Kid Communicator Secret #6 – Get Off the Stage: Teach from the Heart, Not Just the Platform

Get Off the Stage: Teach from the Heart, Not Just the Platform Authority impresses; authenticity impacts. Learn the secret of connecting eye-to-eye with kids. This Secret of Excellent Kid Communicators is something I rarely see. For those in small ministries, it may not seem immediately relevant—maybe you’re in a room with no stage at all, just a circle of kids and a worn carpet. But trust me, this principle is universal. Whether you’re speaking to a crowd of hundreds or sitting with a handful of wiggly kids on the floor, the key is the same: connection over performance. When you’re on stage, you have authority. But when you’re among the kids, you have authenticity. And while authority can command respect, authenticity captures hearts. Over the years, whether leading ministries of 10 or 100+, one of my favorite and most impactful habits has been to step off the stage—literally. I sit among the kids during worship or videos. Sometimes I just plop down beside a child during a game or activity. The effect is immediate. I’ve seen children’s eyes light up as if someone famous just chose them to sit with. I once overheard a little boy run up to his mom…

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Kid Communicator Secret #5 – Create Experiences: Make Lessons Stick

Feelings drive memory — discover how experiences anchor God’s truth deeper than any lecture. Want to make your teaching unforgettable? Then stop aiming only for the head — and aim for the heart. Kids remember what they feel. “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.”— Psalm 34:8 How many books have you read? How many movies or TV shows have you watched? Countless, right? But which ones do you remember? Without a doubt, it’s the ones that moved you emotionally — the ones that made you cry, laugh, sit on the edge of your seat… or maybe even scream if you’re one of those “scary movie” people. (Not me!) We remember what we experience, not just what we hear. We’ve already talked about creating surprises and involving kids in your lessons. Those are powerful — but now it’s time to go even deeper. The most Excellent Kid Communicators create emotional experiences that help kids feel the truth of a lesson — through wonder, amazement, laughter, challenge, even discomfort. “They may forget what you said — but they will never forget how you made them feel.” — Carl W. Buehner Sometimes you’ll…

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DICTIONARY JOKES – Real Definitions!

DICTIONARY JOKES – Real Definitions! Gravity: Not just a good idea, it’s the law! Gross ignorance: 144 times worse than normal ignorance. Clock: A small mechanical device to wake up people without children. Karaoke: A Japanese word meaning “tone deaf”. Opera: Where a guy gets stabbed in the back and sings about it. Racial prejudice: a pigment of the imagination. Normal: A setting on a washing machine. Health: The slowest possible rate of dying. Poverty: Having too much month left at the end of the money. Boy: A noise with dirt on it. Sleep: That fleeting moment just before the alarm goes off. Cynic: Someone who smells the flowers and looks in the casket. Witlag: The delay between delivery and comprehension of a joke. Skier: Someone who pays an arm and a leg to break them. Kidmin: The greatest job earth. Want help making the definition of your ministry, “AMAZING” – Get Coach Karl on your team at KarlBastian.club

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Secrets of Effective Kid Communicators #4: Turn Spectators into Participants

Get Them Involved: Don’t Just Talk — Engage! Learning sticks best when kids move, participate, and experience the truth for themselves. Want kids to remember your lesson long after Sunday? Then stop aiming for their ears — and start aiming for their hands, feet, hearts, and imaginations. There’s an old idea — often presented in various charts and pyramids — that says people remember more of what they do than what they simply hear or see. While the exact percentages vary (and aren’t always grounded in research), the underlying truth is rock solid: passive listening leads to forgetfulness, but active participation creates lasting learning. In kids ministry, this truth couldn’t be more important. If your teaching style is mostly “sit still and listen,” you’re not just missing an opportunity — you’re missing the point. Even adding visuals on a screen isn’t enough. Sure, it enhances your message, but what kids really need is to be brought into the experience. I want to get kids out of their seats, involved with their hands, laughing, thinking, solving, moving, and most of all — engaging. Benjamin Franklin famously said, “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and…

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A Tribute to Larry Mahan — “Mr. SONshine”

A Tribute to Larry Mahan — “Mr. SONshine” By Karl Bastian I lost a dear friend in ministry this week—Larry Mahan. To many, he was a Gospel Magician. But to those who really knew him, he was far more than that. Larry was a joyful innovator, a creative light, and a humble servant of Jesus who spent his life making ministry not only impactful, but irresistibly fun. Affectionately known as Mr. SONshine, Larry lived up to his name. Wherever he went—whether a church, a school, or a Fellowship of Christian Magicians meeting—he brought the joy and warmth of Jesus. He wasn’t just shining; he was reflecting the “Light of the world” (John 8:12) with every trick, every laugh, every lesson, and every encounter. Larry created simple, fun illusions that anyone could use to share the Good News with kids. He understood something essential: ministry to children doesn’t need to be complicated—it needs to be engaging, joyful, and Jesus-centered. His book, Shtick: The Art of Entertaining Children, remains one of the first resources I recommend to children’s pastors. When I first read it, I felt like I could’ve written it myself—not to rob him of the credit, but because I found…

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