How can a busy parish move from a calendar full of activities to a shared mission of making disciples?
That is the question that Christina Semmens and Jim Jansen focus upon in the midst of an extremely practical conversation about relationships, clarity, and teamwork that all are necessary to make parish renewal possible.
Jim Jansen is the author of the book, A Clear Path, in it, he explains four essential parts of a discipleship pathway: relational outreach, conversion moments, faith formation, and equipping people for mission. In this conversation, Jim and Christina explore why parishes often stall between helping people grow in faith and preparing them to share it—and how simple, personal mentoring can bridge that gap.
The conversation also addresses rebuilding trust between dioceses and parishes, recognizing complementary gifts, sharing responsibility with the pastor, and discerning when a longstanding ministry has run its course.
Jim also shares what the process of growing fruit has taught him about work, rest, patience, and trusting God with the harvest. The conversation closes with encouragement to prepare parish communities to welcome, accompany, and integrate people who are seeking Christ.
Key Takeaways
- A shared mission gives parish activity direction. Knowing why a ministry exists—and how it contributes to making disciples—helps leaders collaborate and reduces competing demands on parishioners.
- Renewal begins with relationships. Diocesan and parish leaders build trust by showing up, listening, learning people’s circumstances, and offering practical help.
- A clear path includes four connected elements. Help people connect with the community, encounter Jesus and respond to him, grow in discipleship, and become equipped for their own mission.
- Formation needs to lead to mission. Learning about the faith matters, but parishioners also need help sharing it with friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers.
- Mentoring can be simple: tell, show, try, do. Explain a skill and its purpose, model it, provide supported practice, and help someone grow able to do it themselves.
- Strong teams bring complementary gifts. A shared vision, trust, and personal maturity allow people with different strengths to serve together. One leader cannot supply every gift.
- Discern both growth and pruning. Ask Jesus what a ministry needs now. Sometimes the faithful next step is to grow a small, fruitful initiative; sometimes it is to give tired volunteers permission to stop.
- Make room for the next leader. Teaching others and communicating a planned transition can open space for people who would otherwise hesitate to step forward.
- Respect the seasons. Fruitfulness requires timely work, rest, and trust. Jim’s orchard offers a reminder that spiritual growth cannot be rushed.
Chapters
00:00 — Welcome: Jim Jansen and the work of parish renewal
03:49 — A shared “why” and a clear direction for evangelization
07:28 — Building trust between diocesan leaders and parishes
10:24 — Knowing your people and connecting parish ministries
14:17 — The four parts of a discipleship pathway
19:41 — Connecting the call to holiness with the call to mission
22:22 — Practical mentorship: tell, show, try, do
25:06 — Patient evangelization and the strength of working together
28:58 — Shared responsibility, trust, and complementary gifts
33:55 — When a longstanding ministry needs to change or end
38:10 — Fatigue, delegation, and making room for new leaders
41:37 — What an orchard teaches about work, rest, and trust
44:26 — Signs of hope for the Church and missionary renewal
48:33 — Preparing to welcome and accompany people seeking Christ
49:44 — Connect with Jim and explore his resources
Resources
Connect with Jim
Everyday Evangelization — Jim’s main website with access to his book, podcast, consulting work, and conversation-booking options.
A Clear Path: How to Make Missionary Disciples in Your Parish — Jim’s book
The EquipCast — Jim’s podcast,
Anchor Consulting — Jim’s consulting work
Working Genius — The Table Group
Suggested Resolutions
1. Map your parish’s pathway. Identify where people connect, encounter Jesus, grow as disciples, and become equipped for mission. Choose one gap to bring to prayer and discussion with your leadership team.
2. Listen across ministry boundaries. Meet with one fellow ministry leader to learn whom they serve, what they need, and how your efforts could support one another.
3. Mentor one person in one skill. Use “tell, show, try, do” to help someone practice a small act of leadership or sharing faith.
4. Discern your current season. Ask the Lord whether you are being invited to persevere, teach someone else, make room for a successor, or let an activity come to a peaceful close.
