Called to Lead: Pastoral Leadership for Today’s Church

John Rinaldo
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Christianity
  • Updated Biweekly

This podcast dives into the art and spirit of leadership in the Catholic Church. Through storytelling and dialogue with pastoral leaders, ministers, and scholars, the podcast bridges academic theology with practical ministry. These conversations invite listeners to better understand how today’s leaders answer God’s call and work to build just and inclusive communities. Presented by the Markey Center in Santa Clara University’s Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries. (https://www.scu.edu/cas/graduate-program-in-pastoral-ministries/markey-center-for-leadership-and-ministry/)

  1. May 26

    The Synodal Parish: Moving from a Concept to a Lived Reality

    In this season finale of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo shares a solo reflection to synthesize the key insights from the inaugural season. Addressing a common hurdle for pastoral leaders, John unpacks why "synodality" does not mean tearing down existing parish structures or throwing out current programs. Instead, drawing from his own writing, experience, and upcoming summer course, "Shared Leadership in a Synodal Church," he explores how parishes are already living out synodal principles every day. Reflecting on past conversations with guests like John Roberto, Christopher Wesley, Casey Stanton, and Charleen Katra, this episode is a warm, encouraging invitation for leaders to identify the seeds of synodality in their local communities and make the small, intentional shifts that foster a culture of true accompaniment, listening, and mission.

    11 min

  2. May 19

    Ignatian Wisdom for the Mission-Driven Leader

    In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Matthew Carnes, S.J., Vice President for Mission and Ministry and Executive Director of the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education at Santa Clara University. Drawing from his new book, Leadership Lessons from the Jesuits, Fr. Carnes explores how the 500-year-old tradition of Ignatian spirituality offers practical, life-giving tools for leaders in today’s complex organizations. The conversation delves into the power of discernment, the importance of "finding God in all things"—including our administrative work—and how to lead with a clear sense of mission. Whether you lead in a parish, a non-profit, or an academic setting, this episode offers a roadmap for leading with purpose, humility, and hope. You can pre-order Fr. Carnes new book here.

    41 min

  3. May 12

    Forming Digital Disciples in the Age of AI

    In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Meaghan Crowley-Sullivan, Curriculum and Professional Learning Developer for the iDEAL Institute at Loyola Marymount University. As technology—and specifically Artificial Intelligence—reshapes the landscape of education and social interaction, Meaghan reflects on how Catholic schools and parishes can move beyond "tech management" toward true digital formation using her Catholic Companion Framework. The conversation explores how we can empower young people to use technology with creativity, critical thinking, and a grounded sense of Christian ethics, ensuring that our digital tools serve the mission of the Gospel rather than distracting from it.

    37 min

  4. May 5

    Innovation, Online Learning, and What Church Leaders Can Learn

    In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Toby McChesney, Vice Provost for Graduate Programs at Santa Clara University.Drawing on decades of experience in graduate education, enrollment strategy, and marketing, Toby reflects on why online learning has become essential to the future of higher education and what trends are shaping how adults learn today. The conversation then turns to the Church, exploring what pastoral leaders can learn from higher education and marketing practices about accessibility, communication, and meeting people where they are—without losing mission or identity.

    33 min

  5. Apr 28

    Latino Ministry, Liberation, and the Wisdom of Lived Faith

    In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Christopher Tirres, the Michael J. Buckley, S.J. Endowed Chair at Santa Clara University and the president-elect of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the U.S (ACHTUS).Drawing from liberation theology, U.S. Latine theology, and decades of teaching and pastoral engagement, Dr. Tirres reflects on how the Church can more faithfully minister with—and learn from—the Latino community. The conversation explores popular religiosity, everyday spiritual practices, liberation as lived experience, and what pastoral leaders must understand if they hope to serve Latino communities with authenticity, humility, and hope.

    35 min

  6. Apr 21

    OCIA, Parish Formation, and Initiation as Mission

    In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Diana Macalintal, an expert in the Baptismal Catechumenate and co-founder of Team Initiation.Diana discusses the Order of Christian Initiation for Adults (OCIA), how it has evolved from the traditional RCIA model, and what has remained constant in fostering transformative Christian initiation. Drawing from her book, Your Parish is the Curriculum, the conversation explores how entire parish communities participate in the initiation process—not just catechists or clergy—and how OCIA can become a catalyst for deeper formation, belonging, and missionary discipleship.

    38 min

  7. Apr 14

    Liturgy as Source, Summit, and Mission

    In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Eugene R. Schlesinger, Ph.D., a systematic theologian and faculty member in the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries at Santa Clara University.Drawing from his background in pastoral ministry and liturgical theology, Eugene reflects on what the Church’s worship is calling us to do—not only within the walls of the church, but in the world beyond it. Together, they explore the relationship between liturgy and mission, how participation in worship forms Christian identity, and what clergy and pastoral leaders must attend to if the Eucharist is truly to be experienced as the source and summit of the Church’s life.

    34 min

  8. Apr 7

    Discerning Deacons and the Art of Ecclesial Listening

    In this episode of Called to Lead, host John Rinaldo sits down with Casey Stanton, co-director of Discerning Deacons. Casey shares her journey from parish social concerns ministry to leading a movement focused on the renewal of the diaconate and the inclusion of women’s leadership in the Catholic Church. The conversation explores what it means to lead through a process of discernment, the current status of the Vatican’s study on women deacons following the Synod on Synodality, and how pastoral leaders can create spaces for honest, Spirit-led dialogue in their own communities. This is an invitation to consider how leadership isn't just about making decisions—it's about "discerning" the path forward together.

    36 min
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About

This podcast dives into the art and spirit of leadership in the Catholic Church. Through storytelling and dialogue with pastoral leaders, ministers, and scholars, the podcast bridges academic theology with practical ministry. These conversations invite listeners to better understand how today’s leaders answer God’s call and work to build just and inclusive communities. Presented by the Markey Center in Santa Clara University’s Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries. (https://www.scu.edu/cas/graduate-program-in-pastoral-ministries/markey-center-for-leadership-and-ministry/)

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