In this episode of This Strange Land, Jason Simon and Jason Jensen dive deep into what real accompaniment looks like in today’s Church. They explore why traditional ministry metrics are no longer enough, how parishes can cultivate “accompaniment capacity,” and why curiosity, presence, and trust in the Holy Spirit are essential to walking with people far from faith. Together, they unpack the shift from program-driven ministry to people-driven mission — one authentic relationship at a time.

Guest Bio Jason Simon is the President of the Evangelical Catholic, an organization dedicated to forming missionary disciples and equipping parishes, campuses, and dioceses for evangelization. Based in Madison, Wisconsin, Jason has spent decades helping Catholic leaders build cultures of accompaniment, discipleship, and mission. He and his wife, Grace, have been married for 27 years and are parents to six children.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to the Episode

00:53 – Jason Simon Introduces Himself

02:00 – What Excites Jason About the Church Today

03:33 – The Changing Language of Evangelization

04:20 – The New Shift: Equipping the Laity

06:00 – Luis Shares His Parallel Conversion Story

09:00 – The Rise of “Accompaniment” as a Core Concept

10:50 – Introducing the Idea of Accompaniment Capacity

14:45 – Jason Reacts to Accompaniment Capacity

15:40 – A Powerful Example of Real Accompaniment

18:00 – “The Measure Is Love, Not Numbers”

19:45 – Mission Capacity vs. Accompaniment

23:00 – The Fear of Letting Go of Old Metrics

25:00 – Why Current Metrics Don’t Measure Evangelical Vibrancy

30:00 – How Leaders Should Track Actual Mission Stories

33:00 – Why Pastors Must Invest in the 5%

36:30 – The Limits of Programs Like Alpha

38:45 – Luis on the Truth Pastors Must Face

45:00 – What Qualitative Accompaniment Looks Like

47:00 – Curiosity as the Superpower of Accompaniment

50:00 – Compassionate Curiosity & Seeing People as God Sees Them

56:00 – How Being Seen Heals the Accompanier Too

01:00:00 – Why Apologetics Often Short-Circuits Accompaniment

01:05:30 – Identity, Shame Culture, and Evangelization Today

01:14:00 – Apprenticing Under Jesus as the Framework for Discipleship

01:20:00 – Hope + Radical Acceptance

01:33:00 – Helping People See Jesus as Personally Relevant

01:43:00 – Final Reflections on the Slow Work of Accompaniment

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