Shows
Ministry to Parents Podcast#097 - Helping Families ConnectIn 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 ju...
2025-09-3044 min2025-09-0154 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#094: Away Game with Brian Smith and Ed UszynskiIn 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 fe...
2025-08-0144 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#095: A Conversation on Parenting and Youth SportsWe 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!
2025-08-0148 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#093: Helping Parents Find Their StyleWe 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 thei...
2025-07-2139 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#092: Understanding and Leading the Next Generation(s)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 gene...
2025-06-0239 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#091: Stepping into SummerIt’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...
2025-05-0532 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#090: Experiencing New LifeThe 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 l...
2025-04-0131 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#089: Tough Questions and ConversationsIn 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 cr...
2025-03-0140 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#088: It’s All About RelationshipsIn 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.
2025-02-0139 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#087: Prioritizing FaithThis 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 disc...
2025-01-0237 min2024-12-0139 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#085: Milestone Moments with Lydia RandallThis 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 en...
2024-11-0136 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#084: Single Parenting with Donna CollinsOn 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 ne...
2024-10-0156 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#083: When Parenting Hurts with Carrie Bevell PartridgeOn 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...
2024-09-0151 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#082: Rich Griffith and VoicesAs 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 t...
2024-08-0136 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#081: Face-to-Face with Patti Pilkington ReedOne 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 th...
2024-07-0134 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#080: A Different Kind of Discipleship with Heather QuirozIn 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...
2024-06-0144 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#079: Learning to Rest with Marianne HowardAre 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...
2024-05-0136 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#078: Embracing Your True IdentityThis 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...
2024-04-0137 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#077: Leading in a Digital World with Brian HousmanOur 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. B...
2024-03-0148 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#076: Equipping Parents and Using M2P with special guest, Jaymes CurranIn 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...
2024-02-0151 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#075: Slow Down and RestLet’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...
2024-01-0132 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#074: Discipleship Through Scripture with Joel LuszThis 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 re...
2023-12-0135 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#073: Building a Ministry with a Mentoring MindsetOn 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 ad...
2023-11-0138 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#072: Leading Through Difficult Issues with Brian HaynesThis 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 mi...
2023-10-0128 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#071: Church and Sports with Stuart HallIn 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...
2023-09-0149 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#070: Intergenerational Discipleship with Christina EmbreeThis 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...
2023-08-0131 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#069: Navigating Anxiety with Brock MorganIn 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...
2023-07-0149 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#068: Family Discipleship with Timothy Paul JonesWe 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 W...
2023-06-0129 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#067: Helping Families Move from Stage to StageLots 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...
2023-05-0147 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#066: Helping Your Kids Build Healthy FriendshipsIn 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 teen...
2023-04-0148 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#065: Marching Through the MadnessThe 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...
2023-03-0151 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#064: All Things Dating & RelationshipsThe 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 som...
2023-02-0140 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#063: My One WordAs 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...
2023-01-0141 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#062: Living From a Place of RestAs 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...
2022-12-0131 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#061: Helping Parents Get In the GameThe 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 i...
2022-10-3138 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#060: Building Healthy Relationships at HomeIn 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...
2022-10-0135 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#059: Under Pressure - Navigating the Pressure to PerformUnder 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...
2022-09-0139 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#058: Building a Healthy and Sustainable Rhythm for You and Your FamilyWe 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.
2022-08-0122 min
Ministry to Parents Podcast#057: The Importance Of Building A Parent Ministry PlanWithout 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.
2022-07-0129 min
Ministry to Parents PodcastSomething New is Coming to M2P - Episode 0Something new is coming to M2P and you do not want to miss out!
2022-06-2903 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#056: What To Do When Parents Come To Church: The Drop-Off ParentIn 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.
2021-11-0413 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#055: When *Church Leaders* Need To Leave Their ChurchIn 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.
2021-10-2819 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#054: What To Do When *Staff Members* Leave Your ChurchPart 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.
2021-10-1915 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#053: What To Do When *Volunteers* Leave Your ChurchIn 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...
2021-10-1221 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#052: What To Do When *Families* Leave Your ChurchDo 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.
2021-10-0516 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#051: How To Heal From Church Hurt: Interview With Amy DillerAmy 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.
2021-09-2724 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#050: How To Heal From Church Hurt: Interview With Elisabeth LeeIn 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.
2021-09-0820 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#049: How To Heal From Church Hurt: Interview With Jeremy LeeMinistry 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?
2021-08-3125 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#048: Talking All Things Family Ministry With Dr. Brandon JamesIn 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.
2021-08-2427 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#047: Talking All Things Family Ministry with Greg ClydesdaleIn 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.
2021-08-1744 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#046: Talking All Things Family Ministry with Nick MobleyIn 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.
2021-08-1029 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#045: Talking All Things Family Ministry with Michelle CraddockMinistry 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.
2021-08-0226 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#044: Using Tech to Connect With Students: Summer Edition (With Tony Bianco)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!
2021-06-2111 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#043: Where Bored Students Will Spend Their Time on the InternetDuring 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.
2021-06-1515 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#042: Making the Most of Technology in Your MinistryIn 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.
2021-06-0717 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#041: 3 Ways to Balance Screen Time This Summer (With Tony Bianco)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!
2021-06-0114 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#040: How To Re-enter A Busy Season Of MinistryComing 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.
2021-05-2519 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#039: How To Regulate In A Busy Season Of MinistryHow 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...
2021-05-1823 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#038: How To Reflect On A Busy Season Of MinistryIn 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.
2021-05-1125 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#037: How To Recover From A Busy Season Of MinistryIn 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.
2021-05-0426 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#036: Mistakes to Avoid While Helping Parents Lead SpirituallyClosing 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.
2021-04-2615 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#035: How Churches Can Help Parents Who Struggle SpirituallyIn 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.
2021-04-2012 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#034: 4 Ways Churches Can Help Parents When Kids Doubt Their FaithAs 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...
2021-04-1317 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#33: How Churches Can Help Parents Find Healthy MentorsParenting 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...
2021-04-0614 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#32: How to Grow Spiritually: Discipleship Resources for ParentsIn 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...
2021-03-2818 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#31: How to Pray: Give Parents 3 Ways To Talk with God (Dr. Ed Laymance)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.
2021-03-2351 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#30: How Church Leaders Can Instill Confidence in ParentsIn 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...
2021-03-1615 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#029: Why Parents MatterBefore 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!
2021-03-0920 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#028: How To Prepare Parents For Spiritual LeadershipChurch 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.
2021-03-0214 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#027: Parents, COVID, and FinancesElisabeth 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.
2021-02-1615 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#026: How to Lead a Ministry "In-Person" and "Online"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.
2021-02-0920 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#025: How To Virtually Help Parents and Teens Connect at Home During COVIDA 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.
2021-02-0217 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#024: How to Virtually Help Children and Parents Connect at Home During COVIDChildren'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.
2021-01-2715 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#023: How to Adapt Your Curriculum into a Virtual Ministry during COVIDChurch 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?
2021-01-1715 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#022: How to Virtually Care for Volunteers during COVIDWhen 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.
2021-01-1016 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#021: How to Lead A Virtual Parent Ministry During COVIDWhen 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
2021-01-0519 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#020: Obstacles To Building A Support TeamElisabeth 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.
2020-12-2116 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#019: How to Build a Support TeamIn 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.
2020-12-1519 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#018: Why Do I Need A Support Team?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.
2020-12-0819 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#017: What is a Support Team for Church Leaders?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!
2020-12-0114 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#016: Dealing with Anxiety featuring Jason Gibson (Part 3)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.
2020-11-1612 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#015: Dealing with Anxiety featuring Jason Gibson (Part 2)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.
2020-11-1124 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#014: Dealing with Anxiety featuring Jason Gibson (Part 1)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".
2020-11-0332 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#013: How To Help Families Going Through CancerThe 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.
2020-10-2626 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#012: How to Help Families Going Through Grief with Phillip RobinsonIn 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.
2020-10-2032 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#011: Helping Families Struggling Through Addiction with Dr. Chip DoddIn 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.
2020-10-1357 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#010: Helping Families Going Through Divorce with Tammy DaughtryThis 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).
2020-10-0639 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#009: The Healing Power of Laughter with Ted Cunningham2020 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.
2020-09-2916 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#008: How to Communicate with Students with Tony BiancoFrom 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.”
2020-09-2338 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#007: How To Communicate With Volunteers with Dan IstvanikVolunteers 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.
2020-09-1428 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#006: Communicating to Church Leadership with Jason PyronIn 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.
2020-09-0432 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#005: The Power of Parent Communication with Michelle CraddockIn 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.
2020-08-3144 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#004: How to Honor the Sabbath When You Work on Sunday with Tim DruryHow 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.”
2020-08-2245 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#003: Spiritual Retreats with Michael BayneMichael 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!
2020-08-1531 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#002: What To Do When You're Spiritually Empty with Nick MobleyNick 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.
2020-08-0938 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#001: Common Struggles Among Ministry Leaders with Dr. John DelonyWhat 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, ta...
2020-07-2842 minMinistry to Parents Podcast#000: Welcome to the Ministry to Parents Podcast!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.
2020-07-1906 min