Articles Zone
Practical and insightful articles about Children's Ministry.
Looking for some expert advice? This Zone is a treasury of Children's Ministry expertise from the Kidologist and other veterans in children's ministry.
Some of the most popular articles are:
Getting into the Home | Mailbox Ministry | Discipline that Disciples | Entering the World of Kids | First Steps for a New Children's Pastor | The Great KID Mission |
Looking for something you didn't find here? Let us know!
‹ Back to ZonesLevel | Title | Topic | |
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The Future of Children's Ministry
This is Karl's contribution to the Greg Baird / Kidmin360.com series. Download the COMPLETE book below. |
Leadership & Discipleship | ||
The Habits of Highly Mediocre Children's Pastors
Highly mediocre children's pastors... Do everything themselves. They would never think of delegating or multiplying themselves in others. Their self esteem relies on being a doer. They get insecure if others around them begin to demonstrate any leadership skills... |
Leadership | ||
The Kidologist Top Influencers
Karl Bastian was selected by Group’s CM Magazine as one of kids ministry Top 20 Influencer’s – but who were his “Top Influencers?” |
Leaders, Influence | ||
The Leadership Rubik's Cube
Whether or not you have ever mastered the Cube - this article will help you solve your Children's Ministry... and maybe the Cube too! |
Leadership | ||
The One Thing: Karl Bastian
Karl answers Greg Baird on what is the ONE THING that is most important aside from his walk with God. |
Leadership | ||
The Power of Choices
Devotional About the Power of Choices, both Large and Small |
Choices, Wisdom | ||
The Power of Encouragement
Karl, the Kidologist has had a note from Phil Vischer's mom up next to his desk for over 15 years... find out why! |
Young Leader Encouragement | ||
The Sunday After September 11, 2001
The Sunday after September 11, 2001 I arrived at church still not sure what exactly I was going to say to my children. I prayed for balance. When I arrived at church... |
911 | ||
The World of Kids: BIONICLES
Learn the scoop on this toy from Lego and how to apply it to ministry! |
Bionicles | ||
Tips for Leading Games
10 Tips for leading effective games, plus a play-by-play example so you can become an expert at leading FUN games that teach a point! |
Games | ||
Tips for Teaching Preteens (Middle Schoolers)
Karl Bastian provides some practical tips on engaging and keeping the interest of middle schoolers when teaching. (Bonus: Comes with a sample middle school lesson.) |
Teaching Preteens | ||
Two Raging Battles
There are two battles raging today in children's ministry. The first battle is for the hearts and minds of our children. It is a battle that we are losing on many fronts. While in many places children’s ministry has "arrived" with its kid-friendly facilities and multi-media "edutainment" style of teaching, there is little evidence that all this "fun" and "excitement" is automatically translating into young, fully-devoted disciples of Jesus Christ. This is a battle that we are all aware of for the most part, and are trying our best to engage and win. |
Partnering with Parents | ||
Vision - I Can See Clearly Now!
Leadership is not about "getting somewhere" it's about getting to the desired destination and vision provides the needed roadmap. During times of change and uncertainty people are concerned about their future and desire some assurance about what is ahead. Vision provides hope and direction for those around you... PLUS lots of great quotes on Vision. |
Vision | ||
Volunteer Evaluation Worksheet
An evaluation worksheet that can be used to help gain feedback as well as help volunteers evaluate their performance. |
Volunteer Evaluation | ||
Volunteer Recruitment is Best Through Relationships
Become more relational with your volunteers while recruiting. |
Volunteers, Relationships | ||
Vote with Your Feet
This opening lesson activity helps to illustrate that while we have many things that make us different... there are some things we can all agree on. |
Fun Lesson Intro | ||
Ways to Get Kids 'In the Word'
Here are some methods you can use to encourage your kids to study their Bibles! |
Bible Study | ||
Ways to Make Kids Feel Special
We all love kids! Here are some very practical ideas of way to SHOW it! |
Shepherding Children | ||
What Happened to the Bible?
A tragedy is happening! The Bible is a rare object in most children's ministries today. What are the steps for action that we need to take? |
Using Bibles in Children's Ministry | ||
What Matters Now: Relationships
Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, made this contribution to the book What Matters Now in Children's Ministry. |
Relationships | ||
What's Your Excuse?
An inspiring story from Karl about at 67 year old that is not making excuses when it comes to ministry. |
Excuses, Serving | ||
When Good People Disagree
Using Halloween as a case study in conflict, this article rises above that issue to provide insight into how Christians should deal with controversial topics, such as Halloween. |
Conflict - Halloween | ||
Who is Edward Kimball?
Edward Kimball dedicated his life to the spiritual guidance of young souls. Little did he know that one of his seemingly unpromising students would later become one of the greatest evangelists in history. |
Evangelism | ||
Why Children's Ministry is the BEST
Longer Results—Children who have just made a commitment to the Lord have their entire lives before them. Adults who accept the Lord have already squandered much of their lives. Children’s ministry is the only place where you can impact one’s entire life span. |
Children's Ministry | ||
Why Children's Pastors Fail
Top Ten Reasons Why Children's Pastors Become Discouraged and Fail |
Leadership | ||
Why Television is Harmful to Children
An educational look at how television is affecting your kids, and then some PRACTICAL things you can do battle the T.V.'s influence! |
Media | ||
Windshield Prayer Cards
Let your ministry encourage the whole church as you give the kids an opportunity to pray. |
Prayer, Ministry | ||
Work Expands to Fill the Time Allowed
No matter how early you start to plan, how much you delegate, or how many volunteers show up, why does it always seem that you can't get ahead on all that needs to be done? If you've ever asked this, then you're in the right place! |
Efficiency | ||
You Don't Have a Recruiting Problem
I hear it often... "I'm having trouble recruiting." May I be so bold as to suggest your problem isn't recruiting. If you focus on something far more important than recruiting, you'll have all the volunteers you'll ever need. You may even have extras! Read on for the secret to building the largest team in the church! |
Recruiting, Volunteers | ||
Are You Called to Minister to Children?
You'll never gain fame or glory in children's ministry. So are YOU called? |
Ministry Calling | ||
Are you discipling your OWN kids?
Discipling our children is not optional. If you have kids (or grandkids) you are discipling them. You might be discipling them for good or bad, but you are discipling them one way or another. |
Family | ||
Can We Keep her?
A child's prayer for a dog teaches Dad a lesson. |
Prayer | ||
Christian E-Mail Etiquette in an Age of Fear
Why do we, as Christians, seem to rush to be among the first to use the medium of e-mail to fan the flame of fear in the hearts of others? |
Computers | ||
Do You Need Photo Permission Slips for Your Kids Ministry?
It is a common children's ministry myth that you need a media release for pictures to be taken of kids in your ministry. This comes up often in social media conversations, so Karl answers this question here. |
Media Releases | ||
Every Child Needs a Daddy to Love Them
A Godly reminder about the reason we serve children in the Lord's name. Many kids have been through a lot and come from broken homes. What a privilege it is to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord to let every little kid we come in contact with, know that they are loved. |
Mark 10:14 | ||
'Gospel' Magic?
Eric Reamer, a professional Christian magician, has studied the origins of witchcraft, Satanism, and many of the cult movements of our time from a Biblical perspective and has been in the full time ministry for over ten years. Here he answers the question, "Isn't magic condemned by the Bible?" |
Gospel Magic | ||
Parent Prayer Warriors
Prayer is a critical line of defense which parents of today must not neglect, overlook or postpone. Here are some important things to consider as you prepare to do battle for your children: |
Prayer | ||
Practical Ways To Encourage Children To Pray
In surveys given to Christian adults about prayer, there are two main reasons given why we don’t pray as much as we know we should. The first answer is, "Because I’m too busy." The second should shake the core of the Church: "Because I don’t know how." Many answering this survey have been raised in Christian homes. |
Prayer | ||
Prayer Evangelism for the Family
Practical ways to fulfill the Great Commission at Hom |
Prayer | ||
Praying Scriptural Blessings Into The Lives Of Your Children
Our children are facing difficult circumstances daily. No matter what culture they are living in, there are always pressures and temptations to do the wrong things. As parents, we can teach, by our example and our words, what is right. Yet even children who know Christ face struggles that pull them away from doing "the right thing." |
Prayer | ||
Preparing The Next Generation For Revival
Author Cheri Fuller has developed a wonderful three-step model for engaging children in prayer: invite, equip and release. When applied to revival praying, this model takes on powerful significance. |
Kids and Prayer | ||
Raising Holy Children
When we think of those we know who live holy lives, we generally don’t think of children. Children need two important things: example and opportunity. If holy living is not demonstrated to them, we cannot expect that they will grow up with a desire to be holy. |
Raising kids | ||
Teaching Children To Pray: Some Basics From The Scriptures
Children can be taught the basics of prayer from the Lord Himself, who has given us some very specific instructions. The simplest and most powerful way that children (and adults too) can grasp and understand prayer is to read and follow God’s How-To Manual of Prayer--The Bible. Study one of these prayer concepts together each week and put them into practice so that children will begin to weave prayer into the fabric of their every day lives. The Lord will be faithful as your children grow in their prayer lives. |
Prayer | ||
Tenacity
Reasons not to give up when everything seems hard. |
Tenacity | ||
The Cost of Freedom
They gave you and me a free and independent America. The history books never told you a lot about what happened in the Revolutionary War. We didn't fight just the British. We were British subjects at that time and we fought our own government! Some of us take these liberties so much for granted, but we shouldn't. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots. |
USA Freedom | ||
The Transforming Power of God's Word in the Child's Life
Jeremiah 29:11: What a powerful legacy for any child--or for any Christian! Almighty God has told us that He has wonderful plans for us. Here are some practical steps toward bringing your children to fullness in Christ, through employing the powerful Word of God. |
God's Word | ||
You Looking Good
One of the biggest challenges for any children's ministry leader is helping the adult congregation recognize that your ministry is a vital part of the kingdom plan for the entire church. These suggestions and hints are proven in hundreds of churches. Formulate a strategy for growth. |
Promotion of CM | ||
Here is a great lesson for children on the story of Balaam's talking donkey. Through this story, kids will learn that they need to listen for God's guidance. |
Children's Lesson | ||
"I Can't Feel God Today"
What will you say when a little child says to you, “I can’t feel God today”? |
Divorce Care | ||
"Whether" getting you down?
Find out how you can calm the 'whethers' in your kids' lives, even if you can't control the 'weather'. |
Divorce, Uncertainty |