Welcome to the Influence Podcast! I’m George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host.

“Children’s ministry is arguably one of the most difficult ministries to lead, but it is also the most rewarding,” writes David Reneau.

“We get the sacred opportunity to be some of the first people to tell little children — the next generation — about Jesus. We get to plant the seeds, tend and water the soil, and watch the first little tender sprouts peek out of the ground as our kids begin their faith journey and discover their calling.”

What are the best ways to maximize this opportunity?

In this episode, I talk to David Reneau about how to make the most of your congregation’s children’s ministry.

Reneau is an ordained Assemblies of God minister and lead pastor at Encounter Church in Toccoa, Georgia, with over 17 years of hands-on children’s ministry experience. He is author of Next-Level Kidmin: The Children’s Pastor’s Practical Guide to Building a Thriving Ministry.

Show Notes

• 00:00 — Introduction and Sponsor Ad
• 02:05 — How do we keep the gospel central to our Kidmin leadership?
• 04:36 — What are the three fundamental elements of children’s ministry?
• 16:51 — What are the best practices for recruiting, training, and even firing volunteers?
• 27:15 — How do you decide whether a Sunday school model or a small group model is the best fit for you congregation’s children’s ministry?
• 30:15 — How do you plan a children’s church service that keeps the kids’ energies at appropriate levels throughout the service?
• 35:37 — Give us a few ideas about how to pick the best curriculum. Also, how do we incorporate action — evangelism, missions, compassion — into our lesson planning?
• 41:41 — How do we do the work of ministry in a way that doesn’t kill the work of God in us personally?
• 44:31 — What are you reading right now that is interesting, helpful, and/or personally challenging?
• 45:35 — Conclusion