Episode 307: Solving Common Kids Ministry Problems with Josh Denhart

What are the biggest challenges kids ministry leaders face today—and how can they solve them before they become major problems? In this episode, Nick Blevins sits down with children's ministry coach and leadership expert Josh Denhart to unpack some of the most common issues he encounters while coaching ministry leaders across the country. From volunteer scheduling headaches and shared-space frustrations to leadership systems, church staffing challenges, and knowing when it's time to leave a ministry role, Josh shares practical solutions that help leaders move from constant crisis management to proactive leadership. Whether you're a children's pastor, family ministry leader, or church staff member, you'll walk away with actionable strategies to build healthier systems, stronger volunteer teams, and greater ministry sustainability. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 – Introduction and welcome back to Josh Denhart 00:39 – Josh shares his ministry journey, Lead Ministry, and KidMin Science 02:03 – Behind the scenes of the Amazing Chemistry Show and ministry outreach events 03:23 – The most common coaching topics kids ministry leaders bring to Josh 03:35 – Josh's coaching philosophy: balancing urgent problems with long-term growth 08:29 – Why systems and organization are critical for ministry success 09:43 – Solving the shared-space cleanup problem with clear systems and accountability 14:49 – How outside perspectives help leaders solve recurring ministry frustrations 16:05 – The volunteer scheduling crisis every children's pastor knows too well 18:01 – Creating a culture of “switching, not ditching” among volunteers 19:30 – Why volunteer relationships matter more than scheduling tools 21:48 – The psychology behind volunteer ownership and reciprocity 25:06 – The value of an unbiased coaching perspective during seasons of change 25:36 – Navigating church growth and the challenges of adding a new service 27:00 – Why leaders shouldn't make multiple major changes at the same time 28:07 – Coaching through questions versus simply giving advice 30:17 – A difficult reality: helping ministry leaders determine whether it's time to leave 32:37 – Recognizing unhealthy church environments and toxic leadership dynamics 34:30 – A real coaching story about navigating a painful ministry transition 36:08 – Why many children's pastors struggle to find their next ministry opportunity 37:21 – The unique challenges of being “drafted” into kids ministry rather than called to it 38:18 – Finding the right ministry fit and aligning with church culture 39:11 – The personal and family impact of leaving a church staff role 40:10 – Supporting leaders through difficult ministry transitions 41:11 – Final reflections on coaching, leadership, and serving the local church 41:49 – Closing thoughts and where to connect with Josh Denhart KEY TAKEAWAYS Build systems that eliminate recurring ministry frustrations. Create volunteer teams that support one another instead of depending entirely on staff. Avoid implementing multiple major changes simultaneously. Use coaching questions to uncover better solutions and develop stronger leaders. Recognize when a ministry environment has become unhealthy and how to navigate transitions wisely.