Adventure in Kids Ministry – Chapter 2

Chapters: 1 | 2 |   Chapter 2: First Sunday Behind the Curtain The morning began in stillness. Nadia pulled into the church parking lot while the sky still blushed with the first light of dawn. She parked close to the building, partly for convenience and partly because the empty lot, framed by tall oaks, felt both serene and eerie. Nadia was surprised to notice she had arrived first, even before her pastor. She stepped out of her car, holding the jangling keys the pastor had handed her earlier that week. They felt heavy—not just in weight, but in the trust they symbolized. She was now the gatekeeper of a space she’d grown to love as a member, but this was different. She unlocked the door, feeling a rush of cool air hit her face. Spring might have arrived, but the church building had yet to catch up. Inside, the church was dark and cold, but it wasn’t lifeless. Nadia moved through the hallways with purpose, flipping on lights and setting rooms to rights. Chairs were shuffled back into place, stray papers tucked into recycling bins. Evidence of shared use was everywhere. Nadia chuckled as she retrieved a stray dodgeball…

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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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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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Got Training? How to Recruit and KEEP Volunteers!

Are you finding it difficult to keep your volunteers motivated and equipped? You’re not alone! One of the biggest challenges in children’s ministry is not just recruiting new volunteers but retaining and continually training the ones you already have. In fact, research shows that consistent training can reduce volunteer turnover significantly, helping to build a more committed and capable team. Kidology’s Volunteer Training Videos provide a simple solution. These short, powerful videos can be downloaded and sent to your volunteers, or you can share a secure link with a password for easy access—no technical hassle involved. Whether your team needs a reminder, encouragement, or new skills, these videos are designed to meet those needs without taking much of their time. Did you know that on-going training not only helps retain volunteers but also empowers them to serve more effectively? A well-equipped volunteer is a confident volunteer. Plus, every volunteer you KEEP is one you don’t have to recruit again! Instead of always scrambling for new helpers, why not invest in the ones you already have? A monthly video can do wonders to keep your team refreshed, motivated, and aligned with your ministry’s mission. At Kidology, our MISSION is to Equip…

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