Kids Ministry Collective

In this episode, the KMC Teach discuss the importance of inviting volunteers to serve in children's ministry rather than simply asking them. They explore the ineffectiveness of mass appeals and share research-backed strategies for personal engagement. The conversation includes personal anecdotes and success stories that highlight the positive impact of direct invitations on volunteer participation.  Listen in and get some practical and sustainable ideas to help you get the right people on your childrens ministry teams 

In this episode, Tom Bump, Cole Rice, and Vicki Abbott discuss the challenges of volunteer recruitment and retention in church ministries. They emphasize the importance of understanding the difference between recruiting new volunteers and retaining existing ones. The conversation highlights key questions leaders should ask themselves to improve their volunteer culture and the significance of creating a culture of celebration to enhance retention. Want to get some help with your recruitment plan? We want to help you, Go to: kidsministrycollective.com You can get 30 minutes of FREE Mentor/Coaching just by setting up a a clarity call. 

Volunteers rarely quit because of the kids — they quit because of what's (or isn't) happening around them. We're getting honest about the real reasons children's ministry volunteers walk away, and what actually builds a team that stays.   Want someone to talk to about this? Kidsministrycollective.com 

In this episode, the KMC Team welcomes listeners back to the KMC Collective Podcast for Season 3, discussing their commitment to the kids' ministry community and previewing upcoming topics. They delve into the importance of building confidence in leadership, sharing personal experiences with imposter syndrome and the challenges of people-pleasing. The conversation reflects on highlights from Season 2 and emphasizes the need for community engagement and open dialogue among leaders. In this episode, the hosts discuss their experiences with worship music, the importance of community connections, and the impact of international outreach. They share their excitement for the upcoming season, highlighting new topics and engagement strategies to foster growth in the kids ministry community. The conversation emphasizes the value of learning together and encourages listeners to subscribe and participate in the podcast's journey. Want to sign up for the Better Together Newsletter?  SIGN UP HERE! Want to learn more about

In episode 40 of season two of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Ben, Vickie, and Ron celebrate passing 375 episodes and major growth milestones, including nearly 180,000 downloads, 25,000 listeners across 100 countries, and early YouTube traction. Tom shares his ministry background, including decades of pastoral work and a passion for supporting burned-out leaders through Restoring Leaders, while Ron recounts his 30 years in kids ministry and his ongoing behind-the-scenes role in KMC. Ron highlights his ministry resources, including the “Kids Guide to Christianity” workbooks and the “Dewey the Dragon” book series. The team reminisces about KMC’s origins in internet radio via CM Connect and Blog Talk Radio, their early tech mishaps and memories, and the core mission of community—helping children’s ministry leaders not do ministry alone—as they prepare to launch season three. Links: https://pastorronbrooks.com/ https://deweythedragon.com/ https://Kidsministrycollective.com    

What if your kids worship time was doing far more than filling a slot in your service? In this episode, we sit down with Dylan Arms — kids worship songwriter, worship director at Springwell Church, and creator of Dylan Arms Kids Worship — to talk about how worship is one of the most powerful discipleship tools you have in children's ministry. Dylan shares why he believes kids were made to worship just like the rest of us — and how the biggest misconception in the Church is treating kids worship as entertainment rather than formation. When you shift that mindset, everything changes: your song selection, your preparation, and the culture you're intentionally building. We dig into: How to define the why behind your worship culture before you change anything else Why engaging the fifth grade boy is your secret weapon for reaching the whole room Practical ways to extend worship beyond Sunday morning — including the power of a playlist What it means to lead the room, not just lead the song How Dylan's newest relea

Nobody tells you what you're actually signing up for when you say yes to kids ministry. The confetti, the costumes, and the camp stories look great from the outside — but what happens behind the curtain? In this episode, Tom, Cole, and Vicky get refreshingly honest about their calling, their biggest ministry mistakes, and the lessons that shaped them into the leaders they are today. From Cole's leap from volunteer to multi-site programming director before finishing college, to Tom's life-changing encounter with a six-year-old girl in Detroit who didn't know who God was, to Vicky's unexpected pivot from aspiring special ed teacher to children's pastor — every story is proof that the calling to kids ministry is deeply personal, rarely predictable, and always worth saying yes to. The team also shares their most cringe-worthy "what was I thinking?" moments — including an indoor pyrotechnic object lesson that sent 300 kids running for their lives and a camp tornado watch that turned into a real-time safety scrambl

Should kids be in the main worship service — or not? It's one of the most emotionally charged questions in kids ministry, and the KMC Collective team is diving in headfirst. In this episode, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vickie unpack the real conversation happening inside the Kids Ministry Collective Facebook group around kids in big church — and they're not here to hand you one right answer. Because honestly? There isn't one. The team walks through the three primary models churches use — full kids church, kids in the entire service, and the hybrid dismissal model — and explores the honest benefits and real challenges of each. From the powerful discipleship moment of a parent worshiping beside their child, to the logistical chaos of safely dismissing kids mid-service, no stone is left unturned. Want some help? Head to our Website for all the info: KidsMinistryCollective.com

When was the last time you took a Sunday off? If the honest answer is never — this episode is for you. In this candid and deeply practical conversation, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki get real about one of the most common traps in kids ministry: building a ministry that only runs when you show up. They share their own confessions, their burnout stories, and the mindset shifts that changed everything. Here's what's covered in this episode: The team dives into why kids ministry leaders struggle to step away — from the lie that "nobody can do this but me," to the fear of taking advantage of volunteers. They unpack the difference between a ministry that's healthy and one that's secretly dependent on a single person showing up 52 weeks a year. You'll hear practical, scalable strategies for raising up volunteer leaders at every church size — from small churches with fewer than 10 volunteers, to multi-site ministries with 40-plus team members. Whether you're looking for your first right-hand person or building out a full

Summer doesn't slow down for kids ministry — and the pressure to keep going can quietly drain even the best leaders. In this episode, Tom, Ben, and Vicki talk honestly about what summer really feels like: the comparison trap, volunteer fatigue, VBS planning stress, and how to protect your mindset when every other ministry around you seems to be taking a break. You'll walk away with a practical framework to shift from survival mode to sustainable leadership — including the "Day One, Week One" mindset, how life-change stories can re-energize your team, and why working for Jesus changes everything about how you show up. Kids ministry burnout is real. But so is the clarity on the other side of it.

On the KMC Collective Podcast, the team discusses why celebrating kids ministry milestones—especially promotion weekends like Move Up Sunday—matters for children and parents, and emphasizes being intentional and consistent rather than extravagant.   They compare different promotion timing approaches (beginning of summer vs. end of summer/fall) and share practical celebration ideas such as preview weekends, gradual transitions, a “slide into your new grade” event, inflatables, photo booths, postcards, ice cream sundaes, and low-budget décor.   The conversation highlights partnering with student ministry to help fourth/fifth graders transition to middle school through early visits, repeated touchpoints, shared worship elements, and involving youth as leaders in kids ministry. They close by encouraging leaders to create simple “confetti moments” of recognition and celebration and invite listeners to continue the conversation in their Facebook group and KidMinPlus.net    

You've been leading hard since September. The end of the ministry year is right there — but finishing well takes more than just surviving. Join Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki as they sit down and get honest about what May actually feels like — the exhaustion, the wins, and the real failures that taught them the most. Cole shares what it's like to lose a key volunteer mid-season and carry the weight. Ben opens up about a two-year burnout season and why five minutes recalibrating with Jesus can save your ministry. Vicki names her biggest fail: believing that because she was on staff, it all had to fall on her. You'll hear practical strategies for building seasonal volunteer teams, celebrating your people before summer, chunking your calendar to protect your energy, and knowing when to ask for help instead of white-knuckling it alone. Topics covered: finishing the ministry year well, volunteer team health, avoiding burnout, seasonal teams, end-of-year priorities, and setting yourself up for a strong fall restart. We'

You weren't meant to lead kids ministry alone — and this episode is your wake-up call to stop trying. In Part 2 of our "Tools for Kids Ministry Leaders" series, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vickie get real about the tools that aren't apps or calendars — they're people. If you caught Part 1 (featuring the legendary Jim Wideman), you already know the power of systems and AI. Now we're going deeper into the human side of leading well. The conversation kicks off with Ben sharing what he's learned at his new church — a place where volunteers don't just show up, they own their roles. The team unpacks why so many leaders fall into the trap of believing "nobody wants to help," and Tom delivers a passionate challenge: stop saying no for people before you even ask them. Cast the vision, make the invite specific, and watch what God does. From there, Vickie breaks down her coaching philosophy — why every ministry, regardless of size, needs leaders of leaders. Whether you call them coaches, team leads, or area leads, these higher-

What does it really take to lead in children's ministry for the long haul — and actually enjoy it? In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, the team sits down with legendary children's ministry leader Jim Wideman, who brings more than 50 years of hands-on experience to the conversation. From his early days watching Bozo's Circus for programming ideas to introducing children's ministry concepts to Australia, Jim has seen — and shaped — virtually every era of modern kids ministry.   Want to learn more? Need a Coach? Kidsministrycollective.com is where you find it all! 

What are the best tools for kids ministry leaders to save time and reduce stress? In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Ben, and Vickie share the practical, everyday tools that make children's ministry leadership easier — from calendar time blocking and AI for curriculum writing to Canva for church design and Bible study resources like Logos and BibleProject. We break down how to use your calendar as a strategic tool, why AI tools like ChatGPT and Goblin Tools can be your creative sidekick (without replacing your voice or theology), and why Canva is a must-have for any church without a graphic designer on staff. Plus, we share our favorite Bible study tools for kids ministry prep — including Logos, Blue Letter Bible, BibleProject, and the Gen Z Bible. This is Part 1 — stay tuned for Part 2! And if you met us at D6 Conference, welcome to the KMC family. We're glad you're here. Join the Facebook Group (Make sure you answer membership questions!!) Check out all the things at KidsMinistryCollective.

Are you struggling to get families engaged in discipleship? You've planned the events, sent the resources, and set up the opportunities — and still heard crickets. You are not alone. In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki unpack the real reasons behind low family discipleship engagement — from parents feeling spiritually inadequate to overwhelmed schedules — and share practical, proven strategies that are working in children's ministries of every size. Discover simple, repeatable approaches like one-on-one family meetups, kid-led Bible challenges, worship playlists, and age-appropriate Bibles that help kids pastor leaders build a faith at home culture that actually sticks. Whether you lead a small church or a multi-site ministry, this episode will help you shift your perspective, engage more families, and grow your discipleship culture — starting today.

Easter Sunday is over — but your job as a kids ministry leader is just getting started. If you're tempted to check out, coast for a few weeks, and then panic when summer stares you in the face, this episode is exactly what you need to hear. The KMC Collective team — Tom, Cole, and Vicki — sit down to tackle one of the most overlooked disciplines in kids ministry leadership: the post-event debrief and the strategic shift into summer planning. Here's what we dig into together: Why evaluation is the most important step you skip after every big event — and how to make it so simple you'll actually do it What to measure beyond attendance — from new family experience and volunteer care, to check-in flow, large group, small group, and your follow-up plan How to gather fast, actionable feedback from your team using a simple two-wins-and-one-improvement text or email Why you should start planning kids camp and VBS months before most leaders ever think to — and how backward calendar planning kills overwhelm before it s

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Cole, Vicki, and Ben continue their “Called or Confused” conversation, responding to a listener's question about whether being “called to ministry” applies only to pastors. They emphasize that every follower of Jesus shares the same calling to follow Christ, love God and others, and make disciples through the Great Commission, regardless of job or title. The team distinguishes calling from spiritual gifting and vocation, warning against overthinking calling, equating identity with a ministry role, or letting labels and titles define worth. Ben shares his burnout and transition out of church work into pest control and YouTube, describing how rediscovering identity as God’s child restored clarity and freedom. They encourage leaders to remain faithful, stay open-handed, and keep calling from twisting under cultural pressure.  

Have you ever confused your calling with your job title? You're not the only one — and it may be doing more damage than you think. In this heartfelt and eye-opening episode, Tom, Cole, and Vicki sit down to tackle one of the most important — and most overlooked — conversations in ministry leadership: understanding the difference between your calling, your identity, and your vocation. With raw personal stories, honest laughs, and practical wisdom from a combined decades of kids ministry experience, this conversation is for every ministry leader who has ever felt confused, burned out, or blindsided — and wondered what it all means for their future in ministry. What we dig into: The real reason so many kids pastors and ministry leaders are walking away How blurring the lines between calling, identity, and vocation can quietly destroy you What it actually means to be called — and why it's simpler than you might think How to get grounded in who God says you are, not just what you do Why your calling is b

Sharing the gospel with kids sounds simple, but one wrong word can create confusion that lasts for years. In this episode, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki tackle the tough questions: Are you using too many Christian terms? Is your "hand raise" invitation actually clear? And what happens after kids say yes? These children's ministry leaders dig into why clarity matters, how to avoid confusing language like "ask Jesus into your heart," and why following up is just as important as the initial invitation. You'll hear real stories from Easter egg hunts and church camps where kids didn't actually understand what they were committing to—and practical strategies to prevent it. Whether you're presenting the gospel at a big event or every Sunday, this conversation will challenge how you share Jesus with the next generation. Discover why consistency, clear language, and discipleship are the keys to helping kids truly understand and remember the gospel. Join the conversation in the KMC Collective Facebook group and share your