KIDS WORSHIP
THE DYNAMIC DUO : PRAYER AND PLANNING | Yancy
I want to continue on the subject of planning worship sets . It ’ s time to stop playing Russian roulette while standing in your tech booth on Sunday mornings , picking songs at random . Sadly this is a norm in kid ’ s ministry . It ’ s also time to stop asking people walking by , “ What do you want to sing today ?” Neither of those things allow for you to be prepared . How do you know that you ’ re ready to lead those songs ? Not to mention this process doesn ’ t allow you to pray over your set and invite God into the process of how you lead it .
Last week , I was leading worship at a conference . I knew roughly what each session was about and how many minutes or songs they wanted in a couple spots . As I plan my worship sets , I do so prayerfully . I combine practical knowledge and listening to God ’ s voice as I plug in songs and determine what I ’ m going to lead and share . It was so cool to see how God had led me through the song choices of the different sessions . In one service I led a song someone also shared a testimony about . Another service , I led a song that was super special and significant to the person speaking . Another service , the response song was about a characteristic the speaker highlighted in her talk . In that full circle moment , it felt cohesive . I know that ’ s because it was Spirit-led in the planning process . Every detail was confirmation . You may be gifted with some planning sessions of a big team and lots of details to use in planning based on all the info you ’ re given . Or you may be working on it alone in your office , coffee shop or even from your couch at home . No one else to bounce ideas off of except for your helper , the Holy Spirit . I know first-hand that He will confirm , nudge , challenge and give you peace throughout the process .
You will never regret praying over your worship sets . Not just right before you walk on stage but throughout the entire process of planning , practicing , rehearsing and leading .
• As you plan the songs
• As you practice and prepare
• What does God want to say and do ?
• What does He want you to say or share ?
When I sit down to plan a worship set , I gain knowledge and data focused on the practical side . I reference the past month or two of worship sets . What song ( s ) needs to be repeated ? What have you not sung recently that it is time to sing again ? What songs do you have that tie into what ’ s being taught ? ( common theme ) What new songs are you needing to introduce ? How much will it need to be repeated ? What is a “ home run ” song that you can use to create momentum and engagement surrounding that new song ? How can you create variety ? Yes , preschool ministry loves repetition , routine and familiar . Preteen ministry will benefit from not being able to predict your every move . Change up your sets . The service order . Anything you can to keep things interesting .
In balance with the practical information , I gather and use in my planning , I focus on the spiritual . I pray . Ask the Holy Spirit to give you peace and show you where to put each song . Plug some songs in . Do you feel peace ? Does something need to still shift or change ? Keep praying and trying ideas until He confirms the set with peace . Create a habit of saying “ Spirit , lead me ”. I promise , the more you do it the easier it will become . This is an area that you can develop spiritual muscles for , as you build song sets that win in connecting the hearts of those that you lead in worship .
Remember to think through your invitation into worship . What are you inviting them into ? What are you encouraging them to do ? What would a step look like ? What would growth be ? Don ’ t just pray and plan your set and then stop there . Have a plan for how to invite them into participation . How can you lead them to go deeper and engage in the time ?
Don ’ t forget to reflect and process how you saw God moved ? How is the engagement of worship growing in your group ? Did you have a conversation where you heard a testimony ? Encourage yourself that God is working in each step of the process for His glory to be known . I believe in your ability to hear God ’ s voice and lead your kids to be the worshippers He created them to be .
© 2024 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 helps kids fall in love with Jesus one song at a time . Yancy authored the book “ Sweet Sound : The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship ” to help your church raise every generation to be worshipers . She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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