ETCH with Chuck Peters

Somebody will hurt you in ministry. Sometimes it’s loud criticism, sometimes it’s quiet silence, and sometimes it’s the kind of misunderstanding that makes you wonder if leading is worth it. We sit down with Bible teacher, ministry leader, and author Yana Jenay Conner to talk about what to do when offense shows up inside the church and how to keep your heart soft when you’ve been wounded. Yana fra...

One background check can make us feel responsible, but it cannot make our church safe. We sit down with Kris Buckman to talk plainly about sexual abuse prevention and what Next Gen leaders can actually implement in kids ministry and student ministry without getting overwhelmed. We unpack why training has to come first, how awareness changes culture, and what grooming patterns and offender behavior...

You can run every event on the calendar and still feel like discipleship is slipping through your fingers. That tension is at the heart of this conversation with Vic Green, co-author of Movement Ready Church.  Chuck and Vick dig into a hard but freeing idea: disciple making is not a button you press, and it is not a program you tack on. A disciple-making movement starts with spiritual renewal. Vic...

What if one of the most powerful leadership tools you have isn't a strategy, curriculum, or program, but simply your presence? In this episode of the ETCH Next Gen Podcast , Dr. Kimberly and Dr. Joe Beam share practical wisdom from years of ministry and leadership, exploring how intentionally showing up for others can transform your relationships, your team, and your ministry. Together, they...

How can we help the next generation stand firm in a culture constantly shaping their beliefs, values, and identity? In this episode of the ETCH Next Gen Podcast, Chuck Peters sits down with author and Bible teacher Elizabeth Woodson to discuss her book, The Seven Habits of Resistance . Together, they explore the cultural pressures facing young people today—from social media-driven identity formati...

Want to grow as a leader? Pick up a book! In a world filled with quick clips and shallow content, the leaders who rise are the ones who learn deeply — page by page. In this rich and energizing episode, Chuck Peters and Jeremy Echols unpack the transformative power of reading for leadership development. They explore the timeless wisdom found in classic leadership books, share their personal reading...

Screens are everywhere, but sacred spaces are disappearing. In a world where digital noise dominates our attention, how do we help the next generation hear the voice of God? In this powerful episode Jesse and Sarah Siegand dive deep into the challenges and strategies of discipling students in a digital world. The speakers unpack what it looks like to guide kids and teens toward meaningful faith fo...

What happens when ministry leaders see their schools, neighborhoods, and everyday rhythms not as obstacles — but as mission fields? In this live episode recorded at the ETCH Next Gen Ministry Conference , Justin Holcomb shares powerful, practical wisdom on what it really means to love your community and connect with students in meaningful ways. From engaging with schools to supporting families, th...

What separates leaders who maintain ministries from those who multiply them?  In this episode, Jeff Wallace joins Chuck Peters for an honest and insightful conversation on the habits that define effective leadership. From leading with vision to choosing growth over comfort, Jeff unpacks the disciplines that develop both your character and your capacity. Whether you’re leading a team, a ministry, o...

What if the most spiritually transformative thing happening in your church isn’t on stage, but in a classroom, holding a goldfish cracker? In this episode, Chuck Peters and Steve Hample unpack the real impact of volunteering in children’s and family ministry — not just for kids, but for the adults who serve them. From personal growth and discipleship to leadership development and prayerful investm...

Stepping into ministry can feel like being handed a map… with no directions. Whether you’re a brand-new leader or guiding others who are, the early stages of ministry are filled with both calling and chaos. In this episode, Chuck Peters is joined with Amanda Mejias and Delanee Williams, and together they unpack what it really takes to equip, support, and sustain new ministry leaders so they can th...

Who do your students really believe Jesus is? In a culture filled with half-truths, memes, and mixed theology, even well-meaning young people can end up following a version of Jesus that doesn’t actually exist. In this episode, Shane Pruitt brings a timely and passionate conversation about rediscovering the real Jesus - the one revealed in Scripture, not reshaped by culture. If you’re leading Gen...

If ministry is starting to feel heavy, it’s probably because you’re carrying what God never designed you to hold alone. In this episode, we tackle one of the most difficult growth barriers for any leader: delegation. If you’ve ever struggled to trust others, release control, build a team you can depend on, or step away from doing everything yourself, this conversation will speak directly to you. W...

Healthy ministry doesn’t happen by accident, and neither do healthy teams. In this episode, we explore what it truly takes to build, lead, and sustain a thriving ministry team. Whether you lead staff, volunteers, or a mix of both, this conversation will equip you with practical tools and a biblical foundation for team leadership that lasts. Chuck Peters and Lee Hotchkiss unpack the dynamics of eff...

Every leader knows the power of vision. But in the busyness of ministry, it’s easy for vision to drift, blur, or get lost in the noise of daily demands. Without clarity, leaders risk aiming at the wrong targets, making decisions that miss the mark, and losing momentum in their mission. In this episode, Jana Magruder and Chuck Peters unpack the critical role of vision in leadership, especially with...

Ministry is full of incredible moments of joy and impact—but it also comes with challenges we don’t always anticipate. Today, Chuck and Kevin Jones dive deep into the reality of spiritual warfare, exploring how the enemy seeks to distract, discourage, and divide ministry leaders. Far from being a reason to despair, these struggles remind us of our dependence on God’s strength and the power of His...

Leadership in ministry rarely looks like a straight path. More often, it feels like walking forward with limited clarity, unexpected turns, and a constant call to trust God’s leading. The story of Gideon reminds us that even the most hesitant leaders can be used mightily when they surrender fear, embrace faith, and trust the One who holds the mission steady, no matter the circumstances. In this ep...

In a rapidly changing culture where ministry strategies come and go, some methods continue to stand the test of time. Vacation Bible School (VBS) is one of those deeply rooted traditions that still holds transformative power for the church. In this episode, we take a thoughtful look at how VBS remains a cornerstone of next gen ministry—bridging generations, strengthening community ties, and inviti...

Preteens are standing on the edge of two worlds—no longer children, but not yet teenagers. They’re asking big questions, feeling deeply, and shaping a worldview that will guide them into adulthood. For those of us in next generation ministry, this season can be both exhilarating and challenging. How we show up in these years matters. It’s in this transitional phase that faith can either become per...

Preteens are in one of the most complex seasons of life. They’re not quite kids anymore, but not yet teenagers. Too old for the playground, too young for youth group. And often, this “in-between” stage can leave them feeling like they don’t fully belong anywhere—not at school, not in culture, and sometimes, not even at church. In this episode, we pause to consider: What if our ministries could be...

In the world of next generation ministry, it’s easy to focus all our energy on the kids and students who show up week after week. We pour into them, plan for them, and pray over them. But what if the greatest impact we can make isn’t just in the classroom or the youth room - but around the dinner table at home? This episode invites ministry leaders to pause and reflect on a foundational truth: par...

In ministry, it’s easy to get caught up in what’s next. The next event, next age group, next building phase. But what if we slowed down long enough to truly see the opportunities God has placed right in front of us? What if collaboration wasn’t just a logistical necessity but a spiritual discipline? And what if contentment wasn’t complacency, but a deep trust in God’s perfect timing? This episode...

As ministry leaders, we’re not just teaching lessons - we’re shaping lives. And the way we teach matters just as much as what we teach. From coloring sheets and object lessons to small group discussions and personal reflection, kids and students engage with truth in very different ways. If we’re not intentional, the transition from children’s to student ministry can feel like a jarring leap rather...

It’s easy for ministries within a church to drift into silos, each one focusing on its own age group, calendar, and curriculum. But when we forget that kids and student ministries are part of a larger discipleship journey, we risk creating disjointed spiritual experiences for the very families we're called to serve. True transformation in the lives of young people happens when ministry teams...

Every child’s faith journey is a story in progress, but far too often, our ministry strategies treat it like a series of disconnected chapters. When there’s no alignment between kids and student ministries, we risk losing spiritual momentum at the very moments when children are ready to grow deeper.  In today’s conversation, Chuck Peters and Pastor Jay Strother step into the critical work of closi...