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Living on Mission – Discovering my Ministry Manifesto

Why Did God Make YOU? By Pastor Karl Bastian, aka the Kidologist I received my call to ministry when I was ten years old. A children’s evangelist came to our church. I was completely captivated. He used magic tricks, puppets, and storytelling to teach the Bible in a way that made kids laugh, think, and listen. I remember sitting there thinking, That is the greatest job in the world. After the service I told my mom, “That’s what I want to do when I grow up.” Her response surprised me. “You start next Wednesday.” I protested. “Mom, I said when I grow up!” She calmly replied, “If God has called you to children’s ministry, what does growing up have to do with anything?” Then she did something that changed the trajectory of my life. She started telling me about the many young people God used in the Bible—David facing Goliath, Samuel hearing God’s voice as a child, the boy who gave his lunch to Jesus, and others who were young but willing. My mom didn’t just encourage me—she equipped me. She helped me get my first puppet. She coached me on learning simple magic tricks. She gave me opportunities to…

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2026 Children’s Ministry Safety Trends

Guest Post from KidCheck.com As you continue to steward the hearts of children in your ministry, safety isn’t just a side topic; it’s a priority. In 2026, children’s ministry leaders are innovating, learning, and implementing smart strategies to protect children. Whether you’re a volunteer, director, or church leader, here are the top safety trends to consider. Safety Frameworks Safety isn’t just about locked doors and policies on paper. It’s about creating an environment where children are protected, volunteers and staff feel confident, and families have peace of mind. Ministries are adopting safety frameworks that integrate clear policies and written guidelines, screening, training, onboarding, active supervision, and open communication. These frameworks are designed to support families and reflect best practices in securing the children’s area. Updated Screening & Onboard Protocols Advancements in candidate screening with technologies that enable deeper vetting are making the recruitment process more thorough and efficient. In 2026, ministries will begin to adopt the following: AI-enhanced background checks Automated alerts for rechecks and updating volunteer information Integrated onboarding processes that focus on child safety policy Trauma-Informed Training for Volunteers Understanding trauma responses is vital to cultivating an environment where children feel protected. In 2026, ministries will be investing…

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Books of the Bible Incentive

I am a BIG believer that kids need to learn the Books of the Bible! So, I create incentives and reward for those who do. Adults should too – but if kids learn them young, they will know them for life! “But there are apps for that,” I hear. When you learn the books of the Bible, you gain an understanding of the number of type of books, the flow of the books, and it helps you locate scriptures faster for the rest of your life. If you haven’t learned them yet – regardless of your age – NOW is the best time to work on it! You’ll feel proud of the accomplishment and you’ll be amazed the impact it has on your walk with God and desire to learn more about the Bible. We memorize all kinds of things – even useless or unimportant things – take the challenge and learn the Books of the Bible! In this video – notice that leaders and parents can join in the fun. Here is what the mom in the video wrote to me about the impact that this had on her children: “It’s such a fun way to challenge the kids…

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Gratitude Changes Everything

Gratitude Changes Everything By Pastor Karl Bastian The celebration of Thanksgiving every November is wonderful. Families gather. Tables are full. Traditions are honored. Gratitude gets a full day on the calendar. But the downside is that it can subtly relegate gratitude to something we focus on once in a while—sadly, perhaps annually. We pull out thankfulness like fine china, use it for a day, and then pack it back into storage with the pumpkin decorations. The reality is that an attitude of gratitude is the secret to contentment and happiness every single day of our lives. By our human (sinful) nature, we tend to focus on what we want, need, or are striving for. We fix our eyes on the next goal, the next opportunity, the next improvement. In doing so, we often neglect to realize we are living what we once hoped for. The job we prayed for. The ministry we dreamed about. The family we longed to build. The friendships we once asked God to provide. How quickly we stop appreciating where we are, what we have, and WHO we have. Blessings that once brought us to tears of joy can slowly become background noise. They are taken…

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Engaging Home School Families

From the Coach’s In-box: Question: How do I engage home school parents in my ministry that are challenging to engage, seem skeptical of what the church is offering, and don’t respond as I’d expect to the church’s programs? Karl’s Answer: First, normalize what they’re feeling. Homeschool parents often chose that path because they deeply care about what and how their kids are taught. Many made that decision after frustration with systems that didn’t align with their values. That kind of conviction requires confidence. From the outside, that confidence can look like “they think they know everything.” But often it’s protective, not prideful. They’ve spent years defending their choice to friends, family, and sometimes even church members. So they may walk in with walls already up. The key is not to see them as a subgroup to “win over,” but as parents already taking Deuteronomy 6 seriously. They are actively discipling their children every day. Celebrate that. Affirm it. When a church leader says, “We love that you’ve taken ownership of your child’s education and spiritual formation,” it lowers defenses instantly. Shift from “Come join what we’re doing” to “How can we support what you’re doing?” That posture changes everything. Instead…

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