Podcast Episodes

Frankenstein Spreadsheets to Flexible Solutions: Navigating Volunteer Management Nightmares

Episode 67

So apparently I'm the kind of person who creates seventeen-tab spreadsheets for church volunteers then can't figure out how to use them.

Janet texted asking why she's in nursery and leading children's…

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago

Beyond the Banana Costume: Finding True Connection Over "Magic Bullet" Solutions

Episode 66

Kitchen floor. 4:23 AM. Cereal and curriculum emails. Found another one promising to "Transform Your Ministry in 30 Days!" Opened it like an idiot. Countdown timer and everything.

Marcus asked today i…

Published on 3 weeks ago

Chaos Control Taming Large Groups and Making Fun Scale

Episode 65

Wednesday night still recovering from whatever that was. Sixty-seven kids. Thought I could handle it. Wrong.

Sardines worked last month with smaller group so figured why not try with everyone. Kids di…

Published on 3 weeks, 2 days ago

Innovative Christmas Pageant Ideas for Kids' Ministry

Episode 64

Staring at November calendar having panic attack. Christmas pageant six weeks away and got nothing except same Mary Joseph donkey thing we been doing forever.

Sarah mentions kids asking why we always …

Published on 3 weeks, 4 days ago

Beyond Boredom: Unlocking Teen Potential Through Personal Invitation and Real Roles

Episode 63

Emma's mom basically cornered me after church. Emma wants to volunteer with kids.

Emma. Who can barely make eye contact with adults. Who treats church like forced labor.

But I keep thinking about last …

Published on 3 weeks, 6 days ago

Good Enough Is Better: Unpacking Simple, Engaging Activities for Kids (and Beyond)

Episode 62

Target checkout line. Mom behind me sees craft supplies goes "Oh you must be a teacher that must be so fun planning creative activities every week!"

Fun. Right.

Wanted to tell her most weeks I'm googli…

Published on 4 weeks, 1 day ago

Summer Outreach: Serving Community and Building Connections

Episode 58

Pastor wants community outreach. Walks away. Budget's dead. How do you help people without being weird church recruiters?

Panicked for weeks. Then learned popsicles solve basically everything.

Set up s…

Published on 1 month ago

Rethinking Missions - From Charity to Global Family

Episode 61

Can't sleep. Keep thinking about Sunday disaster and whether should quit before damaging more kids.

Sarah texted asking about missions month. Almost threw phone cause how do I explain accidentally tau…

Published on 1 month ago

Engaging Scripture Memory Games for Kids

Episode 59

Emma's staring at ceiling during memory time. "This is so boring. Why can't we just read it off poster?"

Ouch. But she was right. Standing there making kids repeat "Be kind to one another" twenty time…

Published on 1 month ago

Addressing Volunteer Burnout: Lessons from Sarah's Story

Episode 57

Sarah's been weird lately. Not dramatic weird just... off.

Used to text back immediately. Now takes hours. Used to hang around after service. Now disappears before I can catch her.

Finally cornered her…

Published on 1 month ago