Ministry to Parents Podcast: Recent Episodes
Elisabeth Lee and Jeremy Lee
The Ministry to Parents Podcast is for church leaders that share our passion to see families thrive! Each episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee will share ideas on how to care for your own soul, how to build a solid plan for parent ministry, how to encourage parents through the parenting journey, and how to help parents lead their kids spiritually. They’ll do this with honest, real, very raw, and funny conversations. Every episode includes insights from guests and practical help from church leaders just like you. They also play silly games, talk technology, and do anything they can to share a laugh together. For free resources and show notes, visit www.MinistryToParents.com.
We all know that if we want to lead others well, whether that’s in ministry, at home, or in everyday life, we have to pay attention to our own health. We’re not just talking about physical health, but emotional, spiritual, mental, and relational health as well. In this episode, Amy, Chris, and Sass have a real conversation about what it looks like to take care of ourselves so that we can better care for the people we lead and love. They talk honestly about the challenges of staying healthy in busy seasons, and they suggest some simple rhythms that can help you stay grounded. It’s a practical and encouraging reminder that healthy leaders and parents make a lasting impact, not because they’re perfect, but because they’re present.
In this episode, Amy, Chris, and Sass dive into the importance of connection. God designed us as relational people, wired to know and be known. Yet in the busyness of life, we often miss opportunities to truly connect. We unpack what that looks like in our church, especially as we help kids and teens build meaningful relationships that point them toward a faith in Jesus. But we don’t stop there. We also talk about practical ways parents can lead their families toward the kind of connections that give life and strengthen faith. Because in the end, connection isn’t just something we occasionally need to do; it’s essential to our health and well-being. If we want to see faith grow deep and last long, it makes sense to do everything we can to help families connect.
We also recorded a special bonus episode just for parents. In it, Brian and Ed offer specific encouragement and practical advice to help parents lead with purpose and faith through the youth sports journey. Share it with the families in your church or community!
In this episode, we have a conversation with Brian Smith and Ed Uszynski, co-authors of Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Youth Sports. Both Brian and Ed are seasoned dads, coaches, and longtime ministry leaders who have spent decades serving in the youth sports space. A few years ago, they felt called to equip parents with the tools and perspective they need to lead their families well, especially in a culture where sports can easily take over. This conversation is full of wisdom, insight, and practical guidance. If you're a ministry leader, you'll walk away with a few ideas for how to support parents who are navigating both the pressures and opportunities that come with youth sports.
We all grow up with a variety of experiences, especially when it comes to the different parenting styles we observe from our own parents and others around us. These different styles shape who we become, and if we’re parents ourselves, they influence how we raise our children. In this month’s M2P Podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris explore how developing a healthy parenting style can help kids and teens grow into the people God has designed them to be. They also offer valuable insights for ministry leaders on how to support and encourage parents as they guide their children in both life and faith while continuing to grow and learn themselves.
As we march on in an ever-changing world, it’s sometimes hard to understand and lead people (especially kids, teens, and young adults) who are growing up and experiencing life through a very different lens than some of us older folk. Gen Z and Gen Alpha definitely experience the world in ways that are foreign to some of us adults, and we need to understand where they are coming from in order to lead them well. In this month’s M2P Podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about some of the things we need to know about these generations, and they give some practical ideas for how to lead these kids and teenagers well without having to learn to speak their language. It’s a fun conversation, no cap. (I think we used that right! :)
It’s almost here! It’s that time of year when you need to stock up on sunscreen, check your travel plans one more time, and dive into a different kind of ministry. In this month’s podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about how we, as ministry leaders (and as parents), can approach summer with intentionality and excitement. The different pace of life and ministry gives us the opportunity to do some things we don’t normally have the time and space to do. We can focus more on the relationships we want to build instead of the programs we have to run. So, sit back, grab a refreshing drink, and listen to how we can all step into summer in a good and healthy way.
The season is slowly changing, bringing with it the promise of renewal and growth. As the world around us shifts, it's a perfect time to reflect on the new life we have in Christ. In this month’s podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about how they try to walk in the power of the resurrection in their own lives. They also offer a few practical insights for parents and ministry leaders on how to nurture faith within their kids, teens, and families. Whether you’re looking for encouragement, wisdom, or a few ideas, this episode will inspire you to lead others in living out the freedom and grace found in Christ.
In this episode, Sass, Amy, and Chris dive into an important conversation about how we, as parents and ministry leaders, can equip the kids, teens, and families in our circles to engage with the tough questions and challenging conversations that life inevitably brings. Whether it's faith, relationships, cultural issues, or personal struggles, the reality is that adolescents are constantly navigating uncertainty and seeking answers. Avoiding these discussions just isn’t an option. As leaders, we have to be intentional about stepping into them with wisdom, grace, and biblical truth. Our role is not just to provide answers but to create a safe space where kids and teens can wrestle with these topics, grow in their understanding, and strengthen their faith. In this episode, we talk about practical ways to guide these conversations with the confidence and compassion they deserve.
In this month’s podcast, Sass, Amy, and Chris talk about one of the most basic elements of life and ministry that can often get overlooked, and that’s the importance of relationships. Relationships really are at the center of all of our lives, and we need to do everything we can to build and maintain healthy connections and bonds. As ministry leaders, we need to focus on the relationships in our lives (starting with our relationship with God) and encourage the families in our church to constantly be working on the relationships they have.
This month, Sass, Amy, and Chris dive into the reality of how easy it is for leaders and parents to get swept up in the busyness of life, often sidelining their faith in the process. Through a few honest moments and personal stories, they talk about the challenges of staying spiritually grounded in the midst of daily demands. They also share practical ideas to help both ministry leaders and parents intentionally prioritize their faith, putting spiritual growth back at the top of the list—where it truly belongs. Whether you’re leading a ministry or raising a family, this discussion will inspire you to refocus and take meaningful steps toward a deeper connection with God.
This month’s podcast is a conversation we recorded at the D6 Conference, where we talk to friend and author Lydia Randall. Lydia is the author of My Faith Box, a resource for parents to intentionally journey with their child through their spiritual life. She is also the creator of Faith Path, a strategy for birthday-driven kits to help parents intentionally pass on their faith, one step at a time. She has a passion for the home, to see God strengthen marriages, and for parents to be true disciple-makers. We have a fun conversation about how to help and encourage parents as they seek to lead their families in the faith.
On this month’s M2P podcast, our very own Amy Diller interviews her friend and single mom Donna Collins. Donna shares her story of raising her son as a single parent and she offers insight on how leaders in the church can help and support single parents in meaningful ways. In this conversation, Donna provides practical advice from her own experiences. She also offers words of encouragement for single parents and talks about some ways she has navigated her journey through the years. Sass and Kerry join in to offer their perspectives, and we’re excited to introduce a new member of the M2P team, Chris Hargrove.
On this month’s M2P podcast, you’ll join the conversation we had with wife, mom, and writer Carrie Bevel Partridge. Carrie and her husband, Kevin, have five children, two of whom they adopted from Colombia in 2016. They have been right in the middle of parenting struggles for a long time, and Carrie has a lot to say about our focus this month, “When Parenting Hurts.” Throughout the podcast, we will discuss her article, When Parenting Hurts: A Resource for Moms and Dads. This resource is full of ideas for parents to think through when they are going through hard times as a family. Carrie has been creating resources for families for over a decade, and her hope is to support, encourage, and offer hope to families as they navigate real life. This episode does just that.
As we all move along our journey of life, we are no doubt shaped by what we encounter. Our experiences and the people we encounter have a tremendous impact on who we are. This is especially true of kids and teenagers. Kids and teenagers have many voices and influencers in their lives. As we attempt to disciple the children and teens in our church, in our homes, and in our community, we need to pay attention to the voices in their lives and do everything we can to surround them with the “cloud of witnesses” they need to grow in their faith.
On this episode of the M2P podcast, you’ll join Sass, Amy, and Kerry as they bring to you an interview they recorded while at the 2024 D6 Conference in Orlando, FL. The M2P team had a great conversation with pastor, author, professor, and dad Rich Griffith, about the power of surrounding kids and teens with the positive influences they need. Rich shares a lot of great nuggets from his book Voices: Helping Our Children and Youth Listen to Wise Counsel. Rich has many years of experience both in ministry and as a parent. Rich and the M2P team offer some great insight and encouragement to those of us leading kids and teenagers. It really is a great conversation!
One of the most significant challenges that parents have today is getting face-to-face with their kids and teens. The frantic pace of life and ever-increasing digital focus we all have can prevent us from engaging each other in ways that help us grow closer to the people we love. We all struggle in some way with having the healthy conversations we need to have. Our growing tendencies to isolate and communicate via screens are leading us away from the healthy relationships we all need and the conversations that help build and strengthen those relationships.
On this month’s M2P podcast, you’ll join Sass, Amy, and Kerry as they bring you an interview they recorded while at the 2024 D6 Conference in Orlando, FL. The M2P team talks with Patti Pilkington Reed about the importance of having what she calls “smart conversations” with ourselves, our teenagers, and our young adults. Patti is an entrepreneur, author, certified coach, and a growth-oriented leader. The M2P team will dive into a conversation with Patti and discuss some of the key principles found in her new bookFace to Face: Smart Conversations with Yourself, Your Teenager, and Your Young Adult. This book is a great encouragement and resource for parents and ministry leaders alike. There are lots of practical nuggets in this episode that will help you both evaluate how you deal with conflict through conversations and how you can help the parents in your church do the same.
In order to grow as disciples, families need to develop a culture of discipleship in their homes. However, the simple truth of the matter is that a lot of parents are intimidated by the notion of being the primary spiritual leaders for their kids and teenagers. As ministry leaders, we have the opportunity to encourage them to embrace their role, and we can paint a picture of discipleship at home that is actually attainable. As parents, we need to own our God-given role as lead discipler and maybe even consider developing a different picture of what it means to disciple kids and teens. Parents and ministry leaders don’t have to have all the answers or be professors of theology. We simply need to be authentically walking with Jesus and invite our kids and teens to join us in doing the same. That’s what discipleship looks like.
On this episode of the M2P podcast, the team sits down with Heather Quiroz to discuss a different way to lead ourselves, our kids, and our teenagers—the way in which Jesus led His own disciples. Heather is a gifted author, teacher, and speaker with over fifteen years of ministry experience. She turned her passion for teaching and sharing the Jewish roots of the Christian faith into founding First Century Youth Ministry with the goal of inspiring youth workers, leaders, and families to become grounded in the Jewish roots of the Christian faith and, in doing so, have a deeper love for the whole Bible. When she’s not writing, speaking, or leading trips to Israel, Heather stays busy sharing about her book (First-Century Youth Ministry: A Look Back For The Way Forward In Youth Ministry Discipleship), leading coaching cohorts, hosting episodes of The First-Century Youth Ministry Podcast, working at a staff consultant with Ministry Architects, or pouring herself into her first and greatest ministry of wife to Rodrigo and mom to their daughter, Adah.
Join us as Heather talks to us about the ways Jesus walked with His followers in the first century, how authentic discipleship happened then, and as she shares about some great, but simple practices we can implement in our lives and ministry. Take a listen and share the podcast with your friends.
Are you, as a ministry leader or parent (or both), looking for relief from the daily demands of leading? Are you worn down, near empty, or feel like you are being held captive to a schedule that offers no mercy? The daily weight of leading in ministry or at home is heavy and draining. And as our guest this month so wisely puts it, “Adapting to an empty tank is not only dangerous, but arrogant. It’s not just that you lead on an empty tank; you willfully acknowledge you are empty and depleted, and you push through and lead anyway.”
On this episode of the M2P podcast, the team is live at the D6 Conference in Orlando, where we welcome our friend, author, speaker, and disciple-maker Marianne Howard to pull up a chair and have a refreshing conversation about rest. The concept and the importance of rest are often looked down upon in our culture, which celebrates busyness as success in leadership. But, as Marianne reminds us, “To lead from a place of rest, we must live from the daily practice of intimacy. God’s primary call on our life is not ministry; it’s intimacy. Intimacy is remaining in that close, dependent relationship with Jesus Christ. Abiding is the most important aspect of a leader’s life because authentic leadership is an overflow of satisfaction in God.” Through our conversation with Marianne, we discuss her new book Rest: Overcoming Spiritual Fatigue and how we can all learn to step into experiencing the rest that God offers and that we so desperately need. Don’t miss this conversation as we spend some time talking about the concepts in the book and encouraging you to make spending intentional, restful time with the Lord a normal part of your rhythm of life.
This month, we dive into an issue that we all know is at the forefront of child and adolescent development: the question of identity. Kids, teens, and even parents often struggle to embrace an identity that is rooted in their relationship with God. Instead, we frequently feel like we need to perform, achieve, or earn any love or acceptance, and we have great difficulty settling into an identity rooted in our relationship with God. In this episode, Sass, Kerry, and Amy discuss this struggle for identity and how we can help the kids, teens, and parents in our ministry embrace an authentic identity that will sustain them for a lifetime.
Our digital world can be complicated, frustrating, and even incredibly dangerous. But one thing is certain: it’s not going away anytime soon. The constant innovation, proliferation, and saturation of technology in the lives of our kids and teens is why ministry leaders must know how to better lead and equip parents to navigate this ever-changing space. On this episode of the M2P podcast, the team is joined by our friend and parent ministry expert, Brian Housman, to discuss some of the specific issues that arise in parents navigating technology alongside their kids and teenagers.
Brian is an influential voice in helping ministry leaders and parents discern how to guide their kids and teens to have a good perspective and healthy habits. He has traveled the world to teach and equip families since 1993 and currently serves as the Director of 360Family in Memphis, TN. Brian is also the founder of Screen Smarts, which is a revolutionary tool designed to help encourage and equip parents each week in just six minutes. Brian is a prolific writer for parenting magazines, most notably Parenting Teenagers, Homeschooling Today, and Parent Life. He has written four books: How You Always Meant to Parent, Engaging Your Teen’s World, Tech Savvy Parenting, and Raising Responsible Teens in a Digital World. Brian has been featured as a “parenting expert” (whatever that is) on more than sixty radio shows and TV programs, including FOX, ABC, and NBC affiliates. You can keep up with Brian and all he has going on through Instagram (@brianhousman) or Twitter (@BWHousman).
In this episode of the Ministry to Parents Podcast, the M2P team has a great conversation with youth ministry veteran of 35+ years, Jaymes Curran. Jaymes currently serves as the Director of High School Ministry at St. John Neumann Catholic Church in Austin, TX, and uses MinistryToParents in some truly inspiring ways. Our discussion with Jaymes centers around how he is utilizing M2P’s resources to equip the parents of his parish and, specifically, his creative use of M2P’s grade-specific family experiences on the church’s website. Jaymes has a great story and some great ideas about how we can equip and encourage parents as they seek to lead their kids and teens.
Let’s be honest: there’s a lot to manage when navigating daily ministry or family life (or both simultaneously). To say we are “busy” is sometimes an understatement. The frantic pace of life we often live leads us to a place of exhaustion where we simply cannot operate at our best. In our families and in our ministries, we tend to move from event to event and have so much to do that we have little time for rest, reflection, and genuine relational connection. The world will always push us to do more, be more, and accomplish more. But God encourages us to be still and focus on Him. He wants us to rest in His presence and learn to seek His kingdom above all else. In this month’s podcast, Sass, Amy, and Kerry discuss the importance of slowing down and learning how to rest. Let’s be real; we desperately need to do this as ministry leaders, and it’s our responsibility to lead the families in our churches to have a different mindset when it comes to moving through life. So pour yourself another cup of coffee, kick up your feet, and rest for just a few moments while you listen in as we both try to convince you that slowing down is essential, and we give you some ideas on how to do it.
This month on the M2P podcast, the team interviews Youth Pastor and author of the 12-Month Student Discipleship Journal, Joel Lusz. Joel holds a B.A. from Taylor University, an M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and a Doctor of Ministry degree from Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary. But more impressive than any of the degrees is the fact that Joel is a 40-year youth ministry veteran who is still serving in full-time ministry! This longevity is fueled by Joel’s passion to equip kids and students to grow in their faith and deepen their relationship with God. That’s why your M2P team wanted to get Joel the mic to share his thoughts on the importance of encouraging our kids and teenagers to spend dedicated time each day in God’s Word, equipping them with practical tools they can use to step into a life of consistent discipleship, and creative ways to help them build habits of reading, reflection, and prayer. Joel also shares with us some thoughts on how we can help families move beyond “checklist Christianity,” where they simply go through the motions of faith and live a life where Christ truly dwells in them. Finally, Joel will give us some great insight into what is happening with teens today and encourages us to help them overcome the distractions of life and learn how to follow Jesus truly. This is an episode that you will not want to miss!
On this month’s podcast, the M2P Crew gets together to talk about the importance of mentoring and relational ministry. The kids and teenagers in our homes and ministries need significant and caring adults (other than their parents) who are willing to come alongside them to offer support, encouragement, and even some accountability along the journey. The church can be the best place to build these critical and incredibly impactful relationships. We know that as you earnestly seek to build this mentorship culture in your church and ministry, there are sometimes obstacles in your way, and we will address those, too. So, join us as we discuss how to develop this mindset in our churches and offer you some practical ideas on what you can do to make it all a reality in your own ministry context.
This month on the M2P podcast, we have a great conversation that we recorded live at the D6 Conference in Orlando, with our friend Brian Haynes. Brian is a pastor, teacher, and author whose passion is to restore people, families, and churches. Brian has decades of experience in ministry leadership and, as a father, has a compelling story to tell. His latest book War in the Wilderness, is an incredibly helpful resource for both parents and ministry leaders. That’s why we wanted to pull Brian off the D6 main stage and get him on the M2P mic to discuss how we can lead through difficult times and issues with our children, teens, and within our homes.
In this episode of the Ministry to Parents Podcast, the M2P team has a great conversation with Stuart Hall. Stuart is a husband, dad, speaker, and author who works with Reggie Joiner and the team at Orange. Stuart has been an influential voice in ministry for quite some time while also being the father of multiple kids who played sports in middle school, high school, and on college athletic scholarships. So, we thought Stuart would be the perfect voice to chat with this month as we tackle the tension that often exists between the church ministry and sports. How can we, as ministry leaders, best minister to and help the kids, teens, and parents within our ministries who have sports as a part of their lives? Let’s talk about it!
This month, we invite you to join us for another episode that we recorded live at the D6 Conference in Orlando, FL. Our special guest for this podcast is Christina Embree. Christina is a church planter, New Gen Coordinator at Plowshares Brethren in Christ in Lexington, KY, and serves as the Minister of Generational Discipleship for the Great Lakes Conference of the Brethren in Christ. She earned a Masters of Arts in Ministry, Children, Youth and Family focus from Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University (IWU) and is currently a doctoral candidate of Ministry in Spiritual Formation at IWU. Christina has a heart to see homes as the primary place for faith formation and spiritual growth for kids, parents, grandparents, and every other member of the family. So, grab a cup of coffee and listen in as Kerry and Amy have a fun and incredibly insightful conversation with Christina about what churches can practically do to connect the different generations.
In this episode, Sass, Amy, and Kerry are joined by special guest Brock Morgan. Brock is a pastor, author, speaker, consultant, and coach. We spend this episode diving into his book The Anxious Teen to talking about what is happening within this generation concerning anxiety and what we, as ministry leaders and parents, can do to help our kids and teens grow in healthy ways. Brock shares some great stories and insights with us concerning anxiety. He also takes the time to provide us with some practical suggestions on what we can do as ministry leaders and parents to better engage. Give it a listen and share it with someone else!
We have a real treat for you this month on the M2P podcast as we share the first of three episodes that we recorded live with some of the main stage communicators at the D6 Conference in Orlando, FL. Our first guest is Dr. Timothy Paul Jones, who is the vice president; C. Edwin Gheens professor of Christian family ministry; and chair of the Department of Apologetics, Ethics, and Philosophy at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Timothy is also the author of more than a dozen books, including In Church as It Is in Heaven (InterVarsity, 2023) with Jamaal Williams. He also serves as a preaching pastor at Sojourn Church Midtown and cohosts The Apologetics Podcast. Timothy joins Kerry and Amy in this month’s podcast to share with our M2P listeners how families can step into truly discipling their kids at home.
Lots of things are true in life. No, we’re not talking about death and taxes, but we are talking about the fact that kids and teens will continue to grow and move from one stage of life to the next. In this episode of the Ministry to Parents Podcast, Sass, Amy, and Kerry talk about how church leaders can help kids, teens, and parents transition from one place to another in a healthy way. There are things we can do to help students celebrate milestones and move into new ministries as well as help parents lead their kids in these transitions. As always, we have a little fun and laugh a lot, so enjoy!
In this episode, your favorite three M2P April Fools—Sass, Kerry, and Amy—talk about the importance of friendships and how ministry leaders and parents can help kids and teens learn how to build and maintain healthy friendships. This is such a key part of life, and, as adults, we need to be paying attention to how our kids are navigating their relationships and help them see how important the relationships they have are to their future. We tell some personal stories and give some practical tips on how to be on this journey with the kids and teens that we lead and love.
The madness of March has made it to the Ministry to Parents Podcast. This month we have the usual suspects (Sass, Kerry, and Amy), but we add our friend Brian Housman of 360Family.org and ScreenSmartParent. We have a great conversation about how we, as ministry leaders and parents ourselves, can navigate the chaos and madness of the world as well as how we can build our ministries in a way that can help families navigate the madness too. We all need to figure out how to live in the world but not get overcome by it. There is lots of wisdom dropped in this episode, so take some time to check it out.
The month of February is often filled with thoughts of love, dating, and everything that surrounds this topic that never goes away. In this month’s podcast, Sass, Kerry, and Amy talk about specific ways that leaders in both kids’ ministry and youth ministry can broach these conversations. Oh yeah, and don’t forget the parents! Not only do we need to be talking to kids and teens about this, but we need to have a plan to talk to parents about this critical area of life and help them lead their kids in a healthy way. We give you some practical ideas and hear a story (from Kerry) that you won’t soon forget!
As we kick off a new year, a world full of new possibilities and resolutions awaits us. Some will find the blank canvas of 2023 invigorating, while others will see it as panic-inducing or just the start of another year of broken promises you made to yourself. In this episode of the M2P Podcast, Sass, Amy, and Kerry talk about a resource, My One Word, that you can use to better navigate the possibilities and lose the long list of broken resolutions by doing something about one thing this year instead of nothing about everything. You will want to utilize this resource yourself and pass it along to the parents and families in your church. Take a listen to this episode and consider what it would look like for you and those around you to step into the new year differently.
As we all know, December can be crazy both at church and at home. If we’re honest, life can be crazy both at church and in the home. In this episode, Sass, Kerry, and Amy talk about how, as ministry leaders, we need to learn to slow down and rest. This rest shouldn’t be reserved for time off and vacations, but we should learn how to incorporate rest into our normal rhythm of life and have a mindset that values rest. Our rest should be a real, deep rest that focuses on God and our relationship with him instead of a Netflix binge kind of rest that the world offers. If we’re going to be the leaders that God wants us to be, we have to learn how to make rest a normal and natural part of life so that we can live from the strength that this rest provides. We need to learn how to lean into the Lord as he says, “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
The month of November is full of lots of games, from the many football (and other) games that a lot of us watch to the family games we’ll play over the holidays. It can be a lot of fun! We’re all also a part of the game of life, which hopefully includes a growing and vibrant faith in God. In this month’s M2P Podcast, we talk about how we, as ministry leaders, can be in the game ourselves and how we can help parents be in the game when it comes to helping their kids grow in their faith. There are lots of practical things we can do to coach parents in this direction, so grab your clipboard and your whistle, and let’s go!
In episode 060, Sass, Kerry, and Amy sit down to talk a little college football and engage in a conversation about building strong and healthy relationships in the home. We believe that relationships are at the foundation of our lives and that we are created to have healthy community through relationships, starting with those in our own families. So, listen in as the M2P gang talks about equipping parents within our ministries on how to build stronger relationships with their kids/teens that will last a lifetime. And how we, as parents with kids of our own, can do the same.
Under pressure – cue the beat we all recognize from the collab of David Bowe and Queen (or maybe you recognize it more from Vanilla Ice). Either way, this month's M2P podcast is laser-focused on helping parents and ministry leaders better navigate the incredible pressure we are all under to perform. Whether you have a ministry parent trying to lead their kids or teenagers into a healthy mindset or you're a children's or youth ministry leader trying to live into the calling you have received, this podcast has something for you! Join Sass, Amy, and Kerry on this episode as they discuss navigating in the heat of the summer along with the heat that is the pressure to perform.
We all know how schedules can spiral out of control and how easy it is for us all to fall into a pace of life and ministry that will run us ragged. This month Sass, Amy, and Kerry talk about practical ways to both help families develop a healthy rhythm and pace of life and how ministry leaders can develop a healthy rhythm and sustainable pace in ministry. They offer some practical tips and big-picture thoughts that will help you evaluate your ministry and help families in your church.
Without having a parent ministry plan that equips parents to lead out and live out the Gospel at home with their child, your children’s or youth ministry will never truly thrive. In this episode, new M2P podcast hosts Chris Sasser, Amy Diller, and Kerry Ray discuss children’s ministry, youth ministry, ministrytoparents.com, and the importance of building a parent ministry plan. If you are looking for a way to take the confusion out of ministering to parents, this podcast is a great place to start.
In the new series What To Do When Parents Come To Church, Elisabeth and Jeremy flip the conversation from the last series, What To Do When People Leave. What do church leaders do when parents drop by? What about when they drop in? This three-part series gives you quick and easy tips that help you learn how to connect with the different types of parents. In this episode, you'll learn about the Drop-Off Parent and four ideas to best relate to them.
In the final episode of What To Do When People Leave** series, Elisabeth and Jeremy answer a question that church leaders entertain at some point during their duration of ministry...When is it time to leave work for this particular church? Because each circumstance is unique and specialized for each person, they offer four markers that help leaders identify if they are ready to transition.
Part of working in Family Ministry means you work alongside other staff members (paid or volunteer). So when one of them leaves, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the exit, there are always social dynamics at play. For example, certain families have lost a friend, and responsibilities are left open-ended. So in today's episode from the What To Do When People Leave** series, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee give church leaders four pieces of advice to equip them with the soft skills needed to walk through the transition with ease.
In the second episode of What To Do When People Leave Your Church, Elisabeth and Jeremy cover a lot of ground discussing the moment that many church leaders dread...when a volunteer says they're leaving. Is it possible to create a positive experience from the transition for all parties involved? They believe it's realistically possible with these four tips. From learning how to say thank you to starts and stops, they give you sound practical advice to create a healthy, collaborative culture that honors the concept of "leaving well." You'll leave with a vision on how to treat volunteers in such as way that they'll be lining up at the door.
Do you know that moment when you run into a family and find out they're at another church? It can be awkward for both parties creating opportunities for some clumsy interactions. But what if church staff had a well-planned strategy in place for families that leave? Many times, they focus on the front door forgetting the back door. In the first episode of the new series What To Do When People Leave, you'll learn four steps to ease the transition for all parties involved.
Amy Diller brings her experience as a children's director in the 3rd episode of How To Heal From Church Hurt sharing how sometimes children's ministries can be out-of-sight and out-of-mind for some church staff, leaving children's leaders feeling invisible. She courageously shares her experience of church hurt and what she does to work through it.
In the second episode of the series How To Heal From Church Hurt, Elisabeth takes the interviewee's seat as Jeremy invites her to share her experiences regarding church hurt. Sharing personal stories, she talks about her interactions with misogyny and offers encouragement to those who have encountered it. Having thoroughly studied the topic of spiritual abuse, she shares her top five books along with her first go-to choice...if you only read one.
Ministry to Parents features their brand-new podcast series How To Heal From Hurt with a special episode where Jeremy takes the interviewee's seat. As a twenty-year + veteran in ministry, he recalls his church experiences and the life lessons he gained from them. In today's episode, church leaders will find wisdom, counsel, hope, connection, camaraderie, and insight as Jeremy shares his answers to the questions below.
Will you tell us a bit about how you got into ministry?
How did you come to learn about church hurt?
How would you define church hurt?
Are there different side-effects of "church hurt" versus "hurt in general?" If so, what are they?
Is it possible to recover from church hurt? If so, what are some of those steps?
Our listeners are people who work in the church. What specific insight can you give them regarding church hurt?
If you could recommend one to two books or a podcast for a church leader, which ones would you suggest?
In this final episode of Talking All Things Family Ministry, Dr. Brandon James joins the M2P Podcast to discuss the ins and outs of connecting with parents. He shares with leaders his tried-and-true ideas, such as "volunteerism," attaching small things to the end of your email, and book recommendations. Sharing a twenty-year history, Elisabeth and Jeremy are thrilled to have Dr. James close out the Family Ministry Series, sharing his exhaustive understanding of multi-generational ministry.
In today's episode of Talking All Things Family Ministry, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee interview Greg Clydesdale, a Next-Generation pastor from Naples, Florida, who oversees discipleship in the Birth-College Church ministries, simultaneously helping families do the same. This twenty-year ministry veteran talks about his transition from student pastor to family ministry and his lessons along the way. Sharing his contagious passion for family ministry, Greg inspires leaders to equally value connection with both students and families while giving solid, practical tips on "how" to do so.
In this second episode of our series All Things Family Ministry, Nick Mobley joins Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee on the M2P Podcast bringing his practical ideas and personal experience as a family ministry pastor. Leaders will learn how to do family ministry for free and how to start one from scratch. He also offers the first three steps one should take when accepting a new family ministry position.
Ministry to Parents kicks off Season Two with a new series on Family Ministry! So many ministry leaders talk about how their schedules are busy, filled with administrative tasks or building relationships with students. They don't have the time to connect with parents or they don’t know what to do. So Elisabeth and Jeremy invited Michelle Craddock, Associate Equipping Minister at Oak Hills Church, to share her insight and experience on working full-time with parents.
For some ministries, summer months bring disconnections between church leaders and their students because of the trips, camps, and family vacations. In today’s episode, Tony Bianco from Family Technology Plan shows you how to use tech to connect with students by using a quick and easy app. They will help you keep students connected until it’s time for fall when everyone is back together again ready to ring in the new school year!
During the summer, students find themselves out of their normal technology patterns. As a result, they grow bored and head to places they shouldn't. In today’s episode, Tony Bianco from Family Technology Plan is a guest host of the M2P Podcast by sharing places and trends so parents can be aware and help their students continue using screens healthily! Church leaders can use these tips throughout the summer to help parents navigate technology.
In today’s world, ministry has expanded to more than meeting inside a classroom or building. The digital age is here, and technology is a key factor to helping church leaders extend their connections with students and their families. So in today’s episode, guest host Tony Bianco from Family Technology Plan shares three ways that you can use technology to make the most of your time using technology to connect with your people.
Kicking off a special 4-part podcast series, Tony Bianco, from Family Technology Plan, hosts the M2P Podcast on the topic of technology. He shares 3 ways families can balance screen time during the off months. Summertime is full of fun, trips, and camps, which offer students way more free time than during the school year! You can help your parents make sure summer is set for success when balancing screen time. Use these 3 tips in an email, social media post, and more to help your family this summer!
Coming full circle on the Time To Rest Series, Elisabeth and Jeremy prepare church leaders to re-enter another busy season of ministry by offering preventive strategies. They give you three practical tips to put in place so you can pace yourself. Couple these ideas with Recover, Reflect, and Regulate, and you can take control of what is within your control to guard your emotional, physical, and mental health wisely.
How To Regulate After A Busy Season Of MinistrySometimes after a busy season, we can have a hard time turning off "survival mode." We try to quiet our minds or get our emotions under control, but it doesn't seem to work. For some reason, we still feel the need to go and do, like a toy that can't seem to turn off. Anxiety seems to be around every corner. When this experience occurs, we need to regulate, which is different from recovery. In this episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy share a few regulation techniques they learned from their therapists to help be present in stressful and post-stressful situations...which comes in handy after "that" meeting. :)
In the 2nd part of the series Time To Rest, Elisabeth and Jeremy have a conversation about an essential factor in the recovery process: reflection. Why do we need to do? How do we do it? They offer church leaders four unique questions you can use anytime, anywhere as a template. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your busy season, these four questions help you uncover the gift that lies within your experience.
In the ministry world, busy seasons come and go like rain showers in springtime. They are a way of life from which we can recover and move on. But now and then, we run into a moment where we can't recover even after taking time to rest. Kicking off a new 4-part podcast series called Time to Rest, Elisabeth and Jeremy discuss the aftereffects of hectic times like global pandemics, new positions, staff changes, and more. They offer you ways to recover and what to do when you can't.
Closing out the 9-part podcast series How to Help Parents Prepare for Spiritual Leadership, Elisabeth and Jeremy dive into the mistakes church leaders can make when it comes to discussing spiritual leadership with parents. Sharing from experience, they offer brief tips on how to engage this topic in a way that is inviting to parents, rather than alienating.
In a church gathering, families come together to worship and enjoy relationships with God and each other. When parents are privately struggling with their faith, they can experience shame, fear, or guilt. So how can churches help these parents who struggle spiritually? In today's episode of How to Prepare Parents for Spiritual Leadership, Elisabeth and Jeremy offer four ways to engage them so that they feel encouraged, rather than discouraged, in the faith journey. Because when they feel supported, they are inspired to continue leading their kids in the way God has called them.
As Elisabeth and Jeremy continue the series How to Help Prepare Parents for Spiritual Leadership, they cover a topic that is sometimes considered taboo or impermissible in church settings- when kids doubt their faith. Many parents experience this tension but don't want to discuss it for various reasons. So these parents often live in isolation away from the Church community. In today's episode, you learn four ways church leaders can help parents when kids doubt their faith. You can connect with them using kindness, love, and encouragement because their struggle creates an opportunity for a special type of ministry work.
Parenting is an arduous yet rewarding journey because it's new terrain with a unique one-of-a-kind kid. It's like they're flying blind all the time. So when another voice pops in and says, "I've been here, and there, and survived," parents breathe a sigh of relief...for a brief moment. For one minute, they know "they're not alone." In today's episode, How Churches Can Help Parents Find Healthy Mentors, Elisabeth and Jeremy discuss the power of mentorship within parent and family ministry. They know how busy you already are, so they offer three easy-to-do and straightforward solutions that you can quickly implement into your children or youth ministry.
In today's episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee dive into the practical side of discipleship. In particular, they share their personal favorites for parents on how to grow spiritually. First, they cover a wide range of tools such as The Bible Project, How to Study the Bible for All Its Worth, and the Jesus Storybook Bible. In addition to these, they guide you through how to use the M2P material. In this 5th installment of the 9-part podcast series, How to Help Parents Prepare for Spiritual Leadership, church leaders leave with a list of resources to equip moms, dads, and guardians for spiritual leadership.
Many parents feel guilt or confusion around the subject of praying for their kids. In today's episode of How to Prepare Parents for Spiritual Leadership, Elisabeth and Jeremy talk about the importance of prayer as parents and then invite Dr. Ed Laymance into the conversation on how to pray who gives parents 3 ways to talk with God.
In today's episode, church leaders learn how to instill confidence in parents who often fear the idea of being a spiritual leader. There are many reasons parents hesitate to embrace the idea of being a spiritual leader to their child. So how can church leaders offer courage and assurance to their parents? In the 3rd installment of How to Prepare Parents for Spiritual Leadership, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee talk about two primary obstacles: insecurity and intimidation. They know how busy church schedules can be, so they offer a simple solution...two minor yet powerful tweaks that any leader can make.
Before church leaders can help parents spiritually lead their kids, they have to understand the "why" behind it all. In this episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee talk wax seals, tattoos, and long-term investments as they unpack the "Shema" from Deuteronomy 6:4-8. If you've ever wondered why family and parent ministry Biblically matter, this show is for you!
Church leaders continue to identify one major pain point -> -> -> they desire for parents to own spiritual leadership, but, for a variety of reasons, parents resist. In this new 9-part podcast series, How to Prepare Parents for Spiritual Leadership, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee offer practical tools and solutions while addressing leadership struggles.
Elisabeth and Jeremy close out the podcast series, Ministry Interrupted, on a topic that has affected many families through COVID: Finances. Some families experienced positive growth (Clorox employees, anyone?) while others did not (the restaurant business, etc.). Listen in to the conversation as they address how church leaders can respond to the global pandemic's effect on their communities.
Due to COVID, many church leaders found a new type of ministry online. This shift creates a unique opportunity for growth when looking towards the future, online and in-person. So how do we take advantage of this new opening to two audiences? Is it possible to continue doing both? How? In this episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy answer these questions by discussing five mindsets to embrace a hybrid approach to both in-person and online audiences.
A distinctive characteristic of youth ministry is relationship-building, from those late-night outings for a Route 44 Sonic to the wild outdoor water games. When the global pandemic hit, this approach came to an abrupt stop, bringing loss on various levels to students and leaders alike. In today's episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy offer encouragement and a few creative ideas to connect parents and teenagers virtually.
Children's leaders often go into ministry because of their passion for investing in a child's life. So when the global pandemic moved churches online, many experienced a significant loss in relationship building. In today's episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy share five tips on connecting with children and parents spiritually and digitally. Although it can't replace the face-to-face connection, these five ways can uniquely inspire leaders to engage families online until churches meet in person again.
Church leaders invest a large part of their budget in the curriculum, so when COVID took place, many were left with the question, "What do we do and how do they use it?" Elisabeth and Jeremy discuss three essential questions to help church leaders figure out the best method for virtually using their curriculum. The three questions are 1) How do we automate it? 2) What are the essential parts that I can pull from the curriculum and share on different platforms via social media? 3) How can I help parents engage the big picture?
When churches moved online with the global pandemic, a small batch of volunteers helped make this possible (A BIG thanks to all the IT people!). But for many, volunteering paused until the large group gatherings could resume. In today's episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy present church leaders with five creative ways to use this moment to their advantage. Typically, leaders train volunteers while working in real-time, but now is the perfect opportunity to work on it with quarantines, social distancing, and reduced gathering times.
When COVID and the global pandemic moved churches online, leaders had to adjust their way of doing ministry. For the last eleven years, Ministry to Parents, a digital company, has had its ups and downs in the digital space. Using their personal experience, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee kick-off Ministry Interrupted, an 8-part podcast series dedicated to helping church leaders with an online ministry. This episode covers six tips. 1. Embrace Technology 2. Plan 3. Consistency Wins 4. Take a Multi-Faceted Approach 5. Make it Personal 6. Ask for Engagement
Elisabeth and Jeremy wrap up the podcast series by discussing those tough topics that keep church leaders from asking for help. In less than fifteen minutes, you will learn about the obstacles that stand in your way and how to overcome them.
In this series we're learning all about building a personal support team that will help us sustain a long ministry journey. It might seem awkward to invite others to offer you support, but in this episode Jeremy and Elisabeth talk you through how to do that practically.
In the second installment on our series on Building A Support Team for Church Leaders we talk about why it's so important to have a support team. Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee go inside the hearts and minds of church leaders to discuss some of the keys to long term health in ministry. This is a must listen for anyone who's leading a ministry and seeking health.
Jeremy and Elisabeth begin a new series on building a personal support team. Ministry is not easy, and it's even harder when you try to do it alone. That's why church leaders need a personal support team. This episode details what that is and helps you understand the concept that might just change your ministry forever!
In the final episode of this series we dive a little more into the spiritual side of coping with anxiety. Jason Gibson, parenting expert from ParentTV, also shares key exercises to help your anxious child feel heard and what it means to offer them "anchor points". It's a very strong closing episode to this wonderful series on helping families dealing with anxiety.
How do you know when it's time to seek professional help for anxiety? We continue our series on anxiety with Jason Gibson, parenting expert and licensed counselor. In this episode, he helps us know exactly when to seek help from a professional. He also explains coping exercises to help kids with anxiety and discusses the use of medicine.
We start a brand new series on the topic of Anxiety with our guest Jason Gibson. He's a parenting expert in the US and Australia that offers very practical advice for parents on this important issue. In part 1 of 3, Jason introduces us to two ways we express anxiety: "internal" and "external".
The last installment of the podcast series on "How To Help Families In Crisis" deals with Cancer. Jeremy and Elisabeth share the story of their cancer journey to offer insights for church leaders that are serving families with cancer. This episode will offer insider perspective and helpful ministry tips on an issue many families face.
In this episode we continue our theme of helping families in crisis by talking about grief and death. Phillip Robinson shares his wisdom from helping thousands of families navigate the death of a loved one. He also shares the unbelievable story of how he endured his own father's murder and actually offered the murderer forgiveness which developed into a friendship.
In this episode we discuss the struggle that families go through when they are dealing with addiction. COVID brought many struggles to families including a marked increase in addiction. To unpack how to support these families we hear first from "Mama Bear" who is a mother that walked through addiction with her son. She gives us a real-life perspective of the struggle, and then Dr. Chip Dodd takes us deeper into what's going on in the mind of an addict.
This month we're talking about helping families dealing with crisis. In this episode, Tammy Daughtry joins us to share wisdom on serving families that are going through divorce. Tony Bianco also offers a review of the Netflix documentary “The Social Dilemma” in the lates episode of T3 (Tony’s Technology Tips).
2020 has been no joke! This year has been full of stress, hurt, confusion, pain, and chaos. Now more than ever, we could use a bright spot in a dark time. In this episode, we invite comedian, author, and pastor Ted Cunningham, from Branson, Missouri, to talk about the importance of laughter. Who knew laughter had such healing power?!? We hope it brings a big smile to your face today.
From Family Technology Plan, Tony Bianco is our guest this episode as we close out our month-long series on Communication. We talk about how to have conversations with students in the day of technology. Tony gives tons of practical wisdom about how to interact on social media and what to do when a student slides into your DM’s. Plus, Ally from Arkansas closes the show with another episode of “Parent Calls.”
Volunteers are the heartbeat of a healthy ministry, yet often they go overlooked in a leader's priorities. In today's episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy share their hilarious ministry experience leading volunteers---manifestos at 3 in the morning...accidentally naming a volunteer team after an STD?!? (Gasp.) Dan Istvanik, from MYM Resources, joins the conversation with practical advice on how to communicate with volunteers. Also, Alondio Hill adds to the party by joining in on the game show fun.
In this episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy talk with Jason Pyron about how to communicate to the person leading you. The discussion does involve bringing live monkeys and cow tongues to church for a youth group lesson! There's also another edition of T3: Tech Talk with Tony where we learn about the new parental control app for Nintendo Switch.
In this episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy discuss the power of communication and its ability to build or break trust with parents (i.e., the police show up in the church parking lot looking for a student on a youth trip.). They invite Michelle Craddock, a full-time staff member dedicated solely to parent ministry, into the conversation where she offers sound, proved, and practical tips. Also, a fan-favorite is back with another episode of “Parent Calls” with Helicopter Heath calling Amy Diller from Michigan.
How do church leaders take a Sabbath rest when they work on Sunday? Tim Drury, the author of this week's blog post, joins the conversation as he shares his personal experience. Celebrating 23 years of marriage, Elisabeth and Jeremy tell the story of their wedding day with 12 bridesmaids, 12 groomsmen, 2 pastors, and a partridge in a pear tree! We’ve also got another episode of “Parent Calls” featuring our M2P member, Rhonda Crosser, from Iowa, talking to funny guy Adam as “Know-it-all-Nolan.”
Michael Bayne helps us think through the importance of planning spiritual retreats as a church leader. Elisabeth and Jeremy also share about their recent family getaway in the woods and why they aren't really great at building fires. In this episode we also debut a new segment from Tony Bianco called T3: Tech Time with Tony, where he shares three things Instagram doesn't want parents to know!
Nick Mobley from the M2P writing team joins the show to tackle the subject of church leaders that deal with spiritual struggles. Elisabeth and Jeremy share what they've learned and make a big announcement about an addition to their family. They also share the story of when they tried to sneak their pet turtle named Vladimir through airport security. Zac Sandry, one of our M2P members, closes the show by receiving a parent call from "Outgoing Oliver," where a can of unicorn meat is on the line.
What do multiple Ph.D.’s, 3-pound gummy bears, and a church leader from Australia have in common? The very first episode of the Ministry to Parents podcast! In this episode, we invite Dr. John Delony, from Ramsey Solutions, to share encouragement with us on how to deal with the everyday struggles we face in ministry. From loneliness to performance, we have a real, raw, and honest conversation about the pressures of life and church leadership. From Australia, M2P Member Kylie Hofer, speaks her voice about the difficulties of ministry, and from Virginia, M2P Member Tom Maxwell, talks Kanye and Yeezy’s! Hang on for the wild ride and enjoy the first episode of the Ministry to Parents Podcast. For free resources and show notes, visit www.MinistryToParents.com.
In this episode, Elisabeth and Jeremy Lee give you a behind-the-scenes look into what to expect from the Ministry to Parents podcast. This short, six-minute episode is kind of like the paragraph on the back of a book. We hope that you listen in and decide to go on the journey with us. We think it will make a difference in your life and the lives of the families you serve. For free resources and show notes, visit www.MinistryToParents.com.