KIDS WORSHIP
WHAT YOU SHOULD NEVER ELIMINATE IN YOUR SERVICE | Yancy
One of the most common issues leaders encounter in kids’ worship is getting boys involved. I know that it’ s one hundred percent possible to get boys involved, engaged and even passionate about worshiping the Lord. So, please hear me say first and foremost it is possible. You can lead them and cultivate a love for the Lord that is displayed through worship. So now that you’ ve received the reminder that it can be done, I want to help you navigate why you may have the pushback that you have, and what to do about it.
I received a message this week with a question about this topic. The Kidmin leader went on and on about how much his boys don’ t like worship and have even asked to NOT do it. Currently, he is following suit and appeasing them. Here’ s my cautionary warning. Removing the opportunity from them isn’ t the solution. Honestly, that is heartbreaking. If you’ ve ever been in an atmosphere where kids were worshiping purely you comprehend why this being removed is heartbreaking. There’ s nothing like a group of kids worshiping and when boys go all in, you’ ll have a smile stretch across your face.
Psalm 89:7 says“ God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be held in reverence by all those around Him.”( NKJV) According to this verse ALL which means all, everybody, not just some. Not just those that get it. Not only those that like the idea or have a love for music. Reverence and holy fear should be present in the assembly of the saints. A saint is someone set apart for God’ s purpose. So, anyone truly living a Christian life is no doubt in this category. Reverence and worship should be given. Holy fear isn’ t about being afraid or something being scary. It’ s about awe and respect for God who is holy and powerful. It’ s awareness of His greatness and our need for Him in our life.
So, let’ s talk about some of the possibilities of why the group of boys this leader messaged me about is on the struggle bus when it comes to worship.
WHO IS LEADING WORSHIP? Having a leader is so important. You need a person, not just a video being played to lead the time. Now, it’ s crucial this person truly leads but also is passionate and invites them into the worship time they are leading. They need to have joy and seem like they have fun while doing it. And they need to be someone that these boys can respect and value. Sure, a male involved is always a good thing but it’ s not the only way. The person needs to be someone they can want to be like and emulate or at least respect.
WHAT ARE THE SONGS YOU’ RE SINGING? Are your songs too childish? Do they look or sound lame? Consider the visual component and definitely make sure they sound like something from this century.( Event though style wise the 1990’ s are back!)
HOW ARE YOU INVITING THEM TO PARTICIPATE? This one is crucial and so overlooked. Spoiler alert: not every kid wants to do dance moves. I write about this topic for two chapters of my book Sweet Sound: The Power of Discipling Kids in Worship so I’ m not going to cover all the details of this here. But reducing down the amount of motions you utilize would be very wisdom-filled in capturing the interest of boys.
DO THEY KNOW AND UNDERSTAND? What have you taught them about worship? Are you only saying“ now it’ s time to worship and sing”? Or are you giving them specifics expanding their knowledge and awareness of the value and purpose of worship? Hosea 4:6“ My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge.”( NIV) This could look like a whole teaching series on worship. This could mean an intentional season with some specific sermonettes as you lead worship. It definitely should look like ongoing teaching and invitations given every time you gather to worship.
What I discussed above is the practical, nuts and bolts of it. There’ s more I want to share with you about this especially on the spiritual side. Next month, I’ ll continue the conversation with a few more steps to take.
Worship isn’ t just a girl thing. It’ s an everybody, all of creation thing. That means man, woman, boy and girl, every living thing was made to worship. Let’ s make space to grow them and their heart for worship.
© 2025 Yancy Ministries, Inc.
Yancy Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter with a passion for kids worship. Every week her music is used in thousands of churches around the world. Her Dove Awards 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. Through her program CHORUS, she coaches worship leaders for Next Gen Ministry. Stained Glass Kids is a podcast she hosts for PK’ s and ministry kids. Yancy lives with her husband and sons in Nashville, TN.
YancyMinistries. com
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