KidMin with Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia

Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia are excited to welcome Dr. Mary Ann McMillan to the podcast. According to recent statistics, there are more than 330,000 children currently in foster care in the United States. Research on adverse childhood experiences continues to demonstrate that early trauma and family separation can have lifelong effects on mental health, relationships, physical wellbeing, and sense of...

Volunteers are the heart of children's ministry - but recruitment and retention of volunteers can be a very stressful part of a children's ministry leader's responsibilities. In Part 2 of this conversation, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia talk about the leadership skills needed to build relationships with volunteers that create a healthy, strong, and vibrant culture within the children's ministry. They d...

Volunteers are the heart of children's ministry - but recruitment and retention of volunteers can be a very stressful part of a children's ministry leader's responsibilities. In Part 1 of this conversation, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia talk about how to begin a relationship with volunteers to create a healthy, strong, and vibrant culture within the children's ministry. They discuss expectations, commi...

In this episode, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss the importance of creating infant classrooms that not only meet the needs of babies and their families, but begin to lay a biblical foundation - starting at infancy - that will carry them into a lifelong relationship with God's Word. They share practical ideas for safety and security, training and equipping leaders, and developing resources to inte...

It's the start of Season 5 and Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia are excited for the topics, guests, and adventures to come this year! Although they will be talking about everything KidMin, a recurring topic through this season will be Biblical Literacy. Listen in as Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia explain why they chose this as the theme and how it can be beneficial to your ministry.   #kidmin #preschoolministry...

It is exciting when we have a successful Vacation Bible School (or other event) that brings new families into our church! And even though growth is something we look for - it can be challenging to plan for new space and additional volunteers. In this episode, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss strategies and considerations as you prepare for growth!   #kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #v...

In our final installment of the Ask the Experts series for this season, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia asked our experts to give a few words of encouragement for our ministry leaders. We know from experience, there are difficult days that come when you are not sure how your will continue in your calling. Listen in on those days, and take heart that you are not alone.   #kidmin #childrensministry #presch...

As children's ministry leaders, we are always recruiting volunteers, those extra hands to help in a classroom with the kids. Teenagers attending your church's student ministry are often willing to volunteer and that can be a  blessing, not just for the kids in your ministry, but for the teenagers as well. In this episode, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss how to prepare teenagers for success and ho...

Sometimes we face major changes within our church - it may be a staff member change, a new building, or a major change in a program that can cause conflict or concern for the entire church family. In this episode of our Ask the Expert series, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia ask guests visiting the podcast for their advice on how to lead our ministries well in the face of a big change.   #kidmin #children...

Weekday Ministries can be a wonderful way to serve families, build relationships in your community, and create opportunities for discipleship - but how do you know it is the right ministry for your church? In this episode, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss the questions ministry leaders need to ask before starting a Parent's Day Out, Preschool, Before/After School Care, or Christian School. Althoug...

In this installment of our Ask the Expert series Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia talk with our experts about how we can better minister to kids that come from hard places, are in difficult situations, and have big behaviors. #kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #trauma #classroommanagement #familyministry Sam Luce is the Executive Pastor of Ministries at Redeemer Church in Utica, NY, where he's...

After an unintended break, we are back this week with a new episode! Sometimes we find ourselves teaching a large group of kids with a wide variety of ages. Whether it is children's worship, chapel, or a special event - it can be difficult to keep the attention of kids when you have to prepare for more than one age group meeting together. Today, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia share some tips and tricks...

In Children's Ministry there is always something to prepare, organize, set up, or clean! There are so many potential new volunteers in your church family that have just the skills to help lighten the load. In this episode, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia share some tasks they have learned to delegate and make suggestions on how to find the right person for the right volunteer position. #preschoolministry...

Easter Sunday is one of the most attended days of the year for our churches. Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss some of the options we have for services on Easter Sunday morning, special Easter events, and how we can make our visitors feel welcome. As a bonus, Virginia shares information about the resource she created to help her families prepare for the Easter Celebration together. #kidmin #childre...

In this episode of the Ask the Experts series Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia ask the question "How can we partner with and equip parents to disciple their children?" If you are interested in Hope Has Come: The Family Advent Adventure that Virginia spoke about in this episode, it is available for purchase at the following website:   Hope Has Come: The Family Advent Adventure   Check out the previous epis...

One of the most challenging responsibilities ministry leaders have is to find resources to help us better serve our children and families. This week Dr. Virginia shares some current resources that she has found to help leaders create policies and practices for Trauma-Informed and Disability Ministries. Listen in as she shares what she has learned.   Boundless Hope for Every Child Kim Botto www.kim...

Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia started off the new year attending a wonderful conference! The Children's Pastor's Conference, held by the International Network of Children's Ministry (INCM), was in Orlando, FL the first week of January and they had a great time. Listen in as they discuss the conference, break outs, general sessions, resources and more!   #kidmin #childrenspastorsconference #cpc26 #INCM...

The Christmas season can be so busy with everything we have planned for our children's ministry and all the things we want to do with our families. In the last podcast episode for 2025, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss finding hope in God's Word when we feel overwhelmed and share their plans for an exciting start to 2026!!   #kidmin #childrensministry #preschoolministry #administration #overwhelm...

As children's ministry leaders, we are always looking for ways to intentionally incorporate Bible skills into our programs. In today's episode, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss ways we can help families instill a love of the Word of God and help our kids to learn more about the truth of the Bible through activities that teach Bible skills that will last a lifetime.   #kidmin #childrensministry #pr...

!! Parental Advisory: This episode includes a faith-based discussion about the use of Santa Claus and the meaning of Christmas. Parent are encouraged to listen with discretion if  children are present. Christmas time is here! And with it comes all of the excitement of sharing the birth of Christ with our kids and their families. Listen as Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia share some of their favorite Chris...

Everyone has those days where they question whether or not God has actually called them into this ministry or ask if there is the energy to continue. In Part 2 of this discussion, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia share practical habits and practices you can put into place - not for only on those days you just want to quit, but how to maintain focus on what God has called you to do.   #kidmin #childrensmin...

Everyone has those days where they question whether or not God has actually called them into this ministry or ask if there is the energy to continue. Listen in on the first part of this discussion, as Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia talk about what the Bible says about steadfastness. And not for only on those days you just want to quit, but how to maintain focus on what God has called you to do.   #kidmi...

At some point, all churches will have groups of kids with a wide variety of ages in one classroom. Whether it is for a large worship service or an individual Bible study, teaching multi-age groups effectively can be a challenge. Today, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia answer a listener's question about teaching in a classroom with children with a wide difference of age. This discussion covers setting up t...

In our second installment of our Ask the Experts series, Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia ask a very important question about how to avoid or at least mitigate burnout. So many of us have faced seasons of running on empty, being overwhelmed, and feeling unsure of our effectiveness. We feel guilt and frustration, often wondering if we should just quit.  Two of our previous guests give us advice about how w...

Throughout the year churches will often have events or special services where the children's ministry may have to provide additional children's programming for the week. Whether it is a special music service, marriage conference, or revival services, these events are more than childcare - they are opportunities to share the Word of God with our kids. Listen in as Dr. Val and Dr. Virginia discuss h...