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Become a Proactive Leader!

Whether you lead the entire children's ministry, kids church, or a classroom, unless you are intentional, the weekly demands of ministry can quickly push you into a role of being a reactive leader.  You'll be doing a lot of good, soon feeling like the ministry isn't going anywhere - and you'd be right!

If you want your ministry to genuinely improve, you must learn to be a proactive leader - one that is driving and determining his or her actions more than being driven by the endless demands that are constantly pouring in.
What does it mean to be a proactive leader? It means you lean into the challenging situations that face you. You don't avoid them, postpone facing them, or pretend they will resolve themselves if you just ignore them a little longer. (Hint: They won't!)

In the November issue of Children's Ministry Magazine's Professional Edition, I start a 10-part series where I will be addressing leadership issues that demand a proactive approach.

Not a subscriber? It's OK! I've asked Group to give
every new Kidology Premium Member who signs up in November a FREE copy of the Professional Edition newsletter, and they said, "For you Karl? No problem!" Plus, if you subscribe via Kidology.org, it's $15 off the regular subscription rate - so what are you waiting for? Don't miss any of my upcoming columns and become a PROACTIVE LEADER yourself!

Because Jesus Loves Children,
Karl D. Bastian - a.k.a. "The Kidologist"
Redeeming Santa
Redeeming SantaIf you work in Children's Ministry, every year you are presented with the same conundrum: What do you do with Santa?

No matter how hard you work on curriculum... no matter what nuances you add... no matter the sparkle and shine you give to the Nativity... the big, fat guy in the red suit looms in the corner of the room.

CP Team member Nancy Keith takes a look at two great resources that strive to "redeem Santa":
  • VeggieTales - Saint Nicholas: A Story of Joyful Giving
  • The True Saint Nicholas: Why He Matters to Christmas
» What do you think? Read and leave a comment!
Free copy of Children's Ministry Professional Edition
Children's Ministry Professional EditionDuring the month of November, all new Kidology Premium Members will receive a FREE COPY of Children's Ministry Professional Edition Newsletter, courtesy of our friends at Group.

The Kidologist, Karl Bastian, is starting a multi-part leadership series starting with the November 2009 issue and we don't want you to miss it!  (Not a member?  Sign up today!)

» Learn more about this special offer!

Kidology also offers discounted subscriptions to this monthly newsletter via the Kidology Store. Members can save $15!

» Children's Ministry Professional Edition Newsletter Subscription

A ToyBox Tales Christmas
ToyBox Tales ChristmasMake sure you pick up a copy of A ToyBox Tales Christmas on DVD. This 5-part performance acts out the story of the first Christmas using Playmobile characters and includes a Bonus Tale. That's 6 Tales in all!

This DVD is a fun way to celebrate the story of the season. Don't miss out!

Plus, Kidology Premium Members save $5!

» Pick up this DVD today!
The Kids Church Cookbook: Part 1
The Kids Church CookbookThe Kids Church Cookbook cooks up Karl Bastian's secrets for running a successful children's church program -- and he should know, having served up over 1,000 Kids Church services! This resource is loaded with insightful instruction and practical training that will help both beginners and veterans.

There are 7 individual training installments to The Kids Church Cookbook, each featuring a 25+ page PDF as the "main course," along with a "side dish" consisting of a 15+ minute Training Video.

The first installment, Called to be a Chef of God's Word, is now available for immediate download for just $11.99 if you are a Kidology Premium Member.

» Order Part 1: Called to be a Chef of God's Word
» Learn more about The Kids Church Cookbook
New Stuff in the Kidology Store
Kidology StoreHave you dropped by the Kidology Store lately?  Remember that Kidology Premium Members receive substantial discounts on the many items in our Store and in the Kidology Garage Sale!

Remember that every purchase helps support the ministry of Kidology!

Take a look at some recent offerings:
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
Watch Online: Object Talks #1 and #2
Object TalksAs part of Kidology and DiscipleLand's new DiscipleTown kids church curriculum, lessons are supported by new Object Talks videos created by Karl Bastian. Multiple videos have been included in the first two installments of the DiscipleTown series.

Take a look at the first two videos, now available for viewing on ToyBoxTales.com!

» Watch #1: Magnify God
» Watch #2: The Connection

Downloadable, high-resolution versions of these videos and more are available via the Kidology Store:
Free Download: I'm a Banana
I'm A BananaAs a special perk for Kidology Premium Members, here is a FREE download of the Object Talks video from the upcoming Unit 3 installment of DiscipleTown, "How to Grow Spiritual Fruit" -- coming November 20th!

This video showcases a conversation between an orange and an apple -- who thinks he's actually a banana!

Featured verse: Matthew 12:33 - "Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit."

» Download the video now!
Coming November 20: DiscipleTown Unit 3
DiscipleTownWith over 200 churches already using the first two units of our new  DiscipleTown Kid's Church curriculum, you may be asking, "When is Unit 3 going to be available?"

The next installment will be released November 20 and is titled "How to Grow Spiritual Fruit".  Moving forward, a new DiscipleTown installment will arrive each month throughout the school year.

Haven't tried DiscipleTown yet?  What are you waiting for?  Each unit is designed to stand-alone or be used with other installments.  Plus, being available via download, it's quick to get and quite affordable!

» Unit 2: "How to Use My Bible" - Kidology Members save $5
» Unit 1: "How to Worship" - Kidology Members save $5
» Learn more about DiscipleTown curriculum
Join the conversation in the Kidology Forums
Kidology ForumsHalloween is over, Thanksgiving is soon, and Christmas is right around the corner.  Yes, it's a busy time in children's ministry, but the questions don't stop! 

Here are just a few conversations from the Kidology Forums that may catch your eye:

Do you have a question?  Can you contribute to the discussion and help someone else?  Drop by the Kidology Forums and chime in!

» Get answers in the Kidology Forums