"I need a worship leader for Kid's Church. You think you can do that?"
As I read the text message I'd just received, I was amused, and then terrified. I'm an accomplished musician, and I've been playing or leading worship for large crowds of adults for nearly twenty years, but the idea of leading worship for a room full of 10-year-olds was paralyzing. What does Christian children's music even sound like?
Being the 'new kid' is a fairly new experience for me. It has been many, many years since I have found myself in a position where I either had no prior connection to someone in a ministry situation, job, or musical collective, or where I carried a pedigree that was unrecognized by those to whom I had offered my services. And yet, here I find myself, offering my services to the worship leader of a new church who knows nothing about me. Rather than the warm welcome I am accustomed to receiving, I feel a bit of resistance as he explains that there was no space for me on the existing worship team, and then follows up two days later via text with this unexpected request.
"Don't worry,' the worship leader assured me. "Half the time, they'll just cut up and do cartwheels because they're excited you're there."
If that's the case, this might be the easiest room I've ever played!
I am long past the ego issues of my youth, and my hesitation at accepting the offer is far from the "Don't you know who I am? I've played drums for (famous worship leader's name) and been the worship leader at (large local) church and written (a well-known worship song) that is on (a notable worldwide record label) and have been the keynote speaker at (well-known nationwide) worship conferences for (impressive) number of people" variety. The reality is, when faced with this offer, I falter because I admittedly don't know any Christian children's music all.
Leading worship for adults is, by now, second nature; but the prospect of standing alone with my guitar in a classroom of children? Heaven help me! They might as well be aliens! Now many of you are accomplished Christian children's music leaders, and you are in my eyes among the most qualified leadership in the church! Some of you tried it once and although you possess most of your memory function, it doesn't take much to break you off into, "Jesus Loves Me This I Know"; I want you to know I love you as well.
Had you visited my home over the last few weeks, you would have found me staring at 2 computer monitors: on one, YouTube cartoon reruns of mice, dogs, tweeting canaries, hyenas, running birds, evasive coyotes and rabbits, and a red-hatted NRA member with really poor aim. I would like to thank all the above creatures, but musically, specifically 3 harmonizing ground squirrels. Still on monitor number two are numerous Word documents filled with variations of the exact script of what to say, and not say. Beside me, a guitar, and 128 copies of sheet music which I'm playing at home as many hours per day as my wife's sanity will allow. Then I'm going to the children's church room and rehearsing my presentation.
Now, in my heart I know what my friend told me about cartwheels, cutups, and culprits is true, but my goal is to be certain the circus has the best Kids Praise & worship they have ever heard! I found some free kids church music stuff online.
As I read the text message I'd just received, I was amused, and then terrified. I'm an accomplished musician, and I've been playing or leading worship for large crowds of adults for nearly twenty years, but the idea of leading worship for a room full of 10-year-olds was paralyzing. What does Christian children's music even sound like?
Being the 'new kid' is a fairly new experience for me. It has been many, many years since I have found myself in a position where I either had no prior connection to someone in a ministry situation, job, or musical collective, or where I carried a pedigree that was unrecognized by those to whom I had offered my services. And yet, here I find myself, offering my services to the worship leader of a new church who knows nothing about me. Rather than the warm welcome I am accustomed to receiving, I feel a bit of resistance as he explains that there was no space for me on the existing worship team, and then follows up two days later via text with this unexpected request.
"Don't worry,' the worship leader assured me. "Half the time, they'll just cut up and do cartwheels because they're excited you're there."
If that's the case, this might be the easiest room I've ever played!
I am long past the ego issues of my youth, and my hesitation at accepting the offer is far from the "Don't you know who I am? I've played drums for (famous worship leader's name) and been the worship leader at (large local) church and written (a well-known worship song) that is on (a notable worldwide record label) and have been the keynote speaker at (well-known nationwide) worship conferences for (impressive) number of people" variety. The reality is, when faced with this offer, I falter because I admittedly don't know any Christian children's music all.
Leading worship for adults is, by now, second nature; but the prospect of standing alone with my guitar in a classroom of children? Heaven help me! They might as well be aliens! Now many of you are accomplished Christian children's music leaders, and you are in my eyes among the most qualified leadership in the church! Some of you tried it once and although you possess most of your memory function, it doesn't take much to break you off into, "Jesus Loves Me This I Know"; I want you to know I love you as well.
Had you visited my home over the last few weeks, you would have found me staring at 2 computer monitors: on one, YouTube cartoon reruns of mice, dogs, tweeting canaries, hyenas, running birds, evasive coyotes and rabbits, and a red-hatted NRA member with really poor aim. I would like to thank all the above creatures, but musically, specifically 3 harmonizing ground squirrels. Still on monitor number two are numerous Word documents filled with variations of the exact script of what to say, and not say. Beside me, a guitar, and 128 copies of sheet music which I'm playing at home as many hours per day as my wife's sanity will allow. Then I'm going to the children's church room and rehearsing my presentation.
Now, in my heart I know what my friend told me about cartwheels, cutups, and culprits is true, but my goal is to be certain the circus has the best Kids Praise & worship they have ever heard! I found some free kids church music stuff online.
About the Author:
Songs for kids aren't as scary as you or I might think. Any kind of Christian songs for kids, or general music for children is available right where I found it - at various Christian Bookstores online. You'll be ready to lead classes full of kids at a moment's notice. Wanna teach mine? God's Favour on you!
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