THEBAND
NEXT GENERATION!
My wife and I run youth events, camps, and
example. There were no musicians at first except
lead teams around the world. It is our passion
the older adults. Over time they produced a
to work with young people. We are truly inspired
number of bands, singer-songwriters, and
by them and many have become some of our
worship leaders along with a lot of sharp young
dearest friends and family.
leaders in general. This happened because
the youth minister, the pastor, and a group of
What I love about young people is the lack of
parents all decided to create a time and space
religious baggage attached to their creative
for them to step into their gifting and grow their
expression. They are much more free and
talents. They didn’t just build something for
uninhibited, the way I think God meant us to
them, they allowed them to participate in the
be. Needless to say, the language of music
building and became a force! I’ve learned a lot
is powerful despite the fact that the style
from their model and seen it work over and over
and relevancy changes from generation to
throughout my friend’s youth ministry career.
generation. My hope is that we’ll embrace this
Though it’s obviously not only about musicians
next movement of minstrels and artists and
and artists, they’ve clearly produced a bunch
help them to lead their generation to Christ. In
of them.
TOM LANE
Tom & his wife Patty live in
Nashville, TN. Worship Pastor
of Belmont Church, a member
of Blues Counsel band.
Traveled to over 35 countries;
leading worship, teaching,
recording, & performing
www.TomLane.com
young people grow in skill level, faith, maturity,
etc., carve out a job description and give
my opinion, this needs to be a huge focus for
any looking to be a vital and thriving ministry
We can’t be afraid of the messes and issues that
them more responsibility; it works! Over time
in worship.
come along with young creative people. They
we’ve seen many young kids grow into strong
need grace to grow into responsibility and
leaders and move on to great things because
There’s one church in particular that I worked
roles. My friend is not only great at spotting
they had a place to start. If we are willing to
with for many years and often refer to as a great
talents and making room for them, he’s willing
be inconvenienced and quick to befriend we
to journey with them as they learn and mature.
can help steer the course of young talents.
For most, all they need is to feel needed to do
Programs are more of a bore to them—they are
anything or to be a part of something. To impact
drawn to friendship!
and influence we simply need to embrace
There are a host of young talents in our
them, messes and all!
churches and, just like we did, they’re watching
In time, relationship is what earns the right to
their heroes and icons, studying them and
encourage and disciple effectively. We are not
dreaming how they can do what they do. We
so great in the Church at letting people “get
shouldn’t be intimidated, it’s not about being as
it” by way of the Holy Spirit versus our telling
good as their heroes, it’s about making them
them what all they should be doing and how
feel important and encouraged to do become
exactly it should be done; while God specializes
who God has made them. Our worship
in working with the messy and leading them
ministries should always include bringing up
deeper into relationship and holiness. “Come
the next generation. While relevancy has a
as you are” is the Jesus Model. We have a few
place, nothing replaces the generations being
short years to influence the young generation
joined, the young learning from the older, and
behind us or we lose them to a world full of
vice versa.
other opportunities. A big part of mentoring is
creating opportunities for them to explore their
We are firm believers in always looking for the
gifts and try new things, and a safe place for
ones you can help along. May God give us His
them to have the freedom to fail.
h eart for young people. I think we are misled to
believe we have to change and become more
42
Internships are a wonderful thing and a key
relevant or hip to be an influence, but we don’t.
reason some ministries have been so fruitful. As
We just need to be willing to invest ourselves.
May June 2016
WorshipMusician.com