ETCH with Chuck Peters

Small churches may not have the biggest budgets, largest staffs, or endless resources, but they have something incredibly valuable: people who know one another deeply.

Chuck Peters interviews Pastor Steve Acklin about the unique opportunities and challenges of bi-vocational ministry and serving kids and students in a small church. Together, they explore how leaders can embrace the strengths of smaller congregations rather than comparing themselves to churches with bigger programs and more resources.

Steve shares how intimacy, intergenerational relationships, and resourcefulness can become powerful tools for discipleship. In a small church, kids and students have opportunities to be known, connected to multiple generations, and involved in the life of the church in meaningful ways.

This conversation is an encouraging reminder that effective next gen ministry isn’t about having the biggest program. It’s about faithfully investing in people and making the most of what God has already placed in your church.

Whether you’re a bi-vocational pastor, kids ministry leader, student ministry leader, or volunteer serving in a small church, this conversation will encourage you to stop measuring your ministry by what you don’t have and start recognizing the opportunities right in front of you.

Tune in for an encouraging conversation about the unique potential of small church ministry and how you can make a big kingdom impact right where God has placed you.

SHOW LINKS:

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

What does courageous leadership look like when the future feels uncertain?

In today's episode, Chuck Peters sits down with Lifeway's Director of Women's Ministry, Andrea Lennon, to talk about leading faithfully and courageously when circumstances are unpredictable and the path ahead isn’t clear. Andrea offers wisdom and encouragement for ministry leaders who are facing challenges, change, and uncertainty while trying to lead their teams and churches well.

At the heart of courageous leadership is a willingness to trust God’s sovereignty even when we don’t understand what He is doing. Andrea challenges leaders to release the desire for control, embrace faith in the middle of uncertainty, and remember that God is still at work even when the outcome is unclear.

You may not know what’s coming next, but you can know who is already there. When ministry feels uncertain, courageous leadership begins with trusting the God who is never uncertain.

Tune in for practical wisdom and biblical encouragement to help you lead with faith, courage, and confidence in God’s sovereignty.

SHOW LINKS:

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

What happens when the ministry role you thought you’d have for years suddenly changes?

Chuck Peters sits down with David Reed and Jay Barbier for an honest and encouraging conversation about ministry transitions, unexpected change, and discovering that a new season doesn’t mean your calling is over.

David and Jay share their personal experiences of navigating significant transitions in ministry, including the emotional challenges, uncertainty, and questions that can come when a familiar role comes to an end. But their stories also reveal how God can use change to open new doors, provide new opportunities, and give leaders a renewed sense of purpose.

If you’re in the middle of a ministry transition, considering a career change, or simply wondering what God might have next, this conversation is a reminder that you’re not done yet. Your title may change. Your ministry context may change. Your responsibilities may change. But God can continue to use your experience, gifts, and faithfulness in ways you never expected.

Tune in for an honest conversation that will encourage you to embrace your next season with hope, purpose, and confidence in God’s calling.

SHOW LINKS:

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

Ministry leadership can feel like there is always one more meeting, one more email, one more need, and one more thing demanding your attention. But how do you manage the demands of ministry without allowing your schedule to manage you?

Chuck Peters sits down with Matt Flanagan to talk about the realities of an overwhelming ministry schedule and how leaders can develop healthier, more sustainable rhythms for the long haul. Together, they explore practical ways to prioritize what matters most, manage competing demands, and create margin for the things that truly deserve your time and attention.

Rather than simply trying to squeeze more into an already full calendar, this conversation challenges ministry leaders to think differently about their schedules, their priorities, and what it means to thrive in ministry over the long term.

If you’re feeling stretched thin, constantly busy, or unsure how to determine what deserves your attention, this episode offers practical encouragement and wisdom to help you lead with greater clarity and sustainability.

Tune in for a practical conversation that could change the way you approach your calendar, your priorities, and your ministry.

SHOW LINKS:

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

What does it look like to keep the gospel at the center of everything we do in kids and student ministry?

In this episode of the ETCH Next Gen Podcast, Chuck Peters sits down with Aaron Wilson to talk about the importance of building ministry around the gospel rather than simply teaching good lessons or helping kids and students become better people. Aaron shares why every Bible story points us to Jesus and how ministry leaders can help the next generation see Scripture through the lens of the gospel.

You’ll discover practical ways to connect biblical truth to Jesus, communicate the gospel clearly, and move beyond behavior modification toward genuine discipleship. Aaron also emphasizes the critical role families play in helping kids and students develop a faith that lasts beyond their years in church programming.

Whether you lead kids ministry, student ministry, or serve families in another capacity, this conversation will challenge you to consider what is truly at the center of your ministry and give you practical encouragement for keeping Jesus there.

Tune in and be encouraged to put Jesus and the gospel at the center of your next generation ministry.

SHOW LINKS:

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

What do Americans really believe about God, truth, and Jesus, and how are those beliefs shaping the next generation? In this episode of the ETCH Next Gen Podcast, Chuck Peters sits down with Scott McConnell of Lifeway Research to unpack the latest findings from the State of Theology. Together, they explore how cultural shifts, biblical literacy, and personal views of truth influence discipleship and next gen ministry.

From changing perspectives on morality to the growing influence of secular culture, this conversation offers important insights for anyone seeking to help children and students develop a strong biblical worldview. Scott and Chuck discuss why understanding what people believe matters for ministry leaders and how the church can intentionally teach biblical truth from an early age.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• What the State of Theology reveals about American beliefs and how those beliefs have shifted or remained consistent over the past decade.
• How cultural views of truth and morality influence the way children, students, and families understand faith.
• Why teaching Christology, or a biblical understanding of who Jesus is, is essential in next gen ministry.
• The challenges relativism and personal truth present for discipleship and biblical education.
• The importance of intentionally teaching Scripture and biblical literacy from a young age.
• How secular culture influences beliefs about Jesus, salvation, and the gospel.
• The role of the church in shaping worldview, identity, and a lasting faith.
• Practical encouragement for ministry leaders seeking to build a foundation of biblical truth in the next generation.

Whether you're a kids ministry leader, student ministry leader, pastor, or parent, this conversation will challenge you to consider how you're equipping the next generation to know God's Word, understand who Jesus is, and live out their faith in a changing culture. Tune in for an insightful conversation about theology, discipleship, and the importance of teaching truth with intention.

SHOW LINKS: 

State of Theology

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Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

What if cultivating joy isn't just about changing your circumstances, but changing the way you lead, think, and respond? In this episode of the ETCH Next Gen Podcast, Chuck Peters talks with Nicole Zasowski about the connection between Scripture, neuroscience, and emotional health. 

Discover how understanding the connection between our thoughts, emotions, and actions can help you navigate challenges, strengthen relationships, and lead the next generation with greater joy and intentionality. Whether you're serving in ministry or seeking to grow personally, this conversation offers practical encouragement to help you cultivate a hopeful, gratitude-filled culture.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• Practical strategies for cultivating joy through Scripture and neuroscience.
• How to recognize and manage negative mindsets.
• The importance of modeling emotional regulation as a ministry leader.
• Ways to lead with hope, even in challenging circumstances.
• How to foster a culture of gratitude in ministry and everyday life.

Tune in to be encouraged and equipped to lead with joy, hope, and purpose.

SHOW LINKS:

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

What does it take to help the next generation develop a faith that endures long after they leave home?

In this episode of the ETCH Next Gen Podcast, Chuck Peters is joined by Paul Worcester for a practical and encouraging conversation about preparing students for lifelong discipleship. Together, they explore what it means to build a faith that remains rooted in Christ through the transitions of high school, college, and adulthood.

Paul shares insights on helping young people establish their identity in Christ, navigate seasons of doubt with confidence, pursue personal holiness, and find freedom from anxiety and shame through the hope of the gospel. The conversation emphasizes that lasting faith isn't built on cultural comfort or emotional experiences but on a deep, personal relationship with Jesus.

The years after graduation can be some of the most formative in a young person's spiritual journey. This conversation offers biblical encouragement and practical wisdom for helping the next generation remain faithful to Christ through every season of life.

Subscribe to the ETCH Next Gen Podcast for more conversations that equip church leaders to disciple the next generation with biblical wisdom, cultural awareness, and practical ministry insight.

SHOW LINKS:

Thrive - College Bible Study

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Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

Generation Alpha is growing up in a world unlike any generation before them. From artificial intelligence to constant digital connection, today's kids are being shaped by technology in ways that present both incredible opportunities and significant discipleship challenges.

In this special crossover episode, Chuck Peters from the ETCH Next Gen Podcast joins Jana Magruder from Kids Ministry Calling for a timely conversation about understanding and discipling Generation Alpha. Along with Dr. Shelly Melia and Shane Pruitt, they explore what makes this generation unique, how technology and AI are influencing their worldview, and how churches and families can faithfully prepare them to follow Jesus in an increasingly complex culture.

Whether you're serving in kids ministry, student ministry, or leading your family at home, this episode offers practical insights to help you engage Generation Alpha with intentionality, biblical truth, and relational discipleship.

As the first generation to grow up with AI woven into everyday life, Generation Alpha needs leaders who understand both their world and the unchanging truth of the gospel. This conversation will encourage and equip you to disciple the next generation with confidence and hope.

Subscribe to the ETCH Next Gen Podcast and Kids Ministry Calling for more conversations that help church leaders and parents disciple the next generation with biblical wisdom, practical ministry insights, and gospel-centered encouragement.

SHOW LINKS: 

Reaching Gen Alpha by Dr. Shelly Melia and Shane Pruitt 

Kids Ministry Calling Podcast with Jana Magruder 

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry 

In this episode of the ETCH Next Gen Podcast, Chuck Peters sits down with Zac Workun to talk about the value of pursuing formal education in ministry and why lifelong learning matters for leaders who want to serve the next generation well.

Zac shares practical wisdom on balancing school, ministry, work, and family while pursuing continued education. Together, Chuck and Zac explore how formal education can strengthen a leader’s ministry skills, deepen theological understanding, and provide opportunities for personal and professional growth.

Whether you’re considering going back to school, currently working toward a degree, or simply looking for ways to keep growing as a ministry leader, this conversation offers encouragement and practical insight for making lifelong learning part of your ministry journey.

SHOW LINKS:

Register for ETCH Conference 2026

Connect with Lifeway Next Gen Ministry