In the Season 1 finale episode of the Nurturing Faith Collective Podcast, host Andy Berry welcomes Erica Stricklen and Kelly Hensley to discuss their experiences in children's ministry, the importance of pursuing education in this field, and the challenges and joys of engaging with families and children. They share insights on intentional teaching, building community among parents, and strategies for overcoming feelings of guilt when parents miss church. The conversation emphasizes the need for connection and support within the church community, highlighting innovative ideas for fostering relationships among families.

00:00:  Introduction and Background of Guests

03:04:  Pursuing Education in Ministry

05:47:  Current Ministry Contexts

08:56:  Engaging with Children and Families

12:05:  Intentionality in Teaching and Community Building

15:06:  Connecting with Parents and Overcoming Guilt

18:07:  Strategies for Ongoing Engagement

20:45:  Nurturing Relationships in Ministry

23:07:  Creative Communication Strategies for Parents

27:54:  Celebrating Wins in Discipleship

29:50:  The Importance of Community and Partnership

36:00:  Encouragement for Tired Leaders

42:06:  Finding Rest and Purpose in Ministry

In this episode, Dee Hansel discusses her role in the Nurturing Faith Collective, focusing on building resources from Bethel graduates to support family ministry. She emphasizes the importance of intergenerational mentorship and creating a team culture within the church. Dee shares insights on celebrating milestones together and the significance of aligning different age groups in ministry. Dee discusses the importance of building a cohesive discipleship pathway from early childhood through high school, emphasizing the need for team alignment and curriculum cohesion. She shares her experiences in fostering team dynamics, building trust with volunteers and parents, and the significance of taking time for rest and family. The conversation highlights practical strategies for ministry leaders to enhance their programs while maintaining a focus on relationships and personal well-being.

00:00:  Welcome and Introduction to Dee Hansel

05:10:  Role in the Nurturing Faith Collective

07:49:  Building Resources from Bethel Graduates

10:00:  Quality Resources for Family Ministry

15:12:  Intergenerational Mentorship in Ministry

17:25:  Dee's Ministry Context and Role

20:30:  Building a Team Culture in Ministry

22:26:  Building a Discipleship Pathway

24:06:  Team Dynamics and Responses

25:24:  Aligning Volunteer Teams

26:59:  Curriculum Cohesion Across Ages

30:35:  Building Trust and Relationships

35:02:  Finding Joy in Family

39:02:  The Importance of Sabbath Rest

42:35:  Resources for Parents and Leaders

In this episode of the Nurturing Faith Collective Podcast, host Andy Berry welcomes guest, Kathleen Jaoudi. They explore the growth of Kathleen's church and how it has become a welcoming space for families. Kathleen shares insights on integrating worship experiences for children and families, the importance of community engagement, and her vision for future events that foster family involvement. Kathleen shares practical insights on how to meet families where they are, capitalize on natural energy around events, and provide support during significant life transitions. The discussion also touches on the importance of not overwhelming families with too many events and the need for ministry leaders to focus on what truly matters.

00:00:  Introduction and Setting the Scene

02:55:  Kathleen's Role in Children's Ministry

06:00:  Growth and Community Engagement at Trinity Church

09:06:  Programming and Family Integration in Ministry

11:57:   Discipleship Models and Family Involvement

15:08:  Creating Inclusive Worship Experiences

18:02:  Future Plans and Community Events

20:59: Creating Family-Centric Christmas Experiences

24:24: Engaging Families in Faith Conversations

28:42: Navigating Transitions in Family Life

32:01:  Balancing Ministry and Personal Life

37:27:  Encouragement for Overwhelmed Ministry Leaders

In this episode of the Nurturing Faith Collective podcast, Dr. Trisha Peach shares her experiences and insights on children's ministry, social media marketing, and the importance of volunteer leadership. She discusses her unique role within the Nurturing Faith Collective, the challenges of adapting to new technologies, and the value of building a supportive community in ministry. Trisha emphasizes the need for passion and purpose in ministry, regardless of whether one is a paid staff member or a volunteer, and encourages leaders to embrace change and seek help when needed.

00:00: Introduction

02:38: The Nurturing Faith Collective Overview

05:58: Social Media Strategy and Challenges

09:42: Building a Platform for Ministry

09:49: Adapting to New Skills and Technologies

13:38: Encouragement for Unpaid Ministry Leaders

19:22: Leveraging Congregational Resources

21:02: The Importance of Clear Communication

22:47: Transitioning from Staff to Volunteer

25:02: Navigating Identity Changes in Ministry

27:53: The Value of Volunteer Leadership

33:58: Encouragement for Ministry Leaders:

38:20: Final Thoughts and Resources

In this episode of the Nurturing Faith Collective Podcast, host Andy Berry talks with Katie Bliss and Danika Moubayed about their roles within the writing initiative of the Nurturing Faith Collective. They share their personal experiences in children's ministry, aspirations for writing, and the challenges they face in their respective ministries. The conversation emphasizes the importance of starting small in faith practices, the need for resources that address common questions children have about God, and the significance of creating a supportive community for families. The episode concludes with encouragement for leaders and parents to find rest and maintain a consistent rhythm in their ministry and family life.

00:00: Introduction to the Nurturing Faith Collective

02:56: The Writing Initiative and Its Purpose

05:43: Personal Writing Aspirations

08:37: Ministry Context and Experience

11:47: Diverse Children's Ministry

14:45: The Writing Process and Collaboration

17:38: Accessing Resources and Content

20:48: Ensuring Trustworthy Resources

24:48: Preparing Content for the Community

26:51: Innovative Strategies for Volunteer Recruitment

29:23: Creating Family-Centric Programming

30:23: Addressing Children's Big Questions

34:02: Embracing the Unknown in Faith

39:46: Encouragement for Leaders and Parents

41:46: Finding Rest and Rhythm in Ministry

In this episode of the Nurturing Faith Collective Podcast, host, Andy Berry, interviews Kristi Schelhaas, a new member of the collective and Children's Ministry Director at Calvary Baptist in Yankton, South Dakota. Kristi shares her journey into ministry and the challenges and joys of working with children and families in a church setting. The conversation explores the evolution of children's ministry, the importance of engaging families, and the innovative approaches Kristi is implementing to foster faith in the next generation, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong followership of Jesus to effectively lead others. She shares personal insights on managing emotional and spiritual health while serving in ministry and highlights the significance of being engaged in daily faith practices.

0:00: Introduction and Name Pronunciation

02:05: Family Dynamics and College Transitions

05:09: Role in Nurturing Faith Collective

07:49: Career Journey and Daily Obedience

10:42: Kids Ministry Experience

13:24: Wednesday Night Programs and Community Engagement

16:15: Engaging Families in Church Activities

18:30: Long-term Impact of Serving in Church

19:26: Revamping Youth Programs for Engagement

21:41: Addressing Doubts and Faith Questions

23:26: Encouraging Personal Faith Development

24:07: Creating a Culture of Inquiry

29:26: Innovative Approaches to Bible Study

30:50: Balancing Routine and Excitement in Ministry

36:36: Repositioning Attitude and Followership

40:38: Conclusion

In this episode of the Nurturing Faith Collective Podcast, host, Andy Berry, invites Tina Wallace and Tania Kopplin to discuss the launch of a coaching initiative aimed at supporting parents, ministry leaders, and faith influencers. They celebrate personal milestones, including the birth of Tina's grandchild, and delve into the importance of coaching in ministry. The conversation covers the structure of their coaching sessions, the target audience, and the significance of listening and asking the right questions. They also share insights from practice sessions and discuss navigating transitions in ministry, encouraging those feeling burnt out to seek God's guidance. The episode concludes with excitement for the future of their coaching initiative and the impact it will have on families and communities.

For more information on scheduling a coaching session with the Nurturing Faith Collective, ⁠click here⁠.

To purchase the book, Partnering Church and Home: Discipleship for the Next Generation, ⁠click here⁠.

00:00:  Introduction and Context

02:48:  Celebrating Milestones and Family Dynamics

05:15:  Coaching Initiative Overview

07:38:  Target Audience for Coaching

10:05:  Coaching Process and Structure

12:18:  The Importance of Coaching in Parenting and Leadership

15:18:  Coaching Insights: Enhancing Parent Connections

18:45:  Mutual Learning: The Coaching Experience

22:16:  Listening: The Key to Effective Ministry

25:06:  Navigating Burnout: Finding New Paths in Ministry

27:49:  Embracing Change: New Opportunities in Ministry

32:23:  Looking Ahead: Exciting Future Initiatives

In this episode, hosts Danelle Schlichenmayer and Andy Berry chat with Paula Mazza, Director of Children's and Preteen Ministries at Solana Beach Presbyterian Church, Founder of the Grace in Real Time Podcast and PreteenMentalHealth.com.

Paula shares her journey in ministry, emphasizing the importance of focusing on preteens and addressing mental health issues among youth. She discusses her educational pursuits at Bethel Seminary and the need for trained leaders in children's ministry. The conversation highlights the significance of building community resources for mental wellness and offers encouragement for leaders facing burnout. Paula also shares creative approaches to ministry that empower kids to take ownership of their faith.

Chapters:

00:00 Introducing Paula Mazza: Life and Family

02:54 Transitioning to Ministry: A Journey of Faith

05:58 The Importance of Preteen Ministry

09:55 Education and Growth in Ministry

12:52 Innovative Approaches in Children's Ministry

14:47 Understanding Persistent Depressive Disorder

15:43 Navigating Mental Health Resources for Preteens

18:58 The Importance of Early Intervention in Mental Health

22:46 Building Community Awareness and Resources

26:47 Creating Safe Spaces for Preteens

29:54 Self-Care for Leaders in Ministry

31:55 Celebrating Creativity and Ownership in Ministry

Helpful Links:

preteenmentalhealth.com

nami.org

The Nurturing Faith Collective⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a partnership between ⁠⁠⁠⁠Bethel Seminary⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠GrowthRings⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Entre Niños⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, Jamie Lane shares his journey from being a pastor's kid to becoming a family ministries director at a larger church. He discusses the challenges and joys of transitioning to a new ministry context, the importance of empowering others in leadership, and the need for intentional engagement with families. Jamie emphasizes the significance of celebrating small wins in ministry and encourages leaders to persevere, even when the results are not immediately visible.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background of Jamie Lane

01:58 Transitioning to a Larger Ministry Context

04:16 Shifting Leadership Philosophy

06:40 Developing Leadership Skills

08:59 Empowering Others in Ministry

11:22 Learning from Mistakes and Growth

13:57 Encouraging Risk-Taking in Leadership

17:54 Parenting and Leadership

18:07 Ministry Highlights and Growth

25:21 Engaging Families in Ministry

31:53 Perseverance in Ministry

The Nurturing Faith Collective⁠⁠⁠ is a partnership between ⁠⁠⁠Bethel Seminary⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠GrowthRings⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠Entre Niños⁠⁠⁠.

Danelle Schlichenmayer and Andy Berry welcome Dr. Luz Galvez De Figueroa, the founder of Entre Niños, to discuss her extensive work in Latino ministry and child discipleship. Dr. Luz shares her journey in developing a certificate program for Latino leaders, the importance of training and resources, and the impact of the book she co-authored, Partnering Church and Home: Discipleship for the Next Generation. The conversation emphasizes the significance of building relationships within communities, the transformative nature of spiritual formation, and the need for collaboration between church and home. Dr. Luz also reflects on her personal experiences in ministry and the challenges leaders face today.

To purchase a copy of Partnering Church and Home: Discipleship for the Next Generation in English, click here.

To purchase a copy of Partnering Church and Home: Discipleship for the Next Generation in Spanish, ⁠click here⁠.

The Nurturing Faith Collective⁠⁠ is a partnership between ⁠⁠Bethel Seminary⁠⁠, ⁠⁠GrowthRings⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠Entre Niños⁠⁠.