Welcome to Karl Bastian's Blog
Are You Ready for the Next Crisis in Your Ministry?
In children’s ministry, crises are a guarantee. Whether it’s a sudden volunteer shortage, a last-minute program change, or an unexpected conflict, these moments can either derail your efforts or become steppingstones for growth. How you respond can make all the difference. In Pastor Karl’s seventh installment of his Ministry Management Video series, The Seven L’s of Crisis Management, he delves into seven powerful principles designed to help you not only manage crises but turn them into opportunities that strengthen your ministry. This isn’t about merely surviving the chaos—it’s about thriving in it. Karl will guide you through essential strategies that...
NEW Kids Worship Song from Kid Kardia!
Meet Noduh the Wise One!
Have you ever wished Yoda could lead your lessons? Everyone loves Yoda, but unfortunately, with his new age mumbo jumbo about the “Force”, he’s really not very biblically sound. Well, meet Noduh the Wise One, the puppet sage who’s here to bring biblical teaching — with a twist! Noduh is a master of wisdom, humor, and, of course, a distinctive voice that makes scripture come alive in the most unexpected ways. Noduh’s videos are more than just entertainment — they’re packed with biblical insights that make following God feel like a total “no duh!” Whether you’re looking to enrich your...
The UNconference for Kid’s Pastors
Back in 2008 God gave me an idea. It was a crazy idea. But then, that’s how you know it’s from God, right? It was to create an “UNconference for Children’s Pastors.” In time, I welcomed other Christian leaders, but most were children’s pastors, because honestly, it’s one of the most challenging jobs in the Church. The title “Kid’s Pastor” sounds fun – and it is – but it’s name hides the challenges it brings. Often, it is the largest ministry of the church; overseeing the largest group of volunteers, the most hours of programming, every single week of the...
Love is Caught, Not Taught
As children’s ministry leaders, we often find ourselves teaching about love—explaining what it is to children, why it’s important, and how it should be expressed. In fact, the word love appears in the Bible over 550 times! (In NIV and ESV) But the truth is, love is not something that can merely be taught; it must be caught. Children can’t truly understand love by merely hearing about it. But they can grasp its meaning when they experience it firsthand. The book of James reminds us that faith without deeds is useless. He uses the example of someone who sees someone hungry...
Boost Your Volunteer Recruitment with the Back to School Checklist
As the fall season approaches, children’s ministry leaders across the country are preparing for a familiar challenge: the return of full classrooms. With kids heading back to school, families are settling back into familiar routines, and churches are seeing a surge in attendance as parents seek to reestablish their children’s spiritual growth alongside their academic education. This seasonal influx is exciting, but it also brings a pressing need for more volunteers.Finding creative and effective ways to recruit new helpers is crucial, especially during this busy time of year. That’s why we’ve developed a tool that can help you meet this...