Why Most Parishes Don't Evangelize | Rob McDowell & Ron Huntley | Huntley Leadership Podcast #221

If you want your parish to actually reach people beyond your parish walls in 2026, listen to this podcast!

In this episode, we unpack why evangelization is often the first thing leaders abandon—and what it actually takes to build a culture that brings people to Christ.

👉 To go deeper, grab a copy of Road to Renewal—a practical guide built from real parish transformation stories: https://a.co/d/05iLF4Rm

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Most pastors and parish leaders believe evangelization is essential. But in practice, it’s often crowded out by more immediate demands.

In this conversation, Ron sits down with leadership coach Rob McDowell to explore why that happens—and what it actually takes to build a parish culture where reaching people becomes normal. Drawing from real ministry experience, research, and hard-won lessons, this episode offers a grounded and practical vision for evangelization that leaders can begin applying immediately.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why evangelization is often the first priority leaders abandon
• The difference between valuing evangelization and building a culture for it
• What “conversion communities” are—and why only a small percentage of churches become them
• Why most people are more open to faith conversations than we assume
• How to normalize evangelization without making people feel awkward or forced
• The role of leadership in modeling—not just teaching—mission
• Practical ways to begin shifting your parish culture toward outreach

About Rob McDowell:
Rob McDowell is a leadership coach who works with pastors and ministry teams across North America. He served on the senior leadership team at Saint Benedict Parish and has worked in churches in Wisconsin, Maine, and Nova Scotia. He now coaches leaders around the world and lives in Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia with his wife Julie and their three sons.

Relevant Links:
Rob on X: https://x.com/mcdowell_rob
Road to Renewal (Book): https://a.co/d/05iLF4Rm

 

Mentioned Resources:
You Found Me – Rick Richardson
DivineRenovation.org
Cornerstone Windgate

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