Home Archive by category "Children’s Ministry" (Page 3)

Category: Children’s Ministry

This Isn’t Just a Great Tool… It’s the Whole Toolbox!

Ever wish there were blueprints for building a successful children’s ministry? Well, now there are! Imagine having access to time-tested plans that guide you through every aspect of ministry, whether you’re building from the ground up, remodeling ministry, or trying to make much-needed repairs. The Ultimate Toolbox for Children’s Ministry is written FOR YOU by a veteran leader who has led ministries of all sizes — from a church plant to inner-city ministry to larger suburban churches. I’ve wrestled with the same issues you face week after week, and here’s the best part — I’m still in the trenches as a full-time children’s pastor, so I deal with the challenges you are facing week-in and week-out, firsthand. I’m in the trenches with you. Enjoy this quote from the leader pictured here, who stepped into her first role in Children’s Ministry and found the Toolbox an invaluable guide. (Notice the bookmarks!) She sent me this recommendation: As someone that was new to Children’s Ministry but with a background in organizational development, I was thrilled to have had an opportunity to read Karl’s, “Ultimate Children’s Ministry Toolbox”. It’s a rare gem that seamlessly blends practical advice with theological insight. Even complex operational…

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Start a New Tradition with the Families in your Ministry!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And few things stir up as much excitement in kids as the anticipation of Christmas morning. But let’s face it — waiting for Christmas to arrive is one of the hardest parts of childhood! Why not make that waiting time a little more meaningful (and fun!) by offering families a way to count down the days to Christmas while learning more about the true story of Jesus? Introducing Kidology’s Christmas Countdown Family Advent Paper Chain — a simple, interactive, and educational way to help kids stay focused on the Reason for the Season! Each day in December, families can remove one link from the paper chain, read a Bible verse, have a short discussion, and reflect on the meaning of Christmas. It’s a beautiful way to turn a fun countdown into a daily family devotion, deepening the anticipation of celebrating Christ’s birth. As a child, I loved making paper chains with my family, cutting strips of colored paper and linking them together to mark the days until Christmas. Kidology has taken that idea and added a spiritual twist! Each chain link includes a scripture and short devotional, leading up to the best…

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I FORGOT!

I often say, “There are three things that happen as you get older. First of all, you lose your memory. Then… Um…. Well, what do you know? I forgot the other to!” That’s my favorite joke I tell when I am frustrated at forgetting something… again. It’s a humorous deflection to hide my irritation at forgetting something… again. How many times have you thought of something during the day—something you needed to do, should do, or would like to do—only to find yourself later wondering, What was that? You might even wish you’d remembered sooner as you replay the day in your mind. Capturing those fleeting thoughts is essential for productivity, peace of mind, and sometimes even for responding to the quiet nudges from God. Here are some practical and creative ways to catch those ideas before they slip away: 1. The Digital Notepad Use a notes app on your phone or computer to jot down thoughts. Many apps allow syncing across devices so you can access your list anywhere. 2. Text Yourself Send yourself a quick text with your idea. You’re likely to see it next time you check your messages. 3. Email Yourself For longer thoughts or action…

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You Are Going to CRUSH Your Next BIG Event!

Few things are as scary as being in charge of a large church event! I remember when I had just been hired at a new job and my new boss-pastor said (I think maybe jokingly?), “You’re on probation until after the first big event… last year’s event was a disaster!” Planning and managing a large church event can feel overwhelming. Between the endless details and the expectations for a successful outcome, it’s easy to get lost in the whirlwind of endless logistics. But don’t worry — help is here! With an All Access Membership to Kidology.org, you can gain instant access to a wealth of resources, including the Ministry Management Series. One of the most valuable sessions in this series is Event Management, which breaks down the essentials of planning events that can take your ministry to the next level. Whether it’s a small in-house event or a massive community outreach, the Event Management video covers everything you need to know before, during, and after your event. It explores the critical “Why, What, When, Where, Who, and How” of event planning, giving you clear, actionable steps to ensure that nothing falls through the cracks. Pastor Karl often reminds leaders that…

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Jesus Was a ZOMBIE!

Helping Kids Understand the Bible: “Jesus was a Zombie!” By Pastor Karl Bastian, Kidology.org   When my son, Luke, was little, my sister gave him a Scooby-Doo DVD. My wife, Sara, and I had a little discussion about whether or not he was ready for something “scary.” Up to that point, he hadn’t seen any entertainment with ghosts, monsters, or vampires. We decided it might be best to hold off and save it for when he was older. But, as parenting often goes, the very next day he came home from the neighbor’s house, beaming with excitement, eager to tell us about a new show he’d discovered: Scooby-Doo! We looked at each other and laughed. Thus began the Scooby-Doo era, which would last for many years. Realizing there was no turning back, we decided to give him the DVD my sister had gifted, and the whole family sat down to watch it. Our goal was to monitor how he handled the scarier elements, ready to jump in with a discussion if anything confused or frightened him. At the end of the episode, Luke turned to me with wide, curious eyes and asked, “Daddy, what is a zombie?” I wanted to…

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