Kids Ministry Calling with Jana Magruder

Latest Episodes:

315. ETCH Conference 2024 Overview with Melita Thomas Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

If you're a Next Gen leader of any kind, the ETCH Conference is for you! Lifeway's Etch Conference in Nashville, Tennessee will help you reset your focus so that you're ready to lead others! On today's episode, Chuck Peters, Jana Magruder, and Melita Thomas discuss what's in store for the conference this year, and why you should bring your entire team!
You and your team will gain valuable insights into four key areas of awareness that every NextGen leader needs to be in tune with—Church, Community, Culture, and Core (individual)— and practical tools to harness this knowledge to effectively reach and disciple the next generation! Click on the links below to sign up your team today!
SHOW LINKS:
ETCH Conference

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

314. What's New with The Gospel Project Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

You spoke, we listened, and now we're excited to share with you what's new in the updated cycle of The Gospel Project Curriculum.
The Gospel Project Curriculum is a three year comprehensive, Christ-centered, chronological curriculum for your next generation! On today's show Chuck Peters, Jana Magruder, and Landry Holmes share the new elements you can expect from the 5th cycle of The Gospel Project. Engaging videos, QR codes on take-home pages, and updated big picture questions and answers is just the beginning of all the elements you're going to love about this curriculum!
We encourage you to click the links below to check out the Gospel Project, and head over to facebook to join our vibrant online community for support and resources!
SHOW LINKS:
Lifeway Kids Curriculum
The Gospel Project
Lifeway.com/bpqa

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

313. Best Of Kid's Ministry 101: Make Your Volunteer Expectations Clear Jul 25, 2024

Show notes

Hey friends! Over the next few weeks we're going to be sharing with you the top three episodes from Kid's Ministry 101. These are the most listened to episodes, which shows us, it's the topics you want to hear, and probably need to hear again!
Setting clear expectations is crucial in recruiting new volunteers, and sustaining current ones. On today's show, Shelly Harris and Bill Emeott discuss the importances of clearly outlining your expectations for all kids ministry volunteers.

Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!
SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Lifeway Kids

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

312. Best Of Kid's Ministry 101: Best Practices for Developing Leaders Jul 18, 2024

Show notes

Hey friends! Over the next few weeks we're going to be sharing with you the top three episodes from Kid's Ministry 101. These are the most listened to episodes, which shows us, it's the topics you want to hear, and probably need to hear again!
Developing key leaders is crucial in growing and sustaining a healthy ministry. On today's show Lauren Bush joins the podcast to discuss some of the best practices for developing those leaders.
Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!
SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Lifeway Kids

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

311. The Best of Kid's Ministry 101: A Dozen Do Nots For Recruiting Volunteers Jul 11, 2024

Show notes

Hey friends! Over the next few weeks we're going to be sharing with you the top three episodes from Kid's Ministry 101. These are the most listened to episodes, which shows us, it's the topics you want to hear, and probably need to hear again!
On today's show we're bringing back a conversation with Klista Storts on a dozen do NOTS for recruiting volunteers! No matter how desperate you are to fill a space, Klista discusses the main things to stay away from when recruiting!
Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!
SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Lifeway Kids

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

310. Rethinking Ministry Goals, Failures, and Success Jul 04, 2024

Show notes

This week we are sharing an episode from one of our favorite shows from the Lifeway Podcast Network - Youth Ministry Booster. This show is the most honest podcast in student ministry! Hosted by Zac Workun and Chad Higgins, the biggest fans of youth ministry leaders, Youth Ministry Booster brings you the humor and help to engage, entertain, equip, and encourage!
Chad and Zac tackle the hefty topic of expectations in ministry. They peel back the layers on why we plan events and who they're truly for. It's all about syncing our passions with the real needs of our audience. This episode isn't just about shrugging off failures; it's a roadmap for refining our perspective to enhance our work. Join Chad and Zac as they question the norms, from worship to the structure of our gatherings
Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!
SHOW LINKS:
-Connect with Youth Ministry Booster

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

309. Emotions in Ministry with Bryan Barley Jun 27, 2024

Show notes

Emotions are created by God as indicators of how we are processing the environment or circumstances around us. Most people identify themselves as emotional or not by how much they cry; however, there's a lot more to emotions than crying and it's important that we experience the emotions God has given us. On today's episode of KIDS Ministry 101 we wanted to share an episode from The Glass House with Ben and Lynley Mandrell. They sit down with Bryan Barley to discuss emotions in ministry.
Bryan Barley is a former church planter that recently moved to Nashville, TN. He and his wife of 17 years share four children. He is a coach for The Voice of the Heart Center.
Bryan discusses the importance of emotional health and how it relates to our relationship with God and others. He shares his personal journey of discovering emotional health and the impact it had on his life and ministry. The conversation also touches on the challenges of sharing honest feelings in a healthy way within a marriage and the need for boundaries and self-awareness.
It is critical for pastors to have safe spaces where they can be vulnerable and share their struggles. We hope this conversation encourages you and supports you in finding that space!
SHOW LINKS:
-The Voice of the Heart book
-The Voice of the Heart Center
-Connect with the Glass House on Instagram HERE

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

308. What Is NextGen Ministry? with Bryan Rose Jun 20, 2024

Show notes

Last week Chuck Peters and Jana Magruder attended the Southern Baptist Convention and had the opportunity to sit down with Bryan Rose and discuss, what exactly is Next Gen ministry?
Bryan Rose is the Senior Lead Navigator and multisite specialist for Auxano. Bryan's vision facilitation weaves a strong strategic style with an engaging creativity. Bryan also hosts the My Ministry Breakthrough on the Auxano Podcast Network. In each episode, Bryan talks with different leaders from around the country who are experiencing breakthrough in their churches by using visionary planning to see real church growth. With experience in virtually every church ministry role, Bryan enjoys connecting with the diverse staff and lay leader perspectives on the teams he serves. Bryan and his wife live in the Nashville area with their two children.
Bryan discusses the need for a unified vision that encompasses all generations and ministries within the church and highlights the significance of using consistent language and values across all age groups. The conversation also explores practical ways to implement family ministry, such as serving together, worshiping together, and learning together. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of working together to make disciples and pass on the faith to the next generation.
Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!
SHOW LINKS:
Connect with Lifeway Kids
My Ministry Breakthrough

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

307. A Guide to Special Needs Inclusion in Your Ministry Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

One of Lifeway Kids biggest focuses over the past year was equipping churches to offer welcoming and inviting experiences for our families with kids with special needs. Live from the Southern Baptist Convention, Chuck Peters and Jana Magruder discuss the importance of special needs inclusion in every church's children's ministry. You'll here about Lifeway Kids' new webpage, lifeway.com/specialneeds, that provides resources, training videos, and an ebook to help churches create a welcoming and inclusive environment for children with special needs. They emphasize the need for awareness, acceptance, and accessibility in order to effectively serve these children and their families.
You may think it's overwhelming or you don't have a big budget to be inclusive, but Lifeway Kids is here to ease your mind and give you simple steps to take to create an place for ALL children! Check out the links below for everything you need to get started!
Thanks for listening and sharing with a friend!
SHOW NOTES:
-lifeway.com/specialneeds
-The Glass House Podcast
-3 Part Podcast Series of Special Needs
-Download Be All In

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

306. Accountability and Expectations of Volunteers Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

So many problems that surface and put our kids at great risk, are avoidable situations that happen in environments where everyone thinks, "this could never happen here." That mentality is dangerous and the reality is, we can't afford to risk our children in that way.
In today's episode, Chuck and Jana are joined with Kimba Campbell and Delanee Williams to discuss the importance of having policies and procedures in place to ensure the safety and security of children in church ministries. They emphasize the need for churches to have a team approach in developing and enforcing these policies, involving church leadership and parents. Delanee discusses the importance of setting expectations for volunteers and communicating the why behind these policies, and Kimba enforces how accountability and care can be demonstrated to every member of your ministry by implementing safety policies.
Kimba Campbell serves as the Lifeway Kids Publishing Team Leader for Bible Studies for Life: Kids. Before coming to Lifeway, she served on church staff for over 18 years in Texas, Georgia, California and Tennessee. Kimba is a Texas Aggie (Gig ‘Em Aggies!) and also earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. She and her husband, Paul, stay busy with their three boys.
Delanee Williams serves as Content Editor for The Gospel Project. She is a graduate of Baylor University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Delanee has served in kids ministry for over twenty years and is passionate about developing, equipping and encouraging leaders.
Thanks for listening and sharing this episode with a friend.
SHOW LINKS:
SBC Abuse Prevention
Connect with Lifeway Kids

Check out Lifeway Kids Curriculum

Connect with Lifeway Kids
Leave us a voice message here with any questions or feedback!

Join us at ETCH 2026

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Kids Ministry Calling with Jana Magruder

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected