.png?width=800&height=171&name=cym-live-logo-marathon%20(1).png){kind=logo}
%201.jpg)
The Church Podcast
Each episode features conversations with people from various backgrounds, exploring the real side of ministry. We discuss insights and learnings from the local and national landscape, enriching our understanding of the ministry's impact.
All Episodes
Episode 031 - Questions We Should Be Asking
In this solo mini-episode of The Church Podcast, Christopher Wesley reflects on three powerful questions that every ministry leader should wrestle with at some point in their journey. These aren't just practical or strategy-based—they’re personal, spiritual, and essential for long-term sustainability in ministry. Sharing from his own experience with burnout, transition, and rediscovering identity, Chris invites listeners to pause and consider what really drives their work—and their worth. If you’ve ever felt lost in your role, struggled to hand over leadership, or wondered how to keep growing in your own faith, this episode is for you.
Episode 030 - Radical Solidarity: Listening, Healing, and Hope with Meghan Fiebelkorn
Join me, Christopher Wesley, on The Church Podcast for a profound conversation in Episode 030: Radical Solidarity: Listening, Healing, and Hope with Meghan Fiebelkorn. This episode dives into the crucial topic of supporting survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic leaders. Meghan, from Awake Community, shares her journey from parish ministry to advocating for survivors, emphasizing the importance of radical solidarity and preferential option for the vulnerable. We explore the ongoing issues within the Church, the need for credible witness, and how to be present for those who have been harmed. Listen as we discuss the power of empathy, listening, and standing with the marginalized, offering hope and healing through authentic Gospel living. This is a conversation that challenges us to confront difficult truths while remaining committed to transformation and love.
Episode 029 – Reboot 115: Combating The Issue Of Staff Turnover
Episode 029 – Reboot: Combating The Issue Of Staff Turnover In this special Reboot edition, we revisit one of the most relevant and enduring challenges in ministry: staff turnover. Originally recorded as part of The Church Podcast with co-host John Rinaldo, this episode (#115)—first aired at the start of 2020—dives into the systemic and personal reasons why turnover remains one of the most pressing issues in the Church today. Chris and John explore the deeper implications of high turnover rates, especially among younger ministry leaders, and ask tough questions about how parishes and dioceses can better support, invest in, and retain good people. Drawing from years of ministry experience, they break down the key causes of turnover—low pay, burnout, lack of clarity or purpose, toxic team culture, and inadequate leadership support. They also offer tangible, pastoral strategies to combat the cycle of constant transition, such as: Clarifying expectations and vision Promoting a team-based (not siloed) staff culture Prioritizing professional development Modeling sustainable work habits Encouraging ownership of the issue across the entire parish community Whether you're a pastor, diocesan leader, or lay minister, this rebooted episode is a timely and challenging reminder: solving the turnover crisis requires all of us. For more show notes visit us at thechurchpodcast.org
Episode 028 – Staying Rooted in Ministry with Mike Patin
In this engaging and heartfelt episode, Christopher Wesley sits down with longtime Catholic speaker and ministry leader Mike Patin for a conversation that blends wisdom, humor, and real talk about what it means to endure in ministry. From crawfish boils in Louisiana to car rides that double as prayer time, Mike shares how decades in the Church have shaped his approach to leadership, storytelling, and spiritual health. The two explore how to stay grounded in the long haul of ministry, what authentic accountability looks like, and how the shift from "being engaging" to "engaging others" has transformed Mike’s work. Whether you're a new youth minister or a seasoned pastoral leader, this conversation offers a roadmap for spiritual sustainability and community-rooted leadership. For more visit our show notes at thechurchpodcast.org