Kids Ministry Answers

022: A More Strategic Parent Ministry

Ministry to kids will always, necessarily involve ministry to parents. But building a healthy parent ministry strategy can feel overwhelming when you're not sure where to start. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Bri has a question about how to develop a parent ministry strategy that actually works. So we asked Elle Campbell to join Linda and Jason to share practical ways to earn parents' trust, build meaningful partnerships with families, and create a strategy that helps parents feel supported all year long. QUESTION: "How do we develop a parent ministry strategy that works?" — Bri Law ANSWER: In this episode, we'll talk about how to... * Earn parents' trust by consistently communicating, listening well, and following through on your plans * Create meaningful opportunities for parents to build memories with their kids and connect with your ministry * Build face-to-face relationships through meetings, discussion groups, and intentional one-on-one conversations * Keep parents equipped, informed, and encouraged with consistent communication, practical resources, and regular celebration Ask a Question: Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show [https://stuffyoucanuse.org/kids-ministry-answers/] — your question might be featured in a future episode! Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show. Resources Mentioned: * Annual Planning Meeting [https://sycu.org/AnnualPlanningMeeting_Grow] to see how this all looks on a calendar * Grow Strategy [https://growcurriculum.org/] to plan your year  * All parent resources/Family Bundle [https://sycu.org/FamiliesBundle_Grow]

021: Let's Plan a Move-Up Day!

There are a few moments in the ministry year that deserve extra attention. Move-Up Day is one of them. It's an opportunity to celebrate growth, ease anxieties, communicate clearly with parents, and help kids step confidently into a new season. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Linda and Jason share practical strategies for planning a meaningful Move-Up Day that celebrates kids and builds trust with families. From simple celebrations to memorable experiences, they walk through how to make one of the biggest milestones in your ministry calendar feel intentional and exciting for everyone involved. QUESTION: "How do I help kids in my ministry transition to the next ministry environment?" ANSWER: In this episode, we'll talk about how to... * Create a thoughtful Move-Up Day structure that celebrates kids and makes transitions feel exciting instead of intimidating * Make the day memorable with simple themes, interactive moments, and meaningful keepsakes * Intentionally include parents by helping them meet leaders, understand your vision, and feel confident about the year ahead * Use Move-Up Day to set the tone for a strong, relationship-focused ministry year Ask a Question: Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show [https://stuffyoucanuse.org/kids-ministry-answers/] and your question might be featured in a future episode! Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical ideas, leadership tips, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show. Resources Mentioned: * Move-Up Day guide [https://sycu.org/MoveUpDay_Families_Grow]

020: 10 Tips for Summertime in Kids Ministry

Ask a Question: Have a kids ministry question you want us to talk about? Send it in at KMA.show [https://stuffyoucanuse.org/kids-ministry-answers/] and your question might be featured in a future episode! Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen for practical ideas, leadership tips, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show. Resources Mentioned:  * Annual Planning Meeting [https://growcurriculum.org/meeting]  * Grow Strategy [https://growcurriculum.org/] * VBS [https://sycu.org/WhatsCookin_VBS_GrowKids]

019: Teaching Difficult Bible Stories to Kids

There are so many wonderful Bible stories to teach to kids every week. But there are a few that seem more intimidating than helpful. We want to stay true to Scripture without confusing, overwhelming, or oversimplifying things for the kids we're leading. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, Paul asked us a question about how to teach the difficult or harder-to-understand Bible stories to kids. So we asked Meredith Miller to join Linda and Jason to share thoughtful, age-appropriate strategies for teaching hard passages of Scripture with honesty, wisdom, and care. QUESTION: “How do you teach difficult Bible stories to kids in a way that keeps the environment safe, honest, and age-appropriate while still staying true to Scripture?” — Paul ANSWER: In this episode, we’ll talk about how to... * Stay true to Scripture by wrestling honestly with difficult stories and understanding their historical and cultural context * Recognize when certain stories may not be developmentally appropriate for kids just yet * Teach hard passages honestly without feeling pressure to defend or simplify every tension in the Bible * Focus on who God is and what God is doing in the story instead of only focusing on people’s behavior Ask a Question: Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show — your question might be featured in a future episode! Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for kids ministry ideas, volunteer strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show. Resources Mentioned: * Meredith's Resources on Kids + Faith [https://www.meredithannemiller.com] * Free 4 weeks [http://meredithannemiller.com/KMA] of access to Meredith's Substack on tricky stories  * Wonder [https://geni.us/3NbjPy] by Meredith Miller

018: How to Leave Your Ministry Well (Crossover)

Leaving a ministry role can feel overwhelming—full of mixed emotions, hard conversations, and uncertainty about what comes next. In this episode of Kids Ministry Answers, we’re tackling a big question about how to leave your ministry well when it’s time to move on. So we asked Dr. Yulee Lee to join the show to share practical wisdom for navigating transitions with honesty, emotional health, and integrity. QUESTION: How do I leave my ministry well when it’s time to move on? ANSWER: In this episode, we’ll talk about how to... * Lower the emotional stakes by recognizing that leaving is a normal and healthy part of ministry seasons * Reframe your anger so it leads to clarity, advocacy, and growth instead of bitterness * Be honest about your reasons for leaving in a way that builds trust and maintains integrity * Set clear boundaries during your transition to protect your time, relationships, and future Ask a Question: Got a question you want answered? Send it in at kma.show [https://stuffyoucanuse.org/kids-ministry-answers/] — your question might be featured in a future episode! Subscribe & Review: Subscribe to Kids Ministry Answers on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you look for youth ministry ideas, small group strategies, and ministry tools you can use right away. If this episode was helpful, leave a quick review to help other leaders find the show. Resources Mentioned: * Leadership Labs [https://stuffyoucanuse.org/leadershiplabs/]