INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK Team - Robert Crosby & Kayla Smith

Questions answered:

• Why is this such an important conversation to have now? What has changed over the past five years?
• When we talk about ministry burnout, what are some key theological and psychological principles we need to keep in mind?
• What are some practical things pastors can do to prevent burnout or deal with burnout when it happens?
• If someone wants to learn more about this, what are some resources you can direct them to?

Resources:

• reachhurtingkids.com/burnout
• centerforpastoralrenewal.com 
• Caring for our Shepherds: Understanding and Coping with Burnout as a Pastor by Thomas Frederick, Yvonne Thai & Scott Dunbar

Social Media:

INCM

Reaching Hurting Kids

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK & Guest - Kayla Smith & Dr. Leon

Blanchette (Olivet Nazarene University)

Questions answered:

• Why do we need to approach supporting family discipleship differently now than five years ago? 
• What are some basic theological or psychological principles you think are important in the conversation about supporting families? 
• What are some strategies you’d want to see churches try when engaging with families? 

Resources:

• centerff.com
• Good Kind
• https://www.kidzatheart.org/ 
• reachhurtingkids.com/familyministry

Social Media:

INCM

Reaching Hurting Kids

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK Team - Robert Crosby & Kayla Smith

Questions answered:

• Why do we need to pivot the way we equip volunteers?
• What are some general theological or psychological principles that we should keep in mind when we talk about equipping volunteers?
• What are some best practices for equipping our volunteers?

Resources:

•  reachhurtingkids.com/training

Social Media:

RHK Instagram

INCM Instagram

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK & Guest - Robert Crosby & Kim Botto

Questions answered:

• Ministry leaders have been recruiting and caring for volunteers for decades. Why do we need to change the way we’re doing things now? What has changed in the past five years?
• What are some key theological or psychological principles that we should keep in mind when we talk about recruiting and caring for volunteers?
• What are some effective recruitment strategies? Equipping strategies? Caring strategies?

Resources:

• reachhurtingkids.com/training

• Trauma Informed Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reach Hurting Kids by Lori & Robert Crosby

• “Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely” by Kim Botto

• Free Virtual Kids Min Hangout

Social Media:

RHK Instagram

INCM Instagram

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK & Guest - Robert Crosby & Amber Pike (Renewanation)

Questions answered:

• When we talk about teaching kids in the church, how have things changed over the past five years?
• What are some general theological and psychological principles we should keep in mind?
• If someone wants to learn more, what are some good resources?

Resources:

• reachhurtingkids.com/teaching 
• The Reach Hurting Kids Workshop
• Amber Pike Instagram
• “Intentional Children’s Ministry: How Your Church Can Disciple Children with a Lifelong Faith in Jesus” by Amber Pike
• church.renewanation.org 

Social Media:

INCM Instagram

Reaching Hurting Kids Instagram

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK & Guest - Kayla Smith & Yancy (Yancy Ministries)

Questions answered:

• Why do we need to approach worship differently now than five years ago? What's changed? 
• What are some basic theological or psychological principles you think are important in kids' worship?
• What are some worship strategies you'd want leaders to try? 

Resources:

• reachhurtingkids.com/worship
• “Sweet Sound: The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship” by Yancy Wideman Richmond
• Heartbeat Curriculum by Yancy Wideman Richmond
• Little Praise Party by Yancy Wideman Richmond
• KidMin Worship by Yancy Wideman Richmond

Social Media:

RHK Instagram

INCM Instagram

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK Team - Robert & Lori Crosby

Questions answered:

• What has changed over the past five years? 
• What are some key principles we should keep in mind when we talk about small groups?
• What are some practical strategies that can help us create small groups that actually work?
• Are there resources that can help our listeners grow in this area?

Resources:

• Small Groups
• The Reach Hurting Kids Workshop (Module 4)
• Trauma Informed Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reach Hurting Kids by Lori & Robert Crosby

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Social Media:

Reaching Hurting Kids

INCM Instagram

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK & Guest - Kayla Smith & Dr. Erin Smith

Questions answered:

• Why do we need to revisit this topic? What has changed over the past five years? 
• What core theological or psychological principles do we need to keep in mind?
• What are some specific, practical strategies we can use to build stronger relationships with kids and help them open up?
• What resources do you have to help ministry leaders grow in this area?
• 
  

Resources:

• reachhurtingkids.com/play 
• The Reach Hurting Kids Workshop
• Trauma Informed Children’s Ministry: A Practical Guide to Reach Hurting Kids by Lori & Robert Crosby

___________________________

Social Media:

INCM Instagram

Reaching Hurting Kids Instagram

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK & Guest - Kayla Smith & Hannah Bolick (ECAP)

Questions answered:

• What has changed as far as safety and abuse prevention in the past 5 years? 

• What core theological or psychological principles do we need to keep in mind?

• What are some specific, practical strategies children’s ministry leaders can use right now? 

Resources:

• reachhurtingkids.com/safety

• ECAP Standards

• ECAP Membership

Social Media:

RHK

INCM

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK & Guest - Kayla Smith & Steve Grcevich (Key Ministry)

Questions answered:

• When we talk about ADHD and autism, these are things that we’ve known about for a while. Has anything changed over the past five years?
• What are some theological or psychological principles we should keep in mind when working with children with ADHD or autism?
• What are some practical steps or strategies we can implement to minister more effectively to kids with ADHD or autism?
• So, what are some resources you can share with listeners who want to grow in the way they’re serving kids with ADHD and autism?

Resources:

• Website for Reaching Hurting Kids
• The Reach Hurting Kids workshop
• Key Ministry
• “Mental Health and the Church” by Steve Grcevich
• “Boundless Hope for Every Child: Help for the Hurting, Compassion for the Misunderstood, Belonging for the Lonely” by Kim Botto
• “Every Child Welcome: A Ministry Handbook for Including Kids with Special Needs” by Katie Wetherbee & Katie Philo

Social Media:

INCM

RHK

INCM Host - Yanet Coombes

RHK & Guest - Lori Crosby & Juile Cooper

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?

A disclaimer has been added to this episode. Listener discretion is advised.

Websites:

Reaching Hurting Kids Institute

INCM

Social Media:

INCM

Reaching Hurting Kids Institute

Show Notes:

INCM Host - Liza Gant

RHK Team - Robert & Lori Crosby and Kayla Smith

Questions answered:

• 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? 

Resources:

• 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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Social Media/Website

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.

___________________________

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.

_____________________________________________________________

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)