Give Jesus Back the Pen | Fr. John Riccardo & Ron Huntley | Huntley Leadership Podcast #224

What happens when ministry becomes driven more by pressure, exhaustion, and self-reliance than prayerful discernment?

In this deeply practical and spiritually grounded conversation, Fr. John Riccardo joins Ron Huntley to explore surrender, leadership, discernment, and why renewal begins when leaders stop trying to control the story and “give Jesus back the pen.”

If you’re longing for healthier leadership, clearer discernment, and a renewed vision for mission in the Church, this episode is for you.

👉 Get your copy of Road to Renewal: https://a.co/d/0fVLAlBp

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Fr. John Riccardo shares hard-won wisdom from parish ministry, leadership formation, and his work with Acts XXIX. Together, he and Ron unpack what it means to restore the initiative to God, discern decisions as a team, and lead from trust rather than fear. This is a conversation for priests, parish teams, diocesan leaders, and anyone serious about renewal in the Church.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why discernment must become a leadership habit
• The meaning behind “Give Jesus back the pen”
• How Alpha transformed parish culture in Fr. John’s ministry
• Why leaders cannot lead alone
• The difference between prayer before work and prayer to discover the work
• How fear and self-reliance block renewal
• Why friendship and trust are essential for mission

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About Fr. John Riccardo:
Fr. John was ordained a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1996. In 2019, after 23 years in parish ministry, he founded ACTS XXIX to proclaim the gospel in an attractive and compelling way and to equip clergy and lay leaders for the age in which God has chosen us to live. Fr. John is a graduate of the University of Michigan, the Gregorian University, and the Pope John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and the Family.

Relevant Links
Acts XXIX: ActsXXIX.org
Facebook:   / actsxxixmission  
Instagram:   / acts.xxix  
YouTube:    / actsxxix  

Mentioned Resources
Road to Renewal by Ron Huntley and collaborators: https://a.co/d/08k2fAPx
Alpha: https://alphausa.org/
Acts XXIX Leadership Intensives: https://www.actsxxix.org/leadership-i...

If this conversation served you, subscribe to the Huntley Leadership Podcast for more conversations on renewal, leadership, discernment, and mission in the Church.

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