loader from loading.io

Is Children’s Ministry More Powerful Than We Think? | Season 3 Episode 15

The Disciple Standard Podcast

Release Date: 06/12/2025

Stop Chasing Vision — Start Responding to God’s Calling show art Stop Chasing Vision — Start Responding to God’s Calling

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.

info_outline
What’s Missing in Church Today (and How PROS Responds) show art What’s Missing in Church Today (and How PROS Responds)

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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.

info_outline
Why We Sing in Church (And Why Music Shapes Your Theology) show art Why We Sing in Church (And Why Music Shapes Your Theology)

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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.

info_outline
The 2026 Plan: Read the Bible Twice + Plant a Church in 45 Days show art The 2026 Plan: Read the Bible Twice + Plant a Church in 45 Days

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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...

info_outline
Rethinking How Christians Celebrate Christmas show art Rethinking How Christians Celebrate Christmas

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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.

info_outline
Gospel, Mission, and the CRC: Defining Our Identity show art Gospel, Mission, and the CRC: Defining Our Identity

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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.

info_outline
Why the Future of the Church Won’t Drop from the Sky show art Why the Future of the Church Won’t Drop from the Sky

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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...

info_outline
How Movements Start: Conversations, Classes, and Calling - Multiply Conference Day 1 show art How Movements Start: Conversations, Classes, and Calling - Multiply Conference Day 1

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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...

info_outline
Pre-Conference Recap: Scripture, Psalms, and a Movement of Multiplication show art Pre-Conference Recap: Scripture, Psalms, and a Movement of Multiplication

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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,...

info_outline
Prayer, Psalms, and the Plan: Raising Leaders Now | Season 3 Episode 35 show art Prayer, Psalms, and the Plan: Raising Leaders Now | Season 3 Episode 35

The Disciple Standard Podcast

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_outline
 
More Episodes

In 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.

📅 New episodes every Thursday!

📍 Subscribe to the channel and join the conversation in the comments!