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 scramble. You'll laugh, maybe tear up, and definitely feel seen.

Whether you're brand new to kids ministry leadership or you're in a hard season wondering if you made the right call, this episode is your reminder: God's not done writing your story.

This Week's Better Together Challenge: Write your personal ministry calling statement. Answer these four questions — What do you believe about your calling? Why does it matter to you? How has God wired and prepared you? And what future do you want to help create? Share your answers in the Kid Ministry Collective Facebook Group at kidministrycollective.com.

🎧 Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts, and join us on YouTube so you never miss an episode. We'd love to hear where you're tuning in from!

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 coach model, this episode meets you where you are.

The crew also tackles one of the biggest mental hurdles in volunteer recruitment: "don't say their no." Stop disqualifying people before you even ask. Give the Holy Spirit room to work — and be surprised by who steps up.

Finally, the team issues a Find Your One challenge: ask God to show you the one person you can begin pouring into today. Then come share that name in the Kids Ministry Collective Facebook group or YouTube comments so the community can pray with you.

You don't have to do this alone. A healthy kids ministry never depends on just one person. We are better together.

 Join the conversation in the Kids Ministry Collective Facebook Group and share the name of the one person you're going to invest in this week!

Need a Coach: Kidmincoach.net

Learn about what the KMC offers YOU!: KidsMinistryCollective.com

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.

🎧 Subscribe to the KMC Collective Podcast for weekly encouragement built for kids ministry leaders.

Need more support? Visit kmcoach.net to schedule a free 30-minute coaching call — or join the conversation in our Kids Ministry Collective Facebook community.

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're better together — and you don't have to carry this alone.

👉 Connect with a KMC coach: kidministrycollective.com

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-capacity volunteers are the key to multiplying your impact without multiplying your exhaustion.

The crew also gets personal about burnout, sharing how finding mentors and coaches transformed their ministries and extended their longevity. Ben talks about Dan, his longtime sounding board. Tom opens up about nearly burning out 15 years in. And the team offers practical advice on what to look for when hiring or choosing a coach — credentials, experience, and a heart for developing others, not just giving advice.

Finally, they round out with systems — Planning Center, Google Drive, OneNote, voice memos, email folders, and even AI tools that help you work smarter so you can be more relational.

Ready to stop leading alone? Join the KMC community on Facebook or level up at kidminplus.net for leadership-level conversations, live coaching, and round table discussions with all four coaches. Email [email protected] for a free 14-day preview. And if this episode encouraged you, leave a review, share it with a fellow kids ministry leader, and keep the conversation going!

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.com

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.

🎧 Subscribe, leave a review, and join the Kid Ministry Collective community at kidministrycollective.com — because we are better together!