Whether you're crafting a Bible lesson, planning a fun event, or simply looking for ways to engage young hearts, creativity is your secret weapon in kids ministry!

Jeff and Abby Land join us on the show today to explore practical ways to wear the "creative hat" in your ministry. From transforming everyday spaces into biblical adventures to caring for your volunteers and families, this episode is packed with inspiration that will help you take your ministry to the next level.

Whether you're a seasoned leader or just starting, you’ll walk away with new tools and inspiration to help kids experience God in fresh, impactful ways. Don’t miss it—grab your notebook and let's get creative for the Kingdom!

We want to hear from you! Click here to leave us a message or question!

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
The Way to The Savior: A Family Easter Devotional
The Way to The Manger: A Family Advent Devotional

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Hey friends, welcome to a brand new podcast, Kids Ministry Calling! In the busyness of leading kids ministry, it’s easy to get caught up in the details and lose sight of the bigger picture. But today, your host Jana Magruder and producer Nikki Ogden, are hitting pause to reflect on one essential truth: the importance of your calling.

Join us as we dive deep into why remembering your God-given purpose is vital to thriving in ministry. In this episode, we’ll explore the power of staying connected to the mission God has placed on your heart and how that foundation can transform your leadership. Whether you’re facing burnout, navigating challenges, or simply in need of encouragement, this conversation will remind you of the "why" behind all that you do.

We know this episode will encourage you and we’d love for you to share it with a friend who is living out their calling to spreading the good news of Jesus to the next generation! 

We want to hear from you! Click here to leave us a message or question!

Thanks for listening!

SHOW LINKS:

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Hey friends! Over the next few weeks we're going to be sharing with you the top three episodes from Kid's Ministry 101. These are the most listened to episodes, which shows us, it's the topics you want to hear, and probably need to hear again!

On today's show we're bringing back a conversation with Klista Storts on a dozen do NOTS for recruiting volunteers! No matter how desperate you are to fill a space, Klista discusses the main things to stay away from when recruiting!

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Lifeway Kids

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Isaac Kierstead joins the podcast to discuss how to make the most of large group in your ministry.

The post Making the Most of Large Group appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Chad Higgins joins the podcast to discuss how we can partner with parents in our ministries.

The post Partnering With Parents appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Stephanie Chase joins the podcast to discuss the importance of prayer.

The post Prayer appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Chad Higgins joins the podcast to discuss how to help families define discipleship.

The post Helping Families Define Discipleship appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Stephanie Chase joins the podcast to discuss ways to lead your ministry with confidence.

The post Leading With Confidence appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Heidi Hensley joins the podcast to discuss tips to rethink how we discipline in kids ministry.

The post Rethinking Discipline in Kids Ministry appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Tristen Meza joins the podcast to discuss how we can have Gospel conversations with kids.

The post Sharing the Gospel with Kids appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Heidi Hensley joins the podcast to discuss what building a culture with your volunteers looks like.

The post Building a Culture of Belonging For Your Volunteers appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Tristen Meza joins the podcast to discuss the importance of investing into younger volunteers.

The post Investing in Young Volunteers appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jeremy Echols joins the podcast to discuss the importance of going to in-person events.

The post Why In-Person Events Matter appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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This week we are sharing an episode from one of our favorite shows from the Lifeway Podcast Network - Youth Ministry Booster. This show is the most honest podcast in student ministry! Hosted by Zac Workun and Chad Higgins, the biggest fans of youth ministry leaders, Youth Ministry Booster brings you the humor and help to engage, entertain, equip, and encourage!

Chad and Zac tackle the hefty topic of expectations in ministry. They peel back the layers on why we plan events and who they're truly for. It's all about syncing our passions with the real needs of our audience. This episode isn't just about shrugging off failures; it's a roadmap for refining our perspective to enhance our work. Join Chad and Zac as they question the norms, from worship to the structure of our gatherings

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
-Connect with Youth Ministry Booster

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Bill Emeott joins the podcast to discuss dealing with insecurities while working in kids ministry.

The post Dealing with Insecurity appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jeremy Echols joins the podcast to discuss some of the things you should be looking for in students to encourage them to work camp. Check out more at Centrikid.com/staff

The post Sending Your Students to Work at Camp appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Scott McConnell joins the podcast to discuss more statistics about the research done since covid-19.

The post Lifeway Research: Discouragement, Apathy and the Unreached appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Annie F. Downs joins the podcast to discuss why fun is so important in Kids Ministry. Check out more about Annie F Downs – Click Here

The post What sounds fun to you? A fun conversation about fun with Annie F. Downs appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Mark Croston joins the podcast to discuss the second part of his session “ready, reset, go”.

The post Go! The importance of Kids Ministry in light of the current decline in the Church appeared first on Kids Ministry.

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Scott McConnell joins the podcast to discuss research data from how churches dealt with covid.

The post Lifeway Research: Post-COVID Insights & Encouragement appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Sarah Humphrey joins the podcast to discuss how to connect with teens through the book of proverbs and more.

The post Solomon Says: Connecting Teens with the Wisdom of God’s Word appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Mark Croston joins the podcast to discuss some of his session at etch about influencing kids in the foundations of their faith.

The post Ready… Reset… Influencing Kids in the Foundations of their Faith appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Melita Thomas joins the podcast to discuss who you need to bring to a VBS Preview near you and what to expect! Check out more about VBS Previews

The post VBS Previews Are Back In Person appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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John Paul Basham joins the podcast to discuss how to start developing a rhythm of gospel conversations.

The post Developing a Rhythm of Gospel Conversations appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Emotions are created by God as indicators of how we are processing the environment or circumstances around us. Most people identify themselves as emotional or not by how much they cry; however, there's a lot more to emotions than crying and it's important that we experience the emotions God has given us. On today's episode of KIDS Ministry 101 we wanted to share an episode from The Glass House with  Ben and Lynley Mandrell. They sit down with Bryan Barley to discuss emotions in ministry.

Bryan Barley is a former church planter that recently moved to Nashville, TN. He and his wife of 17 years share four children. He is a coach for The Voice of the Heart Center.

Bryan discusses the importance of emotional health and how it relates to our relationship with God and others. He shares his personal journey of discovering emotional health and the impact it had on his life and ministry. The conversation also touches on the challenges of sharing honest feelings in a healthy way within a marriage and the need for boundaries and self-awareness.

It is critical for pastors to have safe spaces where they can be vulnerable and share their struggles. We hope this conversation encourages you and supports you in finding that space!


SHOW LINKS:
-The Voice of the Heart book
-The Voice of the Heart Center
-Connect with the Glass House on Instagram HERE

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Kevin Jones joins the podcast to discuss the importance of keeping God’s word at the center of your kids ministry.

The post The Importance of Keeping God’s Word at the Center of Your Kids Ministry appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Delanee Williams joins the podcast to finish discussing the last 10 things she’s learned from preschool ministry.

The post 10 More Things I’ve Learned in Preschool Ministry appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jeremy Carroll joins the podcast to continue talking about volunteer teams and how to encourage them.

The post Team Talk: Encouraging Your Volunteer Team appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Mark Jones (Mr. Mark) joins the podcast to discuss how to deal with kids that talk too much while you’re teaching. For more about Mr. Mark, check out mrmarksclassroom.com

The post Dealing With Kids That Talk Too Much appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Delanee Williams joins the podcast to discuss 10 things she has learned in preschool ministry.

The post 10 things I’ve learned in Preschool Ministry appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jeremy Carroll joins the podcast to discuss how to build up your Volunteer Team.

The post Team Talk: Building Up Your Volunteer Team appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Landry Holmes joins the podcast to discuss what are the things to look for when deciding to go with print or digital resources.

The post Making the Print or Digital Decision appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Zac Workun joins the podcast to discuss how to lead your ministry with a heart of hope.

The post Leading with a Heart of Hope appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jeremy Carroll joins the podcast to discuss how to make your midweek ministry meaningful.

The post Making a Meaningful Midweek Ministry appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jana Magruder joins the podcast to discuss building a culture where every kid feels welcome. Check out kidsministry.lifeway.com/readyresetgo

The post The Battle of Belonging appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Last week Chuck Peters and Jana Magruder attended the Southern Baptist Convention and had the opportunity to sit down with Bryan Rose and discuss, what exactly is Next Gen ministry?

Bryan Rose is the Senior Lead Navigator and multisite specialist for Auxano. Bryan's vision facilitation weaves a strong strategic style with an engaging creativity. Bryan also hosts the My Ministry Breakthrough on the Auxano Podcast Network. In each episode, Bryan talks with different leaders from around the country who are experiencing breakthrough in their churches by using visionary planning to see real church growth. With experience in virtually every church ministry role, Bryan enjoys connecting with the diverse staff and lay leader perspectives on the teams he serves. Bryan and his wife live in the Nashville area with their two children.

Bryan discusses the need for a unified vision that encompasses all generations and ministries within the church and highlights the significance of using consistent language and values across all age groups. The conversation also explores practical ways to implement family ministry, such as serving together, worshiping together, and learning together. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of working together to make disciples and pass on the faith to the next generation.

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Lifeway Kids
My Ministry Breakthrough

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Landry Holmes joins the podcast to discuss how to prepare your heart to help kids as they return to church. For the Blog Post talked about in the episode CLICK HERE

The post Anxiety, Anger and Anti-social Behavior appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Drew Dixon joins the podcast to discuss the truths and myths about video games and how we can connect through them.

The post Video Games & the Gospel appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Andy Dukes joins the podcast to discuss ways we can leverage digital resources to better our kids ministry. Check out ministrygrid.com etchconference.com

The post Leveraging Digital Resources to Better Our Kids Ministry appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jeremy Echols joins the podcast to discuss how camp is going and what to expect!

The post Camp Is Back! appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Melita Thomas joins the podcast to discuss the new theme for VBS 2022! Lifeway.com/VBS

The post VBS 2022 Theme Reveal appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Kimba Campbell joins the podcast to discuss goals we want to when we are relaunching our kids ministry.

The post 10 Goals as you Relaunch your Kids Ministry appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Klista Storts joins the podcast to discuss things to stay away from when recruiting volunteers.

The post A Dozen Do Nots for Recruiting appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Aaron Armstrong joins the podcast to discuss summer preparation for fall reset.

The post Ready, Reset, Go appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Mark Jones joins the podcast to discuss some simple strategies that teachers should use to create a peaceful environment even when they resemble wild monkeys. Mr. Mark is the Children’s Pastor of Quail Springs Baptist Church in Oklahoma City where he loves and teaches preschoolers, children and their parents. He is a national speaker to train …

The post Equipping Your Teachers with Classroom Management Skills appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Jonathan and Emily Martin join the Podcast to discuss why worship with kids is so important.

The post The Importance of Worship With Kids appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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One of Lifeway Kids biggest focuses over the past year was equipping churches to offer welcoming and inviting experiences for our families with kids with special needs. Live from the Southern Baptist Convention,  Chuck Peters and Jana Magruder discuss the importance of special needs inclusion in every church's children's ministry. You'll here about Lifeway Kids' new webpage, lifeway.com/specialneeds, that provides resources, training videos, and an ebook to help churches create a welcoming and inclusive environment for children with special needs. They emphasize the need for awareness, acceptance, and accessibility in order to effectively serve these children and their families.

You may think it's overwhelming or you don't have a big budget to be inclusive, but Lifeway Kids is here to ease your mind and give you simple steps to take to create an place for ALL children! Check out the links below for everything you need to get started!

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!

SHOW NOTES:
-lifeway.com/specialneeds
-The Glass House Podcast
-3 Part Podcast Series of Special Needs
-Download Be All In

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Aaron Armstrong joins the podcast to discuss why kids can handle deeper subjects than we give them credit for.

The post Talking Big Truths with Kids appeared first on Kids Ministry.

Connect with Lifeway Kids

Kimba Campbell joins the podcast to discuss ways to build a solid foundation in your kids ministry.

The post Building a Solid Foundation appeared first on Kids Ministry.

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Michael Kelley joins the podcast to discuss his book about having family devotions.Check out his Book The Whole Story for the Whole FamilyOr check out his Blog at Michaelkelley.co

The post Equipping Families for Daily Devos appeared first on Kids Ministry.

Connect with Lifeway Kids