The Rebuilt Parish Podcast

Episode 62 - Grow Deeper Deep Dive

Get our FREE Grow Deeper Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/deeperevaluation
Summary
In this conversation, Ed and Melissa discuss the importance of the Grow Deeper Strategic Anchor for parish renewal. They explore the four anchors of parish growth: grow wider, weekend experience, leadership community, and grow deeper. 
Ed deep dives into the Grow Deeper anchor, which emphasizes encouraging parishioners to go deeper in their faith. They discuss the practices and systems that can help parishioners grow deeper, such as serving in ministry, tithing, engaging in small groups, practicing prayer and the sacraments, and sharing their faith. They also provide practical tips and resources for implementing these practices in parishes.
 
Takeaways
The Grow Deeper Anchor is essential for parish renewal and emphasizes encouraging parishioners to go deeper in their faith.
 
Practices and systems, such as serving in ministry, tithing, engaging in small groups, practicing prayer and the sacraments, and sharing faith, can help parishioners grow deeper.
Parish leaders should provide clarity and leadership in shaping a clear discipleship path for parishioners.
Investing in relationships, providing accessible resources, and creating a culture of discipleship are key to implementing the Grow Deeper anchor.
Practical resources and tools, such as message series, daily devotionals, and coaching, can support parishes in implementing the Grow Deeper anchor.
Chapters
00:00 - Overview of the Grow Deeper Strategic Anchor
03:46 - Elements of the Grow Deeper Flywheel
08:10 - Connecting Giving to Discipleship
11:38 - Identifying and Implementing Actions and Systems
13:34 - Inviting Parishioners to Serve in Ministry or Missions
25:33 - The Power of Small Groups
31:49 - Practicing Faith Through Prayer and Sacraments
35:41 - Sharing Faith and Making Invitations
 
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Episode 61 - Creating Excellent Kids & Students Programs

 
Get our FREE Grow Wider Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation 
 
Summary
In this conversation, Daniel Miller discusses the importance of exceptional programs for kids and students in growing wider as a parish. He shares his personal journey and the impact that a great youth ministry had on his life. 
 
Daniel emphasizes the need for intentional growth in younger generations and the role they play in revitalizing the church. He highlights the key components of exceptional programs, including the central focus on relationships, serving the generation below, sacramental vitality, and having a clear plan. 
 
Daniel also discusses effective strategies for engaging children and youth, such as starting with tasks and gradually giving them responsibilities. He emphasizes the importance of vision, casting that vision to parishioners, and the challenges and opportunities for growth and innovation in next-gen ministries.
Takeaways
Exceptional programs for kids and students are vital for growing wider as a parish.
The central focus of these programs should be on building relationships.
Serving the generation below and sacramental vitality are key components of exceptional programs.
Having a clear plan and adapting to the needs of the next generation are important for success.
Engaging children and youth requires starting with tasks and gradually giving them responsibilities.
Casting a vision and involving parishioners in the process is crucial for growth and innovation in next-gen ministries.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Daniel's Journey
02:14 - The Importance of Exceptional Programs for Growing Wider
08:18 - Key Components of Exceptional Programs
14:30 - Assessing the Needs of Children in the Community
27:08 - Contributing to Belonging and Community
29:37 - Challenges and Opportunities for Growth and Innovation
38:22 - The Evolving Landscape of Kids and Students Programs
44:45 - Remote Resources for Learning and Growth
47:33 - Conclusion and Gratitude
 
Link to Uprising: Rebuilt Student Ministry Podcast: https://nativitystudentministry.podbean.com/

Episode 60 - Building a Culture that Welcomes People

Get our FREE Grow Wider Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation
Summary
Father Charlie Garza shares his experience of growing a welcoming parish community at St. Albert the Great in Austin, Texas. The parish is multicultural, with people from over 60 countries. 
 
Before focusing on parish renewal, the weekly mass attendance was around 2,500. However, through intentional efforts to create a welcoming environment, the attendance has almost doubled, with Spanish-speaking attendance at 222% above pre-COVID levels and English-speaking attendance at 7% above pre-COVID levels. 
 
Father Charlie shares his experience in building a welcoming culture at St. Albert the Great. He discusses the challenges faced, such as pushback from older generations who felt left out when the focus shifted to young adults. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the pain points of parishioners and addressing them. 
 
Father  Charlie advises other multicultural parishes to identify the big events for each culture and tailor their strategies accordingly. He also encourages parishes to learn the principles of successful growth but adapt them to their own circumstances. Father. Charlie shares his vision for St. Albert the Great, including hosting large events and providing training for hospitality teams.
Takeaways
Creating a welcoming parish community begins with a mindset shift and a positive attitude towards newcomers.
Leadership plays a crucial role in setting the tone for hospitality and welcoming.
The entire parish community, including volunteers and regular attendees, must actively participate in creating a welcoming environment.
Hospitality should be extended from the parking lot to the pews, with a focus on making newcomers feel welcome and included.
Initiatives such as welcome tables, connection cards, welcome emails, and personalized phone calls can help newcomers feel connected and informed.
Retreats can be a powerful tool for engaging newcomers and transitioning them into discipleship. Building a welcoming culture requires understanding and addressing the pain points of parishioners.
Multicultural parishes should identify the big events for each culture and tailor their strategies accordingly.
Learn the principles of successful growth but adapt them to your own parish's circumstances.
Don't be afraid to fail and learn from failures.
Celebrate wins and reinforce positive behaviors to build confidence.
Have a vision for big events and invest time and energy in planning for them.
Provide training for hospitality teams to ensure welcoming practices.
Perseverance is key in achieving success in parish growth.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Parish Background
02:19 - Impressive Growth in Attendance
06:16 - Extending Hospitality from Parking Lot to Pews
09:43 - Engaging the Entire Parish Community in Welcoming
14:42 - Initiatives and Practices for Enhancing a Culture of Welcome
23:19 - Building a Welcoming Culture: Addressing Pain Points and Challenges
28:23 - Tailoring Strategies for Multicultural Parishes
34:05 - Adapting Principles for Successful Growth
36:15 - Embracing Failure and Learning from It
41:00 - Vision for Big Events and Planning
42:48 - Training for Welcoming Hospitality Teams
45:09 - Perseverance in Parish Growth

Episode 59 - Identifying Your Target Audience, Establishing an Invest and Invite Strategy Implementing a Newcomer Engagement Plan

 
Get our FREE Grow Wider Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation 
 
Summary
In this conversation, Allie Wade, the Connections Coordinator at Nativity, shares insights on growing wider and building a welcoming culture in a parish. She emphasizes the importance of identifying the target audience and looking outside the church walls to reach newcomers. 
Allie discusses effective strategies for reaching different groups within the community and highlights the power of personal invitations from parishioners. She also explains the invest and invite approach, which focuses on building relationships and making genuine connections. 
Allie emphasizes the need for a structured plan for welcoming and integrating newcomers, as well as the importance of creating a culture of hospitality and care. She encourages parishes to learn from successful churches and conferences, and to tailor these strategies to fit their own community.
 
Takeaways
Identify the target audience by looking outside the church walls and studying the community.
Personal invitations from parishioners are powerful in attracting newcomers.
Invest and invite approach focuses on building relationships and making genuine connections.
Having a structured plan for welcoming and integrating newcomers is essential.
Creating a culture of hospitality and care is crucial for growth.
Learn from successful churches and conferences, and tailor strategies to fit your own community.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
02:19 - Identifying the Target Audience
06:25 - The Power of Personal Invitations
08:07 - The Invest and Invite Approach
11:27 - Creating a Structured Plan for Newcomer Engagement
13:13 - Building a Culture of Hospitality and Care
25:30 - Challenges and Encouragement
33:22 - Conclusion

Episode 58 - Grow Wider Deep Dive

Get our FREE Grow Wider Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/widerevaluation 
 
Summary
In this conversation, Ed discusses the importance of the Grow Wider anchor in the Rebuilt Framework. 
 
He emphasizes the need to build a culture that welcomes people and shares the burden of reaching out to the unchurched. Ed highlights the key elements of the Grow Wider anchor, including identifying the target audience, implementing an invest and invite strategy, creating a compelling digital presence, and providing exceptional kids and student programs. 
 
Ed also discusses the importance of implementing a newcomer engagement plan and shares success stories and challenges faced by parishes in implementing these strategies.
 
Takeaways
Building a culture that welcomes people is crucial for parish growth.
Identifying the target audience helps parishes focus their efforts.
Implementing an invest and invite strategy encourages parishioners to invite others to church.
Having a compelling digital presence, including a user-friendly website and active social media, is important for attracting newcomers.
Providing exceptional kids and student programs helps engage young families.
Implementing a newcomer engagement plan, including a welcome desk and follow-up emails, helps newcomers feel welcomed and connected.
Consistency and intentionality are key in growing wider.
Evaluating and improving strategies is essential for parish growth.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
03:30 - Chapter 1: Building a Culture of Welcome
08:10 - Chapter 2: Identifying the Target Audience
14:20 - Chapter 3: Implementing an Invest and Invite Strategy
24:44 - Chapter 5: Providing Exceptional Kids and Student Programs
29:55 - Chapter 6: Implementing a Newcomer Engagement Plan
34:25 - Chapter 7: Success Stories and Challenges
38:49 - Chapter 8: Consistency and Intentionality in Growing Wider
42:09 - Conclusion

Episode 57 Weekend Experience Evaluation

Weekend Experience Evaluation
Get our FREE Weekend Experience Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/weekendevaluation 
 
Summary
In this episode, Melissa discusses the importance of conducting a weekend experience self-evaluation to improve the overall experience for parishioners and newcomers. 
 
She covers various aspects of the weekend experience, including the first impression, physical setting, staff and volunteer ministers, children and parents, preaching, music, hospitality and fellowship, preparation and evaluation, and the online campus experience. 
 
Melissa provides questions and recommendations for each area and encourages listeners to take action and create an action plan based on their evaluation.
 
Keywords
weekend experience, self-evaluation, parish, newcomers, first impression, physical setting, staff, volunteer ministers, children, parents, preaching, music, hospitality, fellowship, preparation, evaluation, online campus
 
Takeaways
Conducting a weekend experience self-evaluation can help improve the overall experience for parishioners and newcomers.
Areas to evaluate include the first impression, physical setting, staff and volunteer ministers, children and parents, preaching, music, hospitality and fellowship, preparation and evaluation, and the online campus experience.
Taking action and creating an action plan based on the evaluation can lead to an excellent weekend experience in the parish.
Providing a welcoming and engaging experience for children and parents is crucial for the weekend experience.
Having quality sound and engaging with remote parishioners is important for the online campus experience.
Chapters
 
00:00 - Introduction: Conducting a Weekend Experience Self-Evaluation
01:54 - Chapter 1: Creating a Welcoming First Impression
05:09 - Chapter 3: Ensuring Excellence in Staff and Volunteer Ministers
08:03 - Chapter 4: Fostering a Positive Experience for Children and Parents

Episode 56 Investing in the Online Campus

Get our FREE Weekend Experience Evaluation here: rebuiltparish.com/weekendevaluation 
 
Summary
Father Roger Gustafson shares his experience of building an online campus for his parish during the COVID-19 pandemic. He started by live streaming Masses and gradually grew his online congregation to over a thousand subscribers. 
 
The online campus includes live streaming Masses, Zoom small groups, and online chat hosts to engage with the virtual community. Father Roger emphasizes the importance of making online parishioners feel welcome and connected to the community. 
 
He also discusses the financial impact of the online campus, with giving increasing by 9% since 2020. Father Roger encourages parish leaders to start somewhere and strive for excellence in their online initiatives.
Check out Father Roger's parish online: https://www.sthilary.org/ 
 
Takeaways
Building an online campus can help reach and engage a broader audience, especially during times of limited in-person gatherings.
Creating a welcoming and connected virtual community is essential for online parishioners.
Starting small and taking steps towards excellence is key to building a successful online campus.
Investing in technology and professional expertise can enhance the online worship experience.
Financial giving can increase as the online congregation grows and becomes more connected to the parish community.
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Background
06:18 - Engaging the Online Congregation
12:33 - Creating Welcoming Touch Points for Online Parishioners
28:29 - The Financial Impact of the Online Campus
36:20 - Recommendations for Building an Online Campus

Episode 55 Crafting Meaningful Liturgical Celebrations

Get our free Weekend Experience Evaluation here. 
Summary
Fr. Gregory  Reichlen shares his experience of coaching with Rebuilt and the transformation it brought to his parish. The parish, located in the eastern Pocono Mountains, had a multicultural and multilingual community but struggled to engage with the culture, especially the next generation. 
 
After attending the Rebuilt Conference in 2018, Fr. Greg and his team implemented changes, particularly in the liturgy, to create a welcoming and vibrant experience. The COVID-19 pandemic forced them to adapt and seek guidance through webinars and coaching. 
 
They focused on prayerful preparation, casting a vision, and involving volunteers in the planning and execution of liturgies. They also emphasized the importance of music, meaningful homilies, and active participation. Fr. Greg encourages parish leaders to start somewhere and take one step towards parish renewal.
 
Takeaways
Coaching with Rebuilt can bring transformation to a parish and help engage the next generation.
Creating a welcoming and vibrant liturgical experience is essential for parish renewal.
Prayerful preparation, casting a vision, and involving volunteers are key to successful liturgies.
Music, meaningful homilies, and active participation enhance the worship experience.
Parish leaders should start somewhere and take one step towards parish renewal.
 
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction and Parish Background
07:15 - Creating a Welcoming and Vibrant Liturgical Experience
14:32 - Involving Volunteers in Planning and Execution of Liturgies
32:32 - Ensuring Reverent, Meaningful, and Inclusive Sacraments
38:28 - Advice for Parish Leaders