Partner with Parents

It’s no secret that parenting is an emotional rollercoaster. One moment you’re beaming with pride over a job well done and the next you’re asking yourself how your darling angel turned into such a hooligan. For all the ups and downs of being a parent, families with special needs deal with all that and more. That’s why it’s important as ministry leaders that we find creative ways to make special needs families feel at home in our ministries. Today on The Pod, we’re joined by four leaders who have made it their mission to serve in a special needs context. They share the heart behind special needs ministry, tips and tricks for getting the resources you need, and a plan for recruiting and keeping the right volunteers. Whether you’re a leader looking to start or improve the special needs ministry in your church or a volunteer looking for ways to lean in, we know you’re going to get a lot out of this episode.

The new year is a popular time for saying “yes.” “Yes” to more family time. “Yes” to exercise. “Yes” to getting plenty of rest. But what if this year, you could accomplish all these things and more because of a decision to say “no” instead? Today on The Pod, Frank Bealer and EJ Swanson join us to talk about the practice of slowing down. As two ministry leaders fluent in large-church ministry and high-level responsibility, Frank and EJ are pros at being efficient with their time while still leaning into relationships. They share how we can all slow down and manage our days in a way that won’t drive us—or our families—to the breaking point.

If you want to reach the heart of a kid, then you have to reach the heart of his or her parents. And the number one way to do that? Care about their marriage. Today on The Pod, we talk about how to incorporate a marriage ministry into your church that’s not only effective, but doesn’t require a fleet of staff to pull it off. First we hear from Ted Lowe, who shares some approaches to marriage ministry that fall short, as well as some mindset shifts that must happen in order for leaders to be proactive and strategic in their support of the married couples in their community. Then we join guest hosts Sarah Bragg and Holly Crawshaw as they interview Todd Graham on practical ways to engage your entire family ministry in being cheerleaders and resources for married people everywhere.

Today on The Pod, we hear from two educational experts who are passionate about educating ministry leaders and families on ways schools and churches can intersect. First we hear from Nicole Baker Fulgham, whose organization The Expectations Project, is on a mission to end education inequality. Then we hear from Leslie Bolser who provides practical steps—and some cautions—for churches looking to serve local schools. Welcome to Episode 73 of The Think Orange Podcast.

The author of Proverbs 15:22 tells us, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.” There’s no profession, calling, or vision exempt from this universal truth. In order to accomplish what we’ve been called to do in this world, we need the wisdom and expertise of other people. And there are few better places to find and offer those kinds of relationships than within the context of the local church. On Episode 72 of The Think Orange Podcast, we hear from three ministry leaders with their own unique experiences fostering mentoring relationships among those they lead. Virginia Ward integrates her leadership and motivational skills to bring us practical advice on fostering multigenerational relationships that lead to keychain leadership opportunities. Then guest hosts Sarah Bragg and Joseph Sojourner sit down with Jeff Henderson and Nick Salyers to talk about their organization Champion Tribes. They have a straightforward conversation on what it looks like to build young leaders and to seek mentors for oneself regardless of age, position, or background.

Kids are, if nothing else, a growing and changing group. As they move from babies to toddler, from preschoolers to elementary schoolers, and from middle schoolers to high schoolers, their needs and interests move right along with them. It can get a little complicated. And so, church leaders become specialists in the age groups they serve. You may know everything there is to know about today’s thirteen-year-old. And that’s awesome. But if you’re not building a bridge between yourself and the people who work with students before and after you, you’re missing out on a big opportunity. Today’s episode dives right into that opportunity--with advice on how you can create a program designed to take kids from birth to graduation seamlessly and with purpose. You’ll hear from Autumn Ward, author of the First Look devotional series and a writer for the preschool First Look curriculum, and Cindy Fiala, a consultant working to help churches do exactly what we’re talking about here. Welcome to Episode 66 of the Think Orange Podcast.

For some of us in ministry, Vacation Bible School (VBS) is as woven into the fabric of our churches as the Sunday offering or corporate worship. And for those of us whose churches don’t hold an annual VBS, we occasionally field the question why not? After all, isn’t VBS an important tool for discipling the kids within our church and inviting families from our community in? Today on The Pod, we explore the why and how of a VBS strategy. We’re joined by Dan Scott, who kicks things off by talking about some overarching principles for partnering with parents in our communities. Then, guest hosts Sarah Bragg and Dan interview Amy Fenton, a ministry veteran with 20+ years behind her. They discuss key questions leaders should ask before launching an event like VBS and practical steps they can take to choose VBS curriculum, recruit volunteers, and manage their budget wisely.

When tragedy strikes, you’re likely the first person people turn to. That’s both a heavy burden and a great blessing. Done right, your response points hurting teens and their parents to the only one who can do something with their pain: Jesus. In today’s show, you’ll hear from two women who know how to walk through seasons of trauma with others. And they’re here to share their wisdom with all of us. First up is Brooklyn Lindsey, Director of Orange’s High School Exchange, on the conversations we have in the midst of crisis. Then, Joseph Sojourner and Holly Crawshaw interview Katie Edwards, the Junior High Ministry Director at Saddleback Church. Welcome to Episode 62 of the Think Orange Podcast.