Catholic Ministry Professionals

In this episode, Jon and Thai break open the real reason parish engagement feels flat or unpredictable: bottlenecks. Not spiritual weakness. Not apathy. Bottlenecks. From confusing workflows to unclear ownership to scattered communication, most parishes are trying to grow while dragging dead weight behind them. We walk through the most common bottlenecks, why they matter, and how they quietly bloc...

AI isn’t a threat to ministry—it’s a tool that helps you reclaim time for mission. In this episode, Jon and Thai talk about how parish leaders can start small, build confidence with AI tools, and make the shift from busyness to intentional leadership. ————— TAKEAWAYS You don’t need to be techy to use AI effectively. Start with a Time Audit Worksheet to see where your time goes. Automate or delegat...

In this conversation, Mike Ferrell discusses the concept of profound hospitality, emphasizing the importance of approaching everyone as if Christ were present. He outlines five key points that define this approach, focusing on the need for surprise, delight, and attention to detail in creating a welcoming environment. —------- Takeaways Profound hospitality means treating everyone as Christ. Surpr...

Thai and Jon discuss effective strategies for transforming visitors into disciples within Catholic parishes. They emphasize the importance of intentional engagement, creating follow-up systems, and personalizing communication to foster a welcoming environment. The conversation highlights actionable steps that parishes can take to enhance visitor experiences and build lasting connections. ————— Tak...

In this episode Jon Konz and Heidi Indahl discuss the transformative approach of Designed for Discipleship, which integrates quality education with authentic faith formation. They explore the gaps in traditional catechesis, the importance of a discipleship-driven mindset, and the four key principles that guide effective faith education. Through real-life examples, they highlight the breakthroughs...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Jon interviews Kevin Losleben about challenges and opportunities in rural Catholic youth ministry. They discuss the importance of equipping leaders, creating sustainable programs, and fostering authentic relationships with youth. Kevin shares practical steps for starting youth groups, overcoming common objections, and the impact of on...

If you feel like you’re carrying the mission alone, this episode will help you shift from doing the work to building systems and teams that multiply evangelization. You’ll learn practical ways to form others, build simple rhythms, and create sustainable ministry that grows beyond your own time and energy. ————— TAKEAWAYS You can’t sustain ministry alone—systems and people multiply impact. Start wi...

Most parish meetings often feel like they go in circles—lots of talking, little action, and even less fruit. In this episode, Jon and Thai unpack why so many meetings feel pointless and how to fix them by anchoring every conversation in mission, goals, and accountability. You’ll learn how to move your meetings from maintenance to momentum, where clarity replaces confusion, and every conversation m...

Your parish festival doesn’t have to be just a fundraiser or a social gathering. With the right perspective, it can become your biggest outreach event of the year . In this episode, Jon walks through how pastors and parish leaders can reframe success, equip volunteers with 3 simple questions, and lead their parish into mission during the festival. ————— Takeaways Parish festivals are often limited...

It can be tempting to see problems as interruptions — something to push through or avoid. But what if problems are actually the places where God wants to show His power? In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast , Thai and Jon unpack how solving problems creates joy, how to break problems into practical steps, and how inviting others into the process accelerates transformation...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Jon speaks with Zach Rawson, the Director of Youth Ministry and Faith Formation for the Diocese of Winona, MN. They discuss the challenges and opportunities facing rural parishes as they transition to new leadership structures and groupings. Zach shares insights on innovative approaches to faith formation, the importance of empowering...

Parish ministry doesn’t need to feel heavy. In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast , we talk about how to move from frustration to fun by rediscovering joy in your parish work. You’ll learn how reconnecting with your “why,” solving problems with creativity, and keeping score where it counts can reignite the fruit of the Spirit in your ministry. Visit CatholicMinistryProfess...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Jon Konz discusses how to overcome stagnation in ministry. He emphasizes the importance of identifying specific stuck points, engaging in discernment through prayer and community feedback, and taking actionable steps to create sustainable progress. The conversation highlights the need for clarity, intentionality, and small, measurable...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, hosts Thai and Jon engage with Nicole Morse, the new Director of Lifelong Faith Formation at Divine Mercy Parish. Nicole shares her experiences from a recent workshop that provided her with tools for effective ministry, emphasizing the importance of organization, communication, and building relationships within a merged parish setting...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Jon delves into the importance of taking action. Often, the biggest obstacle to fulfilling our mission isn't a lack of resources or timing, but our own hesitation.  ————— TAKEAWAYS Many Catholic Ministry Professionals delay action not because they lack clarity, but because they fear the consequences of acting. Naming the desire God ha...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Thai and Jon discuss the concept of sustainable renewal for parish growth. They emphasize the importance of creating a rhythm of renewal that avoids burnout while fostering long-term growth. The conversation covers defining renewal, the significance of prayer and discernment, and practical steps such as team workshops, weekly meetings...

 In this episode, we dive into how parishes can align their resources—time, people, and budget—with their mission to drive growth. We address the common issue of misaligned resources that lead to overwhelmed staff, scattered efforts, and missed opportunities. Learn how to simplify your approach, prioritize your most impactful initiatives, and start with one clear goal to achieve sustainable growth...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, hosts Thai Hua and Jon Konz discuss strategies for parish growth, emphasizing the importance of intentionality, clear vision, and tracking progress through metrics. They address common challenges faced by parishes, such as competition from non-denominational churches and the need for a mission-driven approach to engage the community e...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, hosts Jon Konz and Thai Hua discuss the importance of leadership development and strategic coaching for Catholic parishes. They emphasize the need for clear vision and direction in ministry, the significance of identifying key problems, and the value of building tailored support plans. The conversation highlights the importance of sus...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, hosts Thai Hua and Jon Konz discuss the importance of professional development for Catholic ministry professionals through reading. They share their top 10 recommended books that can enhance leadership skills, personal growth, and organizational effectiveness within the church. The conversation emphasizes the need for intentionality i...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Jon discusses strategies for fostering long-term volunteer commitment within the Catholic Church. He emphasizes the importance of creating a culture that values volunteers, leads with vision, evolves programs, and shows appreciation. The conversation also highlights the need for clear communication of impact to retain volunteers and k...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professional Podcast, Jon discusses the importance of transforming the culture of volunteerism within parishes. He emphasizes the need to raise expectations for volunteers, moving beyond mere participation to empowerment and discipleship. The conversation covers practical steps for training volunteers, including modeling prayer, connecting them to the churc...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Jon Konz discusses effective strategies for building a volunteer recruitment plan that aligns with the mission of the parish. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ministry needs and matching them with the gifts of parishioners. The conversation covers innovative approaches to engage volunteers, streamline management processes...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, hosts Thai and Jon discuss the importance of setting professional boundaries within Catholic ministry. They explore how to balance work and life, improve clarity and communication, and create space for missional work. The conversation emphasizes the need for community, the challenges of work-life balance, and the significance of defin...

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, hosts Thai and Jon explore how parishioners can create their own pathways of discipleship within the Catholic Church. They discuss the importance of understanding what it means to be a disciple, emphasizing the need for prayer, study, and community. The conversation highlights actionable steps for integrating faith into daily life and...