What were Jesus’ last words? Go out into the whole world to make disciples! This Catholic podcast is all about helping you respond “YES” to the final and greatest invitation of Jesus, the adventure you were made for. Together, let’s explore what business, education, organizational leadership, popes, saints, and scripture say about fulfilling the Great Commission. Hosts Dan and Justin serve in diocesan ministry leadership, and together authored Go! Make Disciples, a road map to missionary discipleship success for parishes, missions, and ministries of every variety. Dan’s ministry started while serving in officer positions in his college campus ministry at UCF. Initially graduating with a degree in Spanish, Dan went on to receive a master’s in theology at Boston College and a doctorate in education, again from UCF. After working in public and Catholic high schools for many years as a teacher and campus minister, Dan now works as a senior director at a large Catholic diocese in the southern US. Justin comes from a background in business and marketing. After finding corporate success as a business consultant with a global firm, he answered God’s call to work full-time in diocesan ministry. He currently serves as the Director of Family Evangelization for a geographically large diocese in the southern United States and holds dual-degrees in business, including an MBA from UNC-Chapel Hill.
Check out a new podcast that helps you encounter God in prayer so you can be and make disciples: https://prayerfulcatholic.buzzsprout.com/
In this “final” episode, Dan and Justin discuss what evangelization would look like if it were “easy”, as well as reflect upon why they started this podcast 3+ years ago, lessons learned along the way, and why they feel the Lord is calling them to hang up their microphones.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Regina Boyd (Dan's wife) joins us to discuss her new book "Leaving Loneliness Behind" published by Ave Maria Press! Hear how to develop deep and meaningful relationships so you can share God's love with others. Check out the book and accompanying workbook here: https://www.amazon.com/Leaving-Loneliness-Behind-Book-Set/dp/1646803019Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Throughout this podcast, we have advocated for praying spontaneously and out loud with people, and several of you have requested a how-to guide on this topic. We are dedicating this episode to helping you get comfortable praying with people on the spot, spontaneously, and out loud! We walk you through a simple formula to get comfortable with spontaneous, vocal prayer using these steps:1. Acknowledge and thank God2. Remember what he has done and what he is doing3. Bring a petition before God4. Call upon the name of JesusWe also include ways to incorporate your favorite scripture verses and ways of addressing God, as well as how to listen to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in the midst of prayer. Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Tom Martin, Chief Information Officer for the Archdiocese of Seattle, joins us to talk about the role technology can play in evangelization, and specifically how the Archdiocese is leveraging technology for their Partners in the Gospel initiative. Read more about Partners in the Gospel at https://archseattle.org/partners/. To learn more about the Agile approach to project management, as discussed in the episode, visit https://business.adobe.com/blog/basics/agile.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Our Lord used the Parable of the Sower to teach us about the Kingdom of God. What can we learn from gardening and yardwork that can apply to evangelization?Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
The "Ark and Dove" podcast helps listeners understand the experience of Black Catholics through a 5-part series involving storytelling and interviews. Co-host Edward Herrera joins Dan to discuss why and how this series was created. Listen to the "Ark and Dove" on Apple, Spotify, Google and other podcast providers.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Our Lord tells us there is more rejoicing in heaven over the one lost sheep who returns than the 99 already in the flock! Why do we struggle with this at times? A couple of short stories can help remind us why it's so important to seek the "one"Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
What will the next 30 years look like for the Catholic Church? Will things be better, worse, or just different? Dan & Justin discuss. Think we missed something? Make a comment or email beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
What's the best way to lead in ministry? What does Our Lord tell us? What can we glean from the business world? Dan & Justin discuss in this important episode! Link to the book discussed: Amazon.com: Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't: 9780066620992: Jim Collins: BooksBeing & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
We are back from our summer break with an interview with Tim Glemkowski, Executive Director of the National Eucharistic Revival. In this conversation, Tim shares the strategies for renewing a love for Jesus Christ in the Eucharist through the United States. EucharisticRevival.orgFREE COURSE BY BISHOP COZZENS: Learn How to Embrace the Gift of the EucharistFree video resourcesRevival ResourcesBeing & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Talking about evangelization is one thing, but making it a priority requires hard work. Dan & Justin discuss 5 questions that will help you discern if your parish or ministry really has evangelization as the top priority.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Ever struggled leading a small group? Or are you looking for a handy resource to help you and others improve at this? Dan & Justin discuss what works and what doesn't when leading small group discussions. The lessons here apply to any small group, anywhere. We begin with three "strikes" -- leadership styles that don't work -- and end with the home run, the perfect way to lead group discussions. A helpful episode for any small group leader!Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
"Ok, ok, I know I need to share the message of Jesus, but how?" We've got you covered! The USCCB published five strategies for developing a missionary culture: take advantage of the appeal of justice, embrace our missionary identity, lead with beauty, rediscover the rich intellectual tradition of the Church, and take advantage of the new media! Personally or corporately, these strategies will foster lively conversations which in turn will lead to authentic friendships. That is where discipleship and conversion will happen. Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
If you are a baptized Catholic, your vocation is to evangelize! While the Lord gives us different charisms and states in life, we all share in the mission of spreading the Gospel. The last words of Jesus were, "Go, make disciples..." and we think He meant it. In our very first episode, we cover the topic that motivated us to begin a podcast in the first place: evangelization. If you are unsure if you should be intentionally sharing the faith with others, this podcast is for you!Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Dan Donaldson, Vice President of the Catholic Men's Leadership Alliance, joins us to share about his journey back to the Catholic Church, as well as info on the June 10 Heroic Men Summit! This FREE online event from 11am - 1pm CDT features Curtis Martin, Justin Fatica and Jeremy Rivera with the theme “GO! Get started, use your gifts, make disciples!" To register, visit https://heroicmen.com/go/. The summit will be recorded, and a small group discussion guide is available for groups who want to experience this event as a community; advanced registration is required. The Catholic Men's Leadership Alliance (CMLA) is focused on strengthening men and their relationship with Jesus Christ. They provide content for leading small groups, coaching for men who want to lead, and conferences to inspire men to action. For more info, visit https://www.catholicmenleaders.org/. Download the "Heroic Men" app for great Catholic content curated for men, or visit https://heroicmen.com.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
How can we support priests? Kristian shares how he's helped MANY priests through his work as a consultant and coach. This episode will help you think of ways you can support priests, simply by starting with, "How can I help?"Kristian Jaloway is a thought leader, advisor, and speaker. He focuses on helping leadership of nonprofits and institutions find innovative solutions at the intersection of people and performance. Read more about Kristian's work at https://johnoberg.com/meet-our-team/. Sign up for their Catholic Leadership Project Newsletter here.Being & Making Disciples is on YouTube and check out hosts Dan and Justin's book on ministry. Contact them at beingandmakingdisciples@gmail.com.
Dan and Justin discuss what it would look like if we dared to have a 100-year dream for work as disciples of Jesus. What if we labored not for results that we would see in a matter of weeks or months, but rather decades, or even centuries? This episode can help every listener dream their own dreams of what the church can look like 100 years from now! Songs referenced:- The Impossible Dream: https://youtu.be/ZwWFTSYbyjM- The Road, the Rocks, and the Weeds (story): https://youtu.be/obhPpvJLm40- The Road, the Rocks, and the Weeds (song): https://youtu.be/JP0txRIoBSYThanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
The Catholic Church is in the midst of a National Eucharistic Revival, but how about starting with a personal one? In this episode, we discuss ways to cultivate one and help others do the same. Doing so can have a big impact on not just ourselves, but the church and world around us!Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
Curious about COVID-19's impact on giving in the Catholic Church? Look no further than this episode for data and insights we can learn from for the future, including the importance of mission when it comes to giving! Check out the full report at https://www.acstechnologies.com/covid-19-giving-report/, and learn more about ACS Technologies at https://www.acstechnologies.com/ or https://www.acstechnologies.com/acst-catholic/.Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
In this episode, Andy joins Dan again to go through his practices at Art of Workflow and help Dan (and all of you) understand how to unclog his thinking and develop his own art of workflow rather than getting frustrated with endless to-do lists. Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
In the United States, Canada, and much of Europe, the Church has significant material resources, at least when compared to the early centuries of Christianity. But what if the Church no longer had those same resources? Could we be as effective, could we reach as many, and could we evangelize successfully? Of course! The first followers of Jesus were still successful without the material resources that we enjoy today, and we could be too if necessity demanded. Of course, we aren't advocating for a return to a state of poverty, but we use this question as the starting point for a discussion on how we could order our resources to be more perfectly mission-focused.Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
In many ways, Jesus mentored the apostles. Saint Paul had a mentor, and became one to many. What role can mentors play in our lives, how do we find one, and how can we be one for others? In this episode, we explore the role of mentors in evangelization and discipleship, and how we can help others God calls us to mentor.Thanks for listening! Check out our newsletter, book and YouTube.
The Church is inviting us to update our language...why? Because we have always found ways to communicate the unchanging truths of salvation according to our language, time, and culture. We are living in a time of great cultural change and this includes a change in the way people speak and even think. To make sure that we are speaking the truth in a way people can understand and receive it, the Church is calling us to find new ways of sharing that truth so that more and more people might come to follow Jesus as his disciples. USCCB guide to the Directory for Catechesis (2020)Directory for Catechesis - USCCB Amazon
Andy Hickman, founder of The Art of Workflow, joins us to discuss how we can see every task in life as an expression of our love for God and as an authentic path to holiness. We discuss false models and images of holiness, piety, and reverence, and then dive into what St. Thomas Aquinas and Aristotle have to say about the modern approach to productivity and getting things done. You can get a free copy of the article Andy wrote by emailing him at andy@artofworkflow.com. He has also written a story about the theology and art of workflow which people can read for free at https://artofworkflow.com/#leo. Enjoy!
What if someone asks you why you follow Jesus? The answer is as easy as A-B-C
Advent is a great time to step back and think about our relationship with Christ. St. Josemaria Escriva offers us practical advice on how to strengthen our prayer and sacramental life, from his spiritual classic: The Way: Escriva, Josemaria: 9780933932548: Amazon.com: Books
In this episode, Dan sits down with Dave Plisky, Director of Product and Innovation at DeSales Media. DeSales recently partnered with Vinea Research to study Catholic Intentional Disciples in the US to find out why they follow Jesus so closely, what they still need, and how we can help more people join their ranks. The Church needs this type of work so much and we were very grateful to DeSales for the chance to discuss this survey. We hope you enjoy the episode and don't forget to download the survey and put it to good use!Catholic Intentional Discipleship in the USNational Study of Catholic Priests
In this episode we explore the Biblical roots of Baptism, starting with the Old Testament and journeying through all the scriptures to arrive at a richer, deeper understanding of the sacrament of initiation. Fr. Isaac helps us appreciate the many aspects of this sacrament including purity, worship, death, and life. Whether you seek to understand your own baptism better or to help others understand and embrace the baptismal waters, this podcast and the book we discuss will help!You can find Fr. Isaac's book here on Amazon.Check our Fr. Isaac's video series on Baptism and the Bible here at Formed.org.
Why is it essential to be charitable in ministry, especially toward our shepherds?
John Edwards, founder of "Just a Guy in the Pew" ministries, discusses how to grow vibrant, authentic men's ministries to help transform families and communities. More on John, his podcast, and how his team can support you at https://justaguyinthepew.com/. Check out this episode on YouTube at https://youtu.be/MbZSdI7ksRA
Rachel Harkins Ullmann, Executive Director of the GIVEN Institute, shares how GIVEN is helping women in their 20's discover the gift of who they are for the Catholic Church and the world. More at https://giveninstitute.com
In this episode, Dan explores the importance of learning not to be scandalized by sin so that we can build rapport and authentic friendships with others.
Nick Costello is the President of Home to Enhance African Life, a mission in Nigeria that works to lift young people out of poverty. HEAL accomplishes this goal through education, entrepreneurship, and poverty relief in the Self-Emptying Spirit of Christ (Phil 2:6-11) while forming the children as followers of Jesus. In this interview, Nick and Justin explore how this mission, started by Deacon Leo Okonkwo, is a practical and merciful effort of evangelization. Link to Newsletter: https://healnigeria.org/newsletter/Link to Donate: https://healnigeria.org/donate/
In this episode, Dan sits down with Cristofer Pereyra, author of Catholic Leadership for Civil Society and CEO of Tepeyac Leadership. They discuss the book, how lay Catholics are called to be light to the world, and perhaps the easiest way for the most people to imbue the world with a Catholic vision.Check out the book on Amazon: Catholic Leadership for Civil Society: A Practical Guide on Authentic Lay Leadership, by Cristofer Pereyra and Erin Monnin
Do you need this reminder today? This short episode highlights 5 tangible ways we can know God is with us, especially as we "Go! Make Disciples." For more episodes, and to sign up for our free monthly newsletter, visit beingandmakingdisciples.com.
Happy Easter! This episode was recorded and released during the Octave of Easter in 2022. Dan discusses ways that you can live the joy and reality of the Resurrection. This includes how to view and participate in the Mass, embracing challenging passages in scripture, finding joy in all things, recognizing salvation as a gift, and more!
Father George Nursey joins us to discuss how seminaries are centers for evangelization, forming men to spread the Gospel and help others do the same. Father George Nursey is the Dean of Pastoral Formation at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach, Florida: www.svdp.edu. Check out all of our episodes, and sign up for our free monthly newsletter, at beingandmakingdisciples.com.
Thank God for the gift of prayer! Sometimes we need to be reminded why it's essential, and this short episode helps. We also invite you to...Sign up for our newsletter at beingandmakingdisciples.comCheck out our YouTube ChannelCheck out our book: Go! Make Disciples
RCIA, or Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, is a set of liturgical rites that are celebrated as a way of welcoming someone into the body of Christ. But often we use RCIA as a way to refer to the classes that people attend to learn about the faith. While the liturgical rites must happen in the community, in this episode we explore what it would look like if we welcomed aspiring Catholics by connecting them with a mentor who could personally tailor the process of becoming a disciple to the needs of the individual.
Should you quit your job to work in ministry full-time? Maybe, but before you do, there are some things you should know, like how to discern God's will and why all of us are called to evangelize, even if we don't work in the Church.Website and newsletter signupLink to Go! Make Disciples, our go-to guide for creating ministries that bear fruit
We often want BIG ministries, BIG outreaches with LOTS of people! But that's not how God typically works. Listen to this small episode to remind us that God works in the small.
Friends, in this episode we explain why it is so, so, so important to be familiar with the story of Jesus. We look at how the first Christians started with the story of Jesus in their efforts to make disciples and why we should too! Dan references numerous scripture passages and one great website by past podcast guest Marcel LeJeune to help you learn how to boldly, confidently, and fluidly proclaim the story of Jesus to anyone who asks, and you can find those below.Examples of the Kerygma proclaimed in the book of Acts:By St. Peter: Acts 2:14-36; 3:12-26; 4:8-12; 5:29-32; 10:34-43By St. Paul: Acts 13:16-41; 14:15-17; 17:22-31https://catholicmissionarydisciples.com/news/the-content-of-the-kerygma-good-news-for-the-worldAdditional guide:https://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/how-we-teach/catechesis/catechetical-sunday/enlisting-witnesses/kerygmatic-proclamation-of-jesus-christ
When was the last time you let your heart break for Jesus? The song "Hosanna" by Hillsong United aptly states, "Break my heart for what breaks Yours." Sometimes, we still have parts of our heart that are stone, and we need to allow Jesus to change them to flesh. For more on this topic, check out the book "Interior Freedom" by Father Jacques Philippe: https://www.amazon.com/Interior-Freedom-Jacques-Philippe/dp/1594170525
Dan & Justin discuss the book that's been taking the church by storm! "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" helps us understand the current context the church finds herself in. We are no longer living in a time of Christendom, however, there is still much hope and even advantages to living in a time like this. If this episode inspires you to read the book at just 90 pages, you can find it at http://bookstore.umary.edu/MerchDetail?MerchID=1638495&num=0&start=9&end=12&type=1&CategoryName=Books&CatID=29630&Name=Books or on Amazon. And check out our new website! Which includes a signup form for our newsletter and all podcast episodes: https://www.beingandmakingdisciples.com.
Friends, one of the most important things for Christians to do is establish trust with others. When people trust us and have a positive impression of Jesus, the Church, and followers of Jesus, they are more likely to listen, to be open and curious, and to want to talk about religion. Until they trust, even the most powerful stories of God's love may fall on deaf ears, so make sure you establish trust first. Try these 7 ways!
James Baxter, co-founder and CEO of Exodus joins us to discuss the success of this ministry helping men find freedom in Christ and fraternity. Sign up for the next Exodus 90 beginning Monday, January 17 at https://exodus90.com. James attended St. John Vianney Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota and St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad, Indiana before discerning God was calling him to marriage and secular life. In 2015, James assumed responsibility for scaling Exodus 90 from a seminary formation program into a spiritual exercise to bring the freedom of Jesus Christ to His men. James lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana with his wife Colleen, son Joseph and baby girl Genevieve. They attend St. John the Baptist Parish. Video version of episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OVpYpA_qnqE
Keith Nester shares about his journey into the Catholic Church after 20 years of discernment. Keith is a former pastor/youth pastor who served in United Methodist, Assemblies of God, and Evangelical Free churches in various roles. In 2017, he resigned his full-time ministry position and joined the Catholic Church. In October of 2018, Keith felt the call of God to write a book about what life is like for converts in their first year. "The Convert's Guide to Roman Catholicism: Your First Year in the Church" is a down to earth, realistic look at the transitions, obstacles, joys and challenges converts face in their first year in the Church. As the Executive Director of Down to Earth Ministries, Keith continues to use his preaching gifts to speak to audiences about faith, theology and his journey to Catholicism. Keith also creates content on YouTube and his Podcast “Catholic Feedback”. Visit Keith's website at https://down2earthministry.org. Watch this interview on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3x0pE16XbC4
Justin shares from his own personal journey the lesson learned to "just be yourself" as we aim to follow Our Lord, and help others follow Him. God doesn't want us to be anyone but who we are authentically made and called to be. As St. Catherine of Siena says, "Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire," and Blessed Carlo Acutis, "All people are born as originals but many die as photocopies.”
Dan catches up with Chika and Mari, two Catholics who work full time for Catholic mission and evangelization organizations (Vagabond Missions and Evangelical Catholic). They discuss what led them to that work, what it's like living like Jesus and doing the same kind of work, and whether Cali or Miami has the best food.
Do you feel a call to do something special for the Lord? You might think that is a call to the priesthood, to religious life, or to make a major change for God like moving to another country to begin mission work. But what if that is just God's ordinary invitation to live an extraordinary life?
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