• By Dr. Bill Marianes
  • February 2, 2026

At a time when many parishes are struggling to sustain vitality, leadership, stewardship, engagement, growth, and unity, a new offering provides a Christ-centered and practical roadmap forward. The Church Roadmap Podcast is a free, weekly live video and podcast designed to help parishes and leaders grow healthier, stronger, and more faithful—spiritually and operationally. Each episode offers practical, researched, tested, and proven approaches for parish health and renewal consistent with Orthodox theology.

The goal is not simply to improve church programs, but to renew parish life so that communities become places of spiritual growth, faithful stewardship, and genuine Christian unity. The podcast material is based on over thirty years of parish work with more than 1,000 Orthodox churches, Dioceses, Metropolises, and national churches, and three years of doctoral research. The full 626-page book A Roadmap for American Churches and People of Faith: W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do?)  is available as a free download at www.churchroadmap.com.

What does the Church Roadmap Podcast series cover?

Each month follows a simple, structured rhythm:

  • 1st Wednesday: Becoming a successful and visionary Servant Leader
  • 2nd Wednesday: Building a sustainable culture of Stewardship & Engagement
  • 3rd Wednesday: Growing disciples through Spiritual Formation & Education
  • 4th Wednesday: Creating a realistic roadmap for Christian Unity
  • 5th Wednesday (when applicable): Step-by-step Vision and Parish Strategic Planning

Who should watch or listen?

Parish clergy, parish councils, ministry leaders, and engaged laypeople who long to see their communities not merely survive—but truly thrive—are invited to watch, pray, and begin this journey. This is not another program. It’s a roadmap to a path of renewal.

When and where can I listen or watch?

The Church Roadmap Podcast is live every Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. (ET) and is recorded for later on-demand viewing/listening.

Available Episodes 

The early episodes demonstrate the breadth and depth of the series, addressing leadership, stewardship, discipleship, and unity through both theological and practical lenses. The first episodes are already available on YouTube, Facebook, and ChurchRoadmap.com:

  • Episode 1: Introduction to Church Leadership Best Practices (1-7-26)
  • Episode 2: Beginning the Why and What of Stewardship and Engagement (1-14-26)
  • Episode 3: The Reacher Strategy: Beyond Filling Seats to Forming Souls (3K + 3P + 3A = Δ)‎  (1-21-26)
  • Episode 4: What did Jesus pray for on the night before He died? ‎ – A Roadmap toward Christian Unity (1-28-26)
  • Episode 5: The King Who Kneels: Why Servant Leadership is Not Optional (airs 2-4-26)

About the Host 

Dr. Bill Marianes is the author of A Roadmap for American Churches and People of Faith: W.W.J.D. (What Would Jesus Do?)  and founder of the Stewardship Calling Ministry. His work integrates theology, leadership development, stewardship & engagement, parish health metrics, and strategic planning into a unified, Christ-centered Orthodox model to help parishes move from maintenance or decline to faithful vitality, unity, and growth. Bill’s WHY is to help people and parishes discover and live their stewardship callings so that they may have a “good account before the awesome judgments seat of Christ”  (II Corinthians 5:10). Additional qualified guests will appear on podcasts as announced.

Learn More 

For questions, contact bill@stewardshipcalling.com, or subscribe for free resources and updates at www.churchroadmap.com.