Is Children’s Ministry More Powerful Than We Think? | Season 3 Episode 15
Release Date: 06/12/2025
The Disciple Standard Podcast
This episode began as a private Patreon conversation—but it was too important to keep behind a paywall. We explore why replacing the word vision with calling can radically change how pastors, leaders, parents, and everyday Christians understand identity, purpose, and faithfulness. Through stories from youth ministry, leadership development, and Scripture, we unpack how responding to God’s calling brings freedom, humility, and lasting fruit—without the pressure to perform or be remembered.
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What if the “shallow church” problem isn’t fixed by better lights, tighter sets, or even more silence—but by deeper relationships and active participation? In this episode, we react to a clip on authenticity in church, talk about why modern services can feel like events, and unpack a simple path forward: Scripture, prayer, community, and shared responsibility.
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Why do Christians sing? In this episode, we dig into the “worship wars”—hymns, Psalms, and contemporary worship—and why music reaches deeper than words alone. We talk about how songs shape theology over time, why the Psalms were meant to be sung (not just referenced), and what it looks like to recover “the soundtrack of faith” in the life of the church—especially as we prepare to launch the PROS worship service.
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What would happen if Scripture became the center again—not just a verse, but the long-form Word of God read out loud in community? In this episode, Pastor Scott shares his 2026 vision: taking in hours of Scripture each week, praying the Psalms daily, and launching a Public Reading of Scripture church plant in Fort Pierce—with the whole journey being documented in the 45 Days series. We talk about: - How much Bible is “enough,” and whether you can actually get burned out - Why public reading + community meals are a church planting strategy - The bold hope behind it all: what God can do...
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In this Christmas episode, the guys unpack traditions, Santa, family rhythms, church practices, communion debates, and how Christians can keep Christ at the center of the season. From childhood memories to cultural pressures to navigating holiday exhaustion, this is a fun, honest, and meaningful conversation about what Christmas should look like in a Christian home and in the church today.
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What does it actually mean to be CRC? Is it our theology? Our history? Our worship style? Our mission? And if the Christian Reformed Church is going to reverse decline and rediscover its calling, where does our true identity begin? In this week’s episode, Aaron sits down with Pastor Scott and Pastor Jary for a candid, funny, and surprisingly deep conversation about the core identity of the CRC.
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The Multiply Conference is over… now what? In this episode of the Disciple Standard Podcast, Aaron sits down with Zach Olson and Scott Vander Ploeg to unpack what actually needs to happen next if we’re serious about multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches in the CRC. They talk candidly about why this movement can’t just be a top-down plan from denominational offices, why real change has to be owned at the classis and local church level, and what it will take for every region to develop its own grassroots strategy. Along the way, they unpack the simple but powerful MDLC framework...
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Day 1 of the Multiply Conference was less “talking heads,” more movement building. Scott sits down with Paul Vander Klay (Sacramento, CA) and Moisés “Mo” Pacheco (Chicago, IL) to unpack the day: why classes-level action beats top-down plans, what disciple-making must look like in a post-Christian moment, and why real multiplication starts with raising leaders (not just planting churches). Highlights: - Why grassroots/classis collaboration is the engine for church planting - The transmission crisis: discipling in a post-Christian, mobile, media-soaked culture - Parents discipling their...
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The Multiply Conference is here, and before the main sessions even kicked off, we gathered pastors and leaders to do something simple and powerful: hear Scripture publicly, pray and sing the Psalms together, and dream about multiplying disciples, leaders, and churches. In this short recap, Scott sits down with Tim and Brad (Resonate Global Mission) to unpack: - Why we began with the Public Reading of Scripture (PROS) and praying/singing the Psalms - How these ancient practices form modern disciple-makers - A candid look at biblical literacy (and why it matters for renewal) - Simple,...
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Leaders don’t wait for permission—they take responsibility. This week we tackle the “elephants in the room”: grassroots church movements vs. denominational centers, fears about factions, and what it really takes to multiply 2,000 leaders and plant 1,000 churches. Then we go deeper: a practical framework for gospel identity that moves you from the drama cycle (blame/avoid/complain) to the dream cycle (own the problem → plan → do → check → adjust). We talk prayer (especially the Psalms), honoring past generations, and why local churches can’t outsource discipleship or church...
info_outlineIn Episode 15 of The Disciple Standard Podcast, we dive into the heart of children’s ministry and why it’s more than just snacks and songs. 🎨🧃
🎙️ Pastor Aaron sits down with Andrea and Kristen to discuss:
The lasting impact of VBS at Sunlight ☀️
How community helps us through hard seasons
What changed his perspective on children’s ministry
How kids’ spiritual growth can transform the entire church 🧠❤️
Controversial takes on modern approaches to children's ministry 😮
And how you can support kids ministry—without ever stepping into a classroom!
This episode is for parents, leaders, volunteers, and anyone passionate about discipling the next generation.
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