Home Articles posted by kidologist

DICTIONARY JOKES – Real Definitions!

DICTIONARY JOKES – Real Definitions! Gravity: Not just a good idea, it’s the law! Gross ignorance: 144 times worse than normal ignorance. Clock: A small mechanical device to wake up people without children. Karaoke: A Japanese word meaning “tone deaf”. Opera: Where a guy gets stabbed in the back and sings about it. Racial prejudice: a pigment of the imagination. Normal: A setting on a washing machine. Health: The slowest possible rate of dying. Poverty: Having too much month left at the end of the money. Boy: A noise with dirt on it. Sleep: That fleeting moment just before the alarm goes off. Cynic: Someone who smells the flowers and looks in the casket. Witlag: The delay between delivery and comprehension of a joke. Skier: Someone who pays an arm and a leg to break them. Kidmin: The greatest job earth. Want help making the definition of your ministry, “AMAZING” – Get Coach Karl on your team at KarlBastian.club

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A Tribute to Larry Mahan — “Mr. SONshine”

A Tribute to Larry Mahan — “Mr. SONshine” By Karl Bastian I lost a dear friend in ministry this week—Larry Mahan. To many, he was a Gospel Magician. But to those who really knew him, he was far more than that. Larry was a joyful innovator, a creative light, and a humble servant of Jesus who spent his life making ministry not only impactful, but irresistibly fun. Affectionately known as Mr. SONshine, Larry lived up to his name. Wherever he went—whether a church, a school, or a Fellowship of Christian Magicians meeting—he brought the joy and warmth of Jesus. He wasn’t just shining; he was reflecting the “Light of the world” (John 8:12) with every trick, every laugh, every lesson, and every encounter. Larry created simple, fun illusions that anyone could use to share the Good News with kids. He understood something essential: ministry to children doesn’t need to be complicated—it needs to be engaging, joyful, and Jesus-centered. His book, Shtick: The Art of Entertaining Children, remains one of the first resources I recommend to children’s pastors. When I first read it, I felt like I could’ve written it myself—not to rob him of the credit, but because I found…

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Introducing KarlBastian.club

🚨 BIG NEWS! I’m launching something brand new just for Kidmin leaders — and YOU could be one of the first to join! 🎉 I am only posting in a few places for friends and colleagues to know before the big public launch this fall, so you can be in at the beginning. It’s my Personal Coaching Community — a place for ideas, encouragement, resources, and real support from me direct to you – a leader in the trenches. And if you’re one of the First 50 to join you’ll get 30% off for LIFE with code FIRST50. 👀💥 This is your exclusive backstage pass to my new Kidmin Toolbox — come see what’s inside! 🧰💡 👉 http://www.KarlBastian.club (Trust me. You’re gonna like what you find.)

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Kids Around the World… with ALL their toys

Years ago I stumbled upon a powerful collection of photos of kids. It explored a global photo project where children from around the world were photographed with all of their toys. The striking contrast between abundance and scarcity serves as a thought-provoking springboard for teaching kids (and ourselves) about contentment, gratitude, and generosity. Through personal reflection, biblical insight, and the invitation to use these images in ministry, readers are encouraged to shift their perspective from materialism to meaningful compassion. View all the pictures and download them at: Kidology.org/kidsaroundtheworld to use in your ministry to show our kids just how blessed they are and the challenge generosity and giving to missions.

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PRE-ORDER The Kidmin Covenant – It Will Change Your Life

Be the FIRST to get my new book – but it’s more than just a new book, it is a Reflective Guide for Children’s Pastors – and I believe has the potential to change your life. Kids Ministry is HARD. Harder than most understand. It is the largest administrative job – second only to Lead Pastor, as it shares all the roles of a pastor, teaching, team-building, administration, but also usually manages the largest number of volunteer staff, number of weekly classes and programs, and minutia of other details most never even know about. The secret to survival lies not in more admin tricks, new apps, a bigger budget or more resources and volunteers – the secret to thriving lies within the Character of the Leader. To be outwardly fruitful, you must be inwardly healthy. I wrote these 12 Kidmin Covenant Commitments first only for myself – phrases that will keep me healthy and on track. There are many traps that leaders face that can derail them. But I honestly believe if you adapt these Kidmin Covenant Commitments to your life and ministry, you will do more than survive in ministry, you will THRIVE. This isn’t just a book, it…

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