KidMin Backstage

GO BACK AND LISTEN TO EPISODES 322, 323, and 324 IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADYToday is the last of four releases of an audio I put together for our cast as a reference track for our Gladiator theme.I recognize that this isn't publish-ready, but I hope it's interesting for people to hear a little bit behind the scenes.

GO BACK AND LISTEN TO EPISODES 322 and 323 IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADYToday is the third of four releases of an audio I put together for our cast as a reference track for our Gladiator theme.I recognize that this isn't publish-ready, but I hope it's interesting for people to hear a little bit behind the scenes.

GO BACK AND LISTEN TO LAST WEEK IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY Today is the second of four releases of an audio put together just for our cast for reference. We did a Gladiator theme with an ongoing story and this was created for them to reference for overall feel of the theme.While this is certainly not publish-worthy, I thought it might be interesting for people to hear and get a look "backstage".Hope you enjoy!

Today is the first of four releases of an audio put together just for our cast for reference. We did a Gladiator theme with an ongoing story and this was created for them to reference for overall feel of the theme.While this is certainly not publish-worthy, I thought it might be interesting for people to hear and get a look "backstage".Hope you enjoy!

Today I'm joined by Bro. Brent and we're talking about classroom management... sorta.Most people think classroom management is about control, but that’s not the goal. It’s about creating an environment where kids can encounter the Spirit of God.Quiet doesn’t equal effective. Engagement is what drives impact.The goal is not behavior modification, it’s heart transformation. Some of the things we try to cover:Build the right foundationOwn the roomLead with intentional discipline

Today I'm joined by Bro. Myles and we're talking about "Easy" vs "Simple"We often chase simplicity because we think it will make things easier. We want the clear plan, the straightforward system, the step-by-step path that removes confusion. And while simplicity does give us clarity, it doesn’t remove the effort required to execute. In fact, the moment something becomes truly simple, it can actually feel harder. Why? Because there’s no more hiding behind complexity. No more overthinking or constant tweaking. Just a clear objective, a defined goal, and a system that works, if we do.That’s where most people get stuck. Not in understanding what to do, but in consistently doing it. Understanding that difference is a game-changer for how you lead, work, and follow through. 

Today I'm joined by Bro. Aaron and we're talking about the balance of discipline and flexibility.We all love the idea of “set it and forget it.” Build a routine, lock in a system, and let it run. It feels efficient. It feels in control. But real life doesn’t stay fixed, and neither do we. The challenge isn’t choosing between discipline and flexibility. It’s learning how to hold both. Some of the things we try to cover:Why we crave "Set it and forget it"The reality: Nothing stays setThe leadership shift: Set systems, schedule revisions

Today I'm joined by Bro. Aaron and we're talking about moving forward!We don't have an outline today, but the premise of what we're talking about is that we must ignore the naysayers and keep moving forward! You won't be criticized by someone doing more than you. Don't give up! A winner is just a loser who tried one more time.

Today I'm joined by Bro. Kyle and we're talking about what it takes to have an old-fashioned move of God.There’s a dichotomy many of us feel; we long for a powerful move of God in our kids ministry, like the Azusa Street Revival, but our daily lives don’t always reflect the kind of hunger that produced it. As Horst Schulze (The Ritz-Carlton) said, “We’ve given away who we are, but now we want to be who we were.” The real question is: do we want revival… or just the idea of it? Some of what we try to cover:We Romanticize What We're Not Willing to ReproduceWhat Kids Experience Publicly Flows from What Leaders Practice PrivatelyWe Have to Decide What We Actually Want

Today I'm joined by Bro. Myles and we're talking about teaching methods for kids.When we think about teaching kids the Bible, it’s easy to imagine sitting them down and explaining theology. But kids don’t learn that way. They learn through stories, play, curiosity, and relationships. If we want kids to grasp biblical concepts and doctrines, we have to translate truth into experiences they can connect with. Some of the things we try to coverStart with story, not explanationTurn big truths into simple picturesMake learning active and fun

Today I'm joined by Bro. Brent and we're talking about making the message stick!Think about the stories you still remember from childhood: the playground showdown, the coach’s halftime speech, the moment someone stood up and changed the tone of the room. Those moments stick because they carried tension, meaning, and direction. Most messages don’t fail because they’re wrong; they fade because they’re forgettable. The issue isn’t always attention spans; it’s how the messages are delivered. Some of what we try to cover:Attention is earned before it's taughtStories carry what statements cannotThe goal isn't applause, it's alignment

Today I'm joined by Bro. Aaron and we're talking about expanding ourselves.The waterfall was always there.The opportunity, the knowledge, the growth; it didn’t suddenly appear.What changed was our capacity to capture the water.Trying to catch a waterfall with a teacup doesn’t mean the waterfall failed, it means we weren’t ready yet.We need to expand our cup, not blame the source. Some of the things we try to cover:Opportunity Doesn't Arrive When We Want, It Exists When We're ReadySmall Containers Limit Big MomentsCapacity Is Built Quietly, Before the Moment Comes

Today I'm joined by Bro. Kyle and we're talking about growing while doing.Growth doesn’t happen in a straight line. It happens while you’re moving, while you’re making decisions, trying things, and occasionally getting it wrong. Growth in Motion is about embracing imperfection, expecting speed bumps, and learning so well from mistakes that nothing is ever truly wasted. Some of what we try to cover:Embrace ImperfectionExpect Speed BumpsDon't Waste Mistakes

Today I'm joined by Bro. Myles and we're talking about the importance of executing on ideas.Les Brown said, “You get three or four thoughts a year that, if acted upon, could change your life.”In children’s ministry and church leadership, those thoughts often look like a new program, a systems improvement, a volunteer strategy, or a better way to reach families. The difference between a good idea and lasting impact isn’t just passion; it’s leadership readiness. You must buildthe capacity to execute when the right idea shows up. Some of what we try to cover:Strategic leaders position themselves for the right ideasCapacity determines whether an idea can scaleExecution is the difference between insight and influence

Today I'm joined for the first time by Krista & Skylinn, and we're talking about having a passion for Sunday school.Ministry has never been about simply filling a slot on a schedule; it’s about the heart you bring into the room. That’s especially true in children’s ministry. Kids don’t just hear what we say, they feel who we are. You can show up, follow the plan, and check every box on the list, but if there’s no passion behind it, it won’t take long for that to show. Loving what you do isn’t a luxury in ministry; it’s essential. Because when passion is missing, the ministry might continue, but the impact won’t. Some of the things we try to cover:Passion is the price of admissionChecking boxes vs. carrying the visionPassion always shows, one way or another

Today I'm joined by Bro. Brent and we're talking about the main purpose behind what we do every Sunday.We love the fun, the comedy, the object lessons, the décor, the climbing walls, the slides, and even the explosions.But in all the excitement, there’s a leadership question we must keep asking:Do our kids (and staff) know why we’re really here? Today we’re talking about keeping the mission clear without killing the fun. Some of what we try to cover:Fun is a tool, not the missionThe Mission: Connecting kids to GodLeadership means guarding the mission

Today I'm joined by Bro. Aaron and we're talking about how your daily choices can have a major impact!Most leaders overestimate what they can change in a year and underestimate what they can change today.John Maxwell’s “Today Matters” reminds us of a simple but uncomfortable truth: you don’t control tomorrow, you only control today.Today we’re talking about Sunday school leaders and how leadership success isn’t built in big moments, but in small, daily decisions that compound over time. Some of what we try to cover:"Today" is where leadership is actually livedConsistency beats intensity every timeDaily choices shape long-term impact

Today I'm joined by Bro. Kyle and we're talking about getting prepared for action.Being a “man of action” feels productive, and it often looks impressive. But when we rush straight into the theme, the lesson, or the big moment, organization is usually the first thing to get sacrificed. The truth is that great ministry and great leadership don’t fall apart in public; they fall apart in the details behind the scenes. If we want consistency, impact, and growth, we must get organized. Some of what we try to cover:Action without organization eventually breaks downGreat leaders win in the small, unseen momentsThe mundane tasks are what separate success from mediocrity

Today I'm joined by Bro. Tyrell and we're talking about keeping kids engaged.Teaching kids-especially theology or complex ideas-isn’t just about saying true things. It’s about being understood. The moment kids stop understanding, they stop paying attention. One simple but powerful tool helps bridge that gap: the audience surrogate. Some of the things we try to cover:Why understanding and attention are linkedWhat an audience surrogate really isThey the "Dunce" character works so well

Today I'm joined by Bro. Matthew and we're talking about finishing strong!Have you ever been motivated and started a whole bunch of projects only to find out that you didn't really have the time to finish them?Ever bitten off more than you can chew?Or, on the flip side, has fear of failing and the "imbalance" above held you back?While we don't claim to have solved this dilemma, that's our topic for today.

Today I'm joined by Bro. Myles and we're talking about being available to do the work of God.Sunday school doesn’t run on talent alone; it runs on availability. Great leaders understand that ministry moments don’t always come with notice. The Bible challenges us to be ready in season and out of season, and in Sunday school leadership, that means two things:One; being willing to serve wherever needed, and two; preparing ourselves so we’re actually capable when the moment comes. Some of what we try to cover:Availability is a leadership decisionPreparation makes availability effectiveGreat leaders multiply their readiness

Today I'm joined by Bro. Luis and we're talking about developing yourself and others.Growth doesn’t happen overnight, but many people quit because they expect it to. We’re talking about what consistent development really looks like, why patience matters, and how to turn everyday moments-especially mistakes-into progress. This is about playing the long game with your growth. Some of what we try to cover:Development is a process, not an eventEvery experience is a learning opportunityKeep the big picture in focus