Podcasts are more than just a source of entertainment or true crime updates. They’re a way to stay updated on best practices, learn tips from experts, and hear inspirational stories from ministry leaders in similar situations.
However, sorting through all of the podcast options can be daunting. That’s why we scoured the internet looking for the most helpful podcasts for ministry leaders like you. This is far from a comprehensive list, but it’s a great place to begin if you’re just starting out or looking for new ideas.
5 Top Children’s Ministry Podcasts
Kids ministry is hard, but you’re not alone. There are thousands of leaders across the country in a similar situation to you. Learn from leaders on these kidmin podcasts:
1. Orange Kids Podcast
The Orange Kids Podcast creates an encouraging community for kid’s ministry leaders and volunteers. Each episode features experienced children’s ministry leaders who offer nuts-and-bolts suggestions to help you do what you do better — no matter the size of your ministry.
2. Kids Ministry Collective Podcast
This weekly show covers topics from ministry challenges to leadership to parenting, and a variety of other ideas for the average children’s ministry leader.
3. KidzMatter Podcast
KidzMatter is the go-to resource for children's ministry leaders. Join hosts Ryan Frank and Corey Jones as they discuss relevant kidmin topics. They’ve even built a network of similar ministry podcasts including The KidMin Huddle and Navigating Preteen Ministry.
4. The KidMin Creatives
A podcast for the kidmin community where hosts Shaun and Sarah Stephenson discuss creative ideas you can implement in your children's ministry. The show releases new episodes every Tuesday.
5. Kids Ministry Answers
Kids have lots of questions, and so do children's ministry leaders. Hosts TJ and Carlee take a break from their jobs as children's ministry pastors to help listeners discover answers to their most pressing kidmin questions.
5 Top Student Ministry Podcasts
Ministering to students is more complicated and stressful than ever before. Thankfully, youth pastors are some of the most creative people when it comes to solutions and ideas.
1. Rethinking Youth Ministry
Rethinking Youth Ministry is a podcast for youth ministry leaders, pastors, volunteers, workers, and anyone who cares about middle school and high school students. Each episode, the team at Orange Students hopes to raise the bar for youth ministry by asking questions, interviewing thinkers, and having real, honest conversations about what it looks like to lead the next generation.
2. Download Youth Ministry Podcast
Join hosts Doug Fields, Josh Griffin, Katie Edwards & Jason Carson as they dive into youth ministry questions, take time to encourage listeners, discuss ministry, and laugh together. It’s just enough youth ministry so you don't feel guilty for listening.
3. Youth and Culture
Hosted by Ryan Sebastian, this podcast dives into all topics involving youth ministry. It’s the podcast for youth leaders looking to go deeper into discipling students and teenagers in their church.
4. Youth Worker Collective
A production of the United Methodist Church, this podcast features roundtable discussions between youth ministry practitioners. They offer advice from their real-world ministries — everything from games to downloadable lessons to coaching on putting together a budget.
5. Youth Ministry Hacks
Co-hosts Justin Knowles and Matthew Ferrer invite special guests to have honest conversations about life and time-saving tricks while working in student ministry.
5 Ministry Leadership Podcasts
Church is more than just kids and student ministry. Senior pastors and other leaders also need help learning the ropes from experts. These podcasts are for ministry leaders of all levels and experience.
1. Think Orange Podcast
From our friends at Orange, the Think Orange podcast shares ideas and conversations to help you influence the next generation.
2. Carey Nieuwhof Leadership Podcast
Carey Nieuwhof is a senior pastor at Connexus Church in Ontario, Canada, but he’s also the host of an amazing church leadership podcast. The weekly show features interviews with leaders like Philip Yancey, Simon Sinek, Seth Godin, and Andy Stanley.
3. Nick Blevins Family Ministry Podcast
Family pastor Nick Blevins leads conversations with other ministry leaders about family and next generation ministry. He interviews other leaders about their advice and ideas for serving the church and impacting the next generation.
4. 200 Churches
Hosts Jeff Keady and Jonny Craig are both pastors at smaller churches of less than 200 attendees, which is the audience for their leadership podcast. Learn how to impact a community of believers without the resources or influence of a megachurch.
5. The Andy Stanley Leadership Podcast
Speaking of megachurches, Andy Stanley leads a network of them in the Atlanta area. But his leadership podcast isn’t his weekly sermons. It’s bi-monthly conversations about developing as a leader in either business, the community, or in ministry.
5 Creative Ministry Podcasts
Working in church communication or creative arts is another unique calling. This is a small, tight-knit community of leaders working and learning together.
1. The Pastor Writer Podcast
Chase Replogle is another bi-vocational pastor and podcast host who interviews pastors, authors, and writing experts in a journey to better understand the calling and the craft of writing, reading, and living the Christian life.
2. The Church Digital
The Church Digital podcast explores how God is using technology and innovation to grow the church and spread His Word to new parts of society. The goal is to help church leaders to better understand how ministries can use digital tools to continue to reach people. The podcast is a part of a greater network of podcasts that also includes The Church Digital Sidekick and The Pocket Pulpit.
3. The Church Communications Podcast
From the same people who created the 25,000 member communications Facebook group, this podcast was created by and for practitioners of church communications. Hosts Katie Allred and Kenny Jahng lead conversations with other experts in digital and marketing.
4. The Social Media Church
Social media is just a piece of communications within the church, but it’s a big piece (and growing bigger). To explore this ever-changing subject, listen to hosts Nils Smith and Aaron Magnuson discuss topics covering everything from Facebook to TikTok and everything in between.
5. The Pro Church Tools Podcast
Pro Church Tools is a resource for churches to connect with people during all 168 hours during the week—not just on Sunday. Their weekly podcast covers everything from digital marketing to video announcements.