Kidologist.com: Karl Bastian's Personal Site and Blog
Archive for Kidology Update
May 1, 2013 at 4:20 pm · Filed under Awesome Products, Children's Ministry, Christianity, Kidology, Kidology Update
After decades of people encouraging me to publish this story, it took wanting to explain the incarnation to my own seven year old that finally prompted me to make it a “New Year’s Resolution” for 2013. You can now order directly from the online publisher at: http://tinyurl.com/AndyAntslulu
Beautifully Illustrated
The story comes to life through the wonderful illustrations created by Lori Butler, who started creating these images without my knowing or asking several years ago because she enjoyed the story so much and wanted to illustrate it for teaching in her own ministry. We’ve now expanded her illustrations and added a colorful cover as well.
On the back of the book I didn’t want to include any “spoilers” but here is a fuller description of the book for those wanting to know what the story is about:
What’s a boy to do when he learns that his beloved ant hill, hidden in a secret hide out, will soon be destroyed to make room for a new shopping center? When all human attempts to save them fail, there is only one thing left to do. Become an ant and warn them in person! This wonderful parable makes the concept of the incarnation understandable to children perhaps for the first time! Beautifully illustrated, this delightful story will have kids and parents turning each page and smiling as they discover the parallels to the true story of the One who gave up everything to warn those He loved and to prepare a better place for us in His Father’s House.
I hope you’ll consider purchasing this book and introducing “Andy and the Ants” to your children!
Purchase immediately at: http://tinyurl.com/AndyAntslulu (10% off right now!)
Available on Kidology.org soon!
April 18, 2013 at 8:39 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Kidmin, Kidmin Talk, Kidology, Kidology Update, Leadership, Podcast
Recently Discovered Ancient Document Reveals Modern Kidmin Strategy
Could it be that a recently uncovered document once thought lost forever in the archives of the Kidologist’s vast children’s ministry vault of hand written resources from before the dawn of the computer could reveal a ministry strategy that could revolutionize your ministry today?
Archeologists have discovered a hand drawn ministry strategy document dating back to circa 1993 from when Karl Bastian, aka “The Kidologist,” was just a “Green Thumb” children’s pastor at the historic Moody Church in downtown Chicago. Yet this ministry strategy has been guiding his ministry for over twenty years.
Once guarded as a valuable treasure and only shared with the most trusted colleagues, Karl has now revealed its secrets on his podcast. Will clues within this ancient drawing lead you to gold or a national treasure? Or will it simply make your ministry programing and event planning more strategic and purposeful?
You be the judge. Listen to Kidmin Talk #53 today… and download the full resolution historical document for yourself.
Discover the secret that will set your ministry planning on a whole new Quest!
February 26, 2013 at 4:43 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Easter, Holidays, Kidology, Kidology Update, Teaching
Tweet, Facebook and E-mail this URL to all your friends and family: www.kidology.org/hunt
Easter is a pretty big holiday, and while it doesn’t get the attention that Christmas gets, it’s a pretty important event! In fact, all of Christianity rests on this historic event! And yet, often kids don’t know all the important details of this story as well as they do Christmas. So I sat down with my wife a few months ago and we brain-stormed, “What would be a fun game to help kids learn the details of the Resurrection Story in an exciting way?”
We came up with a game based on the classic CLUE game and we think you and your kids are going to LOVE IT! We hired the top artist in children’s ministry, Todd Hampson, who has worked on What’s in the Bible, JellyTelly, Order of the Ancient, Yancy (not Nancy) videos and more – and then got our very own webmaster Steve Tanner, who is a CLUE game connoisseur – and came up with a game that is both fun and educational. Next, I asked a new friend I met at CPC in Orlando, Stanley Mearse, to team up with me on writing twenty short devotionals on the places, objects and people of the Resurrection Story, and he came up with the idea of adding QR codes to the game to add an extra element of interactive fun. Others helped with editing, design, game input and tweaks, and in the end, the collaborative process has resulted in one of the most creative and fun projects from Kidology yet! It is called: Resurrection CLUE HUNT!
ORDER NOW
February 25, 2013 at 3:05 pm · Filed under America, Children's Ministry, Kidmin, Kidology, Kidology Update, Moody
Imagine if the President of the United States heard about your kids ministry and decided he needed to see if for himself?
That’s exactly what happened to a Sunday School Director named Dwight Lyman Moody… and the President was none other than Abraham Lincoln!
I have the honor of being the first children’s pastor on staff at the church he founded well over 100 years ago, The Moody Church.
While he is known primarily as the Billy Graham of the previous generation, his ministry began as a children’s evangelist and he had a HUGE impact on the creation and growth of Sunday School. At a time when many churches were supported by ‘rented pews’ Moody rented pews for street kids. When he was told the children weren’t welcome in church (Big Church) he started a Sunday School for street kids that grew so big and well respected that Abraham Lincoln visited one Sunday to see it for himself! Imagine having the President of the United States drop in to see your kids ministry. Moody was passionate about kids but as his ministry grew, his focus shifted to adults.
He said at the end of his life,
“If I had my life to live over again, I would devote it entirely to reaching children with the Gospel.”
His school is still training kids workers to this day!
You may not see the President of the United States visit your kids ministry, but someone who far out-rankes him visits every week… Jesus! Is your ministry worthy of Him? Are you doing your best? Are you reaching as many kids as possible, and not just the ‘easy’ ones, but the ones that others reject or overlook?
If so, Jesus will show up at YOUR MINISTRY to see it for Himself, and to add His blessing and power while He’s there!
Karl
PS: If you are curious about the history of children’s ministry, you may enjoy this thread in the Kidology forums.
February 16, 2013 at 11:36 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, Conferences, CPC, Kidmin, Kidology, Kidology Update
Will you be at my historic “42 in 42″ CPC?
If you are at CPC Orlando this week – look for me! I often wear a BRIGHT YELLOW pull over with the Kidology Logo to help people spot me! And I never mind people saying, “Hello!” Sometimes people e-mail me later and say, “I saw you, but I didn’t want to bother you.” Nonsense. Bother me! I want to meet you!
HOW TO FIND KARL:
RESOURCE CENTER:
He’ll be hanging out at the DiscipleLand booth during the Resource Center times to answer questions and tell folks all about DiscipleTown!
THE KIDOLOGY GATHERING!
Don’t miss this annual casual and intimate late night gathering that we’ve been doing for years! This year it will be on Tuesday evening, February 19th, during and after the Phil Vischer Show at the Terrace Cafe, which is right in the center of the campus, outside the Resource Center. NOTE: You will need to enter from the back side near the pool as the restaurant will be closed, but will have a room open for us. However, there is a little snack shop that sells drinks and snacks for awhile next to where we will be that you can get some food at.
Come enjoy some relaxed fellowship, fun and conversation about life, ministry and whatever comes up. It is always a great time.
WORKSHOPS:
Karl is teaching a workshop on Wednesday, February 20th
Breakout #5 at 10:00am – Making Your Discipline Problems Disappear
I am also available for one on one coaching sessions if there is something you are wrestling with and just need to talk or get some input or direction about a topic in your ministry. I enjoy sitting down and chatting. Don’t be hesitant to ask to do so. That’s why I come to CPC!
If you are wanting to connect with Karl, and having a hard time – feel free to DM via Twitter at @Kidologist and try to arrange a time/place to connect. Karl loves to meet Kidology folks at CPC! As I said back in 2008, it’s still true today: CPC is the BEST place to network!
CPC San Diego is my 42nd consecutive Children’s Pastor’s Conference. I’ve not missed a single CPC since 1995. I’m calling this CPC “42 in 42″ since I will have been to 42 CPC’s and I’m 42 years old, so my CPC’s will have caught up to my age!
I look forward to seeing you there!
February 13, 2013 at 11:31 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, Kidology, Kidology Update, Parenting
You hear a lot about “child security” in kidmin today… but I’d like you to consider “parent security” for a moment. What do I mean by parent security?
- Keeping parents safe?
- Accounting for every parent?
- Returning parents to the proper child?
- Protecting parents from harm?
None of the above, actually. When I say “parent security,” I am referring to that feeling parents want to have that their child is secure. Children are rarely out of their parents care. When they are – there are certain conditions that must exist for a parent to feel secure that their child is not only safe, but that their child feels as secure as when they are with their parents.
There is a progression to parents extending care for children. Early care takers are usually family, then very close friends. Next come professionals within secure facilities. As children get older, parents must necessarily lower their standards as to who can care for their kids, or they will never get time away from their kids. They also realize their children need to grow socially independent as well. However, there is a fear that as this circle of care grows, security drops. Once strangers, non-professionals or volunteers begin to care for their children, especially in unfamiliar settings, such as a church, it can feel to parents as though they need to let go of their feeling of security in order to enjoy time away from their kids or for their kids to grow socially.
As a church leader, you need to be aware of this inner conflict that some parents are wrestling with, especially when they are new or visiting the church. It is a stronger struggle if they are new to attending church in the first place, not only are the people strangers, but they are a strange type of people… religious people!
How can a church help to increase a parents sense of security, or put another way, increase their church’s “parent security?” The answer is often to provide not only provide better child security – but along with that, is to improve parent communication of what child security policies and procedures are already in place.
Here are some steps you can take to increase your “Parent Security” at your church:
- Use KidCheck for secure child check in. Or another such system that lets parents know kids can’t just come and go. You know who is there and account for every child. You will only check their child out to the person who checked them in. Let parents know they will be texted if they are needed by their child for any reason.*
- Post That Your Volunteers are Trained and Screened. Let parents know that you do not let just ‘anyone’ work with their child. Right at the drop off location, post that all your staff are trained and screened workers so they have peace of mind about who is working with their children.
- Have clearly posted ‘never alone’ and bathroom policies parents can see. Put to rest any unspoken questions your parents may have about any potential opportunities for abuse by assuring them no such opportunities are even possible in your programs due to proactive polices and enforcement you have in place.
- Clearly identify who is staff. Use name tags, lanyards, t-shirts or somehow clearly identify staff for parents so there is no confusion over who is working with their children and who are visitors/parents and keep non-staff out of classrooms and children’s restrooms. This will greatly increase parent security.
- Keep classrooms and areas where children are open and visible. Keep doors open, or install windows in doors if you need to close them for sound containment. When you have an open and visible environment where children and staff can always be observed parents feel much more secure to leave their children behind.
*This is a service of KidCheck.
When you put effort into keeping kids safe and secure, you increase your “Parent Security” as well. I would highly recommend you take a look at KidCheck. They offer the fastest, easiest check-in system on the market, and are constantly innovating to make it better. If you are used to systems that create a lot of data entry work, you will find KidCheck refreshing, as it has parents do most of the entering and maintaining of family data. And unlike many complicated systems, it is user-friendly and affordable. As an added bonus, Kidology.org members get a discount we have arranged, so that makes it even easier to increase your “Parent Security” at your church.
Check out KidCheck today!
February 6, 2013 at 1:15 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, Entertainment, Kidology, Kidology Update, Movies, Review
I found the Lost Medallion! And with it, I traveled into the future and saw this movie that is coming out in theaters NEXT MONTH!
Here is my review, before the movie even hits theaters! Truly, the Medallion is powerful!
No worries, right before returning from the future, I replaced the Medallion to the place where I found it so as not to disturb the space time continuum – you really don’t want to mess with that! Last time I did, I nearly kissed my mom at a dance in the 50′s! McFly!
Anyway, I really enjoyed it. (Dare, I admit tissue needed at the end?)
It reminded me of The Princess Bride in that the story was written in response to requests from children (though not many people know the Princess Bride was written from a list of things the author’s daughter asked to be in a bedtime story) – In this movie, it was a group of gathered foster kids who asked for a story.
It also reminded me of Second Hand Lions in that while the sets and acting and effects may have been sub-par for a ‘realistic’ major motion picture, it wasn’t intended to be ‘realistic’ as it was a visualization of a story being told, and in that sense, it made it perfect. This isn’t to say the effects or acting were bad – it was quite elaborate and the settings were beautiful and exotic, just a little corn-ball at times in a fun way, similar to Second Hand Lions.
It also had tips of the hat to Indiana Jones in light hearted ways, but in the end, it was a movie with an obvious purpose: to address the need for kids to know they are special (a word almost over used).
The story teller is a man dropping by a foster home to drop some things off on his way to a play off game and after visiting with the host, an elderly woman, he conversationally learns a little about three news kids – each with unique needs. When he is mistaken as the Tuesday story teller, he gets roped into spinning a story, which he crafts using the names of the three new kids, each with character needs similar to their own.
Half way through the story, you see him glance at his tickets and you realize he has chosen to skip the game and continue his story for the sake of the kids who are glued to the story he is skillfully weaving… with the once withdrawn kids moving closer and engaging, much like the nephew in Princess Pride.
As for violence, there is one death that is a little awkward to the plot and seems a bit forced, but is planted in order to provide a parable for Christ’s sacrifice for us. An old man who was killed steps in front of the main character to save him. When asked why he would die for him, his dying words are, “Because a king once died for me.” The sudden attempt on the boy’s life by an otherwise comedic character seems a little out of place, but it serves the purpose of the parable as well as lightening the party who next must travel by water, a trip that would have certainly left the old man behind anyway. The primary villain kills a few of his underlings, but most of the violence happens behind a log or bush or is pretty tame.
While the story moves a bit slow at times and could have used some tighter editing, it has a message that is an important one that would be valuable for all children to view. I would especially recommend this movie to children who are in foster care – as it seems it would have a message of hope and value for them, when adults in their lives have let them down, God still has a purpose for them, and the message of “they are no accident” is rung loud and clear several time in this film. It is refreshing to see another movie produced with the goal of instilling positive messages to kids about their own value and God’s love for them. We need more movies like this.
The hardest line for me was the father who told his son, “Everything of value to me is buried in the ground,” referring to his deceased wife and the lost treasure, oblivious the message that communicates to his son – who is alive and standing right there. I would hope fathers watching would catch that blow, and ask themselves if their grief over life’s losses and their devotion to work ever communicates a lack of value placed on their children who are longing to be loved and valued by their dads.
The end has a very sweet twist I’ll save for your enjoyment that adds an extra special and unexpected heart tug outside of the Lost Medallion story itself, that adds value to the overall experience.
In short, support this film, and take your kids to see it in the theater. You’ll be glad you did.
January 15, 2013 at 1:43 am · Filed under Children's Ministry, Conferences, CPC, Kidmin, Kidology, Kidology Update
Day One (Click to View Larger)
If you are at CPC Orlando this week – look for me! I often wear a BRIGHT YELLOW pull over with the Kidology Logo to help people spot me! And I never mind people saying, “Hello!” Sometimes people e-mail me later and say, “I saw you, but I didn’t want to bother you.” Nonsense. Bother me! I want to meet you!
HOW TO FIND KARL:
RESOURCE CENTER:
He’ll be hanging out at the DiscipleLand booth during the Resource Center times to answer questions and tell folks all about DiscipleTown!
THE KIDOLOGY GATHERING!
Don’t miss this annual casual and intimate late night gathering that we’ve been doing for years! This year it will be on Thursday evening, January 17th, during and after the Phil Vischer Show at the Rix’s, which is right across from the Pepper Grill, which is the main eating cafe down by the lake. (The Pepper Grill will be closed.) We will be inside over near the Rix Cafe where you’ll be filling those giant free refill cups, but in the seating area!
Come enjoy some relaxed fellowship, fun and conversation about life, ministry and whatever comes up. It is always a great time.
WORKSHOPS:
Karl is teaching two workshops on Friday, January 18th
Breakout #5 at 9:30am – Making Your Discipline Problems Disappear
Breakout #7 at 2:15pm – Mutiny! The Kids Are Taking Over Kids Church!
If you are wanting to connect with Karl, and having a hard time – feel free to DM via Twitter at @Kidologist and try to arrange a time/place to connect. Karl loves to meet Kidology folks at CPC! As I said back in 2008, it’s still true today: CPC is the BEST place to network!
CPC Orlando is my 41st consecutive Children’s Pastor’s Conference. I’ve not missed a single CPC since 1995. CPC San Diego will be my 42nd, and I’m 42 years old, so my CPC’s will have caught up to my age!
I look forward to seeing you there!
November 27, 2012 at 1:00 pm · Filed under Children's Ministry, Kidmin, Kidology, Kidology Update
When I was a pastor, I had the opportunity (and privilege) once in a while to preach in “Big Church,” and I always enjoyed it very much. With a degree in Bible theology and a love for the Word of God, it was always fun to get to communicate with and challenge adults in ways that I couldn’t in children’s church. Afterward, it was customary for the preacher to stand at the back and greet people as they left, and in the course of doing so, people were kind to express thoughts on the message and often compliments, which was always nice. Who doesn’t enjoy a “good sermon,” or “great job?” – even when the goal wasn’t to impress folks with my delivery but to challenge and change lives. But compliments should always be received with a thankful heart and with grace and humility. The compliment that always got me though, was when people (meaning well) said,
“You know, you should consider becoming a real pastor someday…you know, to adults. You’re good.”
The intention was an extra big compliment, but the message was clear. My talents were being wasted down there in the boiler room preachin’ at the kids week in and week out, when I could really be changing the world by ministering to adults. Adults who, most likely, would compliment me on a sermon well delivered yet change little in their lives as a result.
So why have I thrown my life away for ministry to children?
There are a number of reasons people suggest.
As a Moody Bible Institute student, I read that the great Dwight Lyman Moody (the Billy Graham of his era) said at the end of his life, “If I had my life to live over, I would devote all my time to children.” Why would he say this?
It is reported that Moody once displayed two lit candles, one tall and the other short. He asked the audience which represented the child and which the adult. A member of the audience guessed that the tall one was the adult and the short one was a child. Dwight responded that the gentleman had it backward. The tall one represented the child who had his entire life yet before him to live, and the short one was an adult whose life was all burned up and who had only a short amount of time left to burn. He then asked, which has greater potential to impact the world for Christ? The child, of course. Reach the children and change the world! Whether this story truly beckons from Moody we will never know, but I have used this illustration many times to demonstrate why devoting my life to children is strategic. If you change the course of a person’s life in their childhood, you change the entire course of their life!
Another reason often stated for reaching children is that through children you can reach the entire family. This is indeed true! I have seen it happen in my own ministry time and time again. However, I caution against this motivation, for it makes children the bait with which we get the real prize, the tithe paying adults! I don’t reach kids that I might reach their parents. I reach kids because kids need Christ. If their parents come along, that is a BONUS! Praise God!
Others have said they reach kids because they are so teachable. This motivation scares some, and it is one reason the secular world attacks us. “You are ‘brain washing’ children before they have time to think for themselves,” is the cry of the secular humanists who would rather children grow up believing nothing – despite the fact that “believing nothing” is actually believing something. It is a world view that deprives children of value, purpose, identity, and an understanding of the world around them. The time will come when they will be able to evaluate what they have been taught and weigh it against what the world proposes. If we have taught them well, they will be able to see the strength of the Christian world view against the hopelessness of a world without God. They will see that life requires faith one way or another – either faith in a living, loving God, or faith in chance and chaos, and they will make their choice. There is no need to postpone the foundation they need to make that decision wisely.
So have I devoted my life to children because it is strategic? Or because they are a bridge to families? Or because it is when they are young that they are most teachable – “wet cement” as some have described them?
No. It is none of these.
My reason for a life devoted to children is much simpler. Since I was nineteen years old and determined my Call for life and ministry, I have signed my name under a closing statement that sums up the motivation for my ministry, and it is no more complicated than this:
Because Jesus Loves Children,
Karl Bastian
THAT is why I minister to children. Because Jesus loves them. I don’t need any other reason. Any other reason is merely a benefit. Jesus commanded us to love children. He said if we were to come to Him, we needed to come as a children. He told us not to hinder them. He warned us against harming them or keeping them away from Him. Bottom Line: He loves them. And that is all the reason I need.
So I’ll speak to adults and preach whenever I’m given the opportunity, but I’m happy to ‘waste’ my life reaching kids. I love them. For He loved them first.
November 4, 2012 at 6:12 pm · Filed under Kidology, Kidology Update
From 18 to 70+!
Just had to save this awesome e-mail I got now that it’s time on the Kidology home page is over:
Pastor Karl,
Just a quick note to tell you how much we enjoy Kidology and the awesome resources that you provide. We were asked to take over the children’s church about 3 years ago and Kidology was the first place we went to. Starting out with Toy Box Tales and a lot of prayer our ministry has grown from 18 kids to 70+! The latest curriculum that we are using is the Super Power Academy.
We started this past Sunday with a Super Hero Sunday Kick Off Service. All of the kids were encouraged to dress as their favorite super hero. It was a huge hit and they loved the lesson! Here are some pics of our “Super Heros” as we worship the real “Super Power”, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Thank you so much for what you do! We are praying for you!
Scott and Shannon Day
Children’s Pastors
Church House Rock LIVE! Children’s Ministries
Jasper First Nazarene
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