Every Knee Shall Bow (Your Catholic Evangelization Podcast)

Latest Episodes:

Waking the Dead: Transforming a Heart of Stone Jun 26, 2019

Show notes

Dave VanVickle (that’s right, no nickname today) and I are waking the dead! We’re talking about how to really reach people through evangelization. Not just a short moment of emotional connection that fades the next day, but a true conversion where a person reorients their life to God.

Snippet from the Show
“Taking someone’s heart of stone to a heart of flesh is a supernatural act. You are making them alive in Christ Jesus. That is a bigger miracle than resurrecting a deceased corpse to natural life.”

Check out the shownotes at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow

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Preparing a Talk for High School Students Jun 19, 2019

Show notes

Public speaking to teens: a favorite pastime of … no one. But somebody has to do it, and with some prayer and preparation, your talk can be a great opportunity to change hearts and minds—just look at the fruits that come from Steubenville Conferences.

Dave “Father of Wildlings” VanVickle and I go over how to prepare a talk for high school students that will bring the house down.

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Snippet from the Show
“Christ is the one who destroys the walls of hostility that we keep building up. Every new barrier we put up, Christ is the one who tears them down. God is pursuing us.”

SHOWNOTES
How to prepare a talk for high schoolers

Select a piece of Scripture: The Word of God is the only thing that gives real clarity in the world.
Be yourself: teens appreciate authenticity
Speak to their experience.

5 Practical Tips

Find three narratives where Jesus pursues (or talks about) going after someone outside and brings them in. Write down your thoughts and observations.
Take a half page and try to write a tract that you think would be compelling to bring someone to the Lord.
Ask someone in your life to pray for you and your call to evangelize.
Reach out to someone in your life and compliment them on some part of their life.
Pray for the RCIA team and the adults to be baptized in your parish.

Resources from the Show
The Great Adventure Bible
Broken and Blessed: An Invitation to My Generation - Fr Josh Johnson
Ascension’s soon-to-be-released program for evangelization, The 99, at evangelization.com

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You Can’t Evangelize Unless You Regularly Read Scripture Jun 12, 2019

Show notes

It’s difficult to spread the gospel if you haven’t read it. Dave “Too Hot to Handle, Too Cold to Hold” VanVickle and I talk about why it’s vital to regularly read Scripture and how to immerse yourself in the Word.

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Snippet from the Show
“The most effective evangelists are those who are steeped in the Word. Evangelization is the fruit of encounter, meditation, and study of Sacred Scripture. It’s an overflow of what’s in your heart because of your total commitment to the Word of God.”

SHOWNOTES

If using Scripture to prepare a talk:

Take the theme and look for the scriptural narrative around it.
Let the Scripture narrative guide the talk, don’t use the Scriptures just to prove your point.
It is important to be regularly reading, studying, and praying the Scriptures in order to feel comfortable with them.

If worried about misrepresenting Scripture or using it the wrong way:

Look for outside resources to explain Scripture.
Look to Navarre Bible commentary, the Fathers of the Church and Barclay’s commentary on the Bible for help.
Read through the Scriptures every day, even if just a small amount.

5 Practical Tips

Find an image of Catholic artwork and meditate upon it.
Get the book A Father Who Keeps His Promises by Scott Hahn, or Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins to read through and get the big picture of the Bible.
Pray for the priests in Africa who are being murdered.
Discuss with someone the chapters in the books mentioned in the second tip.
Memorize John 1:1-5.

Resources from the Show

A Father Who Keeps His Promises - Scott Hahn
Walking with God: A Journey through the Bible by Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins
GENERAL AUDIENCE St Peter's Square Wednesday, 14 November 2007 - Benedict XVI
Benedict XVI Promotes Biblical Meditation
SPIRITUS PARACLITUS - Pope Benedict XV

Check out this podcast at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow to browse the shownotes for every episode!

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How Do You Evangelize an Atheist? Jun 05, 2019

Show notes

It’s hard to start proclaiming the kerygma, “God loves you and has a plan for your life”, when someone doesn’t believe in God. Dave “All Thriller No Filler” VanVickle and I wade into the world of apologetics as we address a listener's question about how to evangelize an atheist.

Our faith is rational. Don’t fear questions about what we believe, because at some point over the past two thousand years, that question has already been asked and answered. We just have to find it.

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Snippet from the Show
“Catholic students need to understand that faith is not irrational. We don’t leave our minds at the door. That’s the Catholic tradition, it’s OK to question.”

SHOWNOTES

Christianity has reasons for its beliefs. Start with Jesus as a man, his birth and resurrection.
Pray and ask others to pray with you for conversion.
Ask: What is your moral absolute? What do you base your morality on?
Look into metaphysics. Teaching even a little bit of it helps people look into things and start thinking.
Keep the conversation about their relationship with God, but also learn about apologetics.
Have material around that they can “stumble on.”
Make sure they understand we welcome and encourage questions about our faith.

5 Practical Tips

Think about how you would change your testimony if you knew there was an atheist in the audience.
Memorize names and facts about your community members to show that you care about them.
Pray with us for the conversion of the boys at this high school.
Build a database of online answers to atheism.
Practice reverse mentoring. Ask someone younger than you to teach you something.

Resources from the Show
The Handbook of Christian Apologetics - Peter Kreeft
The Handbook of Catholic Apologetics - Peter Kreeft, Ronald Tacelli
Fundamentals of the Faith - Peter Kreeft
More than a Carpenter - Josh McDowell
Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine - Archbishop Michael Sheehan
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
The Reason for God - Timothy Keller
Making Sense of God - Timothy Keller
Memorare Prayer
Magis Center website- Fr. Robert Spitzer

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10 Principles of Spiritual Warfare May 29, 2019

Show notes

There’s good news and bad news. Bad news: Gomer is out today, so no fun nicknames. Good news: this episode is all about equipping you for spiritual warfare and fighting the kingdom of evil.

Spiritual warfare and evangelization go hand-in-hand. Turns out the devil doesn’t like it when you try to win souls for Christ. Acknowledging the reality of spiritual warfare is an important first step. Once we realize that we’re fighting battles everyday, we can use these principles to guide the way.

Snippet from the Show
“Spiritual warfare is more than a metaphor for the spiritual life, it’s a reality ... We’re all at war with the world, the flesh, and the devil.”

10 Practical Principles of Spiritual Warfare

By his passion and death, Christ won a definitive victory over Satan and the kingdom of darkness and any personal victory we have is a participation in the victory Jesus won and gave to his church.
The devil and the fallen angels play a mysterious role in the drama of salvation. The battle that they wage against us is a test of God’s elect.
While powerful, the devil is only a creature and if we stay close to Jesus Christ and his Church we should not fear the actions of evil.
The way we participate in the victory of Jesus Christ is through personal faith, moral living, and prayer.
The devil should not be given too much attention but his actions should not be ignored.
The Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Joseph, St. Michael, and all the saints and angels are our allies in this battle.
Any spiritual warfare you conduct for others is first won in the battle for your own heart.
Humble submission to God and the Church is a powerful weapon against evil.
True holiness as witnessed in the lives of the saints is what destroys the kingdom of darkness.
The devil despises: A sure knowledge of the sonship that comes from baptism, knowledge of the abundant mercy of God, authentic Christian community, and a clear knowledge of, and courage to speak out about, what is good and evil.

1 Practical Tip
If you’ve never thought of yourself as a spiritual warrior, take some time to see how you have entered into the spiritual battle.

See more at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

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Leading When Not in Charge May 22, 2019

Show notes

Today Dave “Open Book, Closed Heart” VanVickle and I talk about extraordinary and ordinary means of fighting the devil, which leads (naturally) into a conversation on evangelization and how to lead when you’re not in charge.

Snippet from the Show
“One person can bring about dramatic change at a parish.”

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

SHOWNOTES

How do you lead when you are not in a leadership position?

Try to be close friends with the current staff on evangelization teams.
Try to win the front of “what is the truth” and make sure everyone is on the same page on what they believe.
Give talks on what the life of catechists and parish workers should look like.
Encourage the use of Scripture and the new Catechism for formation.
Give talks on how to have a personal relationship with Jesus in the context of the Catholic Church.
Offer a talk on the history of the Catholic Church in America since Vatican II.
Pray for the leaders and with them.
Work with your priest to prioritize and organize an annual staff retreat.
Have a “ministry leader summit.”
If people are refusing or rejecting evangelization, work with your pastor to make sure the appropriate people are in the right positions.
Go in trying to win souls for Christ, not fight them.
Remember to always be praying for these people.
When confrontation has to occur do not do it out of hate for people but in service to people who are missing out on the gospel.
You need to have the courage to stand up for the truth and gospel when needed.

5 Practical Tips

Go to NewAdvent.org and search the name of a church father (St. Ignatius of Antioch, St. Athanasius … )
Pray for the CCD staff (or another staff group) and their openness to the gospel.
Listen to Mike’s talks on the kerygma at Soundcloud.com/AMDGomer.
Meet once a week with your pastor and discuss the kerygma.
Send this podcast to your CCD Staff.

Check out the resources from this episode at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow

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Being a Leader in Evangelization May 15, 2019

Show notes

We need leaders in the Church. If you want ministries at your parish, that aren’t happening (or aren’t going very well) this may be your que to step up as a leader in evangelization.

In this episode, we talk about how priests, lay employees, and volunteers can be leaders in their own right, and you don’t have to wait for someone to formally empower you to lead others.

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Snippet from the Show
“The word ‘leader’ can be intimidating, but the Holy Spirit is the primary agent of evangelization. You’re just the lead follower of the Holy Spirit.”

SHOWNOTES

Priests

The homily needs to be kerygmatic.
Give a call to action every homily.
Win your staff.
Make sure your staff is on board with the mission.
The parish priests need to be available to the people, especially for sacraments.
Try to imitate St. John Vianney.

Lay Employees

It is poor form to give a class or workshop on something you are not willing to do.
Model what you are teaching.
Set up regular meetings with your parish priest.
Witness to your fellow employees the same as your parishioners.
Don’t view working at the church as a chance to make money.

Volunteers

Continually discern how God is calling you to lead in your parish.
Don’t grow comfortable with someone as a leader just because they have been doing a good job.
Help onboard new leaders before they are needed.
Be a good disciple outside of your volunteer position.

5 Practical Tips

Priests: Ask yourselves honestly, and ask others “how is your leadership holding back the parish?”
Kerygma: Explicitly share the gospel with someone.
Employees: Are you waiting for empowerment or permission to serve the gospel? Identify areas where you can be more active in the kerygma and come up with an action plan to start implementing this.
Prayer: Prayerfully read Acts 14 and read the kerygma from Paul and Barnabbas.
Volunteers: Spend more time praying for those people God has placed in your ministry.

Resources from the Show

Douglas Hyde

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Digital Evangelization May 08, 2019

Show notes

Dave “Thunderdome” Van Vickle and I are talking about the importance of digital evangelization. If we are trying to meet people where they are, we need to be online.

We cover best practices for parishes and individuals to spread the Word on the web, as well as examples of things we’ve seen work really well (like this podcast).

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Check out the shownotes and resources at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow

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Tools for the Newly Converted May 01, 2019

Show notes

We have a great show today. Not that we don’t usually, but today is especially good. We start with a question from a parish leader about intercessory prayer groups (Dave’s group is #goals). Then we cover what individuals and parishes can do for the newly converted and what tools we have for someone after their initial “yes” to Jesus.

We want to hear from you! Email us at eksb@ascensionpress.com with your story, question, or comment—or if you’ve got a new nickname for Dave.

Snippet from the Show
“Walking alone is the greatest way for the devil to destroy your newfound faith.”

SHOWNOTES
Questions from our listeners:
How do you start an intercessory prayer group? What resources are there?

Start by finding the people who are already praying.
Give each intercessor a job description (example: one Memorare a week, holy hour a month).
Add fasting and prayer days with sign-ups (daily, weekly, monthly).
Plan a monthly holy hour where we pray for the parish.
Boost prayer life through monthly conferences.

What Happens After They Say “Yes” to Jesus?

Teach them to communicate with God.
Devotional Prayers
Mental Prayer
Meditative Prayer
Create a community outreach to interact with new parishioners.
Introduce them to reading Scripture.
Moral and intellectual formation - there is a huge difference between knowing your faith and living it.

For our 5 Practical Tips, as well as a list of resources from this episode, check out the shownotes at ascensionpress.com/everykneeshallbow

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Easter, Discipleship, and the Resurrection Apr 24, 2019

Show notes

Hallelujah! It's the Easter Octave and I for one am glad Christ rose from the dead. This week it's just me, Mike "Gomer" Gormley, your humble co-host of EKSB. I wanted to offer you fine folks an Easter message on discipleship and the Resurrection.

Our regular show will return next week!

Happy Easter!

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