Catholic Ministry Professionals

Tune in here. Many Catholics want to share their faith. They simply have not been taught how. Jen Steffensmeier joins Jon to explain why evangelization begins with prayer, friendship, and deep investment in a few—not a parish program. They discuss how to identify the people God may be placing in front of you, build real friendships, and take one intentional step without treating anyone like a project. Resources: Mentorship Program for Lay Leaders: archomaha.org/mentorship Rel

Tune in here. You are not responsible for fixing your entire parish. But you are responsible for how you respond to the people God has placed near you. Jon and Thai examine why parish renewal begins with personal conversion, why Catholics often outsource the mission, and what changes when one person finally has a name. Thank you to Briar Cliff University for underwriting this program.

Tune in here. You've got an idea for your ministry. You've thought it through, you believe it would work — and you haven't moved. The permission you're waiting for isn't coming. Here's what to do next. Book a discovery call at catholicministryprofessionals.com. Thank you to Briar Cliff University for underwriting this program.

Tune in here. Someone on your team is burning out. You can see it — and you've been waiting for the right moment to say something. That moment doesn't appear on its own. You have to build it. Book a discovery call at catholicministryprofessionals.com. Thank you to Briar Cliff University for underwriting this program.

Tune in here. We all spend time looking for the right program, the right budget, or the right moment. The lowest barrier to change in your parish is already in your hands — one conversation, one person, one hour. Make transformation actionable. Download the Three Conversations That Transform Parish Culture for FREE at catholicministryprofessionals.com/culture. Thank you to Briar Cliff University for underwriting this program.

Tune in here. You're making the decisions. You're watching the budget. And somewhere in the middle of all of it, you need to make sure the mission is still driving the ship. Dr. Matthew Draud, President of Brier Cliff University, breaks down how Catholic leaders keep Christ at the center when the pressure to survive starts pulling in a different direction. Download the Parish Culture Assessment tool at catholicministryprofessionals.com/culture. Thank you to Briar Cliff Univer

Tune in here. Find out what it takes to reach the Catholics your parish doesn't even know it's missing. Listen to the full conversation with Shannon McGraw-Carr. Thank you for Briar Cliff University for underwriting this program.

Tune in here. In this episode, Jon Konz and Thai Hua discuss how you can take practical steps as you are growing in your journey of discipleship and how to guide others along the way. Thank you for Briar Cliff University for underwriting this program.

Tune in here. Does your parish life need a boost? Learn how to drive more engagement in parishes by identifying behaviors and measuring outcomes. Jon talks strategy for outcomes in this episode of Catholic Ministry Professionals.

Listen to the episode here. Most parish meetings end with conversation. Not decisions. That gap quietly drains your team. Tune in this afternoon at 4 on Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM as Jon gives you three things to fix that: Decide Out Loud. Name the Owner. Set the Date. One clear decision. One person responsible. One firm deadline. Write it down before anyone leaves. And if you think structure doesn't belong in volunteer ministry — Jon addresses that too. Vagueness doesn

Listen to the episode here. Most parishes say they want more vocations. But few are building the kind of culture where vocations can actually grow. In this episode, Jon sits down with Fr. Travis Crotty, Vocations Director for the Diocese of Sioux City, to unpack what’s really behind the decline in vocations and what parish leaders can do about it. They explore why the “vocations crisis” didn’t start today, what healthy vocation-producing parishes have in common, and why progr

Many parish leaders feel controlled by their calendars. Meetings, interruptions, and constant demands leave little room for the most important work of ministry. If discipleship is truly a priority, it must show up in how leaders schedule their time. In this episode, Jon and Thai share three simple shifts that transform the parish calendar: reclaim each day with a short prayerful routine, protect one block of time each week, and evaluate recurring meetings to decide whether th

Listen to the episode here. You can also tune into Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM March 31 at 4pm. Many parishes aren’t growing, they’re just trying to survive, and survival mode becomes its own weekly rhythm: urgent issues dominate meetings, important decisions stall, and discipleship gets postponed. Ministry like this is exhausting – parishioners don’t know where to go and leaders feel like they can’t lead. Using Matthew 9:36 (“like sheep without a shepherd”), the episode

You can listen to the episode here. Most parish leaders are sincere, hardworking, and prayerful — yet still feel scattered and reactive. In this episode, Jon and Thai unpack why renewed energy isn’t the solution. Clear priorities are. Drawing from Matthew 9:36, they explore how compassion without direction leaves people disoriented — like sheep without a shepherd. Leadership clarity isn’t a buzzword; it’s an act of charity. This episode walks through a simple but demanding f

Jon and Thai explore why parish teams can be faithful, busy, and well-intentioned—yet still stuck. The problem isn’t effort or motivation, but misalignment caused by unclear communication, vague vision, and meetings that don’t lead to decisions. Through concrete parish examples, they show how vague agreement (“yeah, we should do that”) without named ownership or follow-up quietly breeds frustration. When vision isn’t clear or actionable, every ministry feels urgent, prioritie

In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals, Jon Konz and Mike Ward discuss the transformative power of pastoral conversations in parish ministry. They explore the importance of being present, listening, and creating a culture of trust within the church community. Mike shares insights from his experience in pastoral ministry, emphasizing the need for intentionality in conversations, overcoming barriers, and leading with a clear vision. The discussion also highlight

What happens when we stop playing it safe in ministry and start offering real depth? In this conversation, Eric Gallagher shares the heart behind Suscipe and the fruit that has followed a decade of intentional discernment. Drawing from years in parish and diocesan ministry, Eric explains why adults are often hungry for more than “milk,” how deeper formation actually bears fruit, and why apostolates are becoming increasingly essential in the life of the Church. This episode is

Tune in today at 4pm on Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM. You can listen to the episode here. In this episode of the Catholic Ministry Professionals Podcast, Jon engages with therapist Justin Derry to explore the integration of mental health awareness within Catholic ministry. They discuss the importance of tough conversations, the impact of conflict avoidance in parish teams, and the necessity of self-care for effective ministry. Justin emphasizes the need for an integrated

You can listen to the episode here. In this conversation, Mike Ferrell discusses the concept of profound hospitality, emphasizing the importance of approaching everyone as if Christ were present. He outlines five key points that define this approach, focusing on the need for surprise, delight, and attention to detail in creating a welcoming environment. —------- Takeaways Profound hospitality means treating everyone as Christ. Surprise and delight are essential elements of ho

Tune in at 4pm Tuesday on Siouxland Catholic Radio 88.1 FM. You can also listen here. In this episode, Jon Konz and Heidi Indahl discuss the transformative approach of Designed for Discipleship, which integrates quality education with authentic faith formation. They explore the gaps in traditional catechesis, the importance of a discipleship-driven mindset, and the four key principles that guide effective faith education. Through real-life examples, they highlight the breakth