Leadership Zone

The Apostle Paul said when he became a man he put away childish things, but then Jesus said we are to come to Him as children. How do we connect with children, relationally, while maintaining the respect of adults? Pastor Karl - a self-identified "big kid" explains how to keep that tricky balance.

Children’s ministry is the perfect place for big dreams!

The role of a teen leader is more than just supervision — it’s about engaging, encouraging, and ensuring a safe and fun environment for little ones. 

Seven Steps to Starting Successfully in a new ministry - or to get a 'new start.' 

Download this guide to help your volunteers pray with kids.

The why and how of ministry highlight videos with lots of samples.

Many churches today use a Large Group / Small Group format. For small group leaders, here are FIVE TIPS to make your time as effective as possible.

Create volunteer meetings your people will WANT to come to!

Here’s a basic list of Questions for a Children’s Pastor, designed to assess their theological understanding, pastoral calling, ministry philosophy, and practical approach to children’s ministry. These questions ensure that the candidate is spiritually prepared and doctrinally sound for the role. Adapt, add or edit according to the needs of your unique ministry. Can also be used for Ordination.

I love Minecraft. I play it with my son and other kids. It also teaches me things about children's ministry.

Pastor Karl Bastian, children's pastor and founder of Kidology.org - and graduate of Moody Bible Institute of Chicago, Illinois, was honored in the Moody Alumni Magazine in the Winter 2025 edition.

While we may have valid concerns to many of the practices associated with inviting children to receive Jesus into their hearts, Jesus' imperative to bring kids to him must be a priority for children's ministry.

Pastor Karl addresses this critical issue that faces all of our ministries. Families visit our church, and don't return. Or, families that once were regular, fade away and we wonder what happened to them. How do we bring them back?

A Superhero Themed Recruiting Tool

Fun super-hero-themed postcards designed to make joining the kids ministry team easy and inviting!

A Child Security Training Video for use in Your Ministry.

Sample letter to send parents when a child makes a decision to accept Jesus as their Savior at church.

Don't let the church suck you dry - that isn't God's Will for those in ministry. When the church is killing your joy, you are doing more than God is asking of you and it is time for drastic action. Now. Stop making excuses.

They aren’t kids, but they aren’t adults yet either. 

Here is everything you need to hold a Teen Training Volunteer Session to inspire, instruct and instill confidence in your youth volunteers.

You'll never gain fame or glory in children's ministry. So are YOU called?

12 Commitments for a Ministry that Pleases the Lord

“Pray first.” It sounds so simple—yet when the demands of ministry and life pull us in a hundred different directions, that single command can transform our day.

"Read the Bible" - Let's admit it, sometimes that is easier said than done!

The health of a ministry begins with the health of its leader.

You never know how much someone needs encouragement until you take the time to ask.

When you consistently teach from the Bible, you’re not only shaping young minds, you’re shaping their habits.

Listening is more than a ministry skill — it’s a spiritual posture.

Being teachable doesn’t mean you’re unsure of your calling. 

We are never more like Christ than when we choose to forgive.

Do everything as if for the Lord. 

As ministry leaders, we need to treat praise like a relay baton, not a trophy.

In a world that glorifies hustle, rest can feel like a luxury—or worse, laziness.

The strength of the team often determines its success. This rings particularly true in the context of church volunteer settings, where individuals come together driven by a shared purpose. However, beyond mere cooperation, cultivating camaraderie among team members is crucial. Camaraderie not only enhances productivity and efficiency but also fosters a sense of belonging and support, ultimately enriching the volunteering experience. Let’s delve into the significance of building camaraderie within church volunteer teams and explore practical strategies to transform teammates into genuine friendships.

Ten easy steps to help you get started on your goal to partner with families in your church.

Here are 10 Bible passages for every kidmin to know. They will provide a Scriptural foundation for their ministry.

Make your staff/volunteer meetings more productive and focused.

Let’s commit to intentionally praying for our kids this school year. 

Have you ever used "Extreme Language"? We all have. The trick is to become aware when we're doing it, and put an end to it. Otherwise, we might start to believe it. 

One of the most important skills a leader needs to learn is to listen. Here are 21 crucial questions we need to learn to ask. 

Each of us have blind spots in our life and ministry that we may not be aware of.

Times have changed. As children's pastors and parents, we need to realize that our kids need more than what we're teaching.

What small things can you do to make 2019 even better for your ministry?

The curriculum we use should not set the direction of our children's ministry. As a #kidmin leader, you should tell the curriculum the direction of your ministry.

What are the temptaions that new... and seasoned... leaders face? How can you overcome them?

Being the object of criticism can be discouraging and deflating. It can also be an opportunity for growth.

How do you handle discipline in your ministry? Not just punishment, but maintaining control before it gets out of control? Here are some tips to help you run a smooth Sunday morning (or Wednesday evening).

Kid’s can be the church of today, if we let them… and help them.

How do you honestly feel when you get that dreaded email/call or hallway encounter where your volunteer is sharing with you that they are departing?

Feel like ministry is on fast-forward mode all the time? Here are four ways to press STOP and learn to pause.