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Discipling Children with Rev. Tadd Kruithoff

NextGen Conversations

Release Date: 10/20/2020

Innovative Kids Ministry with Westside Church in Kearney show art Innovative Kids Ministry with Westside Church in Kearney

NextGen Conversations

At 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.

info_outline Meet the Staff with Maggie Lohmeyer show art Meet the Staff with Maggie Lohmeyer

NextGen Conversations

In 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.

info_outline Discipling Children with Rev. Tadd Kruithoff show art Discipling Children with Rev. Tadd Kruithoff

NextGen Conversations

This 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 while volunteers guide the discussion, teaching children to see God in everyday life.

info_outline The Awakened Life with Rev. Angie Olsen show art The Awakened Life with Rev. Angie Olsen

NextGen Conversations

Social 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.

info_outline Youth Mentoring with Becca Boren show art Youth Mentoring with Becca Boren

NextGen Conversations

Becca Boren, director of youth and young adult ministries at Good Shepherd in Kansas City, shows us how to turn the standard youth ministry model on its head and allow youth to mentor youth in a meaningful way.

info_outline Teaching During COVID-19 show art Teaching During COVID-19

NextGen Conversations

This 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. This conversation will definitely hit home for anyone that has children or works with them and will make you appreciate the teachers a whole lot more.

info_outline Family Life During COVID-19 show art Family Life During COVID-19

NextGen Conversations

Life during COVID is challenging right now. 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. These families share what works for them and how churches can step up to the plate in their lives to make a real difference.

info_outline Family Outreach with Mona Candea show art Family Outreach with Mona Candea

NextGen Conversations

This 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.

info_outline Family Ministry with Sarah DeClue show art Family Ministry with Sarah DeClue

NextGen Conversations

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 great places to get started at your own church, regardless of size.

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More Episodes

This 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