40. Creating a Culture of Safety in Kids Ministry with Kris Buckman

We’ve all heard the phrase “stranger danger”, but the sobering truth is that nearly 90% of child abuse cases involve someone the child already knows and trusts. As ministry leaders, it’s our sacred responsibility to ensure that the church is a safe place for every child who walks through the doors.In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, host Jana Magruder is joined by Kris Buckman for a timely and practical conversation on abuse prevention in kids ministry. Kris shares her own ministry journey and offers valuable insights into:Why training, screening, and effective policies are essential safeguardsHow to build and implement a clear response plan for potential incidentsThe vital role volunteers play in creating a safe environmentHow to engage and equip youth volunteers for sensitive situationsWhether you’re a seasoned leader or new to kids ministry, this episode will encourage and equip you to strengthen safety measures in your church and create an environment where children can truly flourish.Listen now and discover practical steps you can take to protect kids and empower your team.SHOW LINKS: Protect My Ministry Ministry Safe Essentials CurriculumJoin us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Get ready for a heart-filled and practical conversation! In today's episode, Jana Magruder sits down with Taylor Johnson, who wears two hats as a Next Generation and Children’s Minister, to unpack what truly makes a kids ministry thrive.Taylor shares his journey of calling, how God led him into ministry, and the mentors who shaped his path. Then, we dive into the nuts and bolts of effective children’s ministry:Safety – Why it’s non-negotiable and how it builds trust with families.Communication – How consistent, clear communication keeps parents and volunteers aligned.Connection – Fostering meaningful relationships that help kids feel seen and known.Welcoming Atmosphere – Creating a space where every child feels at home.Gospel Foundation – Keeping Jesus at the center of every game, lesson, and moment.Whether you’re leading a small group, coordinating volunteers, or dreaming up your next Sunday morning activity, Taylor’s insights will help you build a ministry that not only reaches kids - but retains families and grows disciples.This episode will inspire you to see kids ministry not just as a program, but as a calling, a sacred opportunity to shape the next generation of disciples through love, care, and gospel truth.Listen now and get ready to be both equipped and encouraged!SHOW LINKS:VBS Preview EventThe Gospel ProjectJoin us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Every child is created in the image of God and deserves a place to belong in the church. In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana Magruder sits down with Sandra Peoples to explore the vital role of disability ministry. With warmth and wisdom, Sandra shares both her personal journey and her passion for helping churches become places where every child, and every family, feels seen, supported, and embraced. Sandra Peoples unpacks the heart behind disability ministry, showing why inclusion isn’t optional for the church but central to living out the gospel. She shares practical strategies for communicating with families, implementing inclusion practices, and developing individualized spiritual plans that help children with disabilities grow in their faith.The conversation highlights how a supportive church can transform not just a child’s experience but the entire family’s spiritual journey. If this conversation challenged or encouraged you, we’d love for you to rate, review, and share this episode so that more leaders can be inspired to build churches where every family belongs.SHOW LINKS: Accesible Church Children and Salvation Lifeway Special Needs Be All In Join us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Have you ever stopped to think about how different generations view the world, the church, and even the gospel? In kids ministry, we often focus on reaching the next generation—but understanding where they've come from and who’s come before them is just as important. Every generation brings its own values, challenges, and perspectives to the table, and as ministry leaders, we have the opportunity—and responsibility—to bridge those gaps.Chuck Peters and Jana Magruder unpack the unique characteristics of each generation—from the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers to Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha. Jana explores how generational traits influence ministry approaches, communication styles, and discipleship strategies while Chuck emphasizes the need for ministry leaders to adapt, fostering intergenerational connections and creating spaces where all generations can grow together in faith.Whether you're new to next gen ministry or a seasoned leader, this conversation offers practical insights and inspiration to help you lead more effectively across generations. Thanks for listening!SHOW LINKS: Kids Ministry Calling with Jana Magruder Flip the ScriptLifeway ResearchMccrindle ResearchiGen by Dr. Jean TwengeGenerations by Dr. Jean TwengeThe Anxious GenerationETCH Next Gen PodcastJoin us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

The world our kids are growing up in is changing at lightning speed, and the church must be ready. In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana Magruder and her guests take us into a forward-looking conversation about the next generation, Generation Beta, and the unique challenges and opportunities that come with discipling their families. As we reflect on the shifting landscape of culture, technology, and faith, we are reminded that our calling as ministry leaders has never been more important.Shelly Melia serves as the Program Director for the Master of Arts in Children's Ministry and the Master of Arts in Family Ministry at Dallas Baptist University. Prior to coming to DBU she served for over 25 years in children's and family ministry in Oklahoma, Florida, and Texas. Dr. Melia is also a Licensed Professional Counselor specializing in grief and resilience. She holds an undergraduate degree from Oklahoma Baptist University, two master’s degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Doctor of Philosophy from B.H. Carroll Theological Institute.This discussion explores how emerging technologies, including AI, are influencing parenting styles and reshaping family life. Special guest Shelly Melia offers deep insights into the challenges Gen Z faces in discerning truth in a digital world saturated with misinformation, emphasizing the church’s vital role in pointing them toward God’s Word as the source of absolute truth. This episode also highlights how discipleship strategies must adapt to focus on authentic relationships, meaningful rituals, and creating space for honest questions and doubts. With intergenerational collaboration, curiosity, and intentionality, ministry leaders can provide the supportive environment children and youth need to grow strong in their faith. If you found this conversation helpful, we’d love for you to rate, review, and share this episode so more ministry leaders can join the conversation. Together, let’s continue building ministries that not only meet the needs of today but also shape the faith of tomorrow.SHOW LINKS: Connect with Dr. Shelly MeliaJoin us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

In today’s world, parenting often feels like navigating a maze of screens, apps, and online dangers - one we didn’t have to face when we were growing up. How do we, as ministry leaders and parents, guide children to not only survive but thrive in a technology-driven culture? In this episode of Kids Ministry Calling, Jana Magruder welcomes Sarah Siegand from Parents Who Fight, an organization committed to equipping parents with the tools, courage, and faith to protect their children in the digital age. This conversation isn’t about fear—it’s about hope, strategy, and building a strong network of support so that our kids can grow into the people God created them to be.Sarah Segan shares how Parents Who Fight began and why its mission is more urgent than ever. Together, Jana and Sarah unpack the growing shift from schools to churches as the frontlines for equipping parents in online safety. They explore how technology impacts children’s spiritual, emotional, and social development—and why the church must step in with wisdom and intentionality.This episode is a call to action—not just for kids ministry leaders and parents, but for anyone who influences the next generation. When we stand together, we can push back against unhealthy digital norms and create a culture that champions our children’s hearts and minds.If this episode encouraged you, please rate, review, and share Kids Ministry Calling so more leaders and families can join the conversation. Together, we can equip the next generation to walk in truth, both online and offline.SHOW LINKS: Parents Who Fight Anxious Generation Join us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Today’s episode is one that every kids ministry leader, pastor, and parent will want to lean into—because it’s all about one of the most important questions we face in ministry: How do we lead children to salvation?We often celebrate the moment a child makes a decision to follow Jesus—but what about everything that leads up to it? And what comes after? In this episode, we’re joined by Donna Peavey and Karen Kennemur, respected leaders in children’s ministry and co-authors of the brand-new book Children and Salvation.Their heart behind the book is to offer a rich, theologically grounded, and practically helpful resource for those guiding children in their spiritual journey. Whether you’re a seasoned ministry leader or a parent wanting to disciple your child with confidence, this episode is for you.Donna and Karen walk us through the why and how behind their new book Children and Salvation, which was written to equip churches and families to walk faithfully and wisely with kids as they grow in their understanding of the gospel. They also share insights into children’s unique spiritual development and remind us that salvation isn’t a formula—it’s a process that requires patience, discernment, and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit.Whether you’re teaching a classroom of first graders, leading a VBS altar call, or praying with your own child at bedtime, you’ll find wisdom and encouragement in this timely conversation.If this conversation sparked new questions or affirmed your calling in kids ministry, we’d love to hear from you! Please take a moment to rate and review the Kids Ministry Calling podcast on your favorite platform—it helps others discover this encouraging content. And don’t forget to share this episode with your fellow ministry leaders, volunteers, or even the parents in your church community who are walking this journey too.We are so grateful for what God is doing through leaders like you—and we’re cheering you on as you faithfully point the next generation to Jesus.SHOW LINKS: Ages and Stages Levels of Biblical Learning Children and SalvationJoin us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Today, we're taking you behind the scenes of the Conclave Conference in Texas, where next generation ministry leaders from across the country gathered to learn, grow, and be challenged in their callings. In this episode, our conversation centers around something deeply relevant to every church leader: understanding and reaching the next generation—and the pivotal role that kids ministry leaders play in doing just that.Here’s the truth: kids ministry leaders are some of the most strategic leaders in the entire church. Why? Because they reach every generation—kids, parents, grandparents, volunteers—and they’re shaping the spiritual foundation of our future leaders right now. But if we want to truly reach today’s kids, we have to start by understanding how they see the world. In this episode, Jana Magruder shares a timely and powerful message about generational differences, cultural pressures, and how we can train kids not just to be good—but to be reachers for the Kingdom.Jana helps us unpack the critical importance of teaching a counter-cultural gospel message—one that boldly tells kids who God is and who they are in Him. As she explains, kids today are growing up in a world that bombards them with confusion around identity and belonging. But the church has the answer—and it starts in the kids ministry. Whether you're leading in a small church or a large ministry, this episode will inspire you to think deeply, lead strategically, and invest boldly in the next generation.If you found this conversation helpful, please rate and review the show on your favorite podcast platform—it helps us reach even more ministry leaders like you. And don’t forget to share this episode with a fellow kids or next gen leader who could use a boost of encouragement today.Thanks for listening—and as always, keep answering your calling with passion, prayer, and purpose.SHOW LINKS:Join us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

As summer winds down and we wrap up our July Book Club series, we’re closing with a conversation that brings the heart of kids ministry into full focus. In this episode we reflect on Kids Ministry That Nourishes by Jana Magruder—a book that has reminded us not just why we lead, but how we lead with purpose.If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how to make a lasting spiritual impact in the lives of the kids and families you serve, today’s episode is for you. We’re diving deep into the three essential nutrients of a thriving ministry—kingdom expanding, heart transforming, and culture shaping—and how each of them work together to build ministries that truly nourish.In this thoughtful and inspiring conclusion to our July series, we explore what it means to lead a culture shaping ministry that equips kids to share their faith and serve others with confidence. We dig into the importance of shaping a culture where kids are not just protected from the world, but prepared to engage it with truth, grace, and boldness.As we close this series, we hope you’re walking away refreshed and reminded that what you do truly matters. Kids ministry isn’t about filling time or checking boxes—it’s about cultivating faith that lasts for eternity.If this episode encouraged you, would you take a moment to rate and review the podcast? And better yet—share this episode with someone in ministry who might need the reminder that they’re making a difference.SHOW LINKS:Join us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Welcome back to our Summer Book Club Series on Kids Ministry Calling! In this episode, our producer and guest host Nikki Ogden sits down with Jana Magruder to explore one of the most foundational principles of a truly nourishing kids ministry: focusing on heart transformation over behavior modification.It’s easy in ministry to celebrate good behavior, memorized verses, or quiet participation—but Jesus calls us to something deeper. Jana reminds us that our goal isn’t to raise well-behaved kids; it’s to raise gospel-transformed hearts that truly know and follow Jesus. Together Nikki and Jana discuss what it means to align ministry philosophy with the heart of Jesus and why simply teaching children to “be good” misses the deeper purpose of discipleship. Jana shares practical strategies for weaving the gospel into every aspect of kids ministry, stories from her own experience, and insights into how leaders can partner with families to nurture lasting spiritual growth. If you’ve ever wondered how to move beyond surface-level lessons and into life-changing discipleship, this episode will both challenge and encourage you.Thanks for joining us for another episode in our Summer Book Club Series! If this conversation with Jana Magruder helped you rethink how you're discipling kids—or encouraged you to refocus your ministry on what truly matters—we’d love for you to take a moment to rate, review, and share the podcast. Your support helps more ministry leaders discover these important conversations. Don’t forget to pass this episode along to your team or a fellow leader—it just might be the spark they need.SHOW LINKS: The Gospel Project The Levels of Biblical LivingJoin us for ETCH 2025.  Sign up and get the details HERE. ETCH Conference Connect with Lifeway Kids Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!