairgrounds that welcomes thousands and puts newcomers first.

Along the way, she walks through how a deeper embrace of mission, message series, hospitality ministries, layered leadership, and a bold move off-campus transformed one of the biggest days of the year. Eva also offers practical, low-cost ideas any parish can start using right away—from clean bathrooms and warm smiles to parking shuttles and clear preaching that invites people back.

If you’re a pastor or parish leader wondering how to move Christmas Eve from obligation to celebration, Eva’s story will give you both hope and concrete next steps.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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Christmas Eve Mass, Catholic parish Christmas ideas, Church of the Nativity Christmas Eve, Rebuilt Parish podcast, Nativity Maryland State Fairgrounds Mass Cow Palace Christmas Eve liturgy parish hospitality teams ushers greeters and hosts in church Catholic parish renewal Christmas Eve evangelization making Christmas Eve more welcoming from obligation to celebration holy day of obligation Christmas overflow seating for Christmas Mass parking lot ministry for churches volunteer hospitality for Mass Purpose Driven Life in Catholic parish message series for Advent and Christmas candlelight Silent Night tradition transforming parish culture at Christmas

Tom and Melissa sit down with Jeff Cavins—Catholic speaker, author, and creator of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible. Jeff shares his powerful journey from leaving the Church to coming back to the Catholic Church with a renewed fire for Scripture.

He talks about how people truly meet Jesus in the Church, why priests must preach so the Word lands in everyday life, and how Scripture moves people from passive pew-sitters to active disciples. Along the way, Jeff shares lessons from Mother Angelica, stories from his years as a pastor, and insights for every parish leader who wants to make Scripture come alive.

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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 

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