No Budget? No Problem!

In these challenging economic times, children's ministry budgets often get cut, sometimes eliminated. And while I am sympathetic to leaders who face the challenges of ministering with less money, I'd like to pose a sincere question: "What do you need money FOR?" I've found over the years, working in ministries both with no budget all the way up to large budgets, that the amount of money I had was not proportionate to the number of kids I could reach!

My fear is that in challenging times, leaders will devote more time to fundraising and get distracted from ministry. Let's not forget that God works through these hard times to refine us and teach us things. There are thriving ministries on the mission field around the world that have NO money and they do fine. The Church existed for years before all the goodies that we enjoy now. I think sometimes that we've gotten to a point that we now think we "need" more than we truly do.

If you take the time to list your real basic needs, you'll probably find you don't need as much money as you think. In fact, what you do actually need is probably much more attainable that you previously assumed.

Remember, Jesus' ministry had no budget!

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

"We believe that all are created equal and that all should be offered the benefits of salvation in the economy of God," writes Barney Kinard. "All are included, there is room for all, but it is also true, that not all will respond." 

"However, those who do respond should not be marginalized. That means that all who respond can be included, regardless of gender, class, ethnicity, rank or status, rich or poor, even those with physical disabilities are included."    

» Keep reading "The Role of Inclusion"   

Other recent additions to the Kidology Zones:

• Researching a Potential Church Ministry Postion 
• Office Paper Toss - Preteen Game  
• God Will Never Forget  
• 10 Ways to Manage Behavior Problems in Sunday School  
• Go Green  
• The World's Largest Ice Cream Sunday  

If you are looking for some Halloween-related resources, stop by the Kidology Store and take a look at these products, most available as immediate downloads!

• Candy Corny Day Extreme Party Plan  
• Leaf A Rama Day Extreme Party Plan   
• Silly Scarecrow Day Extreme Party Plan   
• High Voltage Halloween Curriculum  
• High Voltage Holiday Countdowns DVD  

What does it mean to have vision? How can a clear vision for ministry increase your effectiveness? How do you get your volunteer team working together toward a God-focused vision?

Watch our FREE video-based Visionary Leadership online training session.  Every Kidology Premium Member can go through an online experience with Karl Bastian teaching his Leadership Labs.

To add to your learning experience, each training session has an optional add-on download kit that provides a 30+ page PDF that goes even deeper into the material, including video and PowerPoint that you can use to train your own leadership team.

» Watch "Visionary Leadership"
» Kidology Online Training 

"What are the big and little things you are trusting God for as you springboard into the new year?" asks CP Team member Megan Rayment in the Kidology Forums.  

"For me, that is a full team to serve our church families on a Sunday morning and to see some real growth in the hearts of my churched kids between now and Christmas."   
   

» Add your own dreams