What does real renewal in the Church actually look like—and why do so many parishes struggle to move from maintenance to mission?

In this episode of The Catholic Couple Podcast, we sit down with our good friend Ron Huntley, a seasoned Catholic leadership coach who works with dozens of dioceses and countless priests across the country. Ron has spent years helping Church leaders build healthy cultures, authentic discipleship, and truly evangelizing parishes—and his work is rooted in one clear mission: bringing the Great Commission (Matthew 28) to life.

We dive deep into Ron’s new book, Road to Renewal, https://www.amazon.com/Road-Renewal-Courage-Fuelling-Comeback/dp/1069853801

which features 14 total chapters—12 written by priests and Church leaders who candidly share their struggles, breakthroughs, failures, and victories, and 2 written by Ron himself, offering wisdom and clarity from decades of walking alongside parish leadership. Together, these chapters paint an honest picture of what it really takes to move a parish from maintenance to mission.
https://www.huntleyleadership.com/

In this conversation, we discuss:

Why so many parishes are stuck in “maintenance mode”

What renewal actually requires from priests and parish leaders

The common obstacles that prevent authentic discipleship

How relationships—not programs—fuel evangelization

What the Church can learn from leaders who are courageously trying something new

How moving toward mission brings life back into parishes

Whether you’re a priest, parish leader, ministry volunteer, or a Catholic who longs to see the Church fully alive, this episode will challenge, encourage, and equip you to think differently about renewal—and your role in it.

📘 Learn more about Ron’s book: Road to Renewal
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“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:19)
This episode is about making that command real—right where you are.