Podcast Episodes

Hosting a Kids Ministry Game Night

Episode 35

So I'm sitting in this planning meeting and someone goes "We should do game night for families!" Everyone's nodding like it's brilliant, and I'm thinking oh great, another event nobody will show up t…

Published on 1 week, 3 days ago

Optimizing Volunteer Training: A Practical Guide

Episode 34

Mark starts helping with our 5th graders last month. Really nice guy, wants to help. So I hand him this fifteen-page packet - volunteer handbook, safety policies, behavior management, curriculum over…

Published on 1 week, 4 days ago

Interactive Teaching Strategies for Engaging Children

Episode 33

Had this lesson last month I thought was gonna be amazing. Spent forever planning it - good story, clear points, everything organized perfectly.

Kids just sat there staring at me like I was speaking a…

Published on 1 week, 5 days ago

My Go-To Quiet Time Activities for Kids

Episode 32

Need kids to be quiet sometimes. After games, before parents pick up, when someone's having a meltdown and needs space, rainy days when we're all stuck inside going slowly insane.

Problem is telling k…

Published on 1 week, 6 days ago

Back-to-School Event Ideas for Kids' Ministries

Episode 31

It's July and I'm already stressing about back-to-school stuff. Kids disappear for three months then suddenly they're all taller, forgot everyone's names, and act like they've never seen our building…

Published on 2 weeks ago

Common Mistakes in Volunteer Leadership and Retention

Episode 30

Cleaning out my phone yesterday and found this text from Jennifer, who used to help with 2nd and 3rd graders. "Hey I don't think I can keep doing this anymore. Just not working out."

That was it. Gone…

Published on 2 weeks, 1 day ago

Seven Keys to Kids Worship Engagement

Episode 29

Last week during worship time little Emma asks me why we have to sing the same songs every week. And honestly? I didn't have a great answer because I'd never really thought about it.

That got me wonde…

Published on 2 weeks, 2 days ago

Real-World Wisdom for Kids' Ministry Crafts

Episode 28

Found myself at Target last Thursday night buying fifty foam fish because I'd seen this "amazing" craft on Pinterest about feeding the 5,000. Looked so simple online - cute little fish with googly ey…

Published on 2 weeks, 3 days ago

Engaging Volunteers: From Helpers to Partners

Episode 27

Planning VBS last year all by myself. Spent weeks figuring out themes, decorations, activities, snacks, everything. Got to the planning meeting and presented my whole elaborate plan to volunteers.

Can…

Published on 2 weeks, 4 days ago

Cultivating Enduring Volunteer Team Culture

Episode 26

Last month I'm sitting in this meeting with other kids ministry leaders and this woman starts talking about her volunteer team. How they hang out outside church, cover for each other without being as…

Published on 2 weeks, 5 days ago