Kids Ministry Collective

What does a real "win" look like for your Easter outreach? In this episode of The KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki discuss how children's ministry leaders can plan Easter with the end in mind—focusing on lasting discipleship rather than just attendance numbers or egg hunts.

Discover how to define success for both church families and first-time visitors, equip parents with tools to talk about the meaning of Easter at home, and create a welcoming environment that invites families to return. Plus, learn how to avoid the dreaded post-Easter "letdown" by keeping your ministry energy consistent and planning an intentional comeback weekend.

Packed with practical follow-up ideas—from postcards with discussion questions to texting families before the next service—this episode will help you turn one Sunday into a launchpad for year-round family engagement.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to define what a "win" looks like for Easter outreach
• Strategies to help church families discuss Easter's meaning at home
• Tips for making visitors feel known, welcomed, and invited back
• How to maintain momentum and avoid the post-Easter dip
• Creative follow-up ideas that actually work

Learn More at Kidsministrycollective.com 

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/xVtsT4zz8-w

Join The KMC Collective Team as they invite David Rausch from Go! Curriculum to the virtual table. This week's conversation is all about what children's ministry leaders can do to help children and parents deepen their faith with Jesus. 

Many Kidmin leaders struggle with how to use Sundays to effectively disciple children, and David shares from his new book, "Feeding Faith, A Children's Ministry Recipe for Rescuing a Lost Generation.  

You don't want to miss this conversation!

Want to get Davids Book? Find it HERE

Check out GO! Curriculum 

Want to get some help with your discipleship strategy? Schedule a 30-Minute Clarity Call with a KMCCoach!

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, the KMC team, including Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicky, shares practical insights and strategies for engaging children in worship. They discuss the challenges of getting children, especially fourth and fifth-graders, to participate in worship and explore various methods, such as live lyric videos, interactive stations, and incorporating different music styles and age groups in worship leadership.

The conversation emphasizes the importance of understanding the culture and community of your ministry, the significance of explaining the 'why' behind worship to children, and the value of variety in worship practices to maintain engagement.

Tune in to discover actionable tips and resources that can transform your children's ministry worship experience.

Need Help? Set up your 30-Minute Clarity call with a KMC Coach

Want a deeper community to learn from, grow with and be pushed forward? Join the Kidminplus.net leadership community. 

Should I use teens in children's ministry? Can't they be big distractions or unreliable?  Join Tom, Cole, Vickie, and Ben, the KMC Coaches, as they have this week's conversation about the ins and outs of utilizing teens in kidmin. 

Sometimes leaders just don't know where to start or even why they should, so take a listen to this week's episode and see how each of us has benefited from having students in our kids' ministries. 

Want some help? Set up a free 30-minute clarity call with one of the coaches - kmccoach.net

Want some community where you can be pushed forward to grow? Join Kidminplus.net

Are you drowning in kids ministry ideas, resources, and expectations—and not sure what to actually say “yes” to? In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Cole, and Ben talk honestly about moving from overwhelmed to focused by sorting “good stuff” from “God stuff” in children’s ministry.

Fresh off the Children’s Pastors Conference and its jam‑packed resource rooms, they unpack:

• How to handle conference overload and come home with a clear plan
• A simple filter for deciding which ideas, tools, and curriculums fit YOUR church
• Why mission, vision, and values must drive your calendar (not trends or pressure)
• Practical ways to plan VBS, Easter, and summer without burning out
• How to use systems (folders, notes, digital tools) to capture ideas and fight overwhelm
• Why some long‑standing events might need to end—and how to evaluate them
• How coaching and community can help you stop leading alone

If you’re a kids pastor, children’s director, or key volunteer staring at a packed ministry calendar and feeling the weight of it all, this conversation will help you breathe, refocus, and take your next right step.

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Connect with KMC Collective: 

• Join the KMC Collective Facebook Group to keep the conversation going
• Learn more about Kidminplus.net and coaching at KMC Coach (clarity calls, support, and resources for kids ministry leaders)

Join the KMC Collective team as they have a continued conversation about how the power of one word changed them as children's ministry leaders and how it can impact you, too. 

This episode will help you grow your teams and your ministry as you grow closer to God and develop your kidmin leadership skills. 

 

Join The Kids Ministry Collective Team as they have a conversation of how one word can be so impactful for childrens ministry leaders. 

So many kidmin leaders get stuck and have no idea how to move forward. Let the KMC Podcast team share how when they focus on one word it can transform everything. 

This is part one of a two part episode

Welcome to the Kids Ministry Collective Podcast, your trusted resource for practical strategies, creative ideas, and real conversations designed specifically for children’s ministry leaders. In this special holiday episode, hosts Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki share expert tips on managing and executing last-minute holiday events with ease.

With Christmas approaching fast, discover how to simplify your ministry’s seasonal programs through stress-free event planning, including ideas like parent shopping nights, easy DIY holiday kits, and streamlined logistics.

Whether you lead a busy kids ministry team or volunteer during the holiday rush, this episode offers actionable advice to help your Christmas ministry events run smoothly and joyfully. Tune in for inspiration and proven tactics to create memorable and manageable celebrations for your children’s ministry this season.

Need some Community? Come join us in the BEST Community for Childrens Ministry Leaders; kidminplus.net

Click Here to learn about Kids Ministry Collective? 

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki share practical strategies for children's ministry leaders to effectively wrap up the ministry year. Discover the "4 Rs" framework (Rejoice, Release, Rest, Refocus) for a healthy and hopeful start to January. 

Learn how to:

• Evaluate the past year and celebrate achievements.
• Let go of unproductive tasks and past frustrations.
• Ensure adequate rest to avoid burnout.
• Set a clear vision and annual plan for the upcoming year. 

The conversation also covers the importance of capturing stories of impact, inviting feedback from volunteers and families, and taking intentional breaks for overall well-being. This is a must-listen for any kids ministry director looking for an annual planning strategy to finish strong and prepare for new challenges.

 

Want more resources for your children's ministry? Subscribe to the KMC Collective Podcast and visit our website Kidsministrycollective.com for free downloads and show notes! Follow us on social media @kidsministrycollective 

Discover practical strategies to cultivate gratitude in children's ministry leadership. In this KMC Collective Podcast episode, hosts Tom, Cole, Vicki, and Ben share proven techniques for building a thankful mindset within your ministry team—even during challenging seasons.

Learn how to:
✓ Create intentional spaces for thanksgiving in your ministry
✓ Foster gratitude through authentic storytelling and personal experiences
✓ Build stronger relationships within your leadership team
✓ Maintain positivity and resilience through gratitude practices
✓ Lead with presence and intentionality

Whether you're struggling to stay encouraged or looking to inspire your children's ministry team, this heartwarming conversation offers actionable insights on gratitude, leadership, and community building. Perfect for children's ministry leaders, youth pastors, and anyone seeking daily encouragement.

Check out The Kids Ministry Collective, where you can learn about coaching, community and murch more for childrens ministry leaders. 

 

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, hosts Tom, Vicki, and Coletake you beyond spreadsheets and line items to talk about what really drives a healthy children’s ministry budget: vision.

They unpack the realities of “budget season”—tight funds, hard conversations, and competing priorities—and then offer a practical framework to budget with purpose. Along the way, they share real-life stories from ministry, helpful examples, and creative solutions for churches of all sizes.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How to shift from a poverty mindset to a vision-driven approach
• Key budget line items every children’s ministry should consider (personal development, safety, events, volunteer care, and more)
• Ways to advocate for your budget with church leadership
• Practical ideas for doing more ministry with limited resources
• Why intentional investment in volunteers, safety, and training is essential, not optional

Whether you’re a children’s pastor, kids ministry leader, volunteer, or part of a church staff, this conversation will help you plan a budget that supports sustainable, impactful ministry—not just another year of “getting by.”

If this episode encourages you, please follow/subscribe, leave a rating or review, and share it with another children’s ministry leader heading into budget season.

Check out the KidsMinistryCollective.com for all past episodes, coaching and resources. 

Need Community? Join KidminPlus.net

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, the KMC team—Tom, Cole, Vicki, and Ben—Have a conversation about crucial time management strategies and establishing healthy rhythms for children's ministry leaders.

As a special announcement, Vicki Abbott joins the team permanently. Listeners will gain practical insights on prioritizing tasks, delegating responsibilities, and balancing the unexpected challenges that arise in ministry. 

Want to learn about the Kids Ministry Collective a Premier Place for Childrens Ministry Leaders. 

 

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, hosts Tom, Vicki, and Cole discuss essential strategies for children's ministry leaders to avoid burnout and maintain a healthy balance.

They dive into practical tips on managing busy seasons, finding meaningful rest, and the importance of delegating leadership roles. The conversation highlights proactive planning, personal spiritual practices, and the need for integrating rest into the ministry calendar.

Tune in and discover how to effectively refill your bucket, both physically and spiritually, to lead with renewed energy and purpose.

https://kidminplus.net

https://kidsministrycollective.com

Discover how to build a strong children’s ministry volunteer community that thrives! In this episode of the Kids Ministry Collective Podcast, Tom, Ben, and guest host Vicki Abbott unpack the 4P’s — Proximity, Presence, Prayer, and Power of One — and share practical ideas for cultivating a volunteer team culture in kids ministry that lasts.

You’ll hear tangible ideas like hosting informal gatherings, sending weekly highlight emails that celebrate wins, and creating ways to genuinely engage with families in your ministry. If you’ve been looking for a blueprint to cultivate a volunteer team culture in kids ministry, this episode is for you.

Tune in and walk away with actionable steps you can implement this week—so you can lead more effectively, connect more deeply, and build a thriving volunteer community that lasts.

#WeNotMe #ProximityMatters #BringAKidminArmy #NotJustAKidminLeader 

Want to join a growing and fun community? Check out Kidminplus.net

 

Join Tom, Ben, and Cole on the KMC Collective Podcast, where they dive into practical insights, creative ideas, and authentic conversations for children's ministry leaders.

In this episode, they welcome special guest Stephen Leckenby from Giant Cow Children's Ministry, discussing event planning, volunteer coordination, and the importance of impactful content.

Learn how to effectively organize and execute memorable events for kids, gain tips on leveraging community resources, and understand the significance of teaching grace and forgiveness in children's ministry.

Don't miss out on these valuable strategies to revitalize your ministry and make a lasting impact!

Links Mentioned:

Giant Cow Kids Ministry

https://www.thegiancow.com/mr-voice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG0uAQ2ZlsY

Check Out the Kids Ministry Collective!

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Ben, and Cole discuss practical strategies for children's ministry leaders to implement ideas and insights gained from conferences.

Learn how to filter through your notes, prioritize key takeaways, and develop an action plan that fits your ministry context. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by new ideas or unsure where to start, this episode offers valuable coaching and actionable advice to help you lead with clarity and impact. Tune in for tips on setting realistic goals, fostering team growth, and reflecting on progress.

Want a free 30 Minute Coaching Session? Head to KMCCoach.net

Welcome to the KMC Collective Podcast! Hosts Tom, Ben, and Cole dive into practical tips and insights for children's ministry leaders preparing for conference season.

From the importance of trying multiple conferences and budgeting for resources to maximizing networking opportunities and engaging with resource providers, this episode is packed with strategies to help you make the most out of your conference experience

Want more. help check out the KidsMinistryCollective.com

Join Tom, Ben, and Cole in this week's episode of the KMC Collective Podcast as they dive into practical insights for children's ministry leaders. Learn how to choose the right curriculum, when it might be time to step back, and get effective strategies to connect with families.

Full of humor, heartfelt moments, and actionable advice, this episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in children's ministry. Don't miss out on key tips, fun conversations, and the latest updates from the KMC Collective.

Want to improve your children's ministry leadership? Check out the Kidsministrycollective.com 

Join Tom, Cole, and Ben the KMC Collective Guys, as they answer listners' top questions. 

Learn why Simplicity, Consistency and Strategery (yep we made up a word) matter to kidmin leaders.

Need To Learn about the KMC? Head to https://kidsministrycollective.com

Want to join a great community? Kidminplus.net

Join the KMC Collective Podcast as hosts Tom, Ben, and Cole reveal what they wish they knew at the start of their children's ministry journeys. Packed with creative ministry insights, effective volunteer recruitment tips, and strategies for building strong ministry teams.

This episode offers practical advice and encouragement for children's ministry leaders. Perfect for those eager to enhance their leadership and nurture impactful ministries. Tune in and empower your ministry today!

Want to grow yourself as a leader? Consider one of us as your personal mentor/coach. Check out KMCCoach.net for more and to schedule your clarity call today!

Ready for Community? Join Kidminplus.net  A leadership community where you can get connected with amazing leaders, great lessons, live roundtables and coaching too! Only $15 a month. 

For all things Kidmin: www.kidsministrycollective.com