Being and Making Disciples: A Catholic podcast about fruitful ministry.: Recent Episodes
Dan Boyd and Justin Reyes
What were Jesus’ last words? Go out into the whole world to make disciples! This Catholic podcast is all about helping you respond “YES” to the final and greatest invitation of Jesus, the adventure you were made for. Together, let’s explore what business, education, organizational leadership, popes, saints, and scripture say about fulfilling the Great Commission. Hosts Dan and Justin serve in diocesan ministry leadership, and together authored Go! Make Disciples, a road map to missionary discipleship success for parishes, missions, and ministries of every variety. Dan’s ministry started while serving in officer positions in his college campus ministry at UCF. Initially graduating with a degree in Spanish, Dan went on to receive a master’s in theology at Boston College and a doctorate in education, again from UCF. After working in public and Catholic high schools for many years as a teacher and campus minister, Dan now works as a senior director at a large Catholic diocese in the southern US. Justin comes from a background in business and marketing. After finding corporate success as a business consultant with a global firm, he answered God’s call to work full-time in diocesan ministry. He currently serves as the Director of Family Evangelization for a geographically large diocese in the southern United States and holds dual-degrees in business, including an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.
In this “final” episode, Dan and Justin discuss what evangelization would look like if it were “easy”, as well as reflect upon why they started this podcast 3+ years ago, lessons learned along the way, and why they feel the Lord is calling them to hang up their microphones.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Regina Boyd (Dan's wife) joins us to discuss her new book "Leaving Loneliness Behind" published by Ave Maria Press! Hear how to develop deep and meaningful relationships so you can share God's love with others. Check out the book and accompanying workbook here: https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Loneliness-Behind-Book-Set/dp/1646803019
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Throughout this podcast, we have advocated for praying spontaneously and out loud with people, and several of you have requested a how-to guide on this topic. We are dedicating this episode to helping you get comfortable praying with people on the spot, spontaneously, and out loud! We walk you through a simple formula to get comfortable with spontaneous, vocal prayer using these steps:
- Acknowledge and thank God
- Remember what he has done and what he is doing
- Bring a petition before God
- Call upon the name of Jesus
We also include ways to incorporate your favorite scripture verses and ways of addressing God, as well as how to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the midst of prayer.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Tom Martin, Chief Information Officer for the Archdiocese of Seattle, joins us to talk about the role technology can play in evangelization, and specifically how the Archdiocese is leveraging technology for their Partners in the Gospel initiative. Read more about Partners in the Gospel at https://archseattle.org/partners/. To learn more about the Agile approach to project management, as discussed in the episode, visit https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/agile.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Our Lord used the Parable of the Sower to teach us about the Kingdom of God. What can we learn from gardening and yardwork that can apply to evangelization?
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
The "Ark and Dove" podcast helps listeners understand the experience of Black Catholics through a 5-part series involving storytelling and interviews. Co-host Edward Herrera joins Dan to discuss why and how this series was created. Listen to the "Ark and Dove" on Apple, Spotify, Google and other podcast providers.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Our Lord tells us there is more rejoicing in heaven over the one lost sheep who returns than the 99 already in the flock! Why do we struggle with this at times? A couple of short stories can help remind us why it's so important to seek the "one"
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
What will the next 30 years look like for the Catholic Church? Will things be better, worse, or just different? Dan & Justin discuss. Think we missed something? Make a comment or email beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
What's the best way to lead in ministry? What does Our Lord tell us? What can we glean from the business world? Dan & Justin discuss in this important episode! Link to the book discussed: Amazon.com: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't: 9780066620992: Jim Collins: Books
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
We are back from our summer break with an interview with Tim Glemkowski, executive director of the National Eucharistic Revival. In this conversation, Tim shares the strategies for renewing a love for Jesus Christ in the Eucharist through the United States.
EucharisticRevival.org
FREE COURSE BY BISHOP COZZENS: Learn How to Embrace the Gift of the Eucharist
Free video resources
Revival Resources
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Talking about evangelization is one thing, but making it a priority requires hard work. Dan & Justin discuss 5 questions that will help you discern if your parish or ministry really has evangelization as the top priority.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Ever struggled leading a small group? Or are you looking for a handy resource to help you and others improve at this? Dan & Justin discuss what works and what doesn't when leading small group discussions. The lessons here apply to any small group, anywhere. We begin with three "strikes" -- leadership styles that don't work -- and end with the home run, the perfect way to lead group discussions. A helpful episode for any small group leader!
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
"Ok, ok, I know I need to share the message of Jesus, but how?" We've got you covered! The USCCB published five strategies for developing a missionary culture: take advantage of the appeal of justice, embrace our missionary identity, lead with beauty, rediscover the rich intellectual tradition of the Church, and take advantage of the new media! Personally or corporately, these strategies will foster lively conversations which in turn will lead to authentic friendships. That is where discipleship and conversion will happen.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
If you are a baptized Catholic, your vocation is to evangelize! While the Lord gives us different charisms and states in life, we all share in the mission of spreading the Gospel. The last words of Jesus were, "Go, make disciples..." and we think He meant it. In our very first episode, we cover the topic that motivated us to begin a podcast in the first place: evangelization. If you are unsure if you should be intentionally sharing the faith with others, this podcast is for you!
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Dan Donaldson, Vice President of the Catholic Men's Leadership Alliance, joins us to share about his journey back to the Catholic Church, as well as info on the June 10 Heroic Men Summit! This FREE online event from 11am - 1pm CDT features Curtis Martin, Justin Fatica and Jeremy Rivera with the theme “GO! Get started, use your gifts, make disciples!" To register, visit https://heroicmen.com/go/. The summit will be recorded, and a small group discussion guide is available for groups who want to experience this event as a community; advanced registration is required.
The Catholic Men’s Leadership Alliance (CMLA) is focused on strengthening men and their relationship with Jesus Christ. They provide content for leading small groups, coaching for men who want to lead, and conferences to inspire men to action. For more info, visit https://www.catholicmenleaders.org/. Download the "Heroic Men" app for great Catholic content curated for men, or visit https://heroicmen.com.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
How can we support priests? Kristian shares how he's helped MANY priests through his work as a consultant and coach. This episode will help you think of ways you can support priests, simply by starting with, "How can I help?"
Kristian Jaloway is a thought leader, advisor, and speaker. He focuses on helping leadership of nonprofits and institutions find innovative solutions at the intersection of people and performance. Read more about Kristian's work at https://johnoberg.com/meet-our-team/. Sign up for their Catholic Leadership Project Newsletter here.
Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Dan and Justin discuss what it would look like if we dared to have a 100-year dream for work as disciples of Jesus. What if we labored not for results that we would see in a matter of weeks or months, but rather decades, or even centuries? This episode can help every listener dream their own dreams of what the church can look like 100 years from now! Songs referenced:
- The Impossible Dream: https://youtu.be/ZwWFTSYbyjM
- The Road, the Rocks, and the Weeds (story): https://youtu.be/obhPpvJLm40
- The Road, the Rocks, and the Weeds (song): https://youtu.be/JP0txRIoBSY
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
The Catholic Church is in the midst of a National Eucharistic Revival, but how about starting with a personal one? In this episode, we discuss ways to cultivate one and help others do the same. Doing so can have a big impact on not just ourselves, but the church and world around us!
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
Curious about COVID-19's impact on giving in the Catholic Church? Look no further than this episode for data and insights we can learn from for the future, including the importance of mission when it comes to giving! Check out the full report at https://www.acstechnologies.com/covid-19-giving-report/, and learn more about ACS Technologies at https://www.acstechnologies.com/ or https://www.acstechnologies.com/acst-catholic/.
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
In this episode, Andy joins Dan again to go through his practices at Art of Workflow and help Dan (and all of you) understand how to unclog his thinking and develop his own art of workflow rather than getting frustrated with endless to-do lists.
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
In the United States, Canada, and much of Europe, the Church has significant material resources, at least when compared to the early centuries of Christianity. But what if the Church no longer had those same resources? Could we be as effective, could we reach as many, and could we evangelize successfully? Of course! The first followers of Jesus were still successful without the material resources that we enjoy today, and we could be too if necessity demanded. Of course, we aren't advocating for a return to a state of poverty, but we use this question as the starting point for a discussion on how we could order our resources to be more perfectly mission-focused.
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
In many ways, Jesus mentored the apostles. Saint Paul had a mentor, and became one to many. What role can mentors play in our lives, how do we find one, and how can we be one for others? In this episode, we explore the role of mentors in evangelization and discipleship, and how we can help others God calls us to mentor.
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
The Church is inviting us to update our language...why? Because we have always found ways to communicate the unchanging truths of salvation according to our language, time, and culture. We are living in a time of great cultural change and this includes a change in the way people speak and even think. To make sure that we are speaking the truth in a way people can understand and receive it, the Church is calling us to find new ways of sharing that truth so that more and more people might come to follow Jesus as his disciples. Helpful links:
- USCCB guide to the Directory for Catechesis (2020)
- Directory for Catechesis: USCCB, Amazon
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
Andy Hickman, founder of The Art of Workflow, joins us to discuss how we can see every task in life as an expression of our love for God and as an authentic path to holiness. We discuss false models and images of holiness, piety, and reverence, and then dive into what St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle have to say about the modern approach to productivity and getting things done.
You can get a free copy of the article Andy wrote by emailing him at andy@artofworkflow.com. He has also written a story about the theology and art of workflow which people can read for free at https://artofworkflow.com/#leo. Enjoy!
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
What if someone asks you why you follow Jesus? The answer is as easy as A-B-C.
Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
Advent is a great time to step back and think about our relationship with Christ. St. Josemaria Escriva offers us practical advice on how to strengthen our prayer and sacramental life, from his spiritual classic: The Way: Escriva, Josemaria: 9780933932548: Amazon.com: Books
In this episode, Dan sits down with Dave Plisky, Director of Product and Innovation at DeSales Media. DeSales recently partnered with Vinea Research to study Catholic Intentional Disciples in the US to find out why they follow Jesus so closely, what they still need, and how we can help more people join their ranks. The Church needs this type of work so much and we were very grateful to DeSales for the chance to discuss this survey. We hope you enjoy the episode and don't forget to download the survey and put it to good use!
Catholic Intentional Discipleship in the US
National Study of Catholic Priests
In this episode we explore the Biblical roots of Baptism, starting with the Old Testament and journeying through all the scriptures to arrive at a richer, deeper understanding of the sacrament of initiation. Fr. Isaac helps us appreciate the many aspects of this sacrament including purity, worship, death, and life. Whether you seek to understand your own baptism better or to help others understand and embrace the baptismal waters, this podcast and the book we discuss will help!
You can find Fr. Isaac's book here on Amazon.
Check our Fr. Isaac's video series on Baptism and the Bible here at Formed.org.
John Edwards, founder of "Just a Guy in the Pew" ministries, discusses how to grow vibrant, authentic men's ministries to help transform families and communities. More on John, his podcast, and how his team can support you at https://justaguyinthepew.com/. Check out this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/MbZSdI7ksRA
Rachel Harkins Ullmann, Executive Director of the GIVEN Institute, shares how GIVEN is helping women in their 20's discover the gift of who they are for the Catholic Church and the world. More at https://giveninstitute.com
In this episode, Dan explores the importance of learning not to be scandalized by sin so that we can build rapport and authentic friendships with others.
Nick Costello is the President of Home to Enhance African Life, a mission in Nigeria that works to lift young people out of poverty. HEAL accomplishes this goal through education, entrepreneurship, and poverty relief in the Self-Emptying Spirit of Christ (Phil 2:6-11) while forming the children as followers of Jesus. In this interview, Nick and Justin explore how this mission, started by Deacon Leo Okonkwo, is a practical and merciful effort of evangelization.
Link to Newsletter: https://healnigeria.org/newsletter/
Link to Donate: https://healnigeria.org/donate/
In this episode, Dan sits down with Cristofer Pereyra, author of Catholic Leadership for Civil Society and CEO of Tepeyac Leadership. They discuss the book, how lay Catholics are called to be light to the world, and perhaps the easiest way for the most people to imbue the world with a Catholic vision.
Check out the book on Amazon: Catholic Leadership for Civil Society: A Practical Guide on Authentic Lay Leadership, by Cristofer Pereyra and Erin Monnin
Do you need this reminder today? This short episode highlights 5 tangible ways we can know God is with us, especially as we "Go! Make Disciples." For more episodes, and to sign up for our free monthly newsletter, visit beingandmakingdisciples.com.
Happy Easter! This episode was recorded and released during the Octave of Easter in 2022. Dan discusses ways that you can live the joy and reality of the Resurrection. This includes how to view and participate in the Mass, embracing challenging passages in scripture, finding joy in all things, recognizing salvation as a gift, and more!
Father George Nursey joins us to discuss how seminaries are centers for evangelization, forming men to spread the Gospel and help others do the same. Father George Nursey is the Dean of Pastoral Formation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida: www.svdp.edu. Check out all of our episodes, and sign up for our free monthly newsletter, at beingandmakingdisciples.com.
Thank God for the gift of prayer! Sometimes we need to be reminded why it's essential, and this short episode helps. We also invite you to...
- Sign up for our newsletter at beingandmakingdisciples.com
- Check out our YouTube Channel
- Check out our book: Go! Make Disciples
RCIA, or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, is a set of liturgical rites that are celebrated as a way of welcoming someone into the body of Christ. But often we use RCIA as a way to refer to the classes that people attend to learn about the faith. While the liturgical rites must happen in the community, in this episode we explore what it would look like if we welcomed aspiring Catholics by connecting them with a mentor who could personally tailor the process of becoming a disciple to the needs of the individual.
Should you quit your job to work in ministry full-time? Maybe, but before you do, there are some things you should know, like how to discern God's will and why all of us are called to evangelize, even if we don't work in the Church.
Website and newsletter signup
Link to Go! Make Disciples, our go-to guide for creating ministries that bear fruit
We often want BIG ministries, BIG outreaches with LOTS of people! But that's not how God typically works. Listen to this small episode to remind us that God works in the small.
Friends, in this episode we explain why it is so, so, so important to be familiar with the story of Jesus. We look at how the first Christians started with the story of Jesus in their efforts to make disciples and why we should too! Dan references numerous scripture passages and one great website by past podcast guest Marcel LeJeune to help you learn how to boldly, confidently, and fluidly proclaim the story of Jesus to anyone who asks, and you can find those below.
Examples of the Kerygma proclaimed in the book of Acts:
By St. Peter: Acts 2:14-36; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:29-32; 10:34-43
By St. Paul: Acts 13:16-41; 14:15-17; 17:22-31
https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/the-content-of-the-kerygma-good-news-for-the-world
Additional guide:
https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/enlisting-witnesses/kerygmatic-proclamation-of-jesus-christ
When was the last time you let your heart break for Jesus? The song "Hosanna" by Hillsong United aptly states, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours." Sometimes, we still have parts of our heart that are stone, and we need to allow Jesus to change them to flesh. For more on this topic, check out the book "Interior Freedom" by Father Jacques Philippe: https://www.amazon.com/Interior-Freedom-Jacques-Philippe/dp/1594170525
Dan & Justin discuss the book that's been taking the church by storm! "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" helps us understand the current context the church finds herself in. We are no longer living in a time of Christendom, however, there is still much hope and even advantages to living in a time like this. If this episode inspires you to read the book at just 90 pages, you can find it at http://bookstore.umary.edu/MerchDetail?MerchID=1638495&num=0&start=9&end=12&type=1&CategoryName=Books&CatID=29630&Name=Books or on Amazon. And check out our new website! Which includes a signup form for our newsletter and all podcast episodes: https://www.beingandmakingdisciples.com.
Friends, one of the most important things for Christians to do is establish trust with others. When people trust us and have a positive impression of Jesus, the Church, and followers of Jesus, they are more likely to listen, to be open and curious, and to want to talk about religion. Until they trust, even the most powerful stories of God's love may fall on deaf ears, so make sure you establish trust first. Try these 7 ways!
James Baxter, co-founder and CEO of Exodus joins us to discuss the success of this ministry helping men find freedom in Christ and fraternity. Sign up for the next Exodus 90 beginning Monday, January 17 at https://exodus90.com. James attended St. John Vianney Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota and St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana before discerning God was calling him to marriage and secular life. In 2015, James assumed responsibility for scaling Exodus 90 from a seminary formation program into a spiritual exercise to bring the freedom of Jesus Christ to His men. James lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife Colleen, son Joseph and baby girl Genevieve. They attend St. John the Baptist Parish. Video version of episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OVpYpA_qnqE
Keith Nester shares about his journey into the Catholic Church after 20 years of discernment. Keith is a former pastor/youth pastor who served in United Methodist, Assemblies of God, and Evangelical Free churches in various roles. In 2017, he resigned his full-time ministry position and joined the Catholic Church. In October of 2018, Keith felt the call of God to write a book about what life is like for converts in their first year. "The Convert’s Guide to Roman Catholicism: Your First Year in the Church" is a down to earth, realistic look at the transitions, obstacles, joys and challenges converts face in their first year in the Church. As the Executive Director of Down to Earth Ministries, Keith continues to use his preaching gifts to speak to audiences about faith, theology and his journey to Catholicism. Keith also creates content on YouTube and his Podcast “Catholic Feedback”. Visit Keith's website at https://down2earthministry.org. Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3x0pE16XbC4
Justin shares from his own personal journey the lesson learned to "just be yourself" as we aim to follow Our Lord, and help others follow Him. God doesn't want us to be anyone but who we are authentically made and called to be. As St. Catherine of Siena says, "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire," and Blessed Carlo Acutis, "All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.”
Dan catches up with Chika and Mari, two Catholics who work full time for Catholic mission and evangelization organizations (Vagabond Missions and Evangelical Catholic). They discuss what led them to that work, what it's like living like Jesus and doing the same kind of work, and whether Cali or Miami has the best food.
Do you feel a call to do something special for the Lord? You might think that is a call to the priesthood, to religious life, or to make a major change for God like moving to another country to begin mission work. But what if that is just God's ordinary invitation to live an extraordinary life?
Do we take the rosary for granted? Do we really understand the power it has as a treasure trove of graces for evangelization? In this episode we look at what several saints have said about this powerful prayer, and how it can help us be and make disciples.
It's just plain weird to be Catholic. Dan & Justin explain why, and how it's helpful in sharing the Gospel. Embrace the weirdness!
Father Michael Zimmerman joins us to discuss the Scivias video series, which is helping men discern their vocations all across the globe. We also discuss why vocations are essential to the mission of the church. For more on Scivias, visit https://vocationsboston.org/ or their YouTube channel: https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCGjC2Of_y01dtHvkEYnd6zQ
Fr. Michael Zimmerman was ordained to the priesthood in 2017 and currently serves as assistant Vocation Director for the Archdiocese of Boston and adjunct Scripture Professor at St. John’s Seminary. With the heart of a teacher, Fr. Michael was inspired to create a systematic discernment program for young men drawing from the wisdom that he received as part of his own formation. During the pandemic lockdown in May 2020, Fr. Michael scripted 27 episodes which are now part of a video series called Scivias. Filmed in a way that captures many of Fr. Michael’s own interests such as rock climbing, track and field, art, drawing, and of course the city of Boston, Fr. Michael hopes others can identify with his journey and recognize how pursuing God’s plan for their lives will fulfill their greatest desires.
What will life be like for us if the Church becomes small and poor? Before becoming Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger offered some reflections on what the Church might look like in the future if she lost some of the worldly influence that she has gained over the centuries, but if she also became smaller, purer, and more focused on the work of Jesus Christ. The future might not be as bad as some people think, because our hope is not in human achievements, but in Jesus Christ.
Sometimes in ministry, we can feel overwhelmed, scared, or nervous about how to respond to God's call. This story reminds us that all we need to do is take the next step.
Marcel LeJeune, President and Founder of Catholic Missionary Disciples, joins us to discuss the importance of patience in evangelization, and following the model given to us by Jesus. As a Catholic evangelist, international speaker, and award-winning author, Marcel loves to share his greatest passion - helping others come to know the love of Jesus and how to share that love with others.
Marcel served as the Associate Director of Campus Ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Center at Texas A&M University for 11 years, the largest campus ministry in the country. He is the author of four books and a contributor to several others. His most recent book is "The Contagious Catholic: The Art of Practical Evangelization" (Ascension, 2020). His book, "Cleansed: A Catholic Guide to Freedom From Porn" (Pauline, 2016) was a 1st place winner in the Catholic Press Association's book awards.
The most important part of his life, and his vocation, is being a husband and father. Marcel and his wife, Kristy, have five children. More about Marcel at thecatholicevangelist.com. More about Catholic Missionary Disciples at catholicmissionarydisciples.com. Video version of this episode available on YouTube.
Dan & Justin discuss 5 MYTHS Catholics may believe when it comes to evangelization, and what we can do to address them to help more members of the Church spread the Good News! Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/90qp0JD1aPo
FemCatholic is changing the way the Church reaches out to millennial women. Find out why and how in this interview with Danielle Kuboushek, Co-Founder and Head of Events and Operations. Also hear about their recent $100,000 prize as one of 3 finalists of the 2021 OSV Challenge for innovation in the Church! www.femcatholic.com, @femcatholic on Instagram.
Danielle has been involved in event coordination for the last 15 years, including serving as the lead planner for the 2019 FemCatholic Conference, and is passionate about fostering in-person community. While she currently spends most of her time with her 4 young children, she also works as the Faith Formation Coordinator at her parish and is honored to serve on the Diocesan Pastoral Council in the Diocese of Joliet in Illinois. Danielle believes it is her purpose to help others find theirs and loves to find creative ways to lead people to Jesus.
Do we think of Mother Teresa as an evangelist? In this episode we discuss 3 things we can learn from her life that apply to evangelization.
God is asking all of us to do something. Right now. Dan unpacks exactly what that is in this episode.
Renowned author and biblical scholar Dr. Michael Dauphinais shares the wisdom of God's Word and what it means for Catholics, atheists, and agnostics. His new book "Wisdom of the Word", co-authored with Dr. Matthew Levering, is available for 20% off at https://www.wordonfire.org/wisdom. Michael Dauphinais, Ph.D., serves as the Fr. Matthew Lamb Professor of Catholic Theology at Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Florida. He has co-authored with Matthew Levering "Knowing the Love of Christ: An Introduction to the Theology of Thomas Aquinas" and "Holy People, Holy Land: A Theological Introduction to the Bible". His newly co-authored book "Wisdom from the Word: Biblical Answers to Ten Questions about Catholicism" was published by Word on Fire Press in the summer of 2021. His favorite courses are on C.S. Lewis, the Triune God, the Bible, seminars on the great books, and anything on Aquinas. A grateful revert to the Catholic Church, he has been married to his beloved wife Nancy for twenty-seven years and has three adult sons.
St. Don Bosco was an amazing evangelist. This episode discusses 3 things we can learn from his life for our ministry to others.
Do you pray with your team? Are you getting the most out of your time with God to know what to do when it comes to life and ministry? Dan walks through some effective, practical ways to enhance your prayer life individually, and with a team, to help you be a more fruitful disciple. Check out Fr. Gallagher's books at https://www.frtimothygallagher.org. More about the Method for Group Decision-Making at https://www.ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/an-approach-to-good-choices/a-method-of-group-decision-making
Emily Mentock, co-founder of Real + True, joins us to discuss this exciting new FREE tool for evangelization! Real + True brings the catechism to life through engaging videos and a podcast targeting young adults. Find out more about Real + True at https://realtrue.org/. Video version of episode available at https://youtu.be/J84W0MfRruU
Dan & Justin discuss Father Dwight Longenecker's article "10 Reasons Why Catholics Don’t Evangelize" and add some reasons of their own. Read the full article at https://www.ncregister.com/blog/10-reasons-why-catholics-don-t-evangelize. YouTube version of episode available at: https://youtu.be/OYwy--oBFPE
What does St. Joseph have to do with evangelization? We share 5 reasons he matters to every Catholic trying to spread the Gospel. YouTube version available at https://youtu.be/HUFiDHODhIU. More on St. Joseph at https://www.consecrationtostjoseph.org
Curious about the Church in China? Fr. Michael Agliardo, SJ, Executive Director of the US-China Catholic Association (USCCA) and Fr. Peter Li from China join us to discuss the state of the church, what Catholics in China hunger for, and how we can support efforts of evangelization within China. Founded in 1989 as the United States Catholic China Bureau (with the acronym USCCB at the time) through the collaborative efforts of Maryknoll, the Jesuits, other religious orders, and concerned US bishops, the USCCA was launched at a time when China's opening to the outside world set in motion a cavalcade of changes domestically as well as internationally. They worked to keep the American public, the American Catholic Church, and the American Catholic bishops informed of the needs and circumstances of the Church in China. Today the USCCA continues its work of building fraternal ties between the Catholic communities on both sides of the Pacific. More info at their website: https://www.uscatholicchina.org. Check out information on their recent conference in August 2021 in Santa Clara, California at https://www.uscatholicchina.org/conference-2021
In ministry, it's actually pretty easy to see results. No matter what we do, we can always find someone who loves God or has experienced God's love just a little bit more. But is that enough? We don't think so. Listen to this short summer story to find out more.
How can we better understand Mary's role in evangelization? We offer some insights from saints and mystics on how she can help us spread the Gospel.
Does Jesus want us to walk up to strangers and start sharing the Gospel with them? If so, how should we go about it? If not, what should we do instead? We tackle this tricky topic in just 15 minutes and offer some suggestions for where you can find ears open to the Gospel and how Americans could shift our lifestyle to become better evangelists.
When and how did Jesus call you? Journey into Matthew chapter 4 and the calling of Sts. Peter & Andrew to help you reflect upon your own call to follow Jesus and make Him known.
What is the first step in discipleship? Friendship. When we authentically care about another person, they will trust us enough to share our most valuable treasure with them: the story of Jesus Christ.
Have you ever felt like you lived a certain passage of Scripture? Justin shares from Luke chapter 5 and a time Jesus told him to lower the nets again after a time of fruitless ministry. It is through these times of humility that the Lord can truly teach us how to be fishers of men.
When we let people tell their stories we see how the Holy Spirit is already working to inflame their hearts with the love of God. First, we must learn to listen and respect the unique mystery of every person's life story. In listening, the Spirit reveals what to say and when to say it so that we are having the conversation God wants us to have rather than pushing our own agenda.
Take some time to pray through the Parable of the Sower, thinking about how it applies to your life and ministry. Where is the Lord producing a harvest? Where is the crop not yielding? Where should you focus your attention moving forward? Justin leads this guided reflection.
Welcome to our first episode of summer 2021! This is a series of successes and failures in ministry so that you can learn from our mistakes and be more fruitful in your ministry. Justin and Dan will alternate sharing a different story about something they did well or not so well, what they learned from it, and what they think you should do to avoid their folly. In this episode, Dan discusses the challenge of sharing Jesus with someone who didn't inherit a Christian worldview but still took the claims of the Gospel very seriously.
Chris Stefanick, one of best-known evangelists of our time, shares what led him into ministry, a path to renewal in the church (hint: small groups!), and the latest resources he's been working on with his team to help people encounter Jesus. Chris Stefanick is an internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and television host who has devoted his life to inspiring people to live a bold, contagious faith. Recipient of the Papal Benemerenti Medal, Archbishop Charles J. Chaput calls Chris “one of the most engaging defenders of the Christian faith on the scene today.” Chris’s live seminars reach more than 85,000 people per year. His reality TV show, videos, and radio spots reach millions of people, and his educational initiatives are turning the tide in the Church. He authored the Chosen Confirmation program which has already formed more than 600,000 teens. A graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, Chris is also the founder and president of Real Life Catholic, a non-profit which operates as the headquarters for Chris’s various initiatives. Above all, Chris is proud to be the husband to his wife Natalie and father to their six children. Real Life Catholic: https://reallifecatholic.com/. Chris's book "Living Joy" https://reallifecatholic.com/shop/living-joy-hardcover/
Dan & Justin's book "Go! Make Disciples" on ministry implementation: https://www.amazon.com/Go-Make-Disciples-Implement-Ministries/dp/B08NYG3VCS
Being & Making Disciples on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBJXjsoR_JWCmprsIRVImMw?reload=9
Dan & Justin share the best and worst advice they've ever received regarding prayer in this short bonus episode.
Dan & Justin interview Dan Cellucci, CEO of Catholic Leadership Institute (CLI), an apostolate providing leadership training and consulting to more than 250 bishops, 3,500 priests, and over 25,000 deacons, religious and lay leaders in more than 100 dioceses. Hear about what makes CLI's approach unique, the impact it's had on the church, and Dan's personal story of discipleship and following Jesus. More on CLI at https://www.catholicleaders.org.
Prior to his election as CEO, Dan served as Senior Vice President for Catholic Leadership Institute, working as the primary liaison with bishops and overseeing the apostolate’s marketing and services. Dan is a sought-after advisor, consultant, and presenter for the Church, playing a lead role in projects in the Archdioceses of Miami and Boston as well as the Diocese of Pittsburgh and at the North American College.
Dan oversees research associated with Catholic Leadership Institute's Disciple Maker Index, a parish survey tool that seeks to help pastors and pastoral leaders focus their efforts toward evangelization. In just five short years, the Disciple Maker Index has reached over 400 parishes and 100,000 Catholics. Working with this incredible data and more than 25 years of field experience, Dan and the team have recently embarked on an ambitious plan to define what the Next Generation Parish looks like in the next 10 years.
Dan and his wife Tricia are the proud parents of four children and live in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
Talking about evangelization is one thing, but making it a priority requires hard work. Dan & Justin discuss 5 questions that will help you discern if your parish or ministry really has evangelization as the top priority.
Giving and receiving feedback can be tough for any organization, especially in ministry. Hear why it's important, how to deliver it, and most importantly, how to create a culture of feedback so your team can continuously improve.
Dan & Justin discuss how to use social media the right way for evangelization. Avoid common pitfalls, grow your online presence and start feeling more confident by listening to this episode.
Dan & recent guest John ("Big Fruit through Small Groups" episode) square off on the best fast food . Where to go for BBQ? Tacos? How should one really feel about Whataburger? Listen in to this fun, short episode and there's even a connection to ministry of course :)
Ever struggled leading a small group? Or are you looking for a handy resource to help you and others improve at this? Dan & Justin discuss what works and what doesn't when leading small group discussions. The lessons here apply to any small group, anywhere. We begin with three "strikes" -- leadership styles that don't work -- and end with the home run, the perfect way to lead group discussions. A helpful episode for any small group leader!
What do you do when a global pandemic shuts down parish life? Start small groups. At least that's what John did, and he's seen enormous fruits through this model that works anytime, anywhere, and is as ancient as the faith itself. John has worked in parish ministry for the past seven years, focusing on creating a parish culture of conversion and missionary discipleship while drinking copious amounts of coffee. He currently resides in Florida with his wife Tracey and their 16 month old daughter, Maria.
In this bonus episode, Dan & Justin have some fun talking about their favorite, and not-so-favorite, church songs. Some draw us closer to God, while others may leave us wanting more. Once you listen, let us know your favorite and least favorite in a review or comment!
Listen in as Dan & Justin walk through how to start a discipleship ministry from the ground up, using principles from their book "Go! Make Disciples" available on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Go-Make-Disciples-Implement-Ministries/dp/B08NYG3VCS
Fundraising is essential for ministry. Hear why in this episode, and things you can do TODAY to improve your fundraising efforts. Andrew Robison is the Owner and President of Petrus Development. Petrus Development is driven by the simple ideal - ministries with more money can accomplish more. A lifelong Catholic, Andrew sees his work with Petrus Development as a way of living out his own call to holiness, evangelization and service to the Church. Raised in the Houston area, Andrew attended Texas A&M University where he had a profound experience through the ministry at St. Mary's Catholic Center and discerned a call to live his Catholic faith in new ways. As President, he focuses on recruiting excellent talent, building a client base, and developing strategies that will add value to current and future partners. Andrew lives in College Station with his wife, Cheryl, and his three children. When he's not working, Andrew loves training for and competing in triathlons, woodworking and listening to audiobooks and podcasts. More at https://www.petrusdevelopment.com
Few dare to go where other have not before. Edmund is doing just that, starting a YouTube show unlike any other that just surpassed 1,000 subscribers! Hear how it happened, why he left full-time church ministry, and how each of us can be more effective evangelists. Edmund studied Theology and Catechetics at Franciscan University of Steubenville and is host of "The Show" on YouTube and podcast platforms. He often speaks at conferences, retreats, or ministry training sessions. You can reach him at contactedmundmitchell@gmail.com and subscribe to his podcast at https://theshow.fireside.fm/ or https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWrc-FjjFr3bu82xFTJKQOg
How do we evangelize in our own home? Katie shares great advice and resources from her experience as a mom, author, and speaker who has helped many families focus more on Christ and His Church. Katie Warner is a Catholic speaker, homeschooling mom, and the author of several children’s books including Father Ben Gets Ready for Mass and Listening for God. She is also the writer behind a popular prayer journal series including A Parent Who Prays and A Spouse Who Prays. Katie holds a graduate degree in Catholic Theology from the Augustine Institute, writes for the National Catholic Register, manages KatieWarner.com, and helps others home to the Church through Catholics Come Home. Katie lives in Georgia with her husband and fellow book-loving children. Check out her website at http://www.katiewarner.com and her books at http://www.firstfaithtreasury.com
To celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation, check out this episode where Dan & Justin discuss how consecrating their work and lives to the Blessed Virgin Mary made a difference. The book they used can be found at https://www.amazon.com/Days-Morning-Glory-Do-Yourself/dp/1596142448/
In this episode, we're joined by the one and only Brandon Vogt! We discuss the history of evangelization by the Church on the Internet, some do's and don'ts when engaging with others in religious conversations online, and some concepts from our book, for which he wrote the foreword. A must-listen for anyone involved in digital evangelization!
Brandon Vogt is the Senior Content Director at Bishop Robert Barron’s Word on Fire Catholic Ministries (https://www.wordonfire.org). He’s the author of ten books, several of which have been #1 Amazon bestsellers and have earned First Place awards from both the Catholic Press Association and the Association of Catholic Publishers.
Brandon hosts the weekly “Word on Fire Show” podcast with Bishop Barron, as well as “The Burrowshire Podcast” with Fr. Blake Britton. He also runs several websites, including StrangeNotions.com and ChurchFathers.org.
Brandon’s work has been featured by NPR, FoxNews, CBS, EWTN, Vatican Radio, Our Sunday Visitor, National Review, and Christianity Today. He is on the board of the Society of G.K. Chesterton and serves as President of the Central Florida Chesterton Society.
Brandon lives with his wife and seven children on Burrowshire, a small farm outside Orlando, Florida, with chickens, goats, pigs, rabbits, ducks, and a garden.
Book referenced in interview on "essentialism": https://www.amazon.com/Essentialism-Disciplined-Pursuit-Greg-McKeown/dp/0804137382
A lively conversation with Catholic evangelist Michael Gormley, a.k.a. "Gomer!" We talk about everything from airplane evangelization to parish missions to bad coffee. Join us for some fun, laughter, and challenging words for any Catholic trying to spread the Gospel. Michael has been leading evangelization and ministry efforts for the past 10 years, both as a full-time parish staff member and as a speaker and consultant for parishes, dioceses, and Catholic campus ministries. He has his Undergraduate Degrees in both Philosophy and Theology, and a Masters in Arts in Theology and Christian Ministry, from Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. He currently serves as the Coordinator of Evangelization at St Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in The Woodlands. Michael is also the founder and creative director of LayEvangelist.com, and the producer and cohost of a Catholic young adult podcast Catching Foxes, which discusses the collision of Faith and Culture. He is married to his college sweetheart, Shannon, and they have about 1,000 children and get about 3 hours of sleep a night, which is alright by him.
Ever asked yourself where all the young people are? Dan & Justin sit down with Pete Burak to discuss the blessings and challenges of reaching out to young adults. Pete is the director of id, the young adult outreach of Renewal Ministries. He is a 2010 graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville, and has a Master’s Degree in Theology from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, Michigan. Pete is a frequent speaker on discipleship and evangelization, and he is the co-director of Pine Hills Boys Camp. He is the co-founder of the Millennial Church Conference, a monthly columnist for Faith Magazine, the host of a weekly podcast called The Hour, and a member of the USCCB Young Adult Advisory Committee. Pete and his wife Cait have four children. id's website: https://www.id916.com/
Marriages have the power to change the world. Ryan and his wife Mary-Rose co-founded an internationally-successful Marriage Prep Renewal Ministry called "Witness to Love" that has taken the church by storm, growing across the country and overseas. Hear about it in this interview, and visit their website to learn more and see how you can help bring it to your area: https://www.witnesstolove.org
A fascinating conversation with Catholic author & illustrator Fabiola Garza. Hear about how God can use art to reach people, how He used art to reach her, and what it was like creating a successful children's book on the life of Saint John Paul II. Fabiola is a Character Artist at Disney Creative group in Orlando, FL. During her career she has had the pleasure of working on The Little Golden Book for Pixar’s Coco and designing the beloved turtle, Olu Mei for Disney’s Aulani Resort. She is the author and illustrator of the award-winning children’s book, A Boy Who Became Pope: The Story of Saint John Paul II. During her free time she enjoys ballroom dancing, reading and working on new art projects.
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Saint-John-Paul-II/dp/0819890138
Instagram: @catholiccolors @ofmirthandwonder
Website: http://www.fabiolagarza.com
Deacon Keith Strohm is the former Director of the Office for the New Evangelization and a deacon for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Deacon Keith has extensive experience in creating and sustaining processes and programs of evangelization and formation at the group, parish and diocesan level that focus on the making, maturation and missioning of disciples of Jesus Christ. . A sought-after international speaker and conference keynote, he has helped tens of thousands of men and women hear the Gospel message and encounter the mercy, love and power of Jesus Christ. Deacon Keith is also the Executive Director of M3 Ministries (www.m3catholic.com) and a contributing author, along with six other collaborators, with Sherry Weddell for the book Becoming a Parish of Intentional Disciples--a follow-up to the bestselling book, Forming Intentional Disciples.
Deacon Keith has published five other books—Jesus: The Story You Thought You Knew, a proclamation of the Good News, The 10 Biggest Lies of the Enemy and How to Combat Them, Ablaze: 5 Essential Paradigm Shifts for Parish Renewal, Getting More out of Lent and the upcoming Getting More Out of Your Child’s First Communion.
In 2019, he created and launched the Missionary Leadership Academy, which provides online community, support, training, and formation to equip ordinary Catholics to transform their ministry, parish, and diocese.
You can follow him on Twitter (@KeithStrohm) and Instagram (@dcn_keith).
Deacon Keith Strohm serves in the Archdiocese of Chicago and is the Executive Director of M3 Ministries, which provides proven, practical formation, coaching, and events for Catholics and leaders at all levels designed to help build parishes that make, mature, and mission (send out) disciples of Jesus Christ. A well-known speaker, he has also written several books, including: Ablaze: "5 Essential Paradigm Shifts for Parish Renewal", "The Ten Biggest Lies of the Enemy and How to Combat Them", and "Jesus: The Story You Thought You Knew." Follow him on Twitter @KeithStrohm, check out M3 Ministries at http://www.m3catholic.com/, and find his books on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Deacon-Keith-Strohm/e/B07FYFKZBQ?ref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share
Hear how Amanda has led people and organizations towards Christ over the years. Amanda believes there is no time more valuable than time spent strengthening relationships with Jesus Christ. She has worked in a variety of ministry settings including Campus Ministry, Young Adult Ministry, Marriage Preparation, and Missions. She studied psychology at Samford University and proceeded to earn her Master's Degree in Pastoral Studies from Loyola University, New Orleans. As a wife and mother, she also sees the importance of a strong domestic church on a daily basis.
Hear from the Bulmans about a young adult ministry they launched out of their home, and how you can launch a ministry out of your own home too! Jason is a candidate for the diaconate and Rachel is a Catholic writer who has written for Word on Fire and Our Sunday Visitor. Follow Rachel on:
- Instagram: @rachelbulman
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rachelbulman/
- Twitter: @rachelbulman
Dan & Justin are joined by Catholic speaker and author Matt Regitz, who serves as a leadership coach to parishes and dioceses through Divine Renovation. Matt shares his journey into evangelization, and how he and his wife have served in a variety of ways together, including writing a children's book and helping parents who have experienced loss. Check out their book here: Becket Wants to Be a Priest - Stephanie E Regit, Matthew C Regitz, Paul Latino : PaulistPress
How do you know when to give up on a ministry? Or when to keep pushing forward to help it be successful? In this episode, Dan & Justin discuss an original framework from their book that helps with these questions - The Ministry Life Cycle.
Ever been a part of a team that didn't have a sense of direction, or function as well as it could have? It likely didn't have a team charter. In this episode, Dan & Justin walk through how to create a simple team charter, that will help your team stay focused and build a strong culture.
Ever struggle coming up with a plan for your ministry? Dan & Justin walk through the essential pieces for a successful ministry plan. Just 5 easy steps to make sure your ministry is headed in the right direction! Works for any ministry, to any people, anywhere.
Starting a new ministry can be tough, but the 5 Ws are here to help! Dan & Justin walk through this tool to use when getting a new ministry off the ground, or when you want to make sure an active one is on track!
Oftentimes in ministry we can get STUCK by over-analyzing and over-thinking what we want to accomplish and how to go about doing it. This episode is all about embracing the answer to that process: The Iterative Model. By planning, implementing, then learning - and repeating this cycle - we can start small and grow ministries that are effective and sustainable.
Writing a book was quite an adventure! In this episode, Dan & Justin walk you through every step of the process - from meeting each other for the first time, to the writing process to figuring out how to self-publish. A great listen for anyone interested in writing themselves, or those curious about Dan & Justin's book "Go! Make Disciples" available on Amazon Dec 8, 2020; a book about how to implement ministries that get results, with implementation frameworks, best practices, and things you can DO for your ministry as you read!
If there is a single best practice for the Church to borrow from business, it's customer experience. From the colors on a sign to what you smell when you walk in the door, companies do everything they can to build the type of experience that will keep you coming back. We can do this too, and we call it a Flock Experience (FX) mentality. Join us as we discuss how to lock in on your target flock, and build the right experiences that will make them a member for life.
How do you grow a ministry? How do you develop deep relationships within a ministry? In this episode, Dan & Justin discuss a framework they call the "Discipleship Funnel," a helpful lens to use when thinking about outreaches and going from a wide net, to deep relationships.
Ok, so you know you want to share the Gospel, but where do you get started? We list the top four books that new missionary disciples should grab to learn the basics of evangelization, accompaniment, and discipleship. These include classics from the wider Christian world, as well as two future classics from the Catholic new evangelization movement.
Ministry is the grand adventure we are all called to as Catholics. In this episode, Dan & Justin share some of their favorite stories from ministry where they laughed, cried and all of the above. Listen in for a great reminder of what an adventure it is to serve Our Lord!
Building a strong culture will help you win. A strong culture will bond your team close, make for an enjoyable environment, and keep you focused on what really matters: making disciples for the Lord! Dan and Justin discuss the components that make up culture and share how to start building the culture you want to work in. The great news is that Catholics already use and understand so many of these things that it will be natural for you. Things like symbols, stories of our heroes, the saints, and rituals work together to help your team work together, better!
One area where ministries often fall short is having adequate and effective marketing. In this episode, Dan & Justin discuss some basic marketing principles that are helpful for ministry, such as:
1. The 4 Ps of Marketing
2. Understanding your target audience
3. Positioning
"Ok, ok, I know I need to share the message of Jesus, but how?" We've got you covered! The USCCB published five strategies for developing a missionary culture: take advantage of the appeal of justice, embrace our missionary identity, lead with beauty, rediscover the rich intellectual tradition of the Church, and take advantage of the new media! Personally or corporately, these strategies will foster lively conversations which in turn will lead to authentic friendships. That is where discipleship and conversion will happen.
Google recently released the findings of a study on the qualities of effective teams. In this episode, we discuss these qualities and how they relate to teams for ministry, as well as how Our Lord Himself modeled these qualities in forming teams.
If you are a baptized Catholic, your vocation is to evangelize! While the Lord gives us different charisms and states in life, we all share in the mission of spreading the Gospel. The last words of Jesus were, "Go, make disciples..." and we think He meant it. In our very first episode, we cover the topic that motivated us to begin a podcast in the first place: evangelization. If you are unsure if you should be intentionally sharing the faith with others, this podcast is for you!