Upstream Podcast

What are some ways leaders in a parish can attract capable volunteers?In episode 17 of the Upstream Podcast, Patrick Lencioni and guest Father John Riccardo explore a fundamental shift in how church leaders can view and utilize volunteers, emphasizing that the church is the Body of Christ and not a corporation. They assert that the biggest challenges are rooted in low expectations, treating volunteers generically, and creating a division between paid staff and unpaid volunteers. By raising expectations, discerning people's unique spiritual gifts, and holding everyone equally accountable to the mission of rescuing, renewing, and transforming the human family, parishes can become more vibrant and effective.Thanks to Father John Riccardo for being on the show! This episode of Upstream with Patrick Lencioni is brought to you by The Table Group: https://www.tablegroup.com. We teach leaders how to make work more effective and less dysfunctional. We also help their employees be more fulfilled and less miserable. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3EMRli4 Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6b7Y050FFTMNeDaYQUoRUj Follow Pat Lencioni on https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrick-lencioni-orghealth, http://www.youtube.com/@PatrickLencioniOfficial, and https://x.com/patricklencioni. We also have two other podcasts you might be interested in. One is called At The Table with Patrick Lencioni. And the other is called The Working Genius Podcast with Patrick Lencioni. Find them on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube. This episode was produced by Story On Media: https://www.storyon.co.

Pat is joined by his friends Fr. Austin Gilstrap, pastor of Our Lady of the Lake in Hendersonville, TN, and Fr. Michael Fye, pastor of St. Anne in Nashville, TN.  The three of them have a spirited conversation about OCIA and what it really means to initiate people into the Catholic church. They discuss the importance of excitement, depth, and timeliness in conducting spiritual formation, and explore the different ways that pastors can best serve the people joining their congregation. 

Pat and his friend Fr. Michael Andrade, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Clovis, CA, have a vulnerable and practical conversation about the challenges pastors face when taking over a new parish. They challenge the conventional wisdom of waiting to make changes and explore how immediate, prayerful, and intentional leadership fosters healthier transitions. Fr. Michael also shares his personal experiences of forming a supportive team, embracing criticism, and leading courageously for the good of the parish.

Pat and Fr. Mike Schmitz tackle the tension priests encounter between being popular and being authentic. The conversation dives into the spiritual and practical dangers of avoiding conflict, the need for truth-tellers in leadership, and the importance of genuine relationships built on love rather than admiration. Together, Pat and Fr. Mike challenge listeners to choose truth over comfort, love over applause, and authenticity over approval.

With an increasing yearning for unadulterated truth and an attraction to the beauty of the sacraments, more and more people are curious about the Catholic Church. Today, Pat talks with his good friend, Fr. John Riccardo from ACTS XXIX, about the importance of sharing the fullness of the Church with conviction and joy and without apology. ... Check out all the great work that Fr. John and ACTS XXIX team are doing at actsxxix.org.

Pat and his friends Fr. John Riccardo of ACTS XXIX and Chris Jenson discuss small adjustments priests can make to their Christmas Masses. These adjustments could make this year’s Mass extra special for people who might only attend church once or twice a year and be an excellent reminder for those who attend more often.   YouTube video Pat references: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYLRuVy0t6Q

The Church in America is facing significant challenges related to the restructuring of parishes due to priest shortage. While some may suggest closing parishes to streamline operations, the Church is a spiritual entity that requires thoughtful, prayerful management rather than just business-like solutions. The approach taken to address these challenges can greatly impact vocations and the overall spiritual life of the Church. It’s essential to prioritize the protection of holy, faithful priests as the starting point for any strategy moving forward. Pat is joined by friends Chris Jenson and Matthew Rudolph to begin the conversation about this important topic.   Here is a link to the Multiple Parishes article by Patrick Lencioni https://upstreampodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/UpStream-Multiple-Parishes.pdf  

Accepting low standards comes at a cost. So, why do leaders tolerate it? In this episode, Pat sits down with his good friend Chris Jenson, a management consultant, and discusses what mediocrity really is, why leaders let it occur, and how to overcome it.

It may come as a surprise to many lay people, and perhaps even priests too, that worldly opposition can come from within the Church.  Pat sits down with his friend Fr. John Riccardo of ACTS XXIX to discuss the different ways we can face this truth, overcome worldly opposition, and avoid being discouraged in the process. 

The power of the Mass is the Eucharist. Sometimes the efforts to elevate the beauty of the mass can actually detract from magnifying Christ. There are a few implementations that you as a priest can instill that enhances rather than detracts from the elevation of the Mass. Today Pat is joined with Chris Stefanick and Fr. Sean Conroy from the Archdiocese of Denver to discuss this topic.

Transition is a challenge that every priest encounters but how do you not only navigate but embrace it. Oftentimes the challenge comes not singularly in the change but primarily in the loss. When these losses come it is absolutely necessary that our priests come to terms, respond, ceremonialize, and finally ask for a brother or member of Christ who reminds and encourages them of their purpose, picture, plan, and part to play in the midst of that loss. In today’s episode I am joined by co-host Matt Rudolph, founder of Chrism, with Priest Fr. Adam Cesarek from the Diocese of Peoria. Find out where you can listen to our podcast: https://upstreampodcast.com/ Find more information on transition management here: https://tinyurl.com/3f5n9p4y 

The position of a priest can be the loneliest position in the world. All humans have a fundamental hunger to be appreciated, yet very few of our Spiritual Fathers fully receive or seek this out. Affirming what you know is good and true about another person is not only necessary, but essential, for the nourishment of any relationship. This can begin with you. Find out where you can listen to our podcast: https://upstreampodcast.com/ Check out the Amazing Parish Summit: https://amazingparish.org/summitsanantoniocoaching/

From an Evangelical pastor, to a consultant, to working with priests and Archbishops, Chris Jenson’s interactions with clergy have helped to shape his view of Catholicism from the outside. In this episode, Pat is joined by his friend and colleague who shares how he has been drawn to the Church through the witnessing of priests’ love of Jesus and their devotion to people being transformed by Him. Find out where you can listen to our podcast: https://upstreampodcast.com/ Check out the Amazing Parish Summit: https://amazingparish.org/summitsanantoniocoaching/

One of the most important and visible tasks that priests carry out during Mass is the delivery of the homily. To some, this part of the role comes naturally, but to others, it can be a struggle. This week, our goal is to provide simple feedback and offer some advice in the hopes that it might help you make your homilies as impactful as they can be. P – Passionate, O – Organized, U – Understandable, R – Relevant. POUR yourself into your homilies, and trust those around you enough to receive constructive feedback. Don’t be performative, don’t be boring, and keep your homilies just long enough to get your message across.   ... Mentioned in this Episode:  Amen App: https://amenapp.org/  Hallow App: https://hallow.com/  Bible in a Year Podcast: https://media.ascensionpress.com/category/ascension-podcasts/bibleinayear/ 3-Minute Reset: https://3minutereset.org/

One of the most important and visible tasks that priests carry out during Mass is the delivery of the homily. To some, this part of the role comes naturally, but to others, it can be a struggle. This week, our goal is to provide simple feedback and offer some advice in the hopes that it might help you make your homilies as impactful as they can be. P – Passionate, O – Organized, U – Understandable, R – Relevant. POUR yourself into your homilies, and trust those around you enough to receive constructive feedback. Don’t be performative, don’t be boring, and keep your homilies just long enough to get your message across.

Parish priests are under a lot of pressure to be good at all things. Good homilists, good operators, good with pastoral care—the list doesn't stop.  It's unrealistic that any of us would be good at all things, yet the pressure persists.  In this episode, we discuss the "Working Genius" model created by Patrick Lencioni.  The "Working Genius" is an assessment that reveals an individuals strengths and weaknesses so that we work better together.  It's a helpful model for a priest to better understand what brings you to life, what exhausts you, and how to build a team around you so that your parish can grow stronger. 

Every pastor dreams of a parish that is full, vibrant, and active.  But making this dream a reality can be difficult, maybe even overwhelming.  So we look to established programs for structure and to take away the guess work.  Yet still, rolling out a new program at your parish takes serious commitment.  There never seems to be a shortcut.   Or maybe we're just making this too complicated?  In today's show, Patrick shares a simple model for engaging parishioners through simple evangelization.  It's spontanoeous, daring, and sparks a new excitement in each of us.  Also, it's a time-tested model—the Apostles did it 2000 years ago, and it changed the world forever.

To lead our church and preach the Truth requires courage to swim upstream. Podcast host Patrick Lencioni invites seminarians, priests, and bishops to join him in this conversation.