Adventure in Kids Ministry – Chapter 1

Adventures in Children’s Ministry By Pastor Karl Bastian Chapter 1: An Empty Office, But a Full Heart Nadia sat in her new office, staring at the small desk in front of her. The desk, like the room itself, was bare—just an open Bible and a few scattered pens laid upon it. The shelves were empty, save for a layer of dust that clung stubbornly to their corners. The whiteboard mounted to the wall was as spotless as the bulletin board next to it, which, for now, only held two simple drawings her children had made during Sunday school a few weeks ago. The pictures were hastily colored with crayon—one of a smiling sunshine with a lopsided smile, the other of a rainbow and some misshapen animals—but they were more than just doodles to her. They were reminders. Reminders of why she was here. She leaned back in her chair, her gaze shifting to the tiny window behind her. Through the glass, she could see the tops of a few trees swaying gently in the fall breeze, and beyond them, the rooftops of the neighborhood where many of the church families lived. The sun was setting, casting a warm orange glow…

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BEST Trunk or Treat Trunk EVER!

If you or your church do a Trunk or Treat, I’ve got the BEST Trunk or Treat TRUNK EVER! I got to see an early screening of this movie, and it’s FANTASTIC! Here is my official quote/endorsement: And, if you’d like a SNEAK PEEK, here is the trailer: This movie really is worthy of your support and taking the ENTIRE FAMILY, FRIENDS and a RANDOM STRANGER to go see! Check out all the COOL TOOLS for hosting a Best Christmas Pageant EVER Trunk or Treat TRUNK! – Karl PS: Never hosted a Trunk or Treat? Download my Trunk or Treat Planning Guide!  

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Keep Parents in the Loop!

  In children’s ministry, communication with parents is not just helpful—it’s critical. Parents are the primary spiritual influencers in their child’s life, and your role as a children’s ministry leader is to support, encourage, and resource them. Effective communication helps bridge the gap between church and home, allowing parents to continue faith conversations, reinforce lessons, and participate in their child’s spiritual growth. When parents are in the loop, it helps foster a partnership between the ministry and the family, creating a foundation for lasting spiritual development. However, keeping parents informed and engaged is not always easy, especially in today’s busy and distracted world. The Challenges of Communication in Today’s World Busy Schedules and Sporadic Church Attendance Parents today juggle countless responsibilities. Between work, extracurricular activities, and personal obligations, many families are stretched thin. Church attendance has become increasingly sporadic, with some families attending only once or twice a month. This inconsistent presence can make it difficult to build rapport and maintain regular communication. When parents aren’t consistently present, important announcements, event invitations, or updates can easily get missed. How People Receive Communication We live in a digital age where everyone has their preferred mode of communication. Some parents check their…

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I asked AI to Wish Me a Happy Birthday!

I asked AI to write me a Birthday Greeting. It asked me a few questions about my hobbies and interests, and then in seconds, it wrote me this poem. Not bad! What do you think? Happy Birthday, Pastor Karl, from your AI Friend! On this special day, let’s celebrate with delight, A pastor so creative, who shines Jesus’ light. With Sara by your side, the love of your life, And Luke, your son, who brings you such pride. “I am your Father,” you say with a grin, Just like Darth Vader, though your side always wins! Star Wars is your favorite, from that galaxy far, far away, But you bring it close, by quoting it every single day. Rubik’s Cubes twist, and Lego bricks click, Your mind is a puzzle, your hands are so quick. Flying your drone, high up in the sky, But it’s sharing God’s Word that makes your heart fly. A Mac guy at heart, since the very first call, On your old iPhone 1, you’ve held onto it all. The Muppets bring you joy, and Gus is your guide, Every Sunday he’s there, right by your side. Some say he’s your alter-ego, and that’s no surprise,…

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ChatGPT Reviews Kidology.org

I asked AI via ChatGPT to list the Top 20 Challenges and Topics of Children’s Ministry Leaders and then to access how well Kidology.org addresses those. This was the result… including this image: (I did no editing and for the most part it’s pretty accurate! I simply added a few links to resources as they were described, but there is MUCH more on the site than even what is listed here! If you are looking for something not listed here, we probably have it after 30 years of building the site, just write and ask!) Certainly! As of my knowledge cutoff in October 2023, Kidology.org is a well-established online resource dedicated to equipping and encouraging children’s ministry leaders. Founded by Karl Bastian, known as the “Kidologist,” the website offers a wealth of resources, training materials, and a supportive community aimed at addressing the various challenges faced in children’s ministry. Here’s how Kidology.org addresses the top 20 issues facing Children’s Ministry Leaders Today: Recruiting and Retaining Volunteers: Kidology provides practical articles and training modules on effective strategies for volunteer recruitment and retention. They offer ideas on building a strong volunteer culture and recognizing volunteer contributions to prevent burnout. Curriculum Selection and…

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