Copyright 2025 © INCM. All rights reserved.
The INCM Podcast
This is a seasonal podcast that focuses on different topics to help you as a children's ministry leader.
SEASON 3
Best Practices for Today’s Children’s Ministry
Children’s ministry has changed. Since COVID-19, churches have faced drops in engagement, volunteer shortages, and rising behavioral and mental health challenges. If we want to reach today’s kids in today’s culture, we need to pivot.
But that doesn’t mean chasing trends. It means using best practices—strategies rooted in sound theological and psychological principles that have been proven to work.
Partnering with Reach Hurting Kids Institute, we’re bringing you modern-day solutions for a thriving, inclusive ministry. Each episode gives you practical takeaways that you can use this Sunday to create a transformative ministry for all kids.
Season 3 Episodes
EPISODE 1
Tools for Handling Challenging Behaviors
- 06/06/25
We explore tools and strategies for handling challenging behaviors in the children’s ministry settings, while fostering a positive connection with the kids.
EPISODE 2
Caring for Kids With Anxiety and Depression
- 06/13/25
We explore why we need to talk about Anxiety and depression, and what has changed over the last five years. *Listener discretion is advised as we’ll discuss some mature content.*
EPISODE 3
ADHD, Autism, and the Children's Ministry
- 06/20/25
We explore practical tools for supporting children with ADHD and Autism in a Christian children’s ministry
EPISODE 4
A Modern Approach to Safety and Abuse Prevention
- 06/27/25
We share how we navigate the tension of how we foster deep, authentic relationships while diligently maintaining the safety of our children.
EPISODE 5
Building Stronger Relationships: Helping Kids Open Up
- 07/04/25
We share one of the most important and overlooked aspects of children’s ministry: building relationships that help kids open up.
EPISODE 6
Making Small Groups That Actually Work
- 07/11/25
We discuss how small groups have the potential to be one of the most powerful parts of children’s ministry. *Listener discretion is advised as we’ll discuss some mature content.*
EPISODE 7
Creative Ideas for Engaging Kids in Worship
- 07/18/25
We explore creative ideas for engaging kids in worship with special guest Yancy, a two-time Dove Award winner.
EPISODE 8
Effective Teaching Strategies that Kids Love
- 07/25/25
We explore and share effective teaching strategies that kids love.
EPISODE 9
What Volunteers Need: Recruiting, Equipping, and Caring for Your Team
- 08/01/25
We explore key questions and solutions regarding what Volunteers need when recruiting, equipping, and caring for them.
EPISODE 10
From Chaos to Connection: Equipping Volunteers for Today’s Kids
- 08/08/25
We explore best practices for equipping volunteers for today’s kids.
EPISODE 11
Partnering With Parents: How to Support Families Beyond Sunday
- 08/15/25
We discuss why we must approach supporting family discipleship differently now than five years ago. *Listener discretion is advised as we’ll discuss some mature content.*
EPISODE 12
From Burnout to Balance: Caring for Yourself in Ministry
- 08/22/25
We will discuss something that’s become all too common in ministry: burnout. Whether you’ve felt it yourself or watched others go through it, it’s a reality many leaders face now. This conversation is about naming, normalizing, and talking honestly about what it means to care for yourself in the middle of it all. *Listener discretion is advised as we’ll discuss some mature content.*
SEASON 2
Understanding Spiritual Formation in Children’s Ministry
Spiritual formation takes place at every moment of every day. Whether intentional or not, every person is spiritually formed in the big and small moments. Through intentionality, prayer, and the leading of the Holy Spirit, children’s ministry leaders and families, together, can lean into everyday moments as children come to know, love, and follow Jesus.
In this season, INCM and David C. Cook aim to equip children’s ministry leaders, volunteers, parents, and leaders in children’s lives to pass on a faith that grows in the everyday moments of life—big and small.
Season 2 Episodes
EPISODE 1
Understanding Faith Formation
- 02/07/25
Description: What is spiritual formation, and why is it important? Simply put, spiritual formation is discipleship. It’s what we all signed up to do and why we’re doing what we’re doing. We want to see the next generation live out a vibrant faith for their lifetime.
Guests: Sam Luce, Becca Stone, Byron Ragains
EPISODE 2
The Church’s Role in a Child’s Faith Formation
- 02/14/25
Description: Christianity is counter-cultural in America. The wind is no longer at our backs. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. If we have been lulled by fair weather, our faith can become stronger as we adapt to the changes in our cultural environment.
Guests: Lynne Howard, Kristi McElheney, Byron Ragains
EPISODE 3
Children’s Ministry’s Role in a Child’s Faith Formation
- 02/21/25
Description: Children’s ministry plays an undeniably crucial role within a healthy, whole-church approach to faith formation. In 2005, David Kinnaman, now president of Barna Group, summed up why: “Young people are spiritual sponges whose most impressionable years are too important to pass up.” His statement remains as accurate as ever. As we continue our Faith Formation discussion, let’s ask these questions: Are we resourcing and running children’s ministry the same way we did twenty years ago? Are we passing on traditions and programs only to have lost a clear focus on the very faith they are meant to foster?
Guests: Kirsten Hitchcock, Brittany Nelson, Byron Ragains
EPISODE 4
The Family’s Role in a Child’s Faith Formation
- 02/28/25
Description: Hands down, parents are the greatest influencers of their children’s faith formation. If you’re a Christian parent reading this, you feel the gravity of your responsibility. You know the joy and exasperation, the awe and challenge of the parenting journey, and you deeply desire to see your son or daughter become the person God made them to be.
Guests: Courtney Wilson, Courtney Weaver, Byron Ragains
EPISODE 5
Keeping the Gospel Center in Life and Ministry
- 03/07/25
Description: With the constant push and pull of ministry life, it’s easy to become distant from the Gospel. It’s not an intentional move or one we ever hope to make when entering ministry, but slowly, over time, we can become focused on lesser things. Keeping the Gospel central keeps our hope alive. It ignites our faith in Christ and reassures us of His goodness. This is why we are in ministry, to begin with. His Story pursues our own. Join us and be encouraged in life and ministry.
Guests: Sam Luce, Courtney Weaver, Byron Ragains
EPISODE 6
Helping Kids Know Who They Were Created to Be
- 03/14/25
Description: Children are inundated with messages every single day about their identity. Our job is to help them know what is always true—what God says is true. Because what kids believe about themselves influences their thoughts and decisions. We can help kids discover their identity in God’s Big Story—where Jesus is Lord, and the Holy Spirit is present. And we need to leave room for their big questions and big ideas while leaving no doubt about who God is or who they are in Him.
Guests: Courtney Wilson, Kirsten Hitchcock, Byron Ragains