The Rebuilt Parish Podcast

By Rebuilt ParishReligion & Spirituality Christianity

The Rebuilt Parish Podcast episodes

March 26152| Fr. John Riccardo on Mobilizing for Mission
What happens when prayer stops being something we “fit in,” and becomes the place we start? In this conversation, Fr. John Riccardo (Acts XXIX) joins Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran to talk about the renewal God wants to do in parishes, leaders, and teams, beginning with surrender and a restored dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Fr. John shares his unexpected call to priesthood, the “call within a call” that led to Acts XXIX, and why so many parish teams stay stuck in maintenance: fear of failure, fear of risk, and a functional way of doing ministry that forgets we’re meant to live as family. Along the way, you’ll hear practical, concrete ways to bring prayer into the center of parish leadership, build true communion among teams, and reclaim the mindset of the early Church- because Acts didn’t end at chapter 28.
Resources Mentioned
Acts XXIX: https://www.actsxxix.org/
The Rescue Project: https://watch.actsxxix.org/therescueproject

How is your parish intentionally reaching those beyond your walls, and what might God be inviting you to do next? Download our Grow Wider Self-Evaluation to find out and take your next faithful step forward.
Grow Wider Self Evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation
Key Takeaways
Surrender is daily, not one-time. Fr. John shares a tangible morning practice: “crawling back on the altar” each day.
The only real failure is quitting. Trying something that doesn’t work is often discernment, not defeat.
Parish renewal requires a shift from maintenance to mission. Comfort can keep the “machine” running, but it won’t bring new life.
Teams need to look like family. If we’re inviting people into the family of God, parish leadership must embody real communion.
Prayer isn’t “before the work.” Prayer is how you know what the work is. Restore the initiative to God.
Hospitality and beauty open hearts. They communicate “you matter,” and prepare people to receive what God wants to do.
Loneliness is real among clergy—and relational ministry matters. Priests need communion, not isolation.
“Acts 29” is a mindset. The Holy Spirit is still writing the Church’s story through you and your parish today.

Chapters & Timestamps
00:00 — Welcome + why this conversation matters
00:18 — Fr. John’s origin story: an unexpected call to priesthood
03:10 — Prayer, wandering, and the struggle to surrender
06:16 — A daily surrender practice: “crawl back on the altar”
07:12 — The “call within a call” that led to Acts XXIX
10:21 — Choosing the right people for mission and ministry
16:29 — Risk, fear, and redefining failure for parish leaders
19:34 — St. Joan of Arc and magnanimity: “I was born for this”
22:01 — Why “Acts 29”: reclaiming the fruitfulness of the early Church
27:12 — How Acts XXIX serves parishes (free charism, clear principles)
31:39 — The four core efforts: Rescue Project, immersives, clergy retreats, media
35:23 — How priests and lay leaders can truly work together
38:09 — Stories of transformation: what changes when teams pray to discern
42:25 — Permission to “waste time”: meals, prayer, presence, and culture shift
49:10 — How to connect with Acts XXIX + key links
52:04 — Closing encouragement

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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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
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Catholic parish renewal, Acts XXIX Catholic, Fr John Riccardo, Tom Corcoran Rebuilt Parish, parish leadership development, Catholic evangelization strategy, parish mission and vision, moving from maintenance to mission, Catholic church revitalization, Rescue Project Catholic, leadership immersion Catholic, Catholic clergy renewal, priest burnout and renewal, Catholic team leadership, prayer in parish leadership, restoring the initiative to God, biblical worldview Catholic, Catholic discipleship formation, Holy Spirit and discernment, parish culture transformation, Catholic ministry teamwork, lay and clergy collaboration, parish staff prayer, church leadership podcast, Catholic evangelization podcast
54 min
March 19151| How to Identify Your Parish’s Target Audience
Every parish wants to reach more people, but where do you begin? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Fr. John Sullivan, pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Chatham, Massachusetts, to talk about how defining a clear target audience can transform the way a parish approaches ministry.
You may have heard of “Timonium Tim,” the persona developed at Church of the Nativity to help guide evangelization efforts. Fr. John shares how he adapted that concept for his own parish and created “Chatham Chuck,” a simple way to keep the mission of evangelization front and center in parish life.
Throughout the conversation, Fr. John explains how understanding the people in the pews shaped his preaching, hospitality, and leadership decisions. He also offers practical encouragement for parish leaders who feel discouraged by slow progress, reminding us that renewal in the Church is often a long and faithful work.

Key Takeaways
Defining a clear target audience helps parishes stay focused on their mission of evangelization
• Many parishes must first help those already in the pews deepen their faith before reaching outward
• Renewal takes persistence and patience. Transformation rarely happens overnight
• A welcoming weekend experience helps visitors quickly feel like part of the community
• Listening to the stories of your parishioners can reveal important insights about your parish culture
Want to know if your parish is ready to reach more people? Take a few minutes to reflect on where your parish stands with this free Grow Wider Self Evaluation.
https://download.rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
00:03 Meet Fr. John Sullivan from Holy Redeemer Parish
01:56 What “Timonium Tim” Means for Parish Evangelization
02:11 How “Chatham Chuck” Was Created
04:47 Understanding Your Parish Community
06:15 Leading Through Criticism and Change
06:43 Using Message Series to Reach People in the Pews
09:54 Who Is “Chatham Chuck”?
12:33 Why Parish Renewal Takes Time
15:57 Hospitality and the Weekend Experience
17:18 Avoiding Mission Drift in Parish Leadership
19:02 Helping Parishioners Evangelize Their Families
20:36 Staying Faithful in Ministry Leadership
22:16 First Steps for Identifying Your Parish Audience
24:32 Final Encouragement for Parish Leaders
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!

“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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparish

catholic parish leadership, parish renewal, catholic evangelization, church leadership, catholic parish growth, rebuilt parish podcast, timonium tim, parish target audience, parish mission strategy, catholic discipleship, catholic ministry leadership, church growth strategies, parish evangelization ideas, catholic leadership podcast, parish hospitality ministry, catholic church outreach, parish mission clarity, evangelization in the catholic church, catholic priest leadership, parish culture change, catholic preaching strategy, church leadership development, catholic ministry strategy, parish leadership training, grow wider parish strategy
25 min
March 12150| Building a Parish Culture of Evangelization
What does it look like when a diocese truly walks alongside parishes in renewal?
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson talks with Edward Herrera and Julie St. Croix from the Institute for Evangelization at the Archdiocese of Baltimore. Together, they share how their Emmaus Teams accompany pastors and parish leaders through prayer, trust, leadership development, staff culture, pastoral council formation, and parish transition.
This conversation offers a practical and hope-filled look at evangelization from the diocesan level, not as programs handed down from a distance, but as real partnership rooted in relationship. Edward and Julie unpack what distinguishes a parish that is simply maintaining from one that is actively living its mission, and they offer encouraging wisdom for pastors and leaders who want to take the next faithful step toward renewal.
If you have ever wondered how dioceses and parishes can work together in a way that truly strengthens mission, this episode is full of insight.
Looking for a practical next step? Our free Grow Wider Self Evaluation will help you reflect on how your parish is reaching new people and where there may be room to grow.
Key Takeaways
Evangelization begins with relationship, trust, and accompaniment
Healthy parish renewal starts by supporting the pastor and leadership team
Stronger parish culture requires shared vision, prayer, and co-responsibility
Missional parishes are marked by welcome, discipleship, and community presence
Renewal does not begin with doing everything at once, but with taking the next step faithfully
Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!

“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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparish

parish renewal, Catholic parish leadership, evangelization, Catholic leadership podcast, Archdiocese of Baltimore, Emmaus Team, accompaniment in ministry, parish staff culture, pastoral council renewal, Catholic diocesan leadership, Rebuilt Parish podcast, Catholic mission, disciple making, parish evangelization, church leadership, missional parish, Catholic ministry leadership, Julie St. Croix, Edward Herrera, Institute for Evangelization
43 min
March 05149| Grow Wider: Practical Steps to Reach More People and Make Disciples
How does a parish actually grow wider?
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson welcomes back Ed Bradley to take a deep dive into the Grow Wider Anchor - what it means, where parishes often get stuck, and how to start making measurable progress.
If your parish wants to bring people back to church, reach young families, and build a culture of invitation, this conversation will give you both clarity and practical next steps.
And be sure to listen through to the end—Ed shares exactly where he would recommend a parish start in the next 90 days.
Grow Wider Self Evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation
Key Takeaways
Growing wider starts with a clear burden for those who aren’t coming.
Define your target audience intentionally - know your mission field.
Friendly is not the same as strategically welcoming.
Your digital presence is often your first impression.
Next-gen ministry can be a powerful growth strategy.
Parishioners need confidence and tools to invite others.
Start with intentional hospitality systems, not just good intentions.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to the Grow Wider Anchor
02:00 – Understanding the Four Anchors and Discipleship
07:30 – Where Parishes Commonly Break Down
11:00 – Defining Your Target Audience
16:00 – Friendly vs Strategically Welcoming
20:30 – Weekend Experience and First Impressions
23:30 – Digital Presence as the Front Door
26:00 – Leveraging Next-Gen Ministry
31:30 – Teaching Parishioners to Invite
35:00 – Where to Start in the Next 90 Days
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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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
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parish renewal, Catholic parish renewal, grow wider, Rebuilt Parish, Rebuilt model, parish growth, growing church attendance, bring people back to church, Catholic evangelization, evangelization strategies, parish evangelization, parish outreach, welcoming parish, hospitality ministry, church hospitality team, welcoming newcomers, first time guest experience, weekend Mass experience, improving the weekend experience, Catholic Mass experience, discipleship pathway, making disciples, parish discipleship, Great Commission Catholic, invite a friend to church, invest and invite, invite people to Mass, parishioner invitation, how to get parishioners to invite, newcomer follow up, welcome desk church, new parishioner welcome, church engagement path, engagement strategy church, parish engagement, church digital presence, parish website best practices, church social media strategy, Catholic church marketing, live stream Mass, first impressions church, attract young families, next gen ministry, children’s liturgy of the word, kids ministry Catholic, youth ministry Catholic, Catholic family ministry, grow younger parish, parish leadership team, Catholic parish leadership, parish culture change, Timonium Tim, Church of the Nativity Timonium
41 min
February 26148| Prayer First: Leading Your Parish Through Change Without Fear
What happens when three parishes merge, cultures blend, Mass schedules shift, and emotions run high?
On this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Fr. Andres Mendoza, pastor of Saint Benedict of Núrcia in Wallingford, Connecticut. With multiple worship sites, a parish school, and a richly diverse community. Fr. Mendoza has navigated complex transitions with one clear priority: prayer comes first.
In this conversation, Fr. Mendoza shares how grounding every meeting, decision, and difficult conversation in prayer has shaped not only leadership, but culture. From empowering staff to pray aloud, to inviting parishioners into spontaneous, in-the-moment prayer, to leaning deeply into the Benedictine spirit of ora et labora inspired by Saint Benedict of Nursia, Fr. Mendoza offers a powerful witness: prayer and work are not separate - they are one.
If you're leading through change, feeling stretched thin, or wondering how to build unity across different communities, this episode offers practical encouragement and spiritual clarity.
Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation
Key Takeaways
Start every meeting with prayer Make consultation with the Holy Spirit the foundation of every decision.
Teach people how to pray Don’t assume comfort; model simple, sincere dialogue with the Lord.
Pray in the moment Move from “I’ll pray for you” to “Can I pray with you right now?”
Lead mergers through discernment, not fear Invite the Holy Spirit into emotionally charged decisions.
Guard your personal prayer time Even 15–20 intentional minutes daily anchors leadership.
Unite prayer and action Inspired by Saint Benedict of Nursia, remember that work and prayer belong together.

Chapters
00:00 Welcome and Introduction to Fr. Andres Mendoza
02:30 A Parish with Multiple Worship Sites and a School
06:00 Why Prayer Became the Foundation of Leadership
09:10 Teaching Staff How to Pray with Confidence
12:30 Personal Prayer Rhythms for Busy Pastors
16:30 Navigating Parish Mergers Through the Holy Spirit
20:00 Overcoming Fear and Resistance in Times of Change
23:00 Encouragement for Overwhelmed Parish Leaders
26:00 Ora et Labora and the Unity of Prayer and Work
29:00 Final Reflections and Blessing
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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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
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https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparish

Catholic parish leadership, parish merger, prayer in ministry, prayer first culture, Catholic church leadership, Holy Spirit discernment, parish renewal, Catholic pastor interview, ora et labora, Saint Benedict spirituality, Latino Catholic ministry, building unity in parishes, leadership through change, Catholic parish growth, examination of conscience, sacrament of confession, prayer in staff meetings
32 min
February 19147| Lent Homilies Made Simple: A Proven Approach
When a message series really takes hold, it does more than shape a homily. It begins to shape hearts, conversations, and culture.
In this episode, Father Benoît St-Onge shares a simple but powerful conviction: you have to step inside the message series yourself. When leaders allow the Word of God to first speak into their own lives, it naturally finds its way into the life of the parish.
Father Benoît reflects on how vulnerability, honesty, and shared humanity open the door for Scripture to become personal and practical. Drawing inspiration from how message series are lived out at Church of the Nativity, he reminds us that renewal doesn’t require creativity for creativity’s sake. Often, it’s about faithfully adapting what already works and trusting God to do the rest.
As Father Benoît puts it, this isn’t magic. It’s truth. And when pastors and leaders lean in together, the Word of God does exactly what it promises to do.
Get FREE access to our Sample Content Library: https://www.rebuiltparish.com/offers/6ViPVzNg/checkout
Get the “Heal” Homily Series for your parish for Lent: https://www.rebuiltparish.com/lent
Key Takeaways
Message series work best when leaders live them first. When pastors and staff allow the Word of God to speak into their own lives, preaching becomes more authentic and relatable.
Vulnerability builds trust. Modeling humanity from the ambo invites parishioners to see themselves in the message rather than feeling preached at.
Creativity doesn’t require starting from scratch. Faithful adaptation and thoughtful reuse of proven ideas can be just as effective as creating something new.
The Word of God does the work. Renewal isn’t about clever techniques. When Scripture is applied honestly to real life, it bears fruit.
Parish renewal happens in community. Asking for help and learning from others is not weakness. It’s how healthy parishes grow.

Catholic parish renewal, message series planning, Catholic preaching resources, parish leadership, homily preparation, discipleship in parish life, Church of the Nativity, Rebuilt Parish, parish culture change, Catholic small groups, living the Gospel, pastoral leadership, applying Scripture to daily life, Catholic evangelization, parish ministry strategy

Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!

“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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
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32 min
February 12146| Making Prayer the Center of Parish Leadership
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson is joined by Colleen Droney, a longtime leader at Church of the Nativity and a key member of the Rebuilt Parish team, for a practical and deeply encouraging conversation about making prayer the center of parish and staff culture.
Colleen shares how prayer has shaped her leadership across both parish and ministry settings, why prayer is never optional in times of growth and decision-making, and how the Rebuilt team is learning to pause, listen, and surrender together, even as a fully virtual staff. From staff-wide prayer rhythms and adoration to creative uses of technology and Bible plans, this episode offers parish leaders concrete ways to root their teams more deeply in prayer without adding more burden.
This is an honest, hope-filled conversation for pastors and parish leaders who feel stretched thin but long for deeper spiritual grounding in their teams.
Want to see how your whole parish can Grow Deeper in their faith? Complete our self evaluation: https://download.rebuiltparish.com/deeperevaluation
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
Why prayer must be the agenda, not just an agenda item
How leadership immersion with Acts 29 renewed Rebuilt’s commitment to prayer
Translating in-person staff prayer into a virtual environment
Creating consistent, non-negotiable rhythms of prayer
The power of pausing and listening before making decisions
How Bible plans build vulnerability and trust among staff
Practical examples of prayer shaping parish culture at Nativity
Simple first steps any parish can take to begin praying together

Practices Highlighted in the Episode
Weekly staff prayer as a non-negotiable rhythm
Virtual adoration (“Holy Zoom”) for distributed teams
Scripture-based prayer before meetings
Staff Bible plans using the YouVersion Bible App
Prayer challenges and seasonal devotions
Ministry huddles and praying over parish spaces
Empowering champions to lead prayer without adding burden to pastors

Key Leadership Takeaway
Healthy parish culture flows from prayerful leadership. When pastors and parish teams make space to pause, surrender, and listen together, prayer becomes the foundation for unity, clarity, and fruitfulness. You don’t have to do everything at once. Start small, be consistent, and trust God to build the culture over time.
Chapters
00:00 – Introducing Colleen and the focus on prayer
00:57 – Why prayer is essential in busy seasons of ministry
02:19 – Lessons from Acts 29 and adoration
04:25 – Translating staff prayer into a virtual environment
06:10 – Creating space for silence and surrender
08:39 – Prayer as permission to pause
11:11 – Building prayer into parish staff culture
12:54 – Using Bible plans to deepen team connection
16:17 – Creative prayer rhythms within ministry teams
19:27 – First steps for parish leaders who feel stretched thin
24:01 – The pastor’s role in cultivating a prayer culture
31:07 – Why prayer must be non-negotiable
Featured Rebuilt Bible Plans on YouVersion
Rebuilt Faith - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/62006-rebuilt-faith Breathing Room - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64604-breathing-room
Grace & Truth - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64135-grace-truth Baggage: A Journey of Forgiveness Heal (coming for Lent)

Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!

“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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
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https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparish

parish prayer culture, Catholic parish leadership, staff prayer, adoration, virtual ministry, Acts 29, Church of the Nativity, YouVersion Bible App, parish staff formation, Rebuilt Parish Podcast, prayer in ministry
36 min
February 05145| Tom Corcoran on Sowing Beyond the Parish: Rebuilt, YouVersion, and Global Discipleship
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
What You’ll Hear in This Episode
How Rebuilt Parish became a content partner with YouVersion
Why leadership often requires movement before clarity
The global impact of Rebuilt Bible plans across 150+ countries
How parishes can extend Sunday messages into daily discipleship
A reflection on holy discontent and perseverance in ministry
Takeaways from the Beyond a Billion worship celebration
Why sowing seeds faithfully matters, even when fruit feels slow

Featured Rebuilt Bible Plans on YouVersion
Rebuilt Faith - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/62006-rebuilt-faith
Breathing Room - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64604-breathing-room
Grace & Truth - https://www.bible.com/reading-plans/64135-grace-truth
Baggage: A Journey of Forgiveness
Heal (coming for Lent)

These plans can be used individually, in small groups, or alongside your parish message series to create daily spiritual touchpoints beyond the weekend.
Key Leadership Takeaway
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.
Chapters
00:00 – Welcome and episode overview
01:24 – Doors God has opened through Rebuilt Parish
03:12 – Leadership, Exodus, and moving forward in faith
05:31 – How the YouVersion partnership began
12:48 – What the Bible App is and why it matters
14:38 – Global reach of Rebuilt Bible plans
17:45 – Using Bible plans for parish discipleship
19:48 – Reflections from the Beyond a Billion celebration
24:04 – The parable of the sower and ministry perseverance
29:13 – Meeting leaders and artists at the VIP gathering
33:56 – Stewarding influence without losing a pastoral heart
36:16 – Closing encouragement

Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!

“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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparish

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
40 min
January 29144| A Clear Path for Parish Renewal: Data, Discipleship, and Courageous Leadership
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.
Get our FREE Leadership Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/leadershipevaluation
🔑 Key Takeaways
Why closing a parish school can be both a loss and an opening for new life
How attendance, giving, and engagement data can support better decisions
The value of qualitative data and faith stories alongside metrics
Using SWOT analysis in parish strategic planning
Why “pause” can be more pastoral than “stop”
How small groups, grief ministry, and youth pathways fuel discipleship
Teaching stewardship as worship and first fruits, not obligation
Trusting God first while letting data guide wise action
⏱️ Episode Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Father Joel’s parish context
02:10 Parish culture, service mindset, and closing the school
05:05 Early metrics and financial challenges
08:00 Leading the parish with transparency and courage
09:45 Collecting attendance, giving, and engagement data
12:00 Livestreaming and qualitative data stories
16:30 Strategic planning and SWOT analysis
19:50 Measuring momentum and stewardship growth
25:00 Youth, young adults, and discipleship pathways
30:20 Start, stop, and pause decisions in ministry
33:45 Reimagining parish initiatives through mission
36:40 Encouragement for leaders intimidated by data
39:00 Closing reflections and blessing

🙏 Final Encouragement
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.

Rate, Review, & Follow us wherever you listen to podcasts!

“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!

https://www.rebuiltparish.com/
facebook.com/rebuiltparish
instagram.com/rebuiltparish
https://www.linkedin.com/company/rebuilt-parish/
https://www.youtube.com/@rebuiltparish

Parish strategic planning
Catholic parish renewal
Parish data and metrics
Stewardship as discipleship
Small groups ministry
Youth and young adult engagement
Financial leadership in parishes
Rebuilt coaching
43 min
January 22143| Ron Huntley on the Road to Renewal: Real Stories From Leaders Who Refused to Give Up
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.
Key Takeaways
How this book began as a prompting in prayer while Ron was on vacation, and why he let go of a different book he had planned to write
Why a multi author book helps dismantle the objection: “That works there, but not here”
Why “feeling it” is often the spark that launches renewal, and how Nativity’s story helped set the tone
Why prayer is not a box to check, but a culture of reliance on the Holy Spirit
Ron’s coaching framework for the five phases of missional momentum, including the reality of the “danger zone”
What healthy leadership looks like: honesty, emotional maturity, shared responsibility, and healthy conflict
A behind the scenes leadership meeting story that turned into a surprising witness to visiting priests
Why pastors should not walk the road alone, and what changes when shared leadership becomes real
Why self awareness tools and gift based teams matter for ministry alignment
A frank conversation about diocesan culture and the call to be peacemakers, not critics
Links and Resources
Huntley Leadership: HuntleyLeadership.com
Ron Huntley’s new book, Road to Renewal: https://a.co/d/1yorrO6
Chapters
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
55 min