The Apostolic Parish Library
Browse our article bank for free wisdom on creating thriving, apostolic parishes.
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Evangelization
Top Eight Parish Renewal Takeaways from the Alpha Global Leadership Conference
Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, speaking to assembled leaders from across the globe at Royal Albert Hall. It’s clear to me that I will be considering the gift of this global leadership conference for months…maybe the rest of my life. Shortly…
Are Our Churches Ready to Be Centers of Evangelization?
Re.Vitalize Trust, pre-Christian mission, and what the American Church should prepare for now * Part 3 of a series: The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel after Secularism. Part 1, Part 2. The most urgent word I heard…
When Secularism Cracks: Britain, the “quiet revival,” and the power of the gospel
This article is Part 2 of a three part series titled The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel After Secularism . See Part 1, and Part 3 . I recently returned from a gathering of Christian leaders from…
America Is Not Simply Secular
Why Religion Went Obsolete, the “nones,” and the re-enchanted mission field *Part 1 of a series, The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel After Secularism Christian Smith’s Why Religion Went Obsolete (Oxford, 2025) is arguably the most important…
Faith Formation
From Struggling to Supported: Rethinking Family Advocacy in Ministry
Friends, it is time again to cede The Mark 5:19 Project article spot to Heidi Indahl, co-founder of Designed for Discipleship and frequent collaborator with our apostolate. We recently worked together (with my husband Jerry Windley-Daoust) on a retreat morning…
Congratulations, You Are a Catechist! (…Now What?)
Once again, I am ceding this article to my colleagues in the field, Dr. Tim and Heidi Indahl. They have exciting news–and we are honored to excerpt their new book, The Proactive Catechist! Enjoy! — Susan Windley-Daoust Hello, Mark 5:19…
Restoring the Heart of Catholic Schools: Parish, Parents, and the Common Good
Friends, this couldn’t be more timely as we move into a new academic year across the United States. I yield this space to my colleague Heidi Indahl, who consults with parishes and schools on Catholic catechesis and education. Her contact…
Rethinking Progress: What Are You Really Measuring?
Friends, I am ceding this article again to Heidi Indahl, who works alongside us so well. I just spoke about the pros and cons of measurements and metrics myself at a conference last week and it’s like she was there!…
Apost0lic Parish
Are Our Churches Ready to Be Centers of Evangelization?
Re.Vitalize Trust, pre-Christian mission, and what the American Church should prepare for now * Part 3 of a series: The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel after Secularism. Part 1, Part 2. The most urgent word I heard…
America Is Not Simply Secular
Why Religion Went Obsolete, the “nones,” and the re-enchanted mission field *Part 1 of a series, The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel After Secularism Christian Smith’s Why Religion Went Obsolete (Oxford, 2025) is arguably the most important…
How to Rebuild Parish Culture: Restoring Truth, Love, and Trust
If parish culture is the soil of mission, how do we rebuild it? Practical habits that restore truth, love, and trust in parish life.
The Hidden Reason Parish Renewal Fails: A Parish Culture Problem
Many parish renewal efforts fail—not because of strategy, but because of culture. Here’s why parish culture is the real soil of mission growth.
Apostolic Leadership
Should Your Parish Hire a Staff Person Dedicated to Evangelization?
Is it time to hire a parish evangelization leader? Learn the pros, cons, and leadership considerations Catholic pastors and parish staff should weigh when deciding whether to create a dedicated evangelization ministry position.
How to Rebuild Parish Culture: Restoring Truth, Love, and Trust
If parish culture is the soil of mission, how do we rebuild it? Practical habits that restore truth, love, and trust in parish life.
The Hidden Reason Parish Renewal Fails: A Parish Culture Problem
Many parish renewal efforts fail—not because of strategy, but because of culture. Here’s why parish culture is the real soil of mission growth.
How Do You Pastorally Lead in a Crisis?
How do you pastor in a time of crisis? It’s January 2026, and we’re located in Minnesota. In the past week(s), people have been struggling. Parishioners are not entirely on the same page–like every place, people vote red and blue…
Prayer
Silence Is A Necessary Teacher
I mentioned a couple of weeks ago that my husband was at the National Eucharistic Congress, and one of many people deeply moved by what they saw as a mighty move of God in that week. I was moved even…
The Week Jesus Walked Down My Street
…a mystagogy of the national Eucharistic procession At the beginning of June, life in Minnesota began to get good: temperatures well above freezing, flowers blooming, graduates commencing, kids eating ice cream. And in the midst of it, Jesus Christ was processed…
Begin with Discerning God’s Vision for Your Parish
Welcome to another Starting Conversations article! These articles are designed to be shared and discussed together, with staff, councils, committees, and teams. Enjoy and click the tag “starting conversations” for more of these quick reads that open up good questions….
The Rich Silence of the Eucharist
Many of the articles here focus on how to turn parishes toward a mission mentality, to become apostolic parishes eager to evangelize. There are a lot of “action items.” Perhaps it is the most necessary time to stake a spiritual…
Missions
After the Eucharistic Congress: Launching a Year of Mission in your Parish
Join us for our inaugural free webinar! Pastors, parochial vicars, parish staff, and all you baptized: Welcome to the year of mission of the National Eucharistic Revival! But first things first: we are not launching a year, but a life…
Are Parishes Addicted to a Maintenance Culture?
Welcome back to another “Starting Conversations” article, designed to provoke and create new discussions on living as missionary discipleships and fostering parish evangelization. This article presumes familiarity with the language of moving “from maintenance to mission,” found in Fr. James…
The Bigger Problem: How Do We Fund the Great Commission When We’re Just Scraping By?
Welcome back to the conclusion of our three part series on funding the Great Commission. Two weeks ago we introduced Part 1: Do you need money to foster an apostolic parish? One week ago, Part 2: Is your parish keeping…
What does it take to be better at saving souls?
Welcome back to our Starting Conversations series, a short shareable article for staff, councils, small group studies, and more to discuss. This one may be controversial, which can make for a spirited time together! May God bless your conversation. “What…
Social Mission
Top Eight Parish Renewal Takeaways from the Alpha Global Leadership Conference
Nicky and Pippa Gumbel, speaking to assembled leaders from across the globe at Royal Albert Hall. It’s clear to me that I will be considering the gift of this global leadership conference for months…maybe the rest of my life. Shortly…
Are Our Churches Ready to Be Centers of Evangelization?
Re.Vitalize Trust, pre-Christian mission, and what the American Church should prepare for now * Part 3 of a series: The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel after Secularism. Part 1, Part 2. The most urgent word I heard…
When Secularism Cracks: Britain, the “quiet revival,” and the power of the gospel
This article is Part 2 of a three part series titled The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel After Secularism . See Part 1, and Part 3 . I recently returned from a gathering of Christian leaders from…
America Is Not Simply Secular
Why Religion Went Obsolete, the “nones,” and the re-enchanted mission field *Part 1 of a series, The Re-Enchanted Mission Field: Britain, America, and the Gospel After Secularism Christian Smith’s Why Religion Went Obsolete (Oxford, 2025) is arguably the most important…
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