Step Aside and Let God Recruit

I recently received a wonderful e-mail, one of those that says it better than I can: 

Karl, I recently was granted a Kidology scholarship and I am SO thankful. It would take a book to explain my situation, but I am sure you have heard it all before... a struggling Children's Ministry without a Minister so a member takes the task on and is just overwhelmed.

When I opened my email from customer support stating I had the Premium Membership there was a mention of this "Leadership Labs" series that was suggested I try out. I started the "First Things First" lab and had to pause the video after the first homework assignment. Can we say a gut check?  

I immediately started crying out to God and apologizing for making this MY task and MY service. I turned everything over to Him and asked Him to take care of everything. "Just show me what you want me to do," I pleaded. I was in tears before our talk was over. That night I slept better than I had slept in weeks! I was actually planning on sleeping in the next morning, but the phone woke me up. On the other line was an older woman from our congregation. She explained that she just felt led to offer to be a volunteer with our kids (something we have REALLY struggled with). I was amazed.  

Here was a woman who was completely able to help, but that I never would have thought of to ask. I hung up the phone pretty much in shock, but immediately comforted in an assurance that He would indeed take care of everything - if I would just step back and let Him. Thank you for the gut check. I needed it.  - Amber 

As I have written about many times (such as in my article, Give It Back to God), it is His Ministry, not yours. So give Him a chance!

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

How do reach kids during the busy summer? Go to where they are! Right in their own back yard and bring the fun with you!  Karl Bastian writes, "after realizing that VBS tended to reach mostly Christian kids, we decided to go where the kids were. Changing the venue to homes flips the percentage of unchurched kids from 5-10% to 90-95%..."

 
» More "Backyard Bible Splash"  

Other recent additions to the Kidology Zones:

• Switch! - The Drawing Game 
• Treasure Hunt  
• Are You a Cruise Ship or a Dinghy  
• A Delegation Question  
• Da Bible Feet - Paul 
• Da Bible Feet - Noah  

Marty Martin, Kidology To Go Coordinator, is traveling across the country in his RV providing mobile children's ministry training.  While traveling, he put some thoughts together about thinking for children's ministry:   

If you work with children and your church or in your profession, do you make an effort to notice things like this when you are out and about? Do you watch and engage with the children in your personal life? Are you always on the lookout for a good illustration, a special guest speaker or new gadget to introduce your kids to? Let me say two things in an effort to stay balanced.

First of all, I do not recommend being so focused on learning about what kids like that you do not take time to play with your kids!  Secondly... 

 
» Keep reading "Think like a Kidmin"
» View the Travel Schedule
» Host Kidology To Go at your church!