Called to Lead: Pastoral Leadership for Today’s Church
This podcast dives into the art and spirit of leadership in the Catholic Church. Through storytelling and dialogue with pastoral leaders, ministers, and scholars, the podcast bridges academic theology with practical ministry. These conversations invite listeners to better understand how today’s leaders answer God’s call and work to build just and inclusive communities. Episodes will drop weekly for the first twelve weeks.
Host
Dr. John Rinaldo serves as an Adjunct Lecturer at Santa Clara University in the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries and brings a deep commitment to accompaniment, synodality, and shared leadership in the Church. He is a national trainer and has served the Church in a wide range of roles, including parish and diocesan ministry, Catholic school leadership, faith formation across all ages, and organizational leadership overseeing governance, finance, and fundraising.
John holds a Doctor of Ministry in Leadership and Organization Development and a Master of Arts in Pastoral Ministry.
Called to Lead: A Vision for Pastoral Leadership at Santa Clara University
Episode 1
In this inaugural episode of Called to Lead, we begin by grounding the podcast in its purpose and vision. Host Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Dr. Melissa Broome Ursin, Executive Director of the Graduate Program in Pastoral Ministries, and Dr. Bridget Burke Ravizza, Director of the Markey Center for Leadership and Ministry, at Santa Clara University.
Forming Leaders for a Lifelong Church
Episode 2
In this episode of Called to Lead, John Rinaldo is joined by John Roberto, Executive Director of the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership (NCCL) and a lifelong leader in faith formation in the Catholic Church.
Drawing on decades of experience teaching, researching, writing, and accompanying pastoral leaders, John reflects on what it truly means to foster a culture of leadership formation in the Church today. The conversation explores how faith formation across the lifespan shapes leaders, why formation must move beyond programs to culture, and how the Church can reimagine leadership development for the 21st century while remaining deeply rooted in its mission.
Rethinking Clericalism and Leadership for a Flourishing Church
Episode 3
In this episode of Called to Lead, host Dr. John Rinaldo sits down with Dr. Paul Schutz, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University. Dr. Schutz is a theologian, liturgist, and author whose work bridges theological reflection with the lived realities of Church and world.
Together, they discuss his recent scholarly work, including his recent book, A Theology of Flourishing: The Fullness of Life for All Creation, his research on clericalism as a structural phenomenon in the Catholic Church, and what leadership looks like in the 21st-century Church. This conversation invites listeners into a thoughtful exploration of power, culture, and theological imagination—grounding pastoral leadership in justice, humility, and a vision of flourishing for all.
Adaptive Ministry and the Gift of Inclusion
Episode 4
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Charleen Katra, Executive Director of the National Catholic Partnership on Disability (NCPD).
Drawing from decades of experience in ministry with persons with disabilities, Charleen reflects on what adaptive ministry truly means, why inclusion is essential to the Church’s identity, and how pastoral leaders can move beyond accommodation toward belonging. This conversation invites ministers, catechists, and clergy to see adaptive ministry not as a specialized program, but as a faithful expression of the Gospel itself.
Endurance, Accompaniment, and the Long Game of Youth Ministry
Episode 5
In this episode of Called to Lead, Dr. John Rinaldo is joined by Christopher Wesley, founder of Marathon Youth Ministry, for a conversation grounded in real-world experience and long-term commitment to young people.
Drawing on years of pastoral leadership, Christopher reflects on what it takes to sustain youth ministry over time, the shifting realities facing today’s adolescents and young adults, and why accompaniment—rather than programs alone—remains at the heart of effective ministry. Together, they explore the most pressing needs in Catholic youth ministry today and what pastoral leaders must understand if they hope to serve young people with authenticity, resilience, and hope.