The INCM Podcast

Questions answered:

• Why do we need to talk about childhood anxiety and depression? Particularly in the last 5 years?  
• When caring for kids with anxiety and depression, what are some theological and psychological principles we should keep in mind?
• What are some practical strategies or steps we can take to care for kids in our ministries who struggle with anxiety or depression?
• What are some resources you can share with listeners who want to care more effectively for kids with anxiety and depression?

Reaching Hurting Kids Institute

INCM

INCM

Reaching Hurting Kids Institute

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK Team - Robert & Lori Crosby and Kayla Smith

• What has changed in the last 5 years regarding challenging behaviors? And how to handle them? 
• Why is pivoting in children’s ministry critical now? 
• What core theological and psychological principles do we need to keep in mind? 
• What specific tools can be used to handle challenging behaviors? 

• Trauma Informed Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reach Hurting Kids by Lori & Robert Crosby- https://www.amazon.com/dp/1666715743
• The Reach Hurting Kids workshop - reachhurtingkids.com/workshop
• reachhurtingkids.com/discipline

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INCM

Reaching Hurting Kids

INCM Instagram

Reaching Hurting Kids

Join us for season 3 of the INCM Podcast.

Children’s ministry has changed. Since COVID-19, churches have faced drops in engagement, volunteer shortages, and rising behavioral and mental health challenges. If we want to reach today’s kids in today’s culture, we need to pivot.

But that doesn’t mean chasing trends. It means using best practices—strategies rooted in sound theological and psychological principles that have been proven to work.

Partnering with Reach Hurting Kids Institute, we’re bringing you modern-day solutions for a thriving, inclusive ministry. Each episode gives practical takeaways that you can use this Sunday to create a transformative ministry for all kids.

Episode 1 is coming Friday, June 6.

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INCM

Reaching Hurting Kids Institute

Apple Podcasts

Spotify Podcasts

Children are inundated with messages every single day about their identity. It’s our job to help them to know what is always true—what God says is true. 

Because what kids believe about themselves influences their thoughts and decisions. 

We can help kids discover that their identity is found in God’s Big Story—where Jesus is Lord and the Holy Spirit is present. And we need to leave room for their big questions and big ideas while leaving no doubt about who God is or who they are in Him. 

Our kids are image-bearing children of God, and we can declare this truth over them!

Links:

Known, Loved, Led: Helping Children Know Who They Were Created to Be: Free Guide

Ministry Spark Topic-Related Webinar: Known, Loved, Led: Helping Children Know Who They Were Created to Be

Ministry Spark Newsletter (Free Resources Monthly)

INCM Website

David C. Cook Website

With the constant push and pull of ministry life, it’s easy to become distant of the Gospel. It’s not an intentional move, or one we ever hope to make when entering ministry, but slowly over time we can become focused on lesser things.

Keeping the Gospel central keeps our hope alive. It ignites our faith in Christ and reassures us of His goodness. It is why we are in ministry to begin with. His Story pursues our own. Join us and be encouraged in life and ministry

Links:

You Were Made for This: Caring For Your Soul as a Ministry Leader: Free Guide

Ministry Spark Topic-Related Webinar: Casting Vision: Staying Rooted in the Gospel

Ministry Spark Topic-Related Webinar: Caring for your Soul in the Midst of Everything Else

Ministry Spark Newsletter (Free Resources Monthly) .

INCM Website

David C. Cook.Website

Hands down, parents are the greatest influencers of their children’s faith formation. If you’re a Christian parent reading this, you feel the gravity of your responsibility. You know the joy and exasperation, the awe and challenge of the parenting journey, and you deeply desire to see your son or daughter become the person God made them to be.

As we continue our Faith Formation discussion, let’s ask these questions: 

1. How are we encouraging, equipping, and partnering with families?
2. How are we utilizing other ministries within the church to do the same?
3. Are we resourcing and running children’s ministry, church services, small groups, and other ministries in essentially the same way we did twenty years ago?
4. Are we passing on traditions and programs, only to have lost a clear focus on the very faith they are meant to foster?

Links:

Faith Formation Guide: Free Guide 

Ministry Spark Topic-Related Webinar: Faith Formation: Parents & Families 

7 Ways to Encourage Today’s Parents as Spiritual Influencers at Home: Free Guide   

Ministry Spark Newsletter (Free Resources Monthly)

INCM Website

David C. Cook Website

Within the context of a healthy, whole-church approach to faith formation, children’s ministry plays an undeniably crucial role. 

 In 2005, David Kinnaman, now president of Barna Group, summed up why: “Young people are spiritual sponges whose most impressionable years are too important to pass up.” His statement remains as true as ever.

As we continue our Faith Formation discussion, let’s ask these questions: Are we resourcing and running children’s ministry in essentially the same way we did twenty years ago? Are we passing on traditions and programs, only to have lost a clear focus on the very faith they are meant to foster?

Links:

Faith Formation Guide: Free Guide 

Ministry Spark Topic-Related Webinar: Faith Formation: Children’s Ministry 

Ministry Spark Newsletter (Free Resources Monthly)

INCM Website

David C. Cook Website

Social Media Links

Britany Nelson

Kirsten Hitchcock

Christianity is counter-cultural in America. The wind is no longer at our backs. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If we have been lulled by fair weather, our faith can become stronger as we adapt to the changes in our cultural environment.

 Considering this change, it’s wise to ask ourselves: How are we partnering with other areas of the church for ministry to children? Are we resourcing and running church services, small groups, and other ministries in essentially the same way we did twenty years ago? Are we passing on traditions and programs, only to have lost a clear focus on the very faith they are meant to foster?

Overview of episode:

What is the church's role in faith formation? (5:45)

How does the church partner with families? (18:40)

Final words of encouragement. (31:28)

Links:

Faith Formation Guide: Free Guide 

Ministry Spark Topic-Related Webinar: Faith Formation: Church as a Whole 

Ministry Spark Newsletter (Free Resources Monthly)

INCM Website

David C. Cook Website

Social Media Links:

Lynne Howard

Kristi McElheney

Byron Ragains

Liza Gant

What is spiritual formation and why is it important? (5:31)

Simply put, spiritual formation is discipleship. It’s what we all signed up to do and why we’re doing what we’re doing. We want to see the next generation live out a vibrant faith for their lifetime.

What is spiritual formation not? (14:19)

Why is this topic important for us to define and talk about? (25:35)

WIth spiritual formation, it’s imperative that we are authentic, trustworthy, and willing to get out of the way. We must create space for kids and families to encounter the living God.

Let’s ask: How are we going to teach in such a way that it transcends only becoming a childhood belief system? And how can we help foster formation in the homes of the children and families we serve.

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Links:

Ministry Spark Faith Formation Topic Related Articles

Ministry Spark Newsletter (Free Resources Monthly)

INCM Website

David C. Cook Website

Social Media:

Sam Luce

Becca Stone

Byron Ragains

Liza Gant

INCM

David C. Cook

Spiritual formation is taking place every moment of every day. Whether intentional or not, every person is being spiritually formed in the big moments and the small.

Through intentionality, prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, children’s ministry leaders and families, together, can lean into everyday moments as children come to know, love, and follow Jesus.

In this podcast series, INCM and David C Cook aim to equip children’s ministry leaders, volunteers, parents, and leaders in children’s lives to pass on a faith that grows in the everyday moments of life—big and small. Through conversations with children’s and family ministry leaders, curriculum developers, parents, and followers of Jesus—this six-episode series will speak to you as you follow Jesus and point children to Him.

Links:

INCM Website

David C. Cook Websie

Ministry Spark Newsletter (Free Resources Monthly)