7 episodes

We know that transforming parishes means changing culture—and that cultural change is hard! That’s why we’re “on the air.” Each week Deacon Keith Strohm and his co-hosts Rachel Espinoza and Kristin Bird explore different facets of parish renewal. Breaking open their own experience working “in the trenches” at the parish level, and discussing with their many guests the principles, strategies, programs, and processes that make an actual difference in parish life, your podcast hosts provide practical, real-world advice you can use.

Transforming Parishes, Transforming Lives Keith Strohm

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.2 • 6 Ratings

We know that transforming parishes means changing culture—and that cultural change is hard! That’s why we’re “on the air.” Each week Deacon Keith Strohm and his co-hosts Rachel Espinoza and Kristin Bird explore different facets of parish renewal. Breaking open their own experience working “in the trenches” at the parish level, and discussing with their many guests the principles, strategies, programs, and processes that make an actual difference in parish life, your podcast hosts provide practical, real-world advice you can use.

    Conflict, Conflict, Conflict

    Conflict, Conflict, Conflict

    Money Quote:
    "I go back to the Gospels a lot . . .the more I encounter Jesus in the Gospels I encounter someone who is certainly not afraid of conflict and not afraid of tension because He saw it as an opportunity for growth." --Kristin Bird

    Episode Summary: Deacon Keith, Executive Director of M3 Ministries, Kristin Bird, Executive Director of Burning Hearts Disciples, and Rachel Espinoza, Editor and Liturgical Training Consultant with LTP, explore the reality of conflict within parish life and discuss ways to navigate through it and strategies for creating an environment for healthy, instructive conflict.
    Key Topics:

    Catchup (0:56)
    Vatican Website Hacked (6:55)
    Introduction to the Topic of Conflict (11:30)
    Conflict in Parish Life  (13:13)
    Conflict as Misalignment of Expectations (15:17)
    Healthy vs Unhealthy Conflict (16:54)
    Examples of Healthy Conflict (29:40)
    Self Knowledge & Team Awareness as Tools for Healthy Conflict (39:42)
    Creating Environments for Healthy Conflict (50:06)
    Need to Talk?
    If you have an ongoing conflict at your parish that you would like to talk to us about, or if you have questions about evangelization or parish renewal, just reach out to us:
    Contact Deacon Keith
    Contact Kristin
    Contact Rachel
    Resources Mentioned**
    Clifton Strength Finders
    5 Dysfunctions of a Team (Video)
    Dare to Lead by Brene Brown
    Radical Candor by Kim Scott
    Next Steps
    Join the M3 Community http://m3catholic.com/m3-community-signup/
    Explore The Missionary Leadership Academy https://missionaryleadershipacademy.com
    **As an Amazon Associate, I may earn money from qualifying purchases and receive commissions for Amazon purchases made through links in this post.

    • 1 hr 17 min
    Ep. 6: Exploring the Pre-Discipleship Journey -- Thresholds & Accompaniment

    Ep. 6: Exploring the Pre-Discipleship Journey -- Thresholds & Accompaniment

    Money Quote:
    "You are never going to fail if you do something that builds trust." --Rachel Espinoza

    Episode Summary: Deacon Keith, Executive Director of M3 Ministries, Kristin Bird, Executive Director of Burning Hearts Disciples, and Rachel Espinoza, Editor and Liturgical Training Consultant with LTP, discuss how to help walk with othrs through the thresholds of pre-discipleship conversion. They explore each of the thresholds, discuss what folks at each threshold might need, and share some practical advice on how to help others move through these key moments in their journey toward an intentional relationship with Jesus.
    Key Topics:

    Spring Sports in Wisconsin (1:14)
    Introduction to the Pre-Discipleship Thresholds (6:19)
    The Threshold of Trust (19:47)
    The Threshold of Curiosity (38:12)
    The Threshold of Openness (49:55)
    The Threshold of Seeking (62:00)
    Implications for Parish Life & Evangelization (73:00)
    Need to Talk?
    If you have questions about evangelization or parish renewal, just reach out to us:
    Contact Deacon Keith
    Contact Kristin
    Contact Rachel
    Resources Mentioned**
    I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path To Jesus
    Summary of the Thresholds (Archdiocese of Denver)
    Next Steps
    Join the M3 Community http://m3catholic.com/m3-community-signup/
    Explore The Missionary Leadership Academy https://missionaryleadershipacademy.com
    **As an Amazon Associate, I earn money from qualifying purchases and receive commissions for Amazon purchases made through links in this post.

    • 1 hr 23 min
    Ep. 5: Avoiding Burnout -- The Care and Feeding of New Disciples

    Ep. 5: Avoiding Burnout -- The Care and Feeding of New Disciples

    Money Quote:  
    "We have to ask ourselves this question: Am I as passionate about this person's spiritual fullness . . . as I am excited about what they can do in all the areas of ministry I am involving them in."             --Rachel Espinoza
    Episode Summary: Deacon Keith, Executive Director of M3 Ministries, Kristin Bird, Executive Director of Burning Hearts Disciples, and Rachel Espinoza, Director of Family Faith Formation and Evangelization at St. Clement Parish in Chicago talk about  how to nurture the disciples you have in the parish (particularly new ones)--especially in the early days of parish renewal when they get called upon to handle a disproportionally large amount of the work necessary to move forward with transformation.
    Key Topics:
         Visiting Other Parishes (Timestamp 6:30)
         Introduction to Topic (12:10)
         Distinction Between Engaged Parishioners & Disciples (16:05)
         Causes of Burnout in Disciples (25:25)
         Importance of Charism Discernment to Avoid Burnout (34:05)
         Examples of Leadership & Discipleship Discernment (49:00)
         Warning Signs of Burnout (58:29)
         Investment & Accompaniment to Prevent Burnout (61:09)
    Need to Talk? 
    If you are frustrated and nearing burnout and need to talk, just reach out to us:

    Deacon Keith
    Kristin Bird
    Rachel Espinoza
    Resources Mentioned:
    Signs of a Volunteer vs a Disciple
    6 Principles of Discernment used by Kristin in her parish
    Intro to Charism Discernment
    Next Steps:
    Join the M3 Ministry Community
    Check out the Missionary Leadership Academy

    • 1 hr 16 min
    Diving into the Shallow End: The Importance of Shallow Entry Points in Parish Renewal

    Diving into the Shallow End: The Importance of Shallow Entry Points in Parish Renewal

    Money Quote:

    “If we are honest . . . we don’t love people enough! —Rachel Espinoza
    Episode Summary: Deacon Keith, Executive Director of M3 Ministries, and Kristin Bird, Executive Director of Burning Hearts Disciples, and Rachel Espinoza, Director of Family Faith Formation & Evangelization for St. Clement Parish explore the critical importance of “shallow entry points,” ways in which parishes can help those who are disconnected from Christ and His Church be introduced to Jesus and the Christian community in non-threatening and welcoming ways.
    Key Topics:  
    1000 Hours Outside Update (Timestamp 6:48)
    Meeting People Where They are at as a Parish—Shallow Entry Points (10:21)
    Shifting to a More Individualized Approach (16:40)
    What Do Shallow Entry Points Look Like? Examples. (25:25)
    Changing Perspective: Shallow Entry Points Shouldn’t All Be at the Parish (37:50)
    Obstacles to Creating Shallow Entry Points for Parishes (42:20)
    Breaking Through the Obstacles (48:55)
    What are Some of the Fruits of Using a Shallow Entry Point (52:00)
    Resources Mentioned
    Sustainable Children's Ministry: From Last-Minute Scrambling to Long-Term Solutions:  https://amzn.to/2RspRFL
    Alpha: www.alphausa.org
    Discovering Christ: https://christlife.org/christlife-series/discovering-christ
    Following Christ: https://christlife.org/christlife-series/following-christ
    Share Christ: https://christlife.org/christlife-series/sharing-christ

    Missionary Leadership Academy https://missionaryleadershipacademy.com
    Next Steps
    Join the M3 Community http://m3catholic.com/m3-community-signup/
    Contact Deacon Keith (mailto:keith@keithstrohm.com)
    Contact Kristin (mailto:kristin.bird@burningheartsdisciples.org)
    Contact Rachel (mailto: respinoza@clement.org)

    • 1 hr 10 min
    Ep. 3: No, I Don’t Want Better Donuts: Radical Hospitality as the Foundation for Evangelization

    Ep. 3: No, I Don’t Want Better Donuts: Radical Hospitality as the Foundation for Evangelization

    Money Quote:

    “All of us are charged with that. It’s not a committee’s job; it’s not your pastor’s job. Everyone of us has to be a person of radical hospitality” —Jane Angha
     
    Episode Summary: In this episode Rachel, Kristin, and Deacon Keith explore the nature of radical hospitality with Jane Angha, Executive Director of Ministry Blueprints, an apostolate that works with parishes and dioceses to help them live and minister in a more hospitable way. Want to learn how your parish can embrace radical hospitality in practical ways? Then tune in!
     
    Key Topics:             
    How Jane Got Started Focusing on Radical Hospitality (Timestamp 9:20)
    What Do We Need to Get Started on the Radical Hospitality? (14:09)
    Why is Radical Hospitality Essential in Parish Life?  (16:45)
    Growing a Heart for the Outsider (31:19)
    Helping Parishes Get Through the Overwhelm in Starting (39:15)
    Connecting Secular Best Practices of Hospitality to Jesus (52:18)
     
    Resources Mentioned
    Ministry Blueprints https://www.ministryblueprints.com/
    Missionary Leadership Academy https://missionaryleadershipacademy.com
     
    Next Steps
    Schedule a Consultation Session with Jane Angha

    https://www.ministryblueprints.com/schedule-appointment
    Join the M3 Ministries Community http://m3catholic.com/m3-community-signup/
    Contact Deacon Keith (mailto:keith@keithstrohm.com)
    Contact Kristin (mailto:kristin.bird@burningheartsdisciples.org)
    Contact Rachel (mailto: respinoza@clement.org)
     
    Podcast Guest Jane Angha
    Jane lives in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin and is the Director of Ministry Blueprints. Jane has mentored and trained youth and young adult leaders for 20 years. She has a bachelor of science in secondary education and religious studies from the University of Wisconsin, and a Master in Theology from St. Norbert College, DePere, Wisconsin. Jane has worked with non-profits, congregations, and dioceses to create new models of ministry and provide innovation workshops and processes to schools and faith communities. In her spare time, Jane loves to write hike, cook, and try out Pinterest DIY projects.

    • 56 min
    Ep. 2: Breaking Away from Buzzword Bingo: What Does Catholic Parish Renewal Look Like?

    Ep. 2: Breaking Away from Buzzword Bingo: What Does Catholic Parish Renewal Look Like?

    Money Quote:

    “If the only time that people participate in the works of mercy is in the four walls of the parish, then we are not living our life as parish correctly!” —Kristin Bird
     
    Episode Summary: Deacon Keith, Executive Director of M3 Ministries, and Kristin Bird, Executive Director of Burning Hearts Disciples, and Rachel Espinoza, Director of Family Faith Formation and Evangelization for St. Clement Parish try to cut through the buzzwords and talk about what parish renewal really looks like? How can we tell if our parish is truly being renewed? How can we avoid dead ends and wasting our time?
     
    Key Topics:             
    Rachel’s Experience in Ministry and Parish Renewal (Timestamp 10:00)
    Single Biggest Obstacle to Parish Renewal—Rachel’s Perception (22:40)
    Brief Discussion on the Pastor’s Role in Parish Renewal (25:00)
    What the Heck is Parish Renewal Anyway? (27:20)
     
    Resources Mentioned
    Alpha https://alphausa.org/
    Missionary Leadership Academy https://missionaryleadershipacademy.com
     
    Next Steps
    Join the M3 Community http://m3catholic.com/m3-community-signup/
    Contact Deacon Keith (mailto:keith@keithstrohm.com)
    Contact Kristin (mailto:kristin.bird@burningheartsdisciples.org)
    Contact Rachel (mailto:respinoza@clement.org)

    • 59 min

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
6 Ratings

6 Ratings

catholiccolleen ,

These peeps are the real deal!

Deacon Keith, Kristin, and Rachel are great examples of people who are in love with Jesus, trying to listen to the Holy Spirit, and letting God work through them and others to get people to heaven - wherever they are and in whatever life’s context might be! These three are in the trenches, getting it done as much as they’re getting their butts kicked! And they are grateful and joyful about it! Great gathering of ideas - but even greater gathering of love and passion for Jesus and the Great Story!

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