What I Love About CPC
My CPCs are catching up to my age. I've been to nearly 40 consecutive CPCs. Every time people say, "were you at the one where...." I smile, because I have been at every one, every location, for the past 17 years.
I have been here as an attendee, as a speaker, as a performer, as an exhibitor... but mostly I am just here to walk around and talk to my friends who love kids ministry as much as I do.
I love meeting new people; I love seeing old friends; I love encouraging folks going through tough times; I love giving a word of advice or counsel to those just starting out in ministry or business; I love just being here among those who are as committed as I am to reaching and teaching kids or equipping and encouraging those who do so.
It's always great to connect with someone in ministry who has written a book we've read, published resources we've used, or been active writing on the Internet. But my favorite conversations at CPC are just with the folks I meet who are in the trenches of ministry week in and week out. The ones for whom coming to a Children's Pastor's Conference was a big investment they may only get to do every few years. It may be their first time, and they are still wide-eyed at all the workshops, the resources, and the ocean of people just like them - nuts about kids, and eager to more creatively reach them.
I love the conversations I get to have just sitting around after a workshop or in the aisle of the resource center or around the convention center with folks who tap my arm and ask for a minute of my time. They are the ones I'm here for.
I spend a lot of time all year looking at a computer and answering e-mails. At CPC, those e-mails become associated with faces and stories, and that's why I never miss one.
I hope to see you next year at CPC. Let's sit down and chat, OK?
Because Jesus Loves Children,
Karl D. Bastian - a.k.a. "The Kidologist"
