KIDS WORSHIP
THE DETAILS MAKE THE DIFFERENCE | Yancy
I recently attended an event for preteen students . It ’ s an event where I have many friends in ministry and a long history . I was hanging out to see what all they were doing in this current season . As the sessions unfolded , I couldn ’ t help myself but start taking notes on what I was seeing . A coach can often see things that players can ’ t . Being off stage things look and feel different then when the pressure is all on you on stage .
Perspective is everything . Being able to lean into that kind of perspective is what takes things from good to great . Overall , the worship leader was doing a really good job but if you want to get super detailed there were places where things could have been tightened up . There were gaps that needed to be filled . Invitations to cast and moments to lead . As I reflect back on my notes from that weekend , I can see there are some lessons that all of us can learn from . I hope these ideas will spark something for you as you strive to lead the kids you lead in worship better .
VERBAL AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION IS GOOD BUT PHYSICAL MAKES IT EVEN BETTER .
The leader was engaging the crowd by having them shout an echo to a part of the chorus . It was a great idea that was working really well . An idea I shared was to take it up a notch by including a fist pump on that same word . Not only engaging the audience by getting them to shout the word but also move their arm and participate physically as well . It ’ s the kind of small change that pays off really big when you see your group moving . What I love about this as well is it ’ s one thing . One motion . Not twelve dance steps . You don ’ t have to practice for weeks to get it . It ’ s simple . You shout a word and you pump your rock fist . Two little things that together have major impact when you see and hear those around you joining in worship .
What is a song you could try something like this on ?
YOUR TRANSITIONS ARE PART OF THE JOURNEY .
It ’ s not just an intro to a song . It doesn ’ t just have to be music you ’ re waiting to pass by so you can start singing . Use the transition between songs to invite your audience to respond in worship to what they ’ ve been learning . Worship can be an action point for them . Remind them worship is their response to who God is and what He has done .
What would a purposeful transition between songs consist of ? What could you say to inspire them to take a step ? What does the worship journey you ’ re leading them on need to look like ? What could you say to inspire them to take a step and engage in worship ?
PLACE A VERBAL BOOKEND ON THE SONG AND MOMENT .
Instead of a song ending and you immediately moving on to the next thing or just saying “ thanks for worshiping . Have a seat .” Make something of the moment you ’ re in to engage those you ’ re leading . Comment at the end of the song , related to the song . If you were singing “ Graves into Gardens ” then comment “ Yeah , there is nothing better than our God .” Or ask a question like “ Do you believe that today ? Say ‘ Oh yeah ”. ( Get a response .) Then start your transition to the next segment . It doesn ’ t have to be a 3-point sermon , just react to what you were singing about by commenting about it . Think of it like you ’ re highlighting what the song was about . Engage those you ’ re leading by asking a question that demands a response . Complete and finish the moment rather than jerking the steering wheel over into another lane .
What is the final song of the set you ’ re preparing to lead ? What would placing a bookend on the moment look like ? Plan how you can apply this .
REMEMBER TO LEAD THEM .
Your role as a worship leader is really less about singing and more about leading . Don ’ t be so focused on all the things you ’ re supposed to sing that you forget to lead your audience . Before the key parts of the song or even the last chorus insert things like “ sing this with me .”, “ let ’ s sing this ”, “ lift this up ”. “ Don ’ t hold back your praise ”. Your verbal cue becomes an invitation to them to join in . They need your instruction , reminders and permission to engage more than you may realize .
Reflect on some recent sets you ’ ve led . What would remembering to lead them more look like ? Study David ’ s example of this in Psalm 47:1 . Let ’ s lead like David .
© 2023 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 . Her Dove Award winning music is all the things kids love and everything adults value . Her popular worship resources include “ Little Praise Party ”, “ Kidmin Worship ” and “ Heartbeat Curriculum ”. Yancy created her first children ’ s musical for Lillenas Kids : “ Best Christmas Song Ever ”. She authored the book “ Sweet Sound : The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship ”. She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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42 July 2023 Subscribe for Free ...