Episode 307: Solving Common Kids Ministry Problems with Josh Denhart

What are the biggest challenges kids ministry leaders face today—and how can they solve them before they become major problems?In this episode, Nick Blevins sits down with children's ministry coach and leadership expert Josh Denhart to unpack some of the most common issues he encounters while coaching ministry leaders across the country.From volunteer scheduling headaches and shared-space frustrations to leadership systems, church staffing challenges, and knowing when it's time to leave a ministry role, Josh shares practical solutions that help leaders move from constant crisis management to proactive leadership.Whether you're a children's pastor, family ministry leader, or church staff member, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to build healthier systems, stronger volunteer teams, and greater ministry sustainability.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction and welcome back to Josh Denhart00:39 – Josh shares his ministry journey, Lead Ministry, and KidMin Science02:03 – Behind the scenes of the Amazing Chemistry Show and ministry outreach events03:23 – The most common coaching topics kids ministry leaders bring to Josh03:35 – Josh's coaching philosophy: balancing urgent problems with long-term growth08:29 – Why systems and organization are critical for ministry success09:43 – Solving the shared-space cleanup problem with clear systems and accountability14:49 – How outside perspectives help leaders solve recurring ministry frustrations16:05 – The volunteer scheduling crisis every children's pastor knows too well18:01 – Creating a culture of “switching, not ditching” among volunteers19:30 – Why volunteer relationships matter more than scheduling tools21:48 – The psychology behind volunteer ownership and reciprocity25:06 – The value of an unbiased coaching perspective during seasons of change25:36 – Navigating church growth and the challenges of adding a new service27:00 – Why leaders shouldn't make multiple major changes at the same time28:07 – Coaching through questions versus simply giving advice30:17 – A difficult reality: helping ministry leaders determine whether it's time to leave32:37 – Recognizing unhealthy church environments and toxic leadership dynamics34:30 – A real coaching story about navigating a painful ministry transition36:08 – Why many children's pastors struggle to find their next ministry opportunity37:21 – The unique challenges of being “drafted” into kids ministry rather than called to it38:18 – Finding the right ministry fit and aligning with church culture39:11 – The personal and family impact of leaving a church staff role40:10 – Supporting leaders through difficult ministry transitions41:11 – Final reflections on coaching, leadership, and serving the local church41:49 – Closing thoughts and where to connect with Josh DenhartKey TakeawaysBuild systems that eliminate recurring ministry frustrations.Create volunteer teams that support one another instead of depending entirely on staff.Avoid implementing multiple major changes simultaneously.Use coaching questions to uncover better solutions and develop stronger leaders.Recognize when a ministry environment has become unhealthy and how to navigate transitions wisely.