Episode 307: Solving Common Kids Ministry Problems with Josh Denhart

What are the biggest challenges kids ministry leaders face today—and how can they solve them before they become major problems?

In this episode, Nick Blevins sits down with children's ministry coach and leadership expert Josh Denhart to unpack some of the most common issues he encounters while coaching ministry leaders across the country.

From volunteer scheduling headaches and shared-space frustrations to leadership systems, church staffing challenges, and knowing when it's time to leave a ministry role, Josh shares practical solutions that help leaders move from constant crisis management to proactive leadership.

Whether you're a children's pastor, family ministry leader, or church staff member, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to build healthier systems, stronger volunteer teams, and greater ministry sustainability.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction and welcome back to Josh Denhart
00:39 – Josh shares his ministry journey, Lead Ministry, and KidMin Science
02:03 – Behind the scenes of the Amazing Chemistry Show and ministry outreach events
03:23 – The most common coaching topics kids ministry leaders bring to Josh
03:35 – Josh's coaching philosophy: balancing urgent problems with long-term growth
08:29 – Why systems and organization are critical for ministry success
09:43 – Solving the shared-space cleanup problem with clear systems and accountability
14:49 – How outside perspectives help leaders solve recurring ministry frustrations
16:05 – The volunteer scheduling crisis every children's pastor knows too well
18:01 – Creating a culture of “switching, not ditching” among volunteers
19:30 – Why volunteer relationships matter more than scheduling tools
21:48 – The psychology behind volunteer ownership and reciprocity
25:06 – The value of an unbiased coaching perspective during seasons of change
25:36 – Navigating church growth and the challenges of adding a new service
27:00 – Why leaders shouldn't make multiple major changes at the same time
28:07 – Coaching through questions versus simply giving advice
30:17 – A difficult reality: helping ministry leaders determine whether it's time to leave
32:37 – Recognizing unhealthy church environments and toxic leadership dynamics
34:30 – A real coaching story about navigating a painful ministry transition
36:08 – Why many children's pastors struggle to find their next ministry opportunity
37:21 – The unique challenges of being “drafted” into kids ministry rather than called to it
38:18 – Finding the right ministry fit and aligning with church culture
39:11 – The personal and family impact of leaving a church staff role
40:10 – Supporting leaders through difficult ministry transitions
41:11 – Final reflections on coaching, leadership, and serving the local church
41:49 – Closing thoughts and where to connect with Josh Denhart

Key Takeaways

• Build systems that eliminate recurring ministry frustrations.
• Create volunteer teams that support one another instead of depending entirely on staff.
• Avoid implementing multiple major changes simultaneously.
• Use coaching questions to uncover better solutions and develop stronger leaders.
• Recognize when a ministry environment has become unhealthy and how to navigate transitions wisely.