Welcome to Karl Bastian's Blog

Meet Noduh the Wise One!

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

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

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

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...

Shape Your Kids’ Spiritual Lives!

Shape Your Kids’ Spiritual Lives!
When it comes to shaping the spiritual lives of children, intentionality is key. As a leader, it’s essential to have a plan that not only covers the entire Bible but also ensures that the topics you teach are foundational to their faith. Too often, we fall into the trap of jumping from one topic to another, or constantly switching curriculums, leaving gaps in our kids’ biblical understanding. But what if you could have a curriculum that systematically walks your kids through the Bible, building their knowledge and faith on a solid foundation? The good news is, solid Bible Curriculum doesn’t...

Oh, You Sexy Document!

Oh, You Sexy Document!
Let’s be honest, “Document Management” isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of excitement. But in our digital age, where files are constantly emailed back and forth, edited by multiple people, and frequently updated, effective document management is essential. Without it, things can quickly spiral into chaos – and nobody wants that. That’s why the 6th video in my Ministry Management series is Master Your Documents! (No More Chaos!). This video will help you bring order to the madness. We’ve all felt the frustration of searching for the latest version of a file or losing important...