Explore every episode of the podcast The Kidmin Podcast
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Baby Dedication Playbook - Episode 16 | 01 mai 2026 | 00:46:11 | |
In episode 16 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley moves from vision to execution and walks through the full logistics of leading a reimagined baby dedication. If you’ve been following this series, you’ve already heard why baby dedication matters and what it could become. Now the question is simple: how do you pull it off? In this episode, Kenny shares a step-by-step breakdown of how he has led baby dedication for over a decade, from promotion and classes to the actual experience itself. He covers everything from timelines and communication to creating a meaningful, relational environment that families will never forget. This isn’t about putting on an event. It’s about creating a moment that shapes how parents see their role and invites others into their child’s spiritual journey. If you’ve ever wanted a clearer plan for how to execute a more meaningful baby dedication, this episode will give you a solid framework to start with. | |||
| Baby Dedication Reinvented - Episode 15 | 17 avr. 2026 | 00:26:31 | |
In this episode of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley challenges children’s ministry leaders to rethink one of the most overlooked moments in the church: baby dedication. If baby dedication at your church feels routine, rushed, or purely symbolic, this conversation will help you see it in a whole new way. Kenny shares why participation may be declining, what might be missing from the experience, and how a shift in approach can transform baby dedication into a powerful relational milestone for families. Rather than treating it as a stage moment, Kenny casts a vision for turning baby dedication into a meaningful, connection-driven experience that strengthens relationships, builds trust with parents, and sets the foundation for long-term discipleship. This episode is all about reimagining what’s possible, and in the next episode, we’ll dive into the practical steps to make it happen. | |||
| 5 Things to Do After Easter in Kidmin - Episode 14 | 08 avr. 2026 | 00:12:34 | |
In this episode of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley hits pause on the baby dedication series to focus on one of the most strategic weeks of the year: the week after Easter. Easter may be over, but what you do next matters just as much as the weekend itself. Kenny walks through a practical “post-Easter checklist” with five key actions every children’s ministry leader should take right now. From following up with first-time families and reconnecting with inconsistent attenders, to caring for volunteers, documenting what worked (and what didn’t), and preparing for the busy summer ahead, this episode is all about maximizing momentum. He also challenges leaders to slow down and personally reset after the intensity of Easter so they can lead well into the next season. If you want to turn a great Easter into lasting impact, this episode will help you make the most of this critical week. | |||
| Reinventing Baby Dedication - Episode 13 | 31 mars 2026 | 00:24:31 | |
In episode 13 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley kicks off a new conversation around something most churches don’t spend much time rethinking… baby dedication. For many churches, baby dedication has become routine. It’s something you do because you’ve always done it. But what if it could be more meaningful than that? In this episode, Kenny takes a step back and asks a bigger question. Why does baby dedication seem to be losing traction in some churches? And is the problem really the idea itself, or just how we’ve been doing it? This conversation is all about perspective. It’s about recognizing that parents do care deeply about their kids and their faith, but the experience we offer may not reflect that. Kenny also shares part of his personal story and how it reshaped the way he thinks about this moment in ministry. If you’ve ever wondered whether baby dedication still matters, this episode will help you see it in a fresh way. | |||
| Why You Need to Go to Conferences - Episode 12 | 24 mars 2026 | 00:39:15 | |
In episode 12 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley dives into one of the most overlooked yet transformational tools for kids ministry leaders: conferences. After creating a 2026 Kidmin Conference Guide, Kenny shares why conferences have played a massive role in his own growth over nearly three decades of ministry—and why they should be a priority for every leader. Whether you're serving full-time, part-time, or as a volunteer, conferences offer something that day-to-day ministry simply cannot: exposure to fresh ideas, leading voices, and proven strategies. If you've ever wondered whether conferences are worth the time, money, or effort, this episode will challenge your thinking and help you see them as an essential investment in your development, your ministry, and your church. | |||
| Retaining New Families - Episode 11 | 17 mars 2026 | 00:40:45 | |
In episode 11 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley and Nick Blevins dive into one of the most important and often ignored areas of kids ministry leadership: retaining new families. A lot of churches focus on getting new families to visit once, but what happens after that? How do you help them feel welcomed, remembered, and encouraged to come back? Kenny and Nick discuss why children’s ministry plays a major role in family retention, how to think beyond the first-time guest experience, and why the second visit is often the real key. They also unpack practical metrics churches can run right now to measure retention, discuss what healthy retention percentages actually look like, and share ideas to help churches create a clearer pathway for families to stick. They also highlight two helpful resources:
If you want to stop guessing and start building a better strategy for helping families return, this conversation will help. | |||
| Should You Even Do VBS? - Episode 10 | 10 mars 2026 | 00:16:17 | |
In episode 10 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley wraps up the VBS series with an honest and thoughtful conversation about whether churches should actually do Vacation Bible School. VBS is one of the most recognizable programs in kids ministry, and countless faith stories began there. But just because something is iconic doesn’t automatically mean it’s strategic for every church. Kenny explores the real questions leaders should ask before planning their next VBS: Is it helping accomplish your mission? Is it worth the time and resources? Or is it simply something your church has always done? This episode looks at both the challenges and the powerful impact of VBS, helping leaders think clearly about how to evaluate it for their church. Whether you choose to double down on VBS, reinvent it, or replace it with something new, the goal remains the same: helping kids and families follow Jesus. | |||
| Reinventing VBS - Episode 9 | 03 mars 2026 | 00:35:18 | |
In episode 9 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley sits down with his friend and former colleague Dan Pollak, Kids Director at Flatirons Church, to talk about reinventing VBS. Dan shares how Flatirons launched a VBS-style experience called Kids Camp, why they chose a nighttime model, and how they adapted a traditional VBS structure for a pre-Christian context. They also unpack practical ways to “go off script” while still benefiting from purchased curriculum, how to program for engagement (especially with older elementary kids), and how to create consistency across multiple campuses. If you’ve ever felt like your VBS needs fresh energy, better strategy, or a format that fits your community, this episode will help you rethink what VBS can be. | |||
| VBS Isn't the Finish Line - Episode 8 | 24 févr. 2026 | 00:33:13 | |
The Kidmin Podcast is a practical, strategy-first conversation for kids ministry leaders who want to lead healthier ministries, build better teams, and create clearer next steps for families. Hosted by Kenny Conley, each episode brings real ideas you can use, with a focus on volunteers, leadership development, and ministry systems that last. If you want kids ministry content that is both thoughtful and usable, the Kidmin Podcast is for you. | |||
| Designing VBS from the Inside Out - Episode 7 | 17 févr. 2026 | 00:37:33 | |
VBS is coming, and most of the stress is not about the theme, it is about the systems. In this episode of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley welcomes his guest, Allegra Collins, former kidmin leader at Mariners Church and current preschool curriculum developer at Awana. Together, they unpack what it really takes to plan and execute a great VBS from an operations perspective, whether you have 50 kids or 2,000. You will hear practical ideas like building a single master spreadsheet, color-coding tasks by urgency, delegating to key leaders early (think January and February), creating volunteer roles for the weeks before and after VBS, and preparing a “VBS binder” so everything lives in one place during event week. They also talk budget basics, registration timing, schedule planning, and why the weekend after VBS matters for connecting families and recruiting ongoing volunteers. | |||
| Building a Volunteer Bench - Episode 6 | 10 févr. 2026 | 00:23:06 | |
In episode 6 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley talks about something most kids ministry leaders rarely plan for but deal with every single week: subs. Too often, volunteer recruiting is treated as a simple yes-or-no question. When someone says no to weekly serving, we take the loss and move on. But what if a no to weekly serving could become a yes to something else? In this episode, Kenny introduces the idea of building the bench and explains why a healthy, intentional sub strategy is essential for sustainable kids ministry. From predictable call-outs to protecting your weekends, this conversation reframes how leaders think about subs, flexibility, and playing the long game with volunteers. 🎯 In this episode:
If you are tired of scrambling every weekend and want a more intentional approach to volunteer leadership, this episode is for you. | |||
| Clarifying the Volunteer Need - Episode 5 | 03 févr. 2026 | 00:26:21 | |
In this episode of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley tackles one of the most overlooked problems in volunteer recruiting: vagueness. Many kids ministry leaders feel desperate for volunteers but struggle to answer a simple question: How many do we actually need? When the need is unclear, recruiting feels overwhelming, progress feels invisible, and every “no” feels personal. In this episode, Kenny walks through a simple, practical exercise that helps you clarify your real volunteer need, turn vague frustration into measurable goals, and build a realistic plan to get fully staffed without burning out. 🎯 In this episode:
If volunteer recruiting feels overwhelming, this episode will help you regain clarity, confidence, and momentum. | |||
| How to Schedule Volunteers - Episode 4 | 27 janv. 2026 | 00:27:51 | |
Episode 4 builds on the ongoing conversation about volunteer scheduling by shifting from philosophy to practical execution. Kenny Conley shares three big ideas designed to help Kidmin leaders reduce stress, save time, and bring clarity to one of the most demanding parts of ministry leadership. This episode focuses on moving away from reactive, week-to-week scheduling and toward healthier systems that serve both leaders and volunteers. It’s about creating margin, setting better expectations, and building structures that make consistency possible over the long haul. Key Topics Covered
Volunteer scheduling doesn’t have to be a weekly crisis. When Kidmin leaders move further ahead, set clearer expectations, and share the load, scheduling becomes a tool for health rather than a source of burnout. Small system changes can unlock hours of time—and create better experiences for kids and volunteers alike. HELPFUL LINKS:
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| Moving Volunteers to Weekly - Episode 3 | 20 janv. 2026 | 00:41:13 | |
Episode 3 builds on the previous conversation about volunteer schedules and discipleship by offering practical, real-world strategies to help kids ministry leaders move volunteers toward higher consistency and deeper ownership. Kenny and Nick address common barriers—like one-service churches and Sunday school structures—and share ideas that have worked in real ministries, even in difficult contexts. This episode is about leadership courage, vision casting, and doing what’s best for kids over what’s easiest for systems. Key Topics Covered
Increased frequency and consistency create more opportunities for discipleship, trust, and life change. Moving volunteers toward weekly service takes effort—but the fruit is worth it. Connect With UsQuestions or want help thinking through your volunteer strategy? More Kidmin Podcast episodes coming soon. | |||
| Volunteer Schedules & Motivation - Episode 2 | 13 janv. 2026 | 00:24:11 | |
In episode 2 of the Kidmin Podcast, Kenny Conley and Nick Blevins dive into a topic every kids ministry leader wrestles with: volunteer scheduling. From once-a-month rotations to complicated multi-week schedules, Kenny and Nick explore why the way we schedule volunteers may say more about our philosophy of ministry and discipleship than we realize. Drawing from real conversations at the Children’s Pastors Conference, they discuss the tension between making volunteering “easier” and creating the most effective discipleship environment for kids. This episode isn’t about quick fixes—it’s about mindset, leadership conviction, and asking better questions that lead to healthier ministry long-term. 🎯 Topics include:
If you’re a kids ministry leader who wants to build something healthier, stronger, and more sustainable—this conversation is for you. | |||
| Introducing Kidmin.com! - Episode 1 | 04 janv. 2026 | 00:25:22 | |
Welcome to the very first episode of the Kidmin Podcast 🎉 In this inaugural conversation, Kenny Conley and Nick Blevins kick off the Kidmin Podcast by sharing the story behind Kidmin, why this podcast exists, and what children’s ministry leaders can expect going forward. From the origins of the Kidmin community to the launch of Kidmin.com, this episode sets the foundation for a podcast designed to serve, equip, and connect kids ministry leaders everywhere. The Kidmin Podcast is built around short, focused conversations on real kids ministry topics—volunteers, systems, events, leadership, resources, and everything in between. The goal is simple: make it easy to find helpful conversations for the challenges you’re facing right now in kids ministry. If you lead in children’s ministry, family ministry, or Next Gen ministry, this podcast is for you. In this episode, we talk about: HELPFUL LINKS: Kidmin Website Subscribe to the Kidmin Weekly email Email us your topic ideas | |||