KIDS WORSHIP
SONGS THAT WORK TO MAKE THE MESSAGE STICK | Yancy
Your music is like a roller coaster . Lead them on a journey throughout your worship set . There can be highs , lows , twists and turns with the different types of songs you choose . Especially with preteen and elementary ages , don ’ t take the same path every single week and risk becoming predictable . Keep some adventure and remain in control by changing the orders of where you place the songs within the service . I often get asked questions about picking great songs for kids . I thought I would unpack some things to think about it as you explore new songs for your ministry .
# 1 EASY TO SING CHORUSES Look for catchy songs that are easy to pickup . Not the song that takes you listening for a month before you can follow-along to the melody . If you ’ re singing along by the end of your first listen that is a fantastic sign . Great corporate songs are easy to pick-up . They are not overly complicated .
# 2 LYRICALLY SIMPLE The vocabulary of the songs for the age you are leading is so very important . I ’ m not going to sing “ worthy is the lamb that was slain ” with preschoolers but I can sing “ How Great Is Our God ” or “ God Is So Good ”. Those are simple concepts that are on their level . It ’ s important to look for songs that speak their language .
Likewise , there are some preschool songs that I would never lead for preteens . They would roll their eyes at me and hold up a “ L ” to their forehead . Or at least in past decades that would be their response . Ha ! Whether it ’ s a big kid or a little kid make sure the lyrics relate to their current phase of life .
# 3 GET FEEDBACK FROM OTHERS There are many times I come across a song and instantly know we must add this song .
There are other scenarios where the decision is not so definitive . Will this song connect well and work ? I want to answer that confidently before I just try it in a service . I have had new songs that I was considering that I played for other members of our worship team . Solicit their input and feedback . I have even pulled in some older students and played a couple songs I was considering . Seeing how they respond is a great test and wonderful research to get before you potentially add the wrong song to your sets . The feedback will be worth your time and the team effort will likely gain you some leadership ground too .
# 4 CONSIDER THE ATTENTION SPAN OF YOUR GROUP For younger preschool children . Songs should only be two minutes when possible . There are exceptions due to repetition . Think “ Father Abraham ” the repetition makes it at least a three-minute song . But , it works because you ’ re repeating the same thing over and over just changing the action . Another area of exception is slower songs . They have a slower BPM therefore take more time . You ’ re not going to find a two-minute long ballad . It just isn ’ t possible due to the slower pace it moves through time .
Even with elementary children consider where you place songs in the service . Don ’ t do more than two or three songs max at a time . As a worship leader , it is much easier to have a couple songs back to back I can actually lead rather than all single song placements . The latter is like catching every red light on the way to where you ’ re going . Use the momentum of the previous song to help you gain ground with the next song you lead them in . Give them permission to grow in their worship by creating a green light for them to keep moving forward on the journey .
# 5 INCORPORATE DIFFERENT TYPES OF SONGS There are many different types of songs you can incorporate into your services . Praise songs : Typically , more uptempo that celebrate the greatness of God . ( Look up “ Praise Hymn ” by Big Big Worship or “ Super Wonderful ” by Yancy ).
Worship songs : Usually more slower in tempo that express honor and adoration and personal confession to the Lord . ( Think “ Good Good Father ” or look up “ Glory To Your Name ” from Kidmin Worship ).
Activity songs : These are very action oriented songs that can make for a great kick-off to a service to get the whole place moving . Take a listen to “ Happy and You Know It ” and “ Time to Get Started ” from Orange Kids Music .
Scripture songs : Sing your memory verse . Help God ’ s Word to stick by not just teaching scripture but putting it to music so it replays in their minds . There are several great resources for kids . Look up Seeds Family Worship , JumpStart 3 and The Rizers .
Songs that Reinforce Your Message : What are you teaching ? Is there a song that perfectly ties in ? Sing that same song each week of the series . Is there a song that would serve today ’ s lesson well providing a time of response ? Place it after your lesson .
© 2021 Yancy Ministries , Inc .
Yancy Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter for kids that travels the globe doing family concerts and training worship leaders . Every week her songs are used in thousands of churches around the world . Yancy has a passion to serve the Church which is why she created “ Heartbeat ”, a five lesson curriculum series to teach kids the heart of worship . Her beloved “ Little Praise Party ” series for young kids newest song is “ The Opposite Song ”. She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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