Latest Post
Children’s Pastor Salary: What to Pay in 2026
A practical guide to children’s pastor salary in 2026 — the factors that drive pay and typical ranges by church size.
Why Children’s Ministry Jobs Are So Hard to Fill Right Now (and How to Find the Right Kids Pastor)
Children’s ministry jobs are harder to fill than ever. Why the kids pastor shortage is real, and how churches can find the right children’s ministry leader.
10 Ways AI Can Save You Hours Every Week in Children’s Ministry
Real AI workflows from a real church: parent emails in 2 minutes, newsletters in 10, plus playbooks, event plans, budget analysis, and host scripts that buy back hours every week.
Should Churches Use AI? An Ethical Framework for Children’s Ministry
AI is not the future of ministry. The Holy Spirit is. Here’s a clear ethical framework for using AI wisely in children’s ministry: privacy, accuracy, originality, and the theology check.
AI for Kidmin: A Practical Guide for Children’s Ministry Leaders
AI can carry the administrative weight of children’s ministry so you can focus on people. Here’s a practical, no-tech-background guide to what AI can do for kidmin leaders.
Summer Camps or Day Camps with VBS Elements: Experiences that Enrich and Inspire
Summer camps and day camps with VBS (Vacation Bible School) elements are a wonderful way for kids to experience growth and fun over their break. These camps mix traditional summer activities with lessons about faith, creating a balanced and engaging environment. I've...
Small Group or Neighborhood VBS Models: Enhancing Community Engagement
When I think about Vacation Bible School (VBS), big crowds and bustling church halls come to mind. But there's something special happening with small group or neighborhood VBS models that I want to share. These models create a more intimate and personal experience,...
Today’s Picks
How to Write a Children’s Ministry Job Description (Free Template)
A clear children’s ministry job description helps you hire faster. What to include, plus a free template you can copy.
10 Ways AI Can Save You Hours Every Week in Children’s Ministry
Real AI workflows from a real church: parent emails in 2 minutes, newsletters in 10, plus playbooks, event plans, budget analysis, and host scripts that buy back hours every week.
Should Churches Use AI? An Ethical Framework for Children’s Ministry
AI is not the future of ministry. The Holy Spirit is. Here’s a clear ethical framework for using AI wisely in children’s ministry: privacy, accuracy, originality, and the theology check.
AI for Kidmin: A Practical Guide for Children’s Ministry Leaders
AI can carry the administrative weight of children’s ministry so you can focus on people. Here’s a practical, no-tech-background guide to what AI can do for kidmin leaders.
Summer Camps or Day Camps with VBS Elements: Experiences that Enrich and Inspire
Summer camps and day camps with VBS (Vacation Bible School) elements are a wonderful way for kids to experience growth and fun over their break. These camps mix traditional summer activities with lessons about faith, creating a balanced and engaging environment. I've...
Volunteers
Best Church Volunteer Scheduling Software (2026): Honest Comparison
If you’re still scheduling Sunday volunteers with a spreadsheet and a prayer, you’re not alone — but...
Why Most Kids Ministry Volunteers Don’t Serve Weekly (Three Obstacles)
I talk to ministry leaders almost every day. When we talk about volunteers (which is almost always), one topic comes up again and again: volunteer schedules. How often should I schedule my volunteers to serve? Once every six weeks? Once a month? Every other...
Breaking the Volunteer Cycle in Kids Ministry
5 Reasons You Can’t Find And Keep Volunteers If you’re going to build a ministry that serves the families in your church, you’re going to need volunteers. For some of you, that excites you; for others, it terrifies you. Volunteers require time, emotional investment,...
How to Use Promotion Sunday to Launch Your Volunteer Recruiting Strategy
How to Use Promotion Sunday to Launch Your Volunteer Recruiting Strategy Promotion Sunday isn’t just about moving kids up to the next grade. It’s also one of the best opportunities of the year to recruit and launch new volunteers. The influx of new families, the...
Preparing Your Volunteers for Promotion Sunday
Promotion Sunday isn’t just a milestone for kids and parents—it’s also a defining moment for volunteers. Every group of leaders will be welcoming new faces, adjusting to new rosters, and setting the tone for the year ahead. The way you prepare your team can either...
Ideas
Welcome to the Brand New Kidmin.com!
If you lead in children’s ministry, you already know: it’s one of the most rewarding and most challenging roles in the...
The Ultimate Promotion Sunday Communication Plan
One of the biggest reasons Promotion Sunday falls flat in churches isn’t the lack of effort—it’s the lack of communication. Parents don’t know what’s happening. Kids show up unsure of where to go. Volunteers are left scrambling. Families miss events they would’ve...
Promotion Sunday: Making the Most of Grade-Level Events
PPromotion Sunday isn’t only about kids—it’s also about parents. Every step up—from preschool to elementary, elementary to middle school, or middle school to high school—brings new questions, new challenges, and often new anxieties for families. Grade-level events...
What About Preteens?
One of the greatest children's ministry challenges is deciding what to do with preteens. 4th and 5th graders (or 5th and 6th graders depending on schools in your area) are losing interest in your church. They WANT to attend your student ministry, but they're not old...
Small Group Versus Large Group
There is a tension that exists in almost every children's ministry, even if it isn't felt by every volunteer. It's a conflict between the Large Group program and Small Groups. When looking to build a healthy weekend-based small group ministry, you're going to have to...
All Articles
Hosting a VBS as Part of a Church Retreat: Enhancing Spiritual Growth
Planning a church retreat or conference can be both exciting and challenging. One idea to make it more engaging for families is to host a Vacation Bible School (VBS) as part of the event. This approach not only enriches the experience for children but also allows...
Opportunities for Continued Engagement after VBS: Strategies for Success
After Vacation Bible School (VBS) ends, parents often wonder how to keep their children engaged in faith. Providing children with opportunities helps them continue on their faith journey after VBS. These experiences are essential in children's ministry to ensure that...
Handling Conflict and Behavioral Issues at VBS: Effective Strategies for Success
Handling conflict and behavioral issues at Vacation Bible School (VBS) is something I’ve dealt with many times. The key to success is having clear rules and consistent consequences. Ensuring everyone understands the expectations reduces misunderstandings and helps...
Addressing Special Needs and Accommodations at VBS: Ensuring Inclusivity and Support
Every summer, Vacation Bible School (VBS) programs provide children with a fun and engaging way to connect with their faith. Including children with special needs in these programs is vital. Making sure that VBS is accessible means thinking about the different needs...
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion in VBS: Strategies and Best Practices
Promoting diversity and inclusion within Vacation Bible School (VBS) events is essential to creating a welcoming environment for everyone. Incorporating diverse stories and perspectives helps ensure that children from all backgrounds see themselves represented. This...
Child Safety Policies and Procedures for VBS: Comprehensive Guidelines for Secure Programs
Planning a Vacation Bible School (VBS) involves many details, but the safety of children is the top priority. I know that implementing strong child safety policies and procedures is essential for creating a secure environment where kids feel comfortable and parents...
Hosting a Family Night or Program during VBS: Engaging Activities for All Ages
Bringing families together during Vacation Bible School is a special opportunity. It's a chance to connect with parents and their children in a meaningful way. Hosting a Family Night can strengthen these bonds and enhance the VBS experience. At Family Night, families...
Partnering with Local Community Organizations for VBS Service Projects: Enhancing Impact and Engagement
Working with local community organizations can enhance Vacation Bible School (VBS) service projects. These partnerships bring new resources, skills, and ideas to the table. By teaming up with community groups, we can reach more people and have a bigger impact. I have...
Teaching Children about Compassion and Social Justice at VBS: Building Empathy and Awareness
Children are naturally curious, and Vacation Bible School (VBS) provides a great opportunity to teach them important values. I believe compassion and social justice are essential topics for kids to explore at a young age. By introducing these ideas in a supportive...
Importance of Prayer and Reflection in VBS: Enhancing Spiritual Growth
During Vacation Bible School (VBS), I have seen how prayer and reflection play a vital role. These practices anchor the activities and lessons, giving them deeper purpose and meaning. Children and teachers alike find moments of calm and connection amid the lively...