Kids Ministry Collective

Feeling overwhelmed by self-doubt?

In this episode, Ben, Tom, Vicki, and Cole dive deep into the pervasive challenge of imposter syndrome that many leaders face. They share personal anecdotes that reveal how self-doubt can creep in unexpectedly, leaving you questioning your worth and effectiveness.

Let us w...

In this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast, Join the KMC Team and guest Dr. Ben Birdsong as they discuss the importance of slowing down in a fast-paced world.

They explore the pressures of time management, the value of relationships, and the need for ministry leaders to be present with those around them.

Dr. Birdsong shares insights from his TED Talk, emphasizing the significance of living at a different pace and learning from g...

When was the last time you checked on the health of your heart—not just your children's ministry?

In Episode 10, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki talk honestly about ministry burnout: the warning signs, why it happens even to faithful leaders, and five practical ways to stay spiritually and emotionally healthy for the long haul—going vertical, staying in the Word, not doing ministry alone, setting real boundaries, and remember...

Are you feeling overwhelmed in your ministry, crashing every Sunday? Join Tom Bump, Cole Rice, and Vicki Abbott on this episode of the KMC Collective Podcast as they unpack the critical conversation about maintaining a sustainable pace in ministry. Discover how to transform that dreaded Sunday crash into a powerful momentum for your calling, ensuring you’re not just surviving but thri...

Are you overwhelmed by a never-ending to-do list? In this episode of the KMC Podcast, Vicki, Tom, Cole, and Ben tackle the pressing question: How do we determine what truly deserves our attention?

Join us as we explore the complexities of prioritizing tasks in a ministry setting, where everything feels urgent but not necessarily important. Vicki set...

Your inbox is chaos. Your to-do list never ends. And you're carrying tasks that shouldn't be yours.

In this episode, the KMC Coaches get real about neglected tasks, email overload, and procrastination—and why they're actually leadership issues, not character flaws. We share our own struggles, dig into why prioritization feels impossible when you're juggling everything, and w...

Procrastination isn't a character flaw. It's a signal.

In this episode, we're getting real about why kids ministry leaders procrastinate—especially when energy is low and the tasks feel endless. Cole Rice opens up about his own procrastination struggles and how they drain his leadership energy. But here's the thing: once you understand why you're avoiding tasks, yo...

You're running your kids ministry on fumes—short-staffed, stretched thin, and wondering where your next volunteer is coming from. This episode is for you.

We dig into the real challenges of recruiting and retaining volunteers in children's ministry without burning yourself out in the process. Learn practical strategies Nicole Bruto...

In this episode, the KMC Teach discuss the importance of inviting volunteers to serve in children's ministry rather than simply asking them. They explore the ineffectiveness of mass appeals and share research-backed strategies for personal engagement.

The conversation includes personal anecdotes and success stories that highlight the positive impact of direct invitations on volunteer participation. 

Listen in and get some prac...

In this episode, Tom Bump, Cole Rice, and Vicki Abbott discuss the challenges of volunteer recruitment and retention in church ministries.

They emphasize the importance of understanding the difference between recruiting new volunteers and retaining existing ones. The conversation highlights key questions leaders should ask themselves to improve their volunteer culture and the significance of creating a culture of celebration to enh...

In this episode, the KMC Team welcomes listeners back to the KMC Collective Podcast for Season 3, discussing their commitment to the kids' ministry community and previewing upcoming topics. They delve into the importance of building confidence in leadership, sharing personal experiences with imposter syndrome and the challenges of people-pleasing.

The conversation reflects on highlights from Season 2 and emphasizes the need for com...

In episode 40 of season two of the KMC Collective Podcast, Tom, Ben, Vickie, and Ron celebrate passing 375 episodes and major growth milestones, including nearly 180,000 downloads, 25,000 listeners across 100 countries, and early YouTube traction.

Tom shares his ministry background, including decades of pastoral work and a passion for supporting burned-out leaders through Restoring Leaders, while Ron recounts his 30 years in kids m...

What if your kids worship time was doing far more than filling a slot in your service? In this episode, we sit down with Dylan Arms — kids worship songwriter, worship director at Springwell Church, and creator of Dylan Arms Kids Worship — to talk about how worship is one of the most powerful discipleship tools you have in children's ministry.

Dylan shares why he b...

Nobody tells you what you're actually signing up for when you say yes to kids ministry. The confetti, the costumes, and the camp stories look great from the outside — but what happens behind the curtain? In this episode, Tom, Cole, and Vicky get refreshingly honest about their calling, their biggest ministry mistakes, and the lessons that shaped them into the leaders they are today.

From Cole's leap from volunteer to multi-si...

Should kids be in the main worship service — or not? It's one of the most emotionally charged questions in kids ministry, and the KMC Collective team is diving in headfirst.

In this episode, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vickie unpack the real conversation happening inside the Kids Ministry Collective Facebook group around kids in big church — and they're not here to hand you one right answer. Because honestly? There isn't one.

T...

When was the last time you took a Sunday off? If the honest answer is never — this episode is for you.

In this candid and deeply practical conversation, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki get real about one of the most common traps in kids ministry: building a ministry that only runs when you show up. They share their own confessions, their burnout stories, and th...

Summer doesn't slow down for kids ministry — and the pressure to keep going can quietly drain even the best leaders.

In this episode, Tom, Ben, and Vicki talk honestly about what summer really feels like: the comparison trap, volunteer fatigue, VBS planning stress, and how to protect your mindset when every other ministry around you seems to be taking a break.

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