The Cure for Smart Phone Addiction

Last Sunday, our pastor continued a series called Satisfied. He shared some amazing statistics about Americans and their cell phones: 66% of Americans feel anxious if they are separated from their device. 58% do not miss one waking hour without checking their smart phone. 59% of Americans check email as soon as comes in. 89% of Americans check their device every single day, even on vacation. 80% of teenagers sleep with their phone! 84% of Americans believe they couldn’t go a day without their phone. The average cell phone user checks their phone 150 times a day! In fact, many people check their cell phone first thing in the morning and as the last thing they do before going to sleep. They go to bed and wake up checking their smart phone. While some people are worse than others, all of us, I believe, probably check their phone more than necessary. There is no doubt that we live in a world where our smart phone is now practically a part of our body. How many times have you been in a room filled with friends or family and everyone is on their device rather than enjoying each other? Well, I…

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Why Attending CPC is a Must!

If I had to sum up in one word why I go to the Children’s Pastors Conference every year, I know exactly what it would be. While there are many reasons to attend, there is one reason that trumps all the others. Some go to enjoy awesome adult worship – something they rarely get to experience in weekly ministry to children. Others in order to be trained in countless practical workshops – I teach some nearly every year, so of course I believe in the value they offer. Still others see it as an opportunity to hear from great speakers in the general sessions. In person always beats an online webinar. Many go because it is the only place you can be exposed to all kinds of kidmin resource providers in the country all in one place, and have all the publishers there to see what they are offering. A few see it as a chance to get away from the routine and familiar surroundings of their weekly church job… but while ALL of these are reasons I love the Children’s Pastors Conference, my #1 reason can be summed up in this one word: PEOPLE CPC is where I get…

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WHY I Do What I Do

Do you know what gets me out of bed in the morning? It is one passionate belief. “I believe that more than anything, kids need Jesus – and in order to reach them effectively, ministry needs to be FUN, CREATIVE and loaded with TRUTH.” – Karl Bastian That is WHY I founded Kidology.org 20 years ago – and it is the driving force behind EVERYTHING we do at Kidology. Whether you are looking at curriculum like DiscipleTown or Stickers Through the Bible – you will find that it is FUN, CREATIVE and loaded with TRUTH. Even the fun games we create, like our Bible Clue Hunts or Christmas Bingo, are designed because we know that to effectively reach kids, church must not only be FUN, but the products must be loaded with TRUTH and something new and CREATIVE in order to capture the hearts and minds of children. Even the 100+ Resource Providers we present in our store are selected because they offer FUN ideas in a CREATIVE way to teach the TRUTH. If YOU believe that kids need Jesus… And if YOU believe ministry must be CREATIVE and FUN… And if YOU are passionate above solid TRUTH over fluff……

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FREE Thanksgiving Video Lessons!

Wow! How would you like some amazing FREE Thanksgiving Video Based lessons from Pop Up Good News? These fun, interactive teaching videos are ideal for your young learners and the topic is perfect for November! Whether you use them in your regular programming or for a time when you need to provide quality care – make it a productive time with Pop Up Good News! Watching these reminded me of watching Nina on Sprouts when my boy was little. Each video also comes with a lesson plan and activity sheets. I know the best way to evaluate something is to TRY IT, so I asked the creator if he would share a lesson with Kidology Premium Members, and Scott surprised me by offering an entire series on Thanksgiving! That’s FIVE complete videos and lessons. How can you get this? Log into your membership on Kidology.org and visit the Member Perks for November. Then, head over to PopUpGoodNews.com to learn about how you can get these videos and lessons each and every month for your young learners!

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Get “Spooky” with Mr. Bones

Halloween is a complicated time for Christians. Some simply ignore it, pretending it doesn’t exist, others crusade against it, while others embrace it as an opportunity for ministry, even as they may wish it didn’t exist – and some I supposed love it and don’t see what the “big deal” is. As a pastor’s kid who grew up with very little emphasis on this day, other than going “Trick or Treating” – I found myself in a dilemma when my own son went nuts over this ‘holiday.’ Not in an unhealthy way, but as a boy, he just loves decorating with webs and spiders and the few skeletons we allow. He’s not much into dressing up, though he goes along with it – and lucky of us, he isn’t a huge candy eater. So after a few blocks of Trick or Treating he often says, “OK, I have enough candy, we can head home,” much to his dad’s surprise. (and a little disappointment, as Dad was hoping for some more mini licorice candies before we quit!) So as a Christian first, then a dad, and finally as a pastor – I had to ask myself, what do I do with…

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