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Let's suppose you had to pack for a week of teaching & ministry and all you could pack was a small "Kidmin Toolkit" - what would you pack into YOUR travel kit?

Kidmin Toolkit
A Bible? Naturally. An iPad? Perhaps. A yo-yo? A small puppet? I'd pack a bag of Jolly Ranchers and a sling shot! Some action figures? Remember, this is all you will have for a week of ministry.

What would you put in YOUR Toolkit?  Post your list on my blog; I'll mail those with the best responses a prize pack worth over $50! Then I'll post what I'd put in my Kidmin Toolkit!  

 

Next, I encourage you to PACK YOUR OWN Kidmin Toolkit and have it READY TO GO, because you never know when you just might just need it!

 

Because Jesus Loves Children,
Karl D. Bastian - a.k.a. "The Kidologist"
 

Memo From Children's Pastor: "No More Child Care!"
Memo From CP: No More Child Care"Stop providing child care for non-children's ministry events. I mean it! Draw a line in a sand. No more. Period. But do it with grace."

In this article, Karl Bastian explains that he's always refused to provide child care for non-CM events. Are you curious how he pulled that off?  It wasn't easy.

"Many CPs get burned out providing child care for others when they are trying to run the children's ministry. I'm not talking about the issue of 'children's ministry as child care' - I'm talking about actual child care for non-CM or non-ministry events. If it wasn't children's ministry, I wouldn't do it."

"Just because I had "children" in my title didn't mean anytime something with kids came up they could stick it to me. I had a ministry to run. I love kids, but if you don't hold your ground, they will kill you because you love kids; take advantage of you and exploit you. You have to be wise and savvy and Godly and gracious... but smart."

» Keep reading "Memo From CP: No More Child Care!"
» Discuss in the Forums!
September-October Kidology To Go Schedule
Kidology To Go

We've just scheduled another Kidology To Go for October! Plus, don't miss our two events in September. See if we are coming to your area soon:   

  • 9/10 - Mattoon, IL - Learn more
    First United Methodist Church of Mattoon   
  • 9/24 - Sylvania, OH - Learn more
    McCord Road Christian Church  
  • 10/8 - Florence, KY - Learn more
    Vineyard Christian Church   

Registration is FREE for Kidology Premium Members... and only $10 for everyone else.  

 

Don't see a location in your area? Learn how you can host a Kidology To Go at your church


» View the Travel Schedule
» Host Kidology To Go at your church!   

Recap of Yosemite Summit 2011   
Yosemite Summit Report"The fact that I am writing my Yosemite Summit 2011 Report at the end of August even though it took place in May should tell you exactly WHY I do Yosemite Summit in the first place," writes Karl Bastian in his report of Kidology's sabbatical for male children's pastors.

"We had a wonderful time hiking, enjoying fellowship with each other, and spending some quality time with God, the Creator of this incredible place. If you have never been to Yosemite National Park, you are truly robbing yourself of one of America's hidden treasures."

Registration for Yosemite Summit 2012 opens September 12.

» Keep reading "Yosemite Summit Report"
» Also, don't miss the "Unbridled Wrap Up"
Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader 10-Lesson Series  
Voyage of the Dawn TreaderIf you are looking to embark on adventure this Fall, Kidology's 10-lesson companion curriculum series for The Voyage of the Dawn Treader will help your kids set sail into the 3rd installment of C.S. Lewis' excursion!

Written by children's pastor Nicki Straza, this downloadable study includes everything you need to plan, organize, and teach the adventures found in this magical book. Experience King Caspian's voyage through magic waters to the End of the World!
  • 173 pages of teaching materials
  • 10 Take Home Papers for kids
  • Print-friendly PDF and editable Microsoft Word formats
  • Lesson Overviews complete with Time Estimates
  • Detailed Supplies Lists
  • Chapter Summaries designed for reading aloud
  • Kingdom Key teaching themes for each lesson
  • Bible Story application & discussion questions
  • Memory Verse Games
  • Object Lesson Instructions
  • Small Group ActivitiesWardrobe & Caspian
  • Planned Crafts with instructions
  • Snacktivity food-oriented illustrations
  • Supplemental Bonus Materials
Just $25 for Kidology Premium Members! 

Complete your Narnia curriculum collection by adding another unit to your order for just $20. Choose The Lion, The Witch, & The Wardrobe or Prince Caspian. Add both for $30 and save $10!

» Order via the Kidology Store
»
Discuss Narnia curriculum in the Kidology Forums

»
Download Free Sample PDF 
FREE Bulletin Insert for September
Bulletin InsertsWe've got the September "Generation to Generation" bulletin insert ready for you, thanks to the folks at Heritage Builders.

These monthly inserts provide short articles about raising children of faith... and are available for FREE download to all Kidology Premium Members!

Topics for September include...
  • Grandparents: Embrace Your Opportunity  
  • Tame the Tongue  
  • Kidology Corner, featuring a Family Devotional for mealtime
» Download September's insert NOW  
How To Hire a Children's Pastor
How To Hire a Children's Pastor"My experience with children's pastors is that they don't necessarily want to be the hero, but they certainly are the hero," observes Greg Baird, head of KidMinJobs and moderator of the Kidology Leadership Forum.

"They want to be actively engaged and creative. Most of all, they want to make a difference in the lives of children and their families."

"...Once you know what you are looking for, it's time to go find them. But how? Where do you find heroes who can teach large groups of kids, recruit fantastic volunteers and keep parents happy?"

» How To Hire a Children's Pastor
» Visit the Kidology Job Center
ToyBox Tales: I'm Sorry, Son 
I'm Sorry SonIn this ToyBox Tales classic, Miss Piggy hosts special guests and talks about reconciliation on her show, "Talk to the Pig." 

Other guests include Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader, who  forgive each other.  Leah also gets reconciled with her brother and father. Obi-Wan joined the group hug.  Darth Vader was so happy and wanted all of them to go to Disneyland.

It's never a dull moment in a ToyBox Tale!

 
» Watch video on ToyBoxTales.com 
Prep for the Fall with Used Items 
Kidology Garage Sale Let your children's ministry dollars stretch farther by shopping for previously-owned resources from other Kidology members in the Kidology Garage Sale!

Act fast or you'll miss out on... If you are a Kidology member, then you can use the Kidology Garage Sale to sell your used children's ministry stuff!

» Shop the Kidology Garage Sale 

» Sell your used items today
Keeping a Childlike Perspective
Keeping a Childlike Perspective

It's another kidmin "Thought from the Road," thanks to Marty Martin, Kidology To Go Coordinator.  He's traveling across the country in his RV providing mobile children's ministry training.  This time, a treehouse in Iowa inspired thoughts about being childlike:

       

Being childlike means being filled with wonder, with an uncomplicated love of life and others, full of hope and imagination and ready to enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Childishness is being selfish, unrepentant, inconsiderate and irresponsible. It is funny and sad at the same that as a children's pastor for so many years, I observed adults, even pastors, get these two confused!

 
»
Keep reading "Keeping a Childlike Perspective"
» View the Travel Schedule
» Host Kidology To Go at your church!