I’m the Kidologist – What’s Your Nickname?

I’m often asked why I call myself the “Kidologist.” Does it mean I’m a children’s ministry expert? Nope. Does it mean I know everything about kids? Nope. Does it mean that think I’m the authority on kids or children’s ministry? Double Nope. I started calling myself the Kidologist years ago because when people would comment on how good I was with kids I worried that as I got older I would lose that touch. I was quite aware that young 20-somethings are usually always get kid-connectors, but that many adults as they get into their 30’s, 40’s (or older) seem to lose their knack with connecting with kids, and I feared my saavy for relating and connecting with kids would diminish with time. As I began to analyize WHY I was effective with kids “Kidology” was born, the study of kids, and how to relate to as well as effectively teach kids. (Explained in more detail in CMPodcast #8) I coined the term “Kidologist” as a reminder to me first of all, that if I wanted to be effective with children for the long haul, I would have to always be a learner. To always be growing, reading magazines &…

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Yosemite Summit in their words

Guys, we’re at the critical spot – there are ONLY THREE spots left for Yosemite Summit. If you have thought about this retreat, prayed about it, perhaps dreamed about it – don’t let it slip by! Register ASAP as it will soon be too late to join us for 2009, and there is no guarentee of next year. I hope to do this every year for the rest of my life, but I can only promise one year at a time. There are not words to describe just how incredible this week is. Of course, I have tried on the Yosemite Summit site many times to describe both the natural and supernatural impact of this trip. But with only three spots left, let me share with you what some of last years guys wrote to me after getting home from Yosemite Summit: It was great to begin new friendships and gain valuable ministry perspective from the stories of those in our group.  Furthermore the times I did get alone with God were especially rich and meaningful. I needed a vision for the finishing of our new Children’s Building, God gave it to me on this trip.  I had a couple…

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Developing a Ministry–Wide Strategy for Making Disciples

First, George Barna confirmed what those of us in children’s ministry have known all along – that the ripest spiritual field is children, and that the most strategic way to stop the disappearance of a biblical world view in our church is to renew our commitment to children. Next, Larry Fowler established the biblical basis for churches not just value children, but prioritize ministry to children. Others then followed with a renewed call to broaden the scope of children’s ministry to include the entire family, the loudest voice being Reggie Joiner asking us to rethink ministry at the Orange Conference offering their virtue-based family time resources and strategy to incorporate complete families in the Sunday church experience. Then Awana Clubs, long known for its success at reaching unchurched children and providing kids a solid biblical foundation surprised us by dramatically altering its approach and confessing its past “let us disciple your kids” attitude was insufficient and began to completely re-engineer its programs to better include parents in the process. Soon many more, like Julia Duin in Quitting Church, began revealing stats showing just how poorly we are doing in translating Bible Quiz-Whiz kids into faithful disciples when they got old…

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Message Bible for Kids? Concordance too?

Look what I got in the mail! And I’ve got an extra set I want to mail to YOU! (details at the bottom) NAVPRESS just sent me these in the mail for review – and I’m impressed. This bundle of two books really complement each other! Buy Via Amazon: My First Message – Bible Search The first is My First Message, a devotional for kids ages 4-8 featuring the text of Eugene H. Peterson’s The Message Bible. Each beautifully illustrated story ends with a short PRAY and LIVE section helping children pray about what they just read and gain some insight into how to apply the lessons within the story to their life. The second book is call My First Bible Search, Discovering Answers in God’s Word. While it is described on the cover as a “Bible Concordance and Dictionary for Kids” (ages 6-10) that description is a little misleading and distracts from what the book truly is. The book is much more (and far better than a concordance or dictionary) so if those phrases make you fear kids will be bored with this book, think again! The book is divided into two sections. The first called the “Concordance” –…

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Become a 2009 Kidology Champion!

Last year God blessed us with 40 Kidology Champion Donors, and it was a huge help to our ministry. We also have over 700 Kidology Champion Prayer Warriors! Thanks for your prayer and support! Kidology.org reaches over 10,000 children’s ministry leaders and volunteers like you EVERY SINGLE DAY! We leverage the power of the Internet so a small ministry can have such a huge impact – influencing literally millions of children each and every month! But to reach so many we need your help! IT’S TIME FOR OUR 2009 CHAMPION DRIVE! Will you consider becoming a Kidology Chamption in 2009? CHAMPION: An ardent defender or supporter of a cause or team. A person who fights for or defends a person or cause. To support, defend, protect and maintain a cause. HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP US! 1. SIGN UP for the Kidology Champion E-mail List This unique newsletter is different from our regular monthly newsletter. These are personal updates from our founder, Karl Bastian, to let our Champions know timely and specific needs for prayer. It is sent periodically on an as needed basis, but rarely more than once a month. No membership or donation is required to subscribe…

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