About
Children’s Ministry Talk is the podcast devoted to providing straight talk for children’s ministry leaders, by children’s ministry leaders, on all things related to children’s ministry. Hosts Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode are joined by other children’s ministry leaders to answer your questions, discuss current trends and issues, and help share their perspective on contemporary children’s ministry.
Meet the Hosts
Dick Gruber is co-founder and one of the original online instructors and course content developers for Children’s Ministries University Online, teaching a wide variety of courses and serving as program co-director. As the Children’s Ministries Specialist at Valley Forge Christian College, Dick has developed a Bachelor’s Degree program in Children’s Ministries and is training young people to be children’s pastors, evangelists, and missionaries. He also travels nation-wide speaking in children’s ministries training events. Dick is a husband, father, pastor, professor, author, poet, composer, and artist. He has illustrated over twenty discipleship booklets for children as well as produced numerous Scripture picture Bible memory helps for Sunday School teachers.
More information about Dick is available on his website at dickgruber.com.
Jason Rhode is co-founder of CMUO and serves as the instructional designer, course developer, and co-director. He has been involved in children’s ministries for over 15 years in a variety of volunteer and full-time positions, including the Director of Children’s Ministries at Christian Life Fellowship, Port Edwards, WI for nearly 5 years. He oversaw all ministries to children ages birth thru sixth grade and parents at CLF, which included over 250 children and 150 volunteers. As an educator, Jason actively shares his children’s ministry resources and various FREE children’s ministry training resources at childrensministryarchive.com and childrensministrytraining.com.
Jason has earned a B.A. in Children’s Ministries from North Central University, a M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from Seattle Pacific University, and a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Design for Online Learning from Capella University.
More information about Jason is available at jasonrhode.com.
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode « Episode 5 – Holiday Outreach Ideas [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss the topic conferences and training events. Dick shares the following acrostic in outlining his reasons for attending children’s ministry conferences and other training events: [...]
I am looking for more information about becoming a children’s pastor. I am the Awana Commander right now at Mount Hreman Christian Chruch in Garner NC. I love kids and believe that is where God would have me focus right now. Can you help me? Thank you.
[...] Sauter joins Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode to discuss the topic, "Ministry to Children with Disabilities." | email [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss the topic, "Increasing Your Son Protection Factor." Dick shares that the higher the number, the greater the protection. [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss the topic, “Hallo-What? Halloween Outreach Ideas.” Why conduct a Halloween outreach? Dick shares these reasons…because children: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss principles for choosing the right curriculum for your children’s ministry based on Dick’s article on choosing curriculum. Dick also discusses his new CMUO course on children’s presentations. [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss using technology in children’s ministry. Jason shared the following points to remember when using technology in children’s ministry. [...]
[...] Jason Rhode and Ryan Frank the American Children’s Ministers’ Association. They mentioned the following links during the show: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode answer questions and comments from Facebook, topics including: curriculum, room decorating ideas, and tweens. They mentioned the following links during the show: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode answer questions and comments from Twitter and email, topics including: meeting with leaders, summer planning, ideas for sharing the gospel, and measuring a child’s spiritual growth. They mentioned the following links during the show: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode answer questions and comments from Twitter and email, topics including: meeting with leaders, summer planning, ideas for sharing the gospel, and measuring a child’s spiritual growth. They mentioned the following links during the show: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss kids musicals. Dick shares 3 BIG reasons to do a kids musical: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss volunteer appreciation ideas. They mention the following links during the show: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss building relationships thru summer events. Dick shares guidelines for children’s ministry activities, parties, events, and field trips [PDF]. [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss principles for choosing the right curriculum for your children’s ministry based on Dick’s article on choosing curriculum. Dick also discusses his new CMUO course on children’s presentations. [...]
[...] Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss the topic of Beginnings and Endings. They also share recommendations for planning ahead in [...]
[...] Liebenow and Amy Harder join Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode to discuss the topic, “Puppet Ministry Principles and Practices.” [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss the topic, “Everything I Needed to Know in Ministry I Learned While Being a Church Janitor.” They also mention the webcast of their pre-conference session on “Cultivating a Cutting-Edge Children’s Church” at the National Children’s Ministry Leadership Conference sponsored by the National Children’s Ministry Agency of the Assemblies of God. [...]
[...] Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss Dick’s recent missions trip to Argentina and then practical recommendations for [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode continue a discussion of special event outreaches by discussing special event childcare. They also respond to a listener question regarding how to get started pursuing a call to children’s ministry. [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode discuss tips for getting things done as well as answer a question about teaching kids about fasting. Jason shared the following 5 Tips for Mastering Workflow from David Allen’s book, "Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity" [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and Jason Rhode answer questions about video resumes and discuss tips for leading a child to Christ. Dick shared the following tips: [...]
[...] Dick Gruber and has an open discussion about children’s ministry with Josh & Christina Torres and Jimmy & Lori Lewis. They share advice for those getting started in children’s ministry. [...]