KIDS WORSHIP
MY PERSPECTIVE SHIFTED ON THE GAP OF TIME | Yancy
Normally my summers are filled with VBS , kids camp and other summer events . It ’ s usually a very busy schedule that feels a bit like a race before the kids go back to school . And then came 2020 , right . We ’ ve all been there this year with some element of life is different . This summer , I only got to do one VBS . It was a highlight and suddenly everything was so crystal clear of what I was thankful for . No more taking anything for granted now that my perspective was shifted to what I am so incredibly blessed to get to do . I have two sons . One is nine and the other recently turned four . My youngest went with me on this VBS trip and like kids so often do he taught me something .
On our flight to Colorado my son , Rhythm was full of questions . I seriously think he asked a million questions that day . It was like he had never flown before . Actually , his first trip was to Canada when he was only about 8 weeks old . The truth was that he had not flown since January which apparently was a very long six months in his life .
On the plane he asked me what we were gonna do later and I explained the church was going to pick us up and then we were going to go sound check . He replied : “ What is a sound check ?” Again , more shock set in . “ My child doesn ’ t know what a sound check is ” I thought . This is normally a regular occurrence in his life and he no longer remembers it .
Later that evening we were at the church and I was in the middle of my sound check for the service the next day . Rhythm looked up at the screens in the sanctuary and asked , “ Why do they have so many screens ?” I gasped and true panic set in as I processed the fact that my child no longer remembered what the inside of a church looks like . At that point he had not been in a church for four months due to Covid . Although we were doing the lesson plans at home faithfully that our church was sending us via email each week , the routines that used to be normal were no longer common . I did the math and realized in my son ’ s life Covid represented an eighth of his whole life .
The church we regularly attend finally got to start back in-person services recently . The night before that first Sunday back , there were more questions as he tried to understand that we were going to church , not watching it at home on the couch .
Especially for preschool and early childhood ages this gap of time in their young life is significant . As a Kidmin leader : If you encounter confused kids as they come back think about why . As a Parent : don ’ t let this gap linger any longer than you have to . Gather together to be unified in His presence and assemble together to glorify the Lord ! The Word of God is living and active . I believe it ’ s no accident the Bible encourages us to in Hebrews 10:25 “ And let us not neglect our meeting together , as some people do , but encourage one another , especially now that the day of his return is drawing near .”
As you gather together again remember that you may have to explain things that they once knew . Habits they used to have may be no more and as a worship leader you may have to remind them what worship time is all about . Share with them how they can engage and participate . In some ways it ’ s like starting over . Don ’ t be discouraged by that but let it stir a passion in you to teach clearly and lead boldly . It may be a time to focus on your vision and setting goals . How can you gather families together to worship in a fun way ? How can you help kids celebrate God ’ s amazing love ? Introduce some new songs . Lead them in some of their old favorites . It ’ s time to be creative . Spend time planning and preparing your worship sets to help these precious little ones taste and see that He is good .
In this season , I have seen churches using social media creatively to have various volunteers teach mini devos , lead a song , teach something new . Create something special for your kids . My son truly loved the personal touches from his teachers above just the curriculum video . The relationship he had with those familiar faces made a difference . Challenge families to watch and experience these together .
Whether in person , online , outside or socially distanced : Thanks for making safe places for kids to experience the presence of Jesus . What you do matters and is significant . Don ’ t stop !
© 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 .
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