NextGen Conversations
9 episodes - English - Latest episode: about 3 years ago - ★★★★★ - 3 ratingsNextGen Conversations is a podcast that seeks to empower children’s, family, youth and college-aged leaders to create dynamic, Christ-centered ministries. Local church leaders often don’t have the time, energy or resources required to reshape a nextgen program. Every episode features a conversation with a ministry leader and covers innovative solutions to common problems faced in churches today. We want to give you practical steps to transform the way you do ministry. It’s time to get in on the conversation!
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Episodes
Innovative Kids Ministry with Westside Church in Kearney
April 27, 2021 10:00 - 37 minutes - 51.3 MBAt Westside Church, a two-year-old satellite campus of First UMC (Kearney), a little grant money and creativity took the kid's ministry to the next level. Through digital mediums and activity box deliveries, the church kept connecting with families despite the strange circumstances of 2020. Listen as Children's Director Nicolle Downing and Site Pastor Mitch Buhman share what worked, what didn't and what they'll keep doing as we enter into a new season of ministry.
Meet the Staff with Maggie Lohmeyer
October 27, 2020 10:00 - 31 minutes - 42.7 MBIn our final episode of Season 1, we’re in conversation with Maggie Lohmeyer, NextGen youth specialist at the Missouri Conference. Maggie shares a little about her background in ministry and how through her work with NextGen she aims to connect youth leaders and youth. This episode highlights some of the networking events, youth group programs and resources NextGen makes available to local churches in Missouri. Resources LEAP 2021 Information Recorded NextGen Gatherings Upcoming NextG...
Discipling Children with Rev. Tadd Kruithoff
October 20, 2020 10:00 - 35 minutes - 48.5 MBThis week we’re in conversation with Rev. Tadd Kruithoff to discuss how Trinity UMC in Piedmont, Missouri, does discipleship. Instead of focusing on facts alone, Kruithoff and his team lean into the relational aspect of discipleship through Holy Listening. This method allows kids to lead the conversation and share about their own lives in their own words while volunteers simply guide the conversation, teaching children to see God in everyday life. Resources Spiritual Conversations with C...
The Awakened Life with Rev. Angie Olsen
October 13, 2020 10:00 - 40 minutes - 55.2 MBSocial life, schoolwork, family drama and social media: Even without a pandemic, students and leaders have a lot on their plates. The Awakened Life, written by Rev. Angie Olsen and Sarah Bollinger, offers an invitation to peace and silence amid the chaos of life. This week we’re in conversation with one of the book’s authors, Angie Olsen, to discuss the importance of silence and meditation. We discuss how this is reinforced by the spiritual practices of Jesus and how we can use this time to ...
Youth Mentoring with Becca Boren
October 06, 2020 10:00 - 33 minutes - 45.4 MBWhat would it look like to have a youth program that was easy to maintain and had a primary focus on daily discipleship? That’s exactly how Becca Boren, director of youth and young adult ministries at Good Shepherd in Kansas City, has her program aligned. Becca shows us how to turn the standard youth ministry model on its head and allow youth to mentor youth in a meaningful way. At Good Shepherd, Becca has created a system of accountability and growth in her program that has allowed youth to...
Teaching During COVID-19
September 29, 2020 10:00 - 44 minutes - 60.7 MBThis week we’re in conversation with a panel of elementary teachers from all over Missouri to discuss what it’s like to teach during COVID-19. Pandemic life is hard enough for everyone but being a teacher may be one of the most difficult professions right now. In our conversation we discuss their struggles and joys as well as how to best use technology to connect with young people. This conversation will definitely hit home for anyone that has children or works with them and will make you ap...
Family Life During COVID-19
September 22, 2020 10:00 - 42 minutes - 57.9 MBLife during COVID is challenging right now, but especially so as a parent of young children. This week we sit down with a panel of four families with elementary-aged children to discuss what life has been like navigating quarantine, mask culture and school as it continues evolve. This honest and real insight into their lives will help shape how churches view ministry right now and why family ministry still holds incredible value, even though it’s more complicated than before. These families ...
Family Outreach with Mona Candea
September 15, 2020 04:00 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MBThis week we’re in conversation with Mona Candea, Children’s Ministry Coordinator at Grace UMC in Olathe, Kansas. Mona walks us through the challenging world of COVID-era family ministry. She and her team have evolved the way that they do ministry over the last year, and Mona has a lot of great ideas to share with churches that are struggling with where to start. Through use of new digital media and innovative outreach, there’s a little something for every church to learn. Orange: Updated ...
Family Ministry with Sarah DeClue
September 03, 2020 19:25 - 47 minutes - 65.7 MBThis week we’re in conversation with Sarah DeClue, Children’s Ministry Director at La Croix Church in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and newly appointed Next Generation Ministry Team Chair for the Missouri Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church. With the world the way that it is right now, connecting with kids and families outside of church walls is increasingly important. Sarah chats about the importance of including the whole family in a children’s ministry program and offers some gre...