April 2008 Newsletter

 
 

CAN I JUST GET OFF AT THE NEXT STOP?
I carry an iPhone, an iPod, a digital camera, a laptop, and several wireless devices. I communicate by phone, by e-mail, by instant message, by iChat, by website, by blog, by Twitter, by Facebook, and, oh yeah, sometimes in person. I have a family network, a church network, a work network, a ministry network, a small group, an accountability group, a men's Bible study group, and several social networks. Every day I have to get up, keep up, read up, listen up, catch up, clean up, rest up, and, oh yeah, read my Bible and pray up. I need quality time with my wife, my son, my family, my friends, my co-workers, my colleagues, and my Lord. Life can be pretty crazy!

Let me encourage you to take time to STOP, step back, and reflect. I'm looking forward to Yosemite Summit in a few weeks to get away from it all and spend some time with God and some other children's pastors. Perhaps our Kidology Report on Simple Church will challenge you this month to take a fresh look at just how busy you keep your church people too. Could we be so busy that we haven't time for God? It's all too easy! Life is busy and ministry is tough. That's why Kidology.org is here to help! So take a deep breath, sit back, relax, and grab a moment to breathe. We're with ya!

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

 

KIDOLOGY REPORT: SIMPLE CHURCH
"This book helps you to stop wasting your resources and focus them on the programs and initiatives that really bring about spiritual growth and development," notes Kidology CP Team member Marc Romero in his review of Thom S. Rainer & Eric Geiger's book, Simple Church.

"Simple Church proposes four words to help you cut through the clutter of models, processes and programs: Clarity, Movement, Alignment, and Focus. The book suggests that these four words, once embraced and implemented, will help you foster spiritual growth in a measurable way."

» Read the Report
» Discuss in the Forums
» Pick up a copy

Kidology Report

Simple Church


The Kidology Report is exclusive to Professional and Group Members.
Want to access this publication and more? Upgrade today!

POLL: ECONOMY AND BUDGET CUTS
EconomyFrom the Kidology Network Forums: "With the current economy in the U.S. taking a hit in everything from gas prices to grocery prices to housing woes, has your church felt it? I talk to many who have said they have had to reconfigure their budgets and tighten their belts. Have you experienced this?"

» Vote in the poll and discuss!

SPOTLIGHT MINISTRY RESOURCE: GOD ROCKS!
What is a Kidology Spotlight Ministry Resource?

It's a children's ministry tool we believe stands out in quality and excellence. Kidology independently chooses resources that we believe deserve a closer look.

Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, casts the Spotlight on God Rocks! and their Starlight Rescue VBS. This creative VBS utilizes a hybrid video/live action approach that goes beyond a dumbed-down 'plug and play' experience, instead extending opportunities for personal interaction with kids.

» Read about this Spotlight Ministry Resource
» Discuss in the Network Forums
» Purchase God Rocks! Starlight Rescue VBS

Kidology Spotlight Ministry Resource

God Rocks!

TWO RAGING BATTLES
Battle"There are two battles raging today in children's ministry," notes Karl Bastian, the Kidologist. "The first battle is for the hearts and minds of our children. It is a battle that we are losing on many fronts... there is little evidence that all this "fun" and "excitement" is automatically translating into young, fully-devoted disciples of Jesus Christ."

» What's the second battle?

This Leadership Lab Preview is exclusive to Professional and Group Members.
Want to access this article and more? Upgrade today!

KIDOLOGY TO GO: DETROIT AREA - APRIL 26
Kidology To GoBluewater Baptist Church (Sarnia, Ontario, Canada -- located just over the border from Detroit) welcomes a Kidology To Go conference on Saturday, April 26. This all-day seminar event will feature Karl Bastian, the Kidologist, as the presenter.

Workshops include "Kidology 101: Effective Relational Ministry to Kids", "Making Your Discipline Problems Disappear!", "Making Your Class Rock!", and "Object Lesson Explosion!"

» Register to attend on April 26

ARE YOU READY FOR PRINCE CASPIAN?
Prince Caspian Companion StudyThe movie adaptation of Prince Caspian hits theaters May 16... that's coming up soon!

Be prepared for the Narnia conversations and use this film as a teaching moment with our popular Prince Caspian Compaion Study. Written by Susan E. Harper, this 10-week study includes chapter summaries, games, The Bible Connection, scripture memory, small group discussion, and more. Available for immediate download!

» Kidology members save $10

Also available:
» Wardrobe + Caspian Combo Pack
» The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe Companion Study

MOVIE REVIEW: NIM'S ISLAND
"An excursion into blurred storytelling, mixing fantasy, adventure, comedy, and drama, with a hint of romance at the end," comments CP Team member Glen Woods is his review of Nim's Island.

"The best acting comes from an unlikely source, the menagerie of animals which have befriended the girl, not least the lizard and the sea lion. They also are the most responsible characters. The adults and children are portrayed as self-absorbed, emotionally and mentally unstable, cartoonish buffoons, and markedly one-dimensional, as if their presence is ancillary to the point of the story."

» Read the review...
» ... then discuss the film in the Forums!

GARAGE SALE: SHOP FOR SUMMER AND SAVE!
Kidology Garage SaleHere are some items that have recently been added by members like you in the Kidology Garage Sale. Take a look and shop for a good bargain!

You too can earn some extra cash by selling your used children's ministry stuff. Upload your products today!

» Shop the Kidology Garage Sale!
» Sell your used items

JUST $149 - THAT'S KID U CHICAGO!
Kidology University ChicagoWhere can you find 3 days of training for only $149?

The answer is Kidology University Chicago, our multi-day training conference that takes place October 1-4 in the Chicagoland area. This 10th anniversary event features hands-on Leadership Labs and special workshops for volunteers. Don't miss the concerts, networking opportunities, lunch, and more... all included!

» REGISTER NOW... special discount ends June 1!

MORE BUTTON CONTEST WINNERS!
Kidology Button ContestCongrats to Kristy Diebold of Sierra Madre, CA. She was the lucky owner of Button #150 last month in our Kidology Button Contest! She received a fabulous collection of prizes... but we're ready to announce even more winners!

If you visited with Kidology staff at various events around the country, you may have received a free Kidology button with a number on the back. (Didn't get yours yet? Order one online today!)

From time-to-time we'll be announcing numbers from those buttons. If yours is selected, you win a great prize. It's our way of saying thanks for spreading the word about Kidology! Here's the latest batch of winners:

  • Button #49
  • Button #167
  • Button #241

» Your button number listed? Claim your prize!
» Learn more about the Kidology Button Contest

MOVIE REVIEW: HORTON HEARS A WHO
Horton Hears A Who"The most recent cinematic experience from the Dr. Seuss library is Horton Hears a Who," writes Kidology CP Team member Brett Richmond. "This movie takes you on a great adventure with vibrant and lively characters that the whole family can enjoy."

As with all Kidology movie reviews, we provide children's ministry-oriented teaching tools such as an overview, areas of concern, teachable themes with scripture, and discussion questions.

» Read the review...
» ... then discuss the film in the Forums!

If you are not able to view this email, please click here: http://www.kidology.org/newsletters/2008/04/


© 2008 Kidology, Inc. • All rights reserved