YES! When I first announced Yosemite Summit last year I got many e-mails asking me to plan a similar event for women, even a few polite scoldings for making my event “men only.” Obviously, I can’t host a women’s retreat! So I went to one of the most remarkable children’s ministry leaders in the country, Kim Bobb, (who happens not to be a man) and challenged her to create a similar event for women. Unbridled was born!
Unbridled! October 20-22, 2008
Circleville, Ohio
No, it’s not at Yosemite, but it is one fully staffed ranch and horses are included! Unbridled is less than TWO MONTHS AWAY and enrollment is limited! Your host is Kim Bobb, Pastor to Children & Their Family at New Albany First Church of the Nazarene. Her children’s ministry is called Recess Ministries and can be visited at www.recesslive.com Kim is a favorite and regular children’s ministry trainer at Kidology Conferences. Her enthusiasm for life and ministry is contagious. You will have a fantastic time getting away from ministry and getting close to God and some other women who share your passion for ministry and are on the same journey as you. GET ALL THE DETAILS. (Or click on the Women tab on YosemiteSummit.org)
Don’t miss the final episode of Karl and Gus’s Summer Podcast Series! In this final podcast Gus and I got to shoot the breeze with Larry Fowler, Awana’s Executive Director of Global Training. (wow!) But more importantly, a great guy who thinks biblically and communicates clearly the why’s and how’s of reaching and teaching children.
Karl and Larry at CPC 2008
OFFICIAL DESCRIPTION:
I Wanna, You Wanna
Karl and Gus spend some time getting to know “A Wise And Neato Administrator,” aka AWANA’s Executive Director of Global Training, Larry Fowler. Learn more about what drives the author of Rock Solid Kids and the just-released Raising a Modern Day Joseph… as well as learn what “AWANA” doesn’t stand for!
If you have a passion for equipping parents to be the spiritual leaders of their kids and to see the children of your ministry grow into fully devoted disciples of Jesus, you need to hear what Larry Fowler has to say.
What did you think of the podcasts? Should I continue them? What would you like more of? What should I change? Not change? How did Gus do? Let me know!
REPRINTED from the Kidology.org home page, want to make sure you don’t miss this! These products are truly amazing and live up to the name “Awesome!” We’ve been working to get these on Kidology for a long time and just know you will find them a huge blessing to your ministry!
We have an ‘awesome’ offer for you this month. Here’s the deal: Join or renew your membership to Kidology.org during the month of August and we will enter your name into a random drawing for an ‘Awesome’ Prize Giveaway.’ (Professional level or above)
What’s included in this ‘Awesome’ prize? How about one of each of the awesomevideostuff.com products featured in our store! Each one is unique, and PACKED with useful resources for your ministry.
Animated Bible Maps uses actual satellite images to create 3D animated maps, and allows you to project them onto a large screen.
Children’s Pastors Tool Box is packed with audio and video clips designed for use by churches. Revolutionize the way you teach!
Secret Weapon will be your best recruiting tool, featuring 6 ‘commercials’ to attract willing volunteers.
Drama Tool Kit allows multiple sound effects, to enhance your drama or skit. Also includes video backdrops!
Stadium FX features a completely customizable animated scoreboard, to take your ministry to the next level!
This prize pack retails for $580! (with shipping this would be OVER $600 - so join or renew TODAY!)
The winner of the drawing will be chosen on September 1st, and will be announced in the September newsletter as well as on the home page.
Like what you see? Anxious to get your hands on your own copy? Can’t wait to see if you won? Purchase now, and if you win the drawing, we will refund you the cost of the products you purchased!
If you know the old worship song, “Lord, You are more precious than silver…” then you’ll like this new version for kids that I wrote years ago. It came out of Kids Concert of Prayer. We were singing this song, complete with “more costly than gold” and “more precious than diamonds” and it occurred to me that kids probably don’t care much about gold, or silver or diamonds, and even if they did, they don’t HAVE any, so its easy to sing about how God is better or more desired than these. On the spot, God gave me a new song - it just flowed out, and the cool thing was that as I sang it (quite seriously, not in a funny way) some kids cried out “NO WAY!” on lines like “more awesome than all my toys” or “more than Nintendo 64″ or “better yet than my virtual pet.” Which helped teach the point, do we really love God more than these things?
It reminded me of Jesus’ words to Peter, “Do you love me more than these?” My song would have to about loving God more than my Mac or my iPhone or my GPS or my convertible… would my heart say “NO WAY!”? I sure hope not! But it proved the point! (What would your song include?)
However, since I am leading campfire worship tomorrow night at a family camp out I realized I need to update the song for this new era
The words I wrote ten years ago were:
Lord, You are, more awesome than all my toys,
Lord, even more, than Nintendo 64.
Lord, You’re better yet, than my virtual pet…
Well, as you can see, todays kids may have never even played on a N-64 and most don’t know what a virtual pet is, at least not, the keychain ones. (They are now ‘virtual’ online!)
If you don’t know the original song, here are the original lyrics, followed by my revised kids version.
Lord, You are, more precious than silver,
Lord, You are, more costly than gold.
Lord, You are, more beautiful than diamonds,
And nothing I desire compares with You.
Lord, Your love, is wider than oceans.
Lord, Your love, is deeper than seas.
Lord, Your love, encompasses the nations,
And there’s nothing more I’d want inside of me.
So here is my new version of the complete song, and YES, you are welcome to use this!
Lord, You are, more awesome than all my toys,
You mean more to me, than my Nintendo Wii.
Lord, You’re better yet, than my Webkins Pet,
And nothing I desire compares with You.
Lord, Your love, is higher than the Sears Tower,
Your love is wider, than a giant plasma TV.
Lord, Your love, is better than Barney’s,
And there’s nothing more I’d want inside of me.
You really have to crone the “better than Barney’s” line, you can even slip in a “I love you boys and girls” in Barney the Dinosaur’s voice right after that and before the final line! Oh, and I did change “screen” to “plasma” to update the second verse, but other than that it’s the same. (Although way back the original version had “wider than the ‘Fridge”, something only Chicagoians would get from when the ‘Fridge’ played on the Chicago Bears.)
ANYWAY - just wanted to post these new words. Perhaps some others can use them in children’s church. The kids really enjoy singing a version they can relate to. And if you hear a “NO WAY!”, well, then you have an opportunity to teach what it means to love God more than everything else.
You can even subscribe via iTunes so you don’t miss an episode! MUCH THANKS to children’s pastor and voice and technical talent Scott Neubauer for his help in bring my podcast from the dream stage to reality. That’s his voice you hear in the intro and closing, and who is doing coordinating all the technical aspects of the podcast with Kidology’s web director, Steve Tanner. I’m very blessed to have such a technically skilled team here at Kidology so I can focus on the ministry side of things (and sit and talk with puppets!)
The time has finally come! I’m launching a Children’s Ministry Podcast this summer, and as usual, my blog readers get the first peek! So here is very first episode:
Episode 1: What Are Your Red Sneakers?In this very first episode of Children’s Ministry Podcast, Karl and his faithful sidekick Gus ask listeners, “What Are Your Red Sneakers?” Tune in to learn helpful insights and tips to help you and your children’s ministry become more effective.
The Kidology Univeristy is coming THIS FALL! (And it will be bigger and better than ever!) In this ToyBox Tales inspired video, meet some of the speakers as Karl does some “man on the street” interviews with just a few of the presenters coming to Chicago this fall!
There are a ton of great conferences for children’s ministry but we truly believe you will be missing out if you skip this one! We have put together a Mega-Conference line up for a non-mega price! For our 10th Anniversary Celebration we have pulled out all the stops, and may never do a conference this size again.
Kid U 2008 is the year not to miss!
Great trainers like Jim Wideman, Greg Baird and more!
Extended leadership workshops where the presenter gets time to provide personalized coaching and interaction.
Over thirty volunteer workshops on Saturday, bring your team!
God Rocks in Concert!
Participate in a Children’s Pastor Kidz Blitz Live!
As promised yesterday , below is an exclusive SNEEK PEEK video from the next Kidology Online Training Leadership Lab: Partnering with Parents .
RIGHT NOW THIS IS ONLY HERE ON MY BLOG - as a parting gift before I go completely cold turkey offline for a week, I wanted to give you a little something to hold you over. (Oh how will you survive without my blog? )
This will not be live on Kidology.org until next week some time! So enjoy this Advance Screening via a TOP SECRET YouTube link before it’s official release next week on Kidology!
This is the introductory video that is part of the most JAM-packed Leadership Lab yet! This lab is the culmination of several years of work and includes exclusive content never-before-published that I’ve been being asked to release since 2005, ever since it was hinted at in the Kidology forum. I have finally provided detailed background, description, explanation, samples and more on the VIP Family Ministry philosophy that I pioneered at my previous church. But that’s not all.
CHECK OUT ALL THIS LEADERSHIP LAB WILL INCLUDE:
36 Page Leader Lab PDF – This is the core content of the Online Training.
52 Slide PowerPoint for Parent Partnering Forum / Training
7 Video files!
Introductory Video “Best Buds Inc.” (seen above)
8 minute YouTube version; 450×338; 22mb
8 minute YouTube version; 320×240; 16mb
12 minute extended version; 640×480; 49mb
Leadership Lab Training Video (Download of the online training video)
19 minute training video; 640×480; 81mb
19 minute training video; 450×338; 42mb
19 minutes training video; 320×240; 22mb (iPod)
BONUS: To Be Educated video included (Usually $4 in Kidology Store)
32 Page Faith-Full Families Sessions (3 separate programs for the entire family!) These interactive sessions for the whole family will help them incorporate their faith into daily life. (Provided in PDF and Word so you can customize)
Raising Kids to Stand Strong Sermon by Karl Bastian MP3; 40 min.; 46mb
Raising Kids to Stand Strong Sermon Notes so you can use the message
2 Page PDF Sample VIP Family Ministry Brochure
2 Page PDF of VIP Family Ministry Christmas Idea
I will be at Yosemite Summit when this goes live on Kidology and, since I won’t be blogging for a week, I am also having my blog software upgraded while I’m away. When the Lab is live and this blog is accessible, my all powerful web director, aka Tannerman, will make the link below to the brand new Lab live. But you can also just check out the home page of Kidology.org or the Kidology Online Training area. [UPDATE: Tannerman has made it live!]
Well, this is it. I’m signing off FOR A WEEK! Be back online when I am home from Yosemite! Hopefully I won’t have tooooo many e-mails stacking up while I’m offline!
============
Update from Tannerman:
Pssst… you can get the Leadership Lab Download Kit at a special discount. $5 off the regular price… That’s only $34.99 for Kidology members! Coupon Code: LL4BL Expires 5/31 at midnight (CDT)
Angel Vega and I go way back. How far, I’m not even sure I remember. But I do know he was at one of the very first Kid U’s, and has been to several over the years and is a looooong time member of Kidology.org. Angel is the Children’s Ministries Director at Armitage Baptist Church in Chicago. But he’s a man of many talents and a man who has worn many hats in ministry who is recently back in children’s ministry, so when we ran into each other at the One Way Street festival and he asked if we could get togethe, I said “Of course” He said he’d drive anywhere to have lunch with me. It was a nice compliment, but I had no idea just how much it actually meant. Angel is a truly Chicago Man. His venture out to my suburban lair made him like a fish out of water. After calling several times for directions he laughed and said to me, “This is what happens when you put a Puerto Rican in the suburbs.” When he finally arrived at the Kidology Headquarters he said this was the farthest he had ever been from Chicago for a meeting. (Other than flying out of state for conferences.) I was truly honored he would make the trek to share a meal and “talk shop” with me. (And yes, I had his permission to tell his story of his getting lost out in this land of grass and trees which he humorously pointed out and asked, “what’s that?”)
Angel and Karl
I figured the best place to take him to lunch was Docks right on the lake in Waconda so he could get a little taste of our community. He came seeking advice about children’s ministry and some specific challenges, but I ended up learning a lot too. Turns out Angel is also a certified financial advisor, and I had some questions of my own in that arena of life. I ended up learning a lot and being challenged by Angel in some areas I had not considered in life planning. (He has his funeral planned down to the program and a burned CD so that should the Lord call him home, all his wife has to do is open a box and everything is ready. He calls it the Love drawer and says it is the best gift you can give your wife if you die. After dealing with people who had lost a loved one and trying to ask them what they wanted when they were grieving he decided he didn’t want his wife to have to go through that. I will probably write more about this in the future.)
But back to children’s ministry! We had a great time swapping CM stories (especially our goof ups!) I even showed him how to visually pass the salt saker straight through the solid table at the restaurant. Angel is a man who LOVES being with kids - can talk to kids - think like kids - creatively teach kids, and yet wants to grow in all the other areas that come with being a director of children’s ministry - volunteer management, team development, visionary leadership. Already he is doing a great job implementing new security measures at his church. Angel came wanting lots of advice, I hope he left encouraged - he is a GREAT children’s director and doing a fantastic job!
Karl and Angel?
He mentioned that he just started using a puppet after reading my article on solo puppeteering and reading that you don’t have to be a vent to be effective, and was nervous, but tried anyway - and the kids loved it. The only problem was, the puppet he found to use at the church was kind of ugly and old. So when we got back to the office, I gave Angel one of mine. I’d rather have my puppets in front of children every week than sitting in totes right now. Guess what he named the puppet? Yup, Karl. (blush) I hope that doesn’t mean I will be balding soon!
It was so great to connect with a Kidology member and someone who it is so obvious has benefited from the website and our conferences and who is implementing so much of what he has learned through Kidology and seeing great results. It is always a blessings as God transforms these people from e-mails, to acquaintances, to friends.
I’m looking forward to seeing Angel again. Next time, I’ll make the drive to his ‘hood!
While I’ve been to fourteen different countries, and included Canada in that list, I had only been to Niagra Falls, and I’m not sure if that really counted. (Probably not) So I was excited to be invited to Sarnia, Ontario this past weekend for several days of ministry. My first surprise was that after flying to Flint, Michigan we drove straight East, rather than North, as I expected, as Canada juts down into the US quite a bit between Detroit, MI and Buffalo, NY.
(Click any images for larger view in new window)
Getting across the border proved a little challenging, “And why are you coming?” But most of the delay was us waiting in the wrong line. (oops) But once I dropped my brother name, we threw through like a Blue Jay. (Not sure that had anything to do with getting through, but hey, it was worth a try! “My brother covers the Blue Jays for MLB.com! You have to let me across!)It was a full but fulfilling weekend! I did a family program on Friday evening, a Kidology To Go on Saturday, and spoke on Sunday as well before heaing back to the good ‘ol US of A. And fortunately, the US immigration let me back!While it was fun to learn some Canadian lingo, eh, and that one dollar coins are called Looneys and two dollars coins are Tooneys, there really wasn’t much different. (Granted, this was a “border city.”) But one of the cool things unique to Sarnia are Fry Trucks along the shore:
There is me and Steve Bourque before ordering some very unhealthy but delicious fries to enjoy on a windy but clear day in Canada.Steve has only been a full time children’s pastor for a year, but at the church for four years, with his hours gradually increasing to full time. (My first ministry went 12, to 20 to 30 to full time - notice they just call it “full time” when in reality the number goes higher than 40!)He’s already got a great foundation laid and is building a solid ministry. The name of the ministry is LEDGE, based loosely on Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven PrinciplesL: Love God (worship)E: Encourage Others (fellowship)D: Devote to Jesus (grow)G: Give (service)E: Express Jesus Love (missions)(Steve, let me know if I got these wrong, I didn’t write them down, and I will edit this post!)Of course, I was very pleased to see that they use Awesome Adventure to disciple their kids:
The logo for the children’s ministry is pretty cool, here is a close up:
And the theme is followed through on the names of each class room:
Nursery is “Base Camp” and then once they can walk up to two years old is “Explorers.”(How perfect!)
Then its up to the “Scrambers” for 3 and 4’s, followed by:
“Back Packers” for Kindergarten and Grade 1, and finally…
“Cliff Hangers” for the oldest kids. Notice the simple but effective decoration too.
Their Sunday format is two identical service, so they start with some free time where kids can play and set out a bunch of fun stuff to encourage early and on-time attendance, and then they open in worship, followed by a lesson and small groups.They are currently using G-Force from LifeWay and are trying a cool experiment. (Not sure if this is recommended in the curriculum or not), but they are inviting parents to come for the last ten minutes of the children’s service to experience the conclusion with their kids.
I’m curious how that goes, I think it is a fantastic idea.Of course, all the ministry stuff aside, the highlight for me is always the children - I am still a children’s pastor at heart after all!
Our hosts daughter took to me (and my props) right away.
Being just under Luke’s age, she was much needed medicine for this home-sick dad! She even learned my name by the end of the three days and just before leaving for the airport fell asleep in my arms. (You can say it, “awwwwwww”)
She took to Gus too! She was such a sweet and pleasant girl, but then, of course, her name means “a pleasant sound.” (Can you guess her name?)
I tried to wrap this sweet girl up (and her doll) to take home as a souenir from Canada.
I thought of just adopting this whole family - each of them gave me the sweetest good-bye cards with their pictures… it’s amazing how you can connect with children in such a short time if you take the time to let them in. Duncan, their oldest was an assistant during my magic show and even came to part of the Saturday seminar, and I see a lot of myself as a boy in him, crazy creative energy and an eagerness to serve the Lord. The makings of a future children’ s pastor no doubt! (Seems creativity runs in the family, their dad is a published improv comic, link coming when I get it!)
The only rough part of the weekend came when after telling a story about a sword in my message, a member of the church brought in her fencing gear! (Yes, a girl!)
Suddenly Steve, thinking his kids were in danger, attacked the stranger, apparently not realizing it was ME!
Using my vast Jedi fighting skills I was able to subdue him and pin him to the ground in self defense…
but not before he lunged his sword into me and ran away! No worries, I am healing up fine. What a fantastic weekend! Eh?
