Nicodemus is a stud.
Using costume characters is a cheap and excellent way to help kids (or adults) grasp a lesson. They provide a number of benefits and can be utilized in a variety of types of services and any church size. We’ve used costume characters in outreaches, regular services, our family experiences, and even in our Easter and Christmas services, which is a great way to make visitors feel more comfortable. I’ve identified a few of the things that make costume characters a great tool that should be in every kidmin’s arsenal.
They are cost-effective: Costume characters can easily be created out of miscellaneous stuff you have lying around or by purchasing random items from yard sales and thrift stores. I also usually spend a little bit of money when Halloween stuff goes on clearance for wigs and props up to 90% off. When it is that cheap, I often buy things I don’t need but could possibly need someday. I’ll even help you get some cheap eyeglasses for your characters.
Each year, the folks at Orange Conference organize bloggers to write from the event. The list of all of the Orange Conference Bloggers for 2012 is available on the 
It’s been a while since I’ve read a book specifically about children’s ministry, which is sad considering some great kidmin books have come out in the last few months. It’s not that I don’t enjoy them. It isn’t that I didn’t benefit from them. And it certainly is not because I don’t need them. Trust me, I do. I just read too much too fast. About two years ago, I hit a period in my life where I read a lot about children’s ministry. I was reading tons of blog posts and reading books as fast as I could. I read a few books that had been sitting on my shelf for years and some that were new releases. I read a lot.
It only takes about two minutes of ministry conversation with me to see that I love the idea of Orange ministry (combining the influences of church and home to reach the lost and disciple the found). As I’ve practiced it, I’ve found it is one of the most comprehensive church strategies out there, going way beyond a student ministry or children’s ministry strategy. Thinking orange has been influential in the growth we’ve seen in our church across multiple generations, starting with infants all the way through the senior adults. 
