KIDS WORSHIP
MEMORY , HYMNS AND THE RIGHT BITE SIZE PIECE FOR KIDS | Yancy
I recently was attending a conference where they went into the old Hillsong United song “ Shout Unto God ”. And then another day the chorus of their “ All I Need Is You ”. Both times my heart leapt . For the first time I understood why older people in the congregation love their hymns or whatever “ comfort ” worship song of days gone by . It is the memories tied to those songs that make them as wonderful as the actual song itself . As I sang those songs , they represented a previous season in my life where I was full-time at a church leading worship teams and mentoring worship leaders to lead a variety of ages . So many memories of services I led and the relationships I invested in . Those songs are like monuments to show me God ’ s goodness in the past but also as a beautiful reflection of how good He can be to me right now .
Great songs never stop being great songs . We wear them out . We over use them and over sing them but the reason those songs connected so well and had the impact that they had is because they are great songs , for such a time as this . I believe we need to sing new songs . It is a scriptural thing to do so . But I also see how songs from previous seasons also serve as a beautiful testimony to God ’ s goodness in our life .
I don ' t think hymns are bad but I do think only hymns is bad . A smorgasbord or combination plate is the ultimate answer for greatest impact . Every song may not connect with 100 % but every worship set can connect with 100 % of the audience throughout the various songs you do .
I had a preschool ministry leader ask me about using some “ Sunday School Classic ” songs in their ministry . She asked if it was good to teach those classic to preschoolers and what about teaching hymns ? Yes , classics and hit songs have those labels attached to them because they are that . There is certainly a time and place for them . If the song has a great message and it ' s written in a way that it connects , works and sticks then yes , do it !
Let ’ s unpack that word connects . Does the message connect in a way that kids can understand ? Consider the vocabulary for the age of the child . How big of a song is it ? How wordy is it ? Maybe you need to simplify it . Maybe you do less parts if needed to keep it the right bite size piece for that age . The biggest issue I see is the vocabulary . Although it could work to select a chorus out of the hymn to teach i . e . " I surrender all , I surrender all , all to Jesus I surrender , I surrender all ." That is easy in size and form . The issue is the word " surrender ". It ' s not a pre-k vocabulary word . It is abstract not concrete . You would have to either teach them what the word is and what it ' s about or the song would not work . For elementary kids I have done hymn arrangements . Check out Vol . 1 at
Kidminworship . com for examples of how I made them kid friendly .
Will the song work to engage them ? Once you have established the song works lyrically . Analyze the song with questions like : Is it going to invite them to get involved ? What does the song physically ask them to do ? Is it fun ? Does the message make sense ? How does it relate to their season of life right now ? Will they be inspired to action as they sing along and take this truth to heart for the days ahead ?
Which leads me to will the song stick ? Music has amazing sticking power . If you want your kids to remember the message you ’ re teaching , find songs that will reinforce it . Music locks things away in our memory in a powerful way . I recently received two emails from adults who were impacted by my music . One was from when I first started over twenty years ago and the other from about twelve years ago . They both referenced the message in my songs that sticks with them even now as an adult . That is lasting impact and why what is in your songs matters .
A bonus to having classic songs in the mix of your Kidmin is that the generations know them . Mom , Dad , Grandma and Grandpa will get excited when they realize their child is singing a song they know and grew up with . It ’ s like a parent getting joy out of their child liking the same toys they had or sharing a special candy with their son or daughter that brought them joy as a child . It ’ s a great way to unite generations together for the sake of praising the Lord .
© 2020 Yancy Ministries , Inc .
Yancy Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter for kids who 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 . This year she is releasing lots of new music in her “ Little Praise Party ” series for young kids . Check out her latest “ Ready , Set , Go !” She lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
YancyMinistries . com