Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast: Children | Youth | Students | NextGen

In this episode, I interview Afton Phillips. Afton is the Director of Small Group Strategies at Orange , and we talk about a training plan that they have developed for small group leaders. She breaks this plan down and walks through what you can be doing yearly, monthly, and weekly to consistently and intentionally train your team. While this training plan is specific to small group leaders, it ca...

In this episode, I talk with Rachel Walker about starting a ministry from scratch. Rachel is the Kids' Director at a church that launched nine weeks ago, and she walks through what building a team, training volunteers, and creating environments has looked like. We also talk about how she has onboarded coaches from the very beginning and formed a volunteer leadership team in order to help create a...

In this episode, I talk with Family Ministry leader, Phil Bell. Phil and I walk through his book, Team Up: The Family Ministry Playbook for Partnering With Parents . Phil shares the partnership strategy his church uses–from how they connect parents with one another, to resources they share with parents, to the milestones and transitions they lean into. He also talks about what he's learned in the...

In this episode, I talk with Adam Duckworth about volunteers. Adam has co-authored two books with Sue Miller, Not Normal: Seven Quirks of Incredible Volunteers and Leading Not Normal Volunteers . He shares key principles and practices from these, and what it takes to build a culture for not normal volunteers. Adam then dives into what he's learning from coaching and networking with other ministry...

In this episode, I talk with my friend, Dave Truitt, about creating great family experiences for parents and kids, where they can learn and talk about faith together. He breaks down what goes into each experience, how they prepare for it, and why it is key to their strategy for partnering with parents. Dave Truitt Connect with Dave on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Email: balloonpastor@gmail.com M...

In this episode, I have a great conversation with Gina McClain and Jessica Bealer about their new book, Don't Quit . Ministry is hard, and this book dives into what it looks like to develop an intentional strategy that will give you practical hope in difficult times.  While the book focuses on the theme of not quitting, it is also a practical field guide for leading in ministry, complete with tool...

In this episode I talk with my friend, Children's Pastor, Kathie Phillips. Kathie has taught at the Children's Pastors Conference and the Group Kidmin Conference , and has a lot of great insight to share from her years in ministry. She shares some of her story and talks specifically about four key leadership lessons or principles she has learned in the past few years. Kathie Phillips Connect with...

In this episode, I talk with Children's Pastor Andrae Jones. Andrae works at a church that has a very low ratio of staff to volunteers and kids. We dive into his church and ministry, exploring their structure, how they value leadership development, and what they do to continue to grow their volunteer teams and reach more kids. Andrae Jones Connect with Andrae on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Emai...

In this episode, I talk with Scott Magdalein of TrainedUp. Church . Scott shares a full volunteer onboarding process, walks through some great free resources, and shares the best way to maximize the number of volunteers who experience training. We also talk specifically about TrainedUp  and how you can utilize this online platform for training volunteers in your church. Scott Magdalein Connect wit...

In this episode, I interview Greg Curtis and Joe Schmaltz of Eastside Christian Church . Eastside does a great job helping first time visitors become attenders, plug into groups, and jump onto serving teams. Greg works on the Assimilation team, and Joe leads NextGen, so we talk about how they help new families connect with the church and come back. Greg Curtis and Joe Schmaltz Connect with Greg on...

In this episode, I talk with Lisa Molite about her site, ReadySetSunday.com and how she creates irresistible environments for kids. Specifically we dive into how she creates a new set and environment related to the curriculum's theme each month. We walk through how she does it, what it looks like on a month-to-month basis, and how she built a team to help create those environments. Lisa Molite Con...

In this episode, I talk with JC Thompson. JC has transitioned into three different roles over the past ten years at the same church. He shares what it was like going from leading a specific ministry to leading all of NextGen, and what those different roles looked like. We also talk about how his church structures age groups within NextGen, the reasoning behind those age brackets, and the pros and...

In this episode, I welcome my friend, Cindy Fiala, back to the podcast (You can check out Cindy's first episode on the Family Ministry Model and Women in Leadership here) . Cindy has recently transitioned into the role of Family Minister at LifeBridge Christian Church . She talks about what that journey has looked like for her and shares a great perspective on transition.  Cindy then walks through...

In this episode, I talk with Author and North Point Community Pastor, Clay Scroggins, about his new book, How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge . We have a great conversation about steps you can take to use your influence even when you’re not in charge, how to apply the principles he talks about in a Family Ministry context, and what they look like practically. Clay Scroggins Connect with Clay on...

In this episode, I talk with Rich Birch from the  unSeminary Podcast . We unpack the differences that exist between Family Ministries in churches that are less than 1,000, and over 1,000. Rich also walks through the unique challenges facing those trying to break through the 1000 barrier. The principles he shares are really helpful whether you are in that stage or not, as you may be facing similar...

In this episode, I welcome back NextGen Pastor, Kenny Conley, to the podcast ( Check out Episode 25 when Kenny talks about the NextGen and Family Ministry Model ). This time, Kenny shares the five things to focus on during your first year in a NextGen role. Kenny just finished his first year at a new church in this NextGen role, and coming out of that, he has some great wisdom to share. Whether yo...

In this week’s episode, I talk with Jessica Bealer. Jessica and I have a great conversation about multisite children's ministry – what kids' ministry looks like in a multisite context, from great principles to specific, helpful practices. Whether or not you serve in a multisite context, there are a ton of great principles and resources you can apply to your ministry. Jessica Bealer Connect with Je...

In this episode, I interview Tony Morgan, founder of  The Unstuck Group . This organization works with churches through coaching and consulting to help them get unstuck. Tony recently released a new book called  The Unstuck Church  that looks at the life cycle churches go through. We talk about this life cycle in terms of family ministry, how to figure out where your ministry is, and what you need...

In this episode, I talk with Children’s Pastor and Evangelist, Ricardo Miller. We have a great conversation about the top mistakes ministry leaders make. Ricardo shares from the perspective of a children’s pastor, but the list and principles he walks through apply across the board to leaders in all areas of ministry. Ricardo Miller Connect with Ricardo on Facebook  |  Twitter  | Instagram RicardoM...

In this episode, I talk with Sherry Surratt, the Executive Director of Family Strategy at  Orange , about a year long strategy for partnering with parents. Sherry shares what a 12-month plan looks like practically for your ministry, and previews some of the things  Orange is working on to help church leaders in partnering with parents even more effectively. Sherry Surratt Connect with Sherry on Fa...

In this episode, I have a conversation with a student, Micah Fletcher, and his Student Pastor, John Cahill. Micah talks about serving as a student, what his experience has been, what his responsibilities are, and why he does it.  John then shares what he and his team do to empower students to serve. Micah Fletcher & John Cahill Connect with Micah on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Connect with...

In this episode, I talk with Alex Beaverson of  Mariners Church . Alex and I have a great conversation about how his team empowers students to serve and lead in high school ministry. He walks through the different volunteer teams they have, and their processes for training and onboarding students. Whether you serve in kids or student ministry, the principles for how to empower students to serve ap...

In this episode, I talk with Amber Baker about the  Real Colors Personality Test . Amber shares how she uses it with her team, and how they have leveraged it as a tool to help their children’s ministry develop. We also have a great conversation about women in ministry, and some of the barriers she has worked through in her role. Amber Baker Connect with Amber on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Emai...

In this episode, I talk with Ellen Stumbo about how to best serve families with individuals who have disabilities. Ellen shares her experience working with churches and her family’s own personal story. We then have a great conversation about key principles surrounding disability ministry, practical ways to put a disability framework in places, and specific ideas that you can apply to better serve...

In this episode, I talk with Joe Crabb of Woodside Bible Church about student ministry and youth ministry in the summer. Typically, youth ministry takes a break during the summer when students are off from school. However, Joe and his team have decided to leverage that time and lean in during the season when students have the most free time. We have a great conversation about what it looks like to...