Nobody tells you what you're actually signing up for when you say yes to kids ministry. The confetti, the costumes, and the camp stories look great from the outside — but what happens behind the curtain? In this episode, Tom, Cole, and Vicky get refreshingly honest about their calling, their biggest ministry mistakes, and the lessons that shaped them into the leaders they are today.

From Cole's leap from volunteer to multi-site programming director before finishing college, to Tom's life-changing encounter with a six-year-old girl in Detroit who didn't know who God was, to Vicky's unexpected pivot from aspiring special ed teacher to children's pastor — every story is proof that the calling to kids ministry is deeply personal, rarely predictable, and always worth saying yes to.

The team also shares their most cringe-worthy "what was I thinking?" moments — including an indoor pyrotechnic object lesson that sent 300 kids running for their lives and a camp tornado watch that turned into a real-time safety scramble. You'll laugh, maybe tear up, and definitely feel seen.

Whether you're brand new to kids ministry leadership or you're in a hard season wondering if you made the right call, this episode is your reminder: God's not done writing your story.

This Week's Better Together Challenge: Write your personal ministry calling statement. Answer these four questions — What do you believe about your calling? Why does it matter to you? How has God wired and prepared you? And what future do you want to help create? Share your answers in the Kid Ministry Collective Facebook Group at kidministrycollective.com.

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Should kids be in the main worship service — or not? It's one of the most emotionally charged questions in kids ministry, and the KMC Collective team is diving in headfirst.

In this episode, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vickie unpack the real conversation happening inside the Kids Ministry Collective Facebook group around kids in big church — and they're not here to hand you one right answer. Because honestly? There isn't one.

The team walks through the three primary models churches use — full kids church, kids in the entire service, and the hybrid dismissal model — and explores the honest benefits and real challenges of each. From the powerful discipleship moment of a parent worshiping beside their child, to the logistical chaos of safely dismissing kids mid-service, no stone is left unturned.

Want some help? Head to our Website for all the info: KidsMinistryCollective.com

When was the last time you took a Sunday off? If the honest answer is never — this episode is for you.

In this candid and deeply practical conversation, Tom, Cole, Ben, and Vicki get real about one of the most common traps in kids ministry: building a ministry that only runs when you show up. They share their own confessions, their burnout stories, and the mindset shifts that changed everything.

Here's what's covered in this episode:

The team dives into why kids ministry leaders struggle to step away — from the lie that "nobody can do this but me," to the fear of taking advantage of volunteers. They unpack the difference between a ministry that's healthy and one that's secretly dependent on a single person showing up 52 weeks a year.

You'll hear practical, scalable strategies for raising up volunteer leaders at every church size — from small churches with fewer than 10 volunteers, to multi-site ministries with 40-plus team members. Whether you're looking for your first right-hand person or building out a full coach model, this episode meets you where you are.

The crew also tackles one of the biggest mental hurdles in volunteer recruitment: "don't say their no." Stop disqualifying people before you even ask. Give the Holy Spirit room to work — and be surprised by who steps up.

Finally, the team issues a Find Your One challenge: ask God to show you the one person you can begin pouring into today. Then come share that name in the Kids Ministry Collective Facebook group or YouTube comments so the community can pray with you.

You don't have to do this alone. A healthy kids ministry never depends on just one person. We are better together.

Join the conversation in the Kids Ministry Collective Facebook Group and share the name of the one person you're going to invest in this week!

Need a Coach: Kidmincoach.net

Learn about what the KMC offers YOU!: KidsMinistryCollective.com