KIDS WORSHIP
HELLO MY NAME IS : “ WORSHIP LEADER ” | Yancy
I added up the years recently and realized that since I first started leading worship in my teen years , for some of my peers , I ’ m quickly approaching thirty years of worship leading . Which is wild to think about . Time sure does move quickly . The title I used above easily defines what it is that we are trying to do : Lead worship . If you look up the dictionary definition of the word “ leader ” you will find it means “ a person that leads ”. So adding “ worship ” to that very thoroughly defines the act of what our role is . A worship leader leads worship . It ’ s not just a job description or a label . It is a verb . It ’ s the very action you are doing .
I believe that we hear the Father ’ s voice . When I reflect on my childhood , I ’ m able to see a thread that weaved in and out providing an opportunity , my parents took full advantage of , to nurture my spirit . There were many days where I ’ d think that I heard one of my parents call for me . I ’ d walk from my room to the kitchen or living room and find them and ask what they had called me for . Very often they ’ d respond with “ I didn ’ t call you but if you hear it again say , “ Speak Lord your servant is listening .” Does that sound familiar ? The same words Eli instructed Samuel with in scripture . As a teenager I remember hearing my name across the intercom in the Dillard ’ s department store at the mall . But guess what , nobody was calling me . I was just hearing my name . Repetition is great at forming habits and building muscle . Me hearing my name resulted in a heart posture of learning to realize I was hearing Father God ’ s voice , not man .
I use that muscle as I ’ m planning worship sets , the songs we sing and the words I want to share with the group I ’ m leading . While rehearsing days before a service , I have felt strongly to say something specific that I know is for someone that will be in the room that day . John 10:5 says : “ They will not follow someone else ; instead they will run away from such a person , because they do not know his voice .” ( GNT ) I am sure that I know the voice of my Father and the voice of a stranger I won ’ t follow . This overflows into my worship leading . I have a vision for the set and the flow of the songs I ’ m expecting . I have something on my heart to share to use to exhort and encourage while I point the saints to give all their worship to the only One praise is due .
Often , I get to be around some young worship leaders . There are times I want to remind them their job is to do more than just sing the song well . That ’ s just a practical part of the job . That ’ s not the spiritual part of the job . Yes , they need to know the songs , lyrics and arrangements . Again , that ’ s the practical . The worship leader also holds the map . Through time spent with the Father they ’ ve determined the path that needs to be traveled to get to the destination of the Father ’ s feet . This is spiritual . They are the ones that have prepared the way for the Lord so He can ride in on our praises .
As a worship leader you need to have a plan and direction . You could have other members on your team . Maybe you lead other singers or musicians . Your band could even have a “ music director ”. That person is there to support your vision . They are there to have the map in their hands and assist you in keeping everyone on the journey . The music director isn ’ t there to tell the worship leader what to do . They are there to come alongside you to support how the Spirit is leading you to lead .
Be confident in hearing the voice of the Lord . I believe He will lead you . He will give you the words to say . If you need help learning what His voice sounds like , read the Bible . It ’ s full of volumes of wisdom and sound clips that are His voice .
Our confidence comes not from a title or a position . It doesn ’ t come from years of experience . True confidence comes from a
relationship with Jesus . Hearing with the “ I hear the Lord say ” awareness of His voice mixed with using the tools we have in the practical .
Walk in the “ worship leader ” role you have been placed in . Be fully committed to helping people take steps in drawing near to Jesus . Matthew 5:6 says : “ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness for they will be filled .” ( NIV ) If we can help those we are leading to hunger and thirst for Him , we can know they will be filled . Keep leading this generation to pour out their worship on the King !
© 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 . Through her program CHORUS , she coaches worship leaders for Next Gen Ministry . Yancy lives with her husband and sons in Nashville , TN .
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