The Rebuilt Parish Podcast

Generosity in a parish starts with a simple but sometimes uncomfortable step: you have to ask.
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with David Gaines, a Catholic business leader, parishioner, and generous giver, for a candid conversation about generosity, stewardship, and what pastors and parish leaders should know about inviting people to give.
David shares how his own faith shaped his approach to generosity and why he believes some people in your parish may simply be waiting to be asked. Together, they explore how pastors can make the ask with confidence, connect giving to a clear vision, build relationships with potential donors, and help people see the impact their generosity is making.
This conversation offers an important reminder: inviting someone to generosity is not simply about raising money. It can be an invitation to grow deeper in discipleship and recognize everything we have as a gift from God.
📖 FREE RESOURCES FOR OUR NEW BOOKExplore resources for Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life by Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran, including the first chapter, reflection questions, parish resources, and more:https://download.rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman
🙌 JOIN US AT THE REBUILT CONFERENCEGo Forward with hundreds of Catholic pastors, parish staff, and ministry leaders at the Rebuilt Conference, May 3–4, 2027, at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, Maryland. Discover actionable ideas, connect with other parish leaders, and explore topics that can help your parish grow stronger in mission. https://rebuiltconference.com
IN THIS EPISODE:
00:00 – Meet David Gaines01:18 – David’s background, family, and career03:24 – How David met his wife in an airport06:03 – David’s faith story10:14 – Becoming Catholic and finding Church of the Nativity13:45 – How generosity became part of David’s faith18:45 – The moment that changed his perspective23:18 – Why pastors need to talk about giving25:11 – “You have to ask”28:21 – How giving can become part of discerning God’s will30:04 – How David decides what organizations to support32:14 – What parish leaders should know about approaching donors34:21 – Connecting generosity to vision and growth35:17 – The joy of seeing the impact of your giving37:56 – Why donors should see the fruit of their generosity41:08 – Advice for pastors who are hesitant to ask43:06 – Tom’s biggest takeaway43:52 – How generosity can loosen money’s hold on our lives46:27 – Psalm 127 and trusting God with the mission
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Do not assume people know your parish needs support. Sometimes you simply need to ask.• Help people understand the vision behind the ask and what their generosity will make possible.• Build relationships with the people in your parish and recognize the experience, gifts, and resources they can bring to the mission.• Follow up with donors so they can see the people, ministries, and lives their generosity is impacting.• Calling people to generosity can be part of helping them grow as disciples.• Remember that the mission ultimately belongs to God. As Psalm 127 reminds us, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”
ABOUT REBUILT PARISH
Rebuilt Parish comes alongside Catholic pastors and parish leaders to help them build thriving parish communities focused on making disciples. Through coaching, resources, workshops, and the Rebuilt Conference, we help parishes move forward with greater clarity, stronger leadership, and a renewed focus on mission.
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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 
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Small groups can help a large parish feel small, giving people a place to be known, grow in faith, and support one another. But how do you actually get them started, find leaders, and build momentum?
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson talks with Tammy Jacobs and Deborah West from Epiphany of the Lord Catholic Church in Oklahoma City about their experience launching parish small groups.
Tammy and Deborah share how Epiphany moved from traditional adult faith formation studies toward a more intentional small group model centered on relationships, shared material, and pastoral care. After beginning with a parish-wide Advent study, they took a bigger step during Lent, eventually launching 24 small groups across the parish.
They also share the challenges behind that success, including the fear of asking people to lead, receiving a few “no’s,” and working within a short timeline. Their experience is an encouraging reminder that a successful small group ministry does not require everything to go perfectly. Sometimes the most important step is simply identifying the people God has already placed in your parish and personally inviting them to lead.
You’ll also hear how Epiphany created excitement around their Lenten small group launch through consistent communication, parish-wide messaging, shared resources, and creative invitations. Their launch even inspired teenagers to form a small group of their own.
Today, 13 of those original Lenten groups continue to meet, and the parish is expanding the small group model into middle school, high school, young adult, and other areas of parish life.
Want to bring small groups to your parish? Rebuilt Parish has resources to help you prepare a parish-wide small group experience, including message series materials, discussion resources, a Spiritual Campaign Guide, and a free first chapter of Jesus, the Rich Young Man and the Meaning of Life.
Visit rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman to explore the resources mentioned in this episode.
Want to dive deeper into small groups and other practical strategies for parish renewal? Join us May 3–4, 2027, at the Rebuilt Conference at Church of the Nativity in Timonium, MD, where parish leaders will learn from other parishes, connect with peers, and leave with practical ideas they can bring home to their teams.
Register now at rebuiltconference.com.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why small groups can extend pastoral care throughout a Catholic parish• How to move from adult Bible studies toward a true small group culture• Why Lent can be an ideal time to launch parish small groups• How shared content can make leadership easier for small group facilitators• Practical ways to identify and personally invite small group leaders• How Epiphany launched 24 groups despite early uncertainty and setbacks• Why consistent promotion across the parish helped drive participation• How small groups are strengthening relationships among adults and teens• Why small groups should become a pathway to discipleship, not simply another parish program
Timestamps
00:00 Meet Tammy Jacobs and Deborah West03:07 Why Epiphany Began Focusing on Small Groups04:40 Moving Beyond Traditional Adult Studies05:40 Small Groups as an Extension of Pastoral Care07:52 Building Faithful Friendships09:08 Using Shared Small Group Resources09:48 Why They Chose Lent for Their Launch11:29 Finding Small Group Leaders13:46 Overcoming the Fear of Asking16:58 Launching 24 Small Groups17:40 Creating a Parish-Wide Small Group Launch19:34 When Teenagers Asked to Start Their Own Group22:21 The Fruit of Small Groups at Epiphany27:03 Where Parish Leaders Should Start31:07 Making Small Groups an Ongoing Pathway to Discipleship34:25 Encouragement for Parish Leaders35:08 Free Small Group Resources
Catholic small groups, parish small groups, Catholic parish renewal, Catholic discipleship, small group ministry, Catholic faith formation, parish ministry, launching small groups, Lenten small groups, Catholic Bible study, parish leadership, Catholic parish leadership, small group leaders, discipleship pathway, Catholic evangelization, Rebuilt Parish, Church of the Epiphany Oklahoma City, parish small group ministry, Catholic Church growth
 
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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 
 
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Matt Pinto, founder of Ascension Press, joins Tom Corcoran and Melissa Wilkinson to share what he has learned from more than three decades of building Catholic ministries that reach people. From his own conversion story to the growth of Ascension, Matt explains why belief, vision, beauty, authenticity, and intentionality all matter when trying to lead people closer to Christ.
For pastors and parish leaders, this episode offers practical lessons for moving beyond maintenance and building for growth. Matt shares why leaders need humility, patience, courage, and a willingness to invest in what is working. He also explains why lasting parish renewal takes time, strong infrastructure, and the discipline to keep moving forward even when change feels slow.
KEEP GOING
Ready to Go Forward?
Registration for the Rebuilt Conference 2027 is coming together, and we would love to welcome you and your parish team to Church of the Nativity for two days of practical ideas, encouragement, prayer, and conversations designed to help your parish move forward.
Learn more and register at rebuiltparish.com/conference
Explore Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life
Looking for a practical resource to help people in your parish grow deeper in discipleship? Get the first chapter free from Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran’s newest book, Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life.
You’ll also find free parish resources designed to help you use the book with small groups, message series, and parish-wide formation. Visit rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman
IN THIS EPISODE
Matt Pinto’s conversion and path into Catholic ministry
What Catholic leaders can learn from an entrepreneurial mindset
Why belief must come before vision and execution
The importance of humility when pastors face challenges they were never trained to solve
Why beauty, authenticity, and excellent presentation matter in evangelization
How Ascension recognized the opportunity in small groups
Knowing when to stop doing something and double down on what is working
Why infrastructure and sustainable resources matter for ministry
Thinking long-term while celebrating smaller victories along the way
Matt’s advice for pastors who feel overwhelmed by everything that needs to change
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Meet Matt Pinto01:05 Matt’s Faith Story03:56 Rediscovering the Catholic Faith06:46 Bringing an Entrepreneurial Mindset to the Church11:43 What Pastors Can Learn from Entrepreneurs12:03 Belief, Vision, and Execution16:15 Building Ascension16:54 Reaching People Differently21:47 Why Beauty Matters25:35 Investing in What Makes the Greatest Impact27:00 Why Ascension Pivoted to Small Groups29:16 Ministry, Money, and Free Resources31:00 Building the Infrastructure for Growth32:58 Think Big, Move Prudently34:35 Long-Term Growth and Short-Term Victories35:55 Standing on the Shoulders of Others39:04 “Slowly, Then Suddenly”39:42 Where Should an Overwhelmed Pastor Begin?42:07 Working On the Parish, Not Just In It44:44 Final Thoughts
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“I love the Rebuilt Podcast! It’s helping my parish make strides in parish renewal!” If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing our show! This helps us support more people just like you, take steps towards parish renewal and making disciples. Be sure to give us 5 stars, write a review and share what you loved most about the episode! 
 
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Catholic parish leadership, Matt Pinto, Ascension Press, Ascension Presents, Catholic leadership, parish renewal, Catholic evangelization, parish growth, Church leadership, pastors, Catholic ministry, parish strategy, making disciples, small groups, Church of the Nativity, Rebuilt Parish, Fr. Mike Schmitz, Jeff Cavins, Bible in a Year, Catholic entrepreneurship

Talking about money can feel uncomfortable for pastors and parish leaders. But what if the goal isn’t simply to raise more money, but to help people grow in generosity?
In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Melissa Wilkinson and Tom Corcoran sit down with philanthropy expert and Church of the Nativity parishioner Michelle Glennon to explore a more relational approach to giving.
Drawing on more than 25 years of experience in philanthropy, Michelle encourages parish leaders to move away from transactional fundraising and instead begin with curiosity, relationships, vision, and impact. She shares practical ways pastors can become more comfortable talking about generosity, build relationships with people who have significant giving capacity, and invite parishioners to use not only their income, but also their assets and wealth to support the mission of the Church.
Michelle also explains why storytelling is such an important part of inspiring generosity, how transparency builds trust with givers, and why philanthropy should never be the responsibility of just one person.
For parish leaders who know generosity needs to grow but aren’t sure where to begin, this conversation offers a practical and encouraging place to start.
In This Episode
Why philanthropy should be relational rather than transactional
How curiosity can change conversations with prospective givers
Why pastors should feel confident talking about money and generosity
How to approach parishioners with significant wealth without intimidation
Using stories and testimonies to demonstrate the impact of the parish
Building trust through financial transparency and donor communication
Helping people think beyond giving from income to giving from wealth
Appreciated securities, donor-advised funds, retirement assets, and legacy giving
Why raising givers is a team effort
How parish staff and leaders can recognize natural opportunities to invite greater generosity
Where pastors can begin if they want to strengthen a culture of giving
Looking Ahead: Rebuilt Conference 2027
The Rebuilt Conference returns to Church of the Nativity May 3–4, 2027, with the theme Go Forward, inspired by Exodus 14.
This is a conference for parishes, by parishes, created to give pastors and parish leaders practical tools, encouragement, and the opportunity to learn alongside others who understand the realities of parish ministry. Get on the insiders list for our best pricing: rebuiltparish.com/conference 
Come early on Sunday, May 2, to experience Mass at Nativity, tour the building, and see ministries in action before the conference begins.
Free Book Resources
Explore Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life with a free first chapter and practical resources designed to help your whole parish reflect, discuss, and grow together. rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman 
Timestamps
00:02 Meet Michelle Glennon01:54 Michelle’s Faith and Professional Background06:25 From Law to Philanthropy07:44 Fundraising vs. Philanthropy09:52 Putting the Giver First12:24 Helping Pastors Talk About Money19:11 Engaging People with Significant Wealth23:09 Storytelling and the Impact of Generosity28:59 Building Trust Through Transparency33:18 Giving from Income vs. Giving from Wealth34:25 Helping Parishioners Give Through Their Assets39:19 Building a Long-Term Culture of Generosity42:57 Making Philanthropy a Team Effort46:00 Inviting Parishioners to Help Raise Givers48:50 Where Should a Parish Begin?
Resources Mentioned
Church Money: Rebuilding the Way We Fund Our MissionLearn from the principles Church of the Nativity has used to grow generosity and support its mission.
Giving USAMichelle references Giving USA research on charitable giving in the United States and the significant amount Americans continue to give each year.
Russell James IIIMichelle recommends the work of Russell James III and his research on charitable giving and biblical generosity.
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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/    
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What if the challenge that feels too big for you is actually the very place where God wants to show you His strength?
In this special Rebuilt Conference replay, Tom Corcoran closes the 2025 Rebuilt Conference with a powerful message for pastors and parish leaders carrying real challenges back home: spiritual apathy, financial pressure, conflict, fear, overwhelm, self-doubt, and more.
Walking through Psalm 18, Tom invites leaders to reframe those challenges as battles that God can use to strengthen and prepare them. David faced enemies that were simply too mighty for him, and Tom reminds us that there is no shame in admitting the same. Parish renewal was never meant to happen through our strength alone. We need the grace of God, and often that grace comes through the wisdom, gifts, and support of the people He has placed around us.
At the heart of Tom’s message is one extraordinary line: “He delivered me because he delighted in me.” Before we are parish leaders, pastors, staff members, or volunteers, we are beloved sons and daughters. We do not serve God simply from obligation. We serve from the confidence that He delights in us, and we want the people inside and outside our churches to discover that same truth.
Tom also reminds us that God “trains my hands for war.” The battles themselves can become part of our training. We learn by stepping into them, persevering when an idea does not work the first time, inviting others into leadership, and trusting that God can turn the challenges that once had us on the run into opportunities for victory.
And great triumphs often begin with little ones. One conversation. One invitation. One email. One decision to act differently when you return to your parish.
Tom closes with a vision we hope every parish leader will hold onto: Nativity may be a miracle, but God does not have only one miracle in His pocket. He is a God of abundance. What might it look like for people to look at your parish and see unmistakable evidence that God is alive and at work?
It is a fitting message as we look ahead to the 2027 Rebuilt Conference: Go Forward, May 3–4 at Church of the Nativity. The next step may feel bigger than you. That may be exactly why God is inviting you to take it with Him.
Looking Ahead: Rebuilt Conference 2027
The Rebuilt Conference returns to Church of the Nativity May 3–4, 2027, with the theme Go Forward, inspired by Exodus 14.
This is a conference for parishes, by parishes, created to give pastors and parish leaders practical tools, encouragement, and the opportunity to learn alongside others who understand the realities of parish ministry. Get on the insiders list for our best pricing: rebuiltparish.com/conference 
Come early on Sunday, May 2, to experience Mass at Nativity, tour the building, and see ministries in action before the conference begins.
Free Book Resources
Explore Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life with a free first chapter and practical resources designed to help your whole parish reflect, discuss, and grow together. rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman 
Key Talking Points
Reframing parish problems as battles to be faced with God
Why God is bigger than empty pews, financial pressure, fear, and overwhelm
Admitting when an enemy is “too mighty for me”
Depending on God’s grace instead of our own strength
“He delivered me because he delighted in me”
Serving from our identity as beloved sons and daughters
How God trains parish leaders through the battles they face
Why pastors need to invite the gifts of lay leaders into the work
Turning large goals into small, immediate triumphs
Moving from a scarcity mentality to belief in God’s abundance
Praying that your parish becomes a visible work of God
Timestamps
00:05 — What If the Challenge Is Where God Shows His Strength?03:00 — The Challenges Parish Leaders Carry04:50 — “I Love You, O Lord, My Strength”06:50 — God Is Bigger Than Your Problems08:39 — Calling Out to God When You Feel Overwhelmed11:02 — Looking for God’s Hand in Your Work13:01 — When the Enemy Is Too Mighty for You15:12 — God Wants to Bring You Into a Broad Place16:46 — “He Delivered Me Because He Delighted in Me”18:56 — Serving as Beloved Sons and Daughters20:35 — Receiving God’s Strength22:31 — “He Trains My Hands for War”24:54 — The Church Needs the Gifts of Lay Leaders26:43 — Turning the Battle Around28:43 — Great Triumphs God Gives30:33 — Great Triumphs Begin With Little Triumphs31:58 — Is Your Parish a Miracle?32:38 — God Has More Than One Miracle34:44 — A Prayer for the Battles Ahead
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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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Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Tom Corcoran, Rebuilt Conference, Rebuilt Conference 2027, Go Forward, Church of the Nativity, Psalm 18, Catholic parish leadership, parish renewal, Catholic leadership, parish challenges, spiritual leadership, Catholic pastors, lay leadership, parish ministry, Catholic evangelization, parish growth, discipleship, God delights in you, trains my hands for war, Catholic Church leadership, parish transformation

What happens when parish leaders stop letting the headwinds define what is possible?
In this special conference replay, Fr. Michael White opens the 2025 Rebuilt Conference with a powerful message for pastors, parish staff, and volunteer leaders who know firsthand how challenging parish ministry can be.
Reflecting on Matthew 14 and Peter walking on water, Fr. Michael names the very real headwinds facing parishes today: discouragement, changing attendance patterns, difficult parish cultures, limited resources, fear, criticism, and the exhaustion that can come with trying to lead change. But he also offers an important reminder: sometimes resistance does not mean you are headed in the wrong direction. The disciples encountered the storm precisely because they were going where Jesus had sent them.
Fr. Michael challenges leaders to take courage, keep their eyes fixed on Christ, and make room to imagine what God might want to do next. Parish renewal requires wisdom and prayer, but it also requires a willingness to take risks, try new things, learn when they do not work, and get out of the boat.
And on the other side of that courage can be life change.
As we look ahead to the 2027 Rebuilt Conference: Go Forward, May 3–4 at Church of the Nativity, this message is a timely reminder that the winds may be strong, but the Lord is stronger. The question is not simply what challenges are facing your parish. It is: Can you imagine what God wants to do on the other side of them? 
When you get on our insiders lists here - https://rebuiltconference.com/ - we’ll send you our best Conference pricing for you and your team. 
You can also explore Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life with a free first chapter and practical resources designed to help your whole parish reflect, discuss, and grow together. https://download.rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman 
Key Talking Points
Why parish ministry can feel like fighting constant headwinds
The difference between experiencing fear and choosing to live in fear
Why resistance does not necessarily mean you are outside God’s will
Taking courage when the challenges feel bigger than you
How prayer, wisdom, and bold action work together
Why parish leaders need imagination and creativity
Getting out of the boat instead of protecting the status quo
Seeing unsuccessful ideas as opportunities to learn
The Four Strategic Anchors of a healthy parish
Imagining the life change waiting on the other side
Timestamps
00:03 — Looking Back at the 2025 Rebuilt Conference03:09 — Leading the Parish Through the Headwinds05:31 — Inspire the Mind, Encourage the Heart, Equip the Hands10:15 — Jesus Sends the Disciples Into the Storm12:51 — The Headwinds Facing Parish Leaders14:59 — Jesus Meets Us in the Storm17:25 — Take Courage, Do Not Be Afraid21:35 — Peter Gets Out of the Boat24:00 — God Wants Your Ideas and Imagination26:17 — Keep Your Focus on Jesus29:36 — Choosing Faith Over the Status Quo31:37 — Failure Is Not Final33:56 — The Four Strategic Anchors35:08 — What Is on the Other Side?36:24 — Can You Imagine?37:33 — Closing Prayer
Looking Ahead: Rebuilt Conference 2027
The Rebuilt Conference returns to Church of the Nativity May 3–4, 2027 with the theme Go Forward, inspired by Exodus 14.
This is a conference for parishes, by parishes, designed to give pastors and parish leaders practical tools, encouragement, and a renewed vision for what God can do through the local parish.
Come early on Sunday, May 2 to experience Mass at Nativity, tour the campus, and see ministries in action before the conference begins.
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, Rebuilt Conference, Rebuilt Conference 2027, Fr. Michael White, Church of the Nativity, Can You Imagine, Go Forward, Catholic parish leadership, parish renewal, parish growth, Catholic leadership, Matthew 14, Peter walks on water, Catholic evangelization, parish ministry, parish transformation, making disciples, parish culture, Catholic pastors, church leadership, Four Strategic Anchors

What happens when a self-described "regular guy" finally lets God into his business? In this episode of the Rebuilt Parish Podcast, host Melissa Wilkinson sits down with Rebuilt Coach Dan Sipe for an honest, story-rich conversation about faith, money, and stewardship in the Catholic Church.
Dan shares how the book “Rebuilt” captured his imagination, how his family came to call Church of the Nativity home, and how the sudden loss of his father-in-law inspired him to build Serving Those Who Serve, a financial planning firm devoted to helping federal employees. Along the way he opens up about the business partner who challenged him to tithe, the 2008 market crash that brought him to his knees at the foot of a cross, and the moment he realized that giving becomes worship.
If you're a pastor, parish leader, or Catholic business professional wrestling with generosity, tithing, and what it really means to trust God with your finances, this episode offers a practical and deeply personal roadmap. Dan makes the case for an "economic theology," the idea that everything we have comes from God, and that stewardship is an act of worship. He also shares field-tested advice on how pastors can authentically reach and disciple the successful business leaders sitting in their pews. His secret? Go in with no agenda, get to know people, and listen for the "Christian gang signs."
This is a must-listen for anyone in parish stewardship, church fundraising, or Catholic ministry who wants to grow a culture of generosity rooted in discipleship rather than obligation.
If Dan's story stirred something in you about generosity, worship, and helping the successful people in your pews finally connect their faith to their finances, we made something to help you take the next step: get the first chapter of our new book free, along with the free resources that go with it to help you disciple your parishioners, at https://download.rebuiltparish.com/richyoungman.
Timestamps
00:00 Welcome and introduction to guest Dan Sipe
00:44 Meet Dan: family, faith, and the road to Church of the Nativity
01:50 Discovering Rebuilt and Father Michael White's paid-off church
03:15 COVID, online Mass, and finding a new church home
05:14 "I don't have to drive 52 minutes, I get to"
07:39 Why every willing Catholic deserves a dynamic, soul-soaring parish
09:17 Building a business that serves federal employees
09:43 The loss that started it all: "Who was looking out for them?"
13:56 The tithing challenge from his evangelical business partner
16:50 "I wasn't going to bother God with business things"
17:36 The 2008 crash and the lowest point of his life
19:36 "There is a point where giving becomes worship": total surrender
21:33 "It's not my money, it's God's money, and I get to keep 90"
25:00 Advice for pastors trying to reach successful business leaders
26:39 The Church's need for an economic theology
28:01 Turning the business over to God (and the lesson from Flywheel)
31:09 How to invite business leaders into deeper, generous giving
32:11 Listening for the "Christian gang signs"
34:59 When a pastor becomes a friend
38:28 "Read the book, read the book, read the book": Dan's closing challenge
40:57 Wrap-up and thanks
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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
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Rebuilt Parish Podcast, Rebuilt Parish, Church of the Nativity, Father Michael White, Rebuilt book, parish stewardship, Catholic stewardship, tithing, giving as worship, theology of money, economic theology, Catholic fundraising, church fundraising, capital campaign, parish giving, Catholic generosity, discipleship, evangelization, Catholic business leaders, faith and finance, faith and money, stewardship ministry, Dan Sipe, Serving Those Who Serve, STWS, federal employee benefits, federal retirement planning, Catholic parish renewal, parish coaching, pastor leadership, Catholic podcast, Christian generosity, financial stewardship, trusting God with money, surrender to God

What can a parish accomplish in less than a year when its leaders are willing to pray, experiment, and take the next right step?
In this episode, Melissa Wilkinson speaks with Father Norm Douglas and Deacon Andy Davis of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Akron, Ohio. Since beginning Rebuilt Parish Coaching, their parish has formed a strategic leadership team, introduced message series, strengthened collaboration with the pastoral council, developed small groups, expanded digital outreach, and begun creating a more consistent message across the parish and school.
Father Norm and Deacon Andy share how they navigated resistance to change without leaving people behind, built momentum through smaller and more manageable initiatives, and learned to plan ahead rather than responding to each season at the last minute.
Their experience offers a hopeful reminder for parish leaders: meaningful progress does not always begin with one enormous change. Often, it begins with prayer, the right people, and the courage to experiment.
Read the First Chapter Free
Every person is searching for something more: more meaning, more purpose, and more of the life God created us to experience.
In their new book, Jesus, the Rich Young Man, and the Meaning of Life, Fr. Michael White and Tom Corcoran explore Jesus’ encounter with the rich young man and what it teaches us about faith, generosity, surrender, and the things we hold most tightly.
Read the first chapter for free at rebuiltparish.com/book and begin reflecting on how this Gospel encounter could speak to you, your leadership, and your parish.
In This Episode
How St. Vincent de Paul began responding to declining attendance
Why the parish created a strategic leadership team
How the leadership team and pastoral council work together
Why frequent leadership meetings improve focus and follow-through
How message series create consistency without limiting a preacher’s voice
Ways to extend one message across Mass, small groups, meetings, faith formation, and school
How annual planning helps parish leaders move beyond last-minute preparation
Why experimentation is essential for parish growth
How small, achievable changes can build momentum
Encouragement for leaders discerning their parish’s next right step
Timestamps
00:03 Meet Father Norm and Deacon Andy01:24 Two Different Perspectives on Parish Leadership03:37 The Story of St. Vincent de Paul Parish06:00 Father Norm’s Unexpected Arrival07:24 Beginning Coaching Without Changing Everything09:04 Forming a Strategic Leadership Team10:35 Why the Leadership Team Meets Weekly12:37 Connecting the Pastoral Council and Leadership Team14:57 Introducing Message Series18:23 Making Prayer More Than an Agenda Item19:47 Bringing One Message Across the Parish22:07 Connecting the Message to the Parish School23:18 The Value of Annual Planning25:04 Moving Beyond Last-Minute Ministry26:16 Experimenting with Podcasts and Video28:34 The Common Thread: Do Not Be Afraid29:45 Choosing the Next Right Step31:11 Learning from Practices That Work33:27 Building Momentum Through Small Changes
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parish leadership, Catholic parish growth, parish coaching, strategic leadership team, pastoral council, message series, Catholic evangelization, parish planning, annual ministry plan, parish school, small groups, leadership development, parish communication, discipleship, church growth, St. Vincent de Paul Akron, Father Norm Douglas, Deacon Andy Davis, Rebuilt Parish