ETCH with Chuck Peters
The ETCH NextGen Podcast is your go-to resource for inspiration, practical advice, and spiritual encouragement tailored specifically for those leading the next generation. Whether you're a pastor, youth leader, Children's Ministry director, or a volunteer passionately investing in young lives, this podcast is designed to equip and empower you for impactful ministry to kids, students, and families. Each episode features insightful conversations with seasoned leaders, experts, and influencers who share their wisdom on relevant topics. Join us as we explore how to navigate the enormous needs of Gen Z and Alpha, and the unique challenges and opportunities of next-generation ministry leaders.
ETCH with Chuck Peters
32. Bridging the Methodological Gap Between Kids and Student Ministry with Landry Holmes and Brett Buckland
As ministry leaders, we’re not just teaching lessons - we’re shaping lives. And the way we teach matters just as much as what we teach. From coloring sheets and object lessons to small group discussions and personal reflection, kids and students engage with truth in very different ways. If we’re not intentional, the transition from children’s to student ministry can feel like a jarring leap rather than a natural step.
In this episode, we pause to consider a vital question: How can we better bridge the methodological gap between ministries to ensure continuity, connection, and lasting faith formation? The answer lies in how we understand their developmental needs, how we design curriculum, and how we walk with them every step of the way.
From the hands-on, activity-rich environment of kids ministry to the discussion-based, peer-focused nature of student ministry, this episode explores how to align teaching methods, curriculum, and relationships to support long-term discipleship. Our guests share practical ideas for fostering continuity and building bridges that not only prepare preteens for what’s next—but help them stay connected to the church for life.
If this episode challenged or encouraged you, take a moment to rate, review, and share the podcast with fellow leaders. And if you're looking to strengthen transitions in your own ministry, consider how your curriculum, relationships, and teaching methods can align more intentionally.
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