We sing this song "Everything to God".
What kind of joy can make me dance? what kind of love can make me sing? what kind of grace is all i need? jesus is everything! I'm giving everything to God, i'm giving everything to God, i'm giving everything to God, He's given everything to me...everything to God, i'm giving everything to God, i'm giving everything to God, He's given everything to me...
And so sometimes i'll then take the mike around with a rousing shout "what are you giving to God?" and the answer is EVERYTHING. (repeat) with each kid getting to say into the mike EVERYTHING. it's kind of like a pep rally for the Lord now that i think of it. funny :)
anyway.... yesterday i had this in mind when i pulled up that song but before i did i thought i'd pass the mike around a little. so i shoved it in the face of the little girl closest to me who had been on stage helping with actions the song before. i said "what are you giving to God!?" and she said...
"...love".
Hm. this surprised and perplexed me. the next girl: joy. next boy: peace. then Truth. wow, the depth of these answers. amazed me. these are gifts God has given us, right, and we can actually give them back, only because He's first given them (He's given everything to me...) wow! i think this back and forth exchange of giving is one way we are loved by and show love to God. let me hear your thoughts!
Friday, July 11, 2008
Letter to a young worship leader
hi Tim
Great having you today. i'm excited to see you have some freedom to grow in this area -- have fun, be yourself (be goofy), learn to interact w/your audience -- "read" what they need in order to engage in worship. this is our job as a worship leader - to know our audience, meet them where they are and then lead them even farther!
today you got to know the kids a bit better - we learned that actions or some other form of physical engagement is a 'must' or we lose them. in fact, even when i do a slow or a 'soaking' song i intentionally instruct them (for example - "put your hand on your heart, lay down, be still"). you really have to guide them. i think this is a great thing to learn to do that will help you with every group you lead in the future. and this particular group needs our leadership to be very obvious and directional :)
we also learned that even though you think a song is "upbeat" there is no guarantee that's enough in and of itself to engage them, yeah? it's good that the song you pick for tomorrow will have energy AND you are going to make sure it has action leaders. cool! repeating songs are also an excellent choice. sometimes we can even take a song that isn't a repeating song but make it into one. sing a line and then have them sing it. it helps them hear and know the words as well as participate. i generally DON'T project words b/c half of them can't read and i don't' want to leave half of them in the dark. i want them ALL to be able to engage ALL the time as much as possible.
it's actually more important that they are full-body / soul / spirit engaging than it is that they all sing all the words all the time. if we put the words up then there's an expectation at some level that they'll sing-along b/c they can read them. i don't' want this false belief. i want us all to learn the song together over the course of time. i want songs to get INTO us so the holy spirit can bring them OUT of us at the times we're walking down the street and we need to hear/sing them!! we're planting seeds, Timmy. it's highly important stuff - stuff that will shape and impact them for a lifetime!
:) jen
Great having you today. i'm excited to see you have some freedom to grow in this area -- have fun, be yourself (be goofy), learn to interact w/your audience -- "read" what they need in order to engage in worship. this is our job as a worship leader - to know our audience, meet them where they are and then lead them even farther!
today you got to know the kids a bit better - we learned that actions or some other form of physical engagement is a 'must' or we lose them. in fact, even when i do a slow or a 'soaking' song i intentionally instruct them (for example - "put your hand on your heart, lay down, be still"). you really have to guide them. i think this is a great thing to learn to do that will help you with every group you lead in the future. and this particular group needs our leadership to be very obvious and directional :)
we also learned that even though you think a song is "upbeat" there is no guarantee that's enough in and of itself to engage them, yeah? it's good that the song you pick for tomorrow will have energy AND you are going to make sure it has action leaders. cool! repeating songs are also an excellent choice. sometimes we can even take a song that isn't a repeating song but make it into one. sing a line and then have them sing it. it helps them hear and know the words as well as participate. i generally DON'T project words b/c half of them can't read and i don't' want to leave half of them in the dark. i want them ALL to be able to engage ALL the time as much as possible.
it's actually more important that they are full-body / soul / spirit engaging than it is that they all sing all the words all the time. if we put the words up then there's an expectation at some level that they'll sing-along b/c they can read them. i don't' want this false belief. i want us all to learn the song together over the course of time. i want songs to get INTO us so the holy spirit can bring them OUT of us at the times we're walking down the street and we need to hear/sing them!! we're planting seeds, Timmy. it's highly important stuff - stuff that will shape and impact them for a lifetime!
:) jen
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
The Job Description:
1) must have a heart for the Lord
2) must enjoy fun, and maybe even 'silly'
3) must be ready to follow me as i try to follow the holy spirit
wanna join my band? these are the requirements. it helps if you like kids, but that is something that can grow if you have #2 (it did for me). #3 can also grow if you are willing. it's a "be ready for anything" kind of mentality that's willing to take risks. these are the kinds of things that i think make a good kids' worship musician. this week is MegaSports Camp (VBS) and every morning i get the great joy to work with some really great musicians as we rock out and serve the kids in their mega-worship! think this might be the gig for you???
btw - did you notice i didn't mention musical ability? if that's a question in your mind, let's talk, i have thoughts...
2) must enjoy fun, and maybe even 'silly'
3) must be ready to follow me as i try to follow the holy spirit
wanna join my band? these are the requirements. it helps if you like kids, but that is something that can grow if you have #2 (it did for me). #3 can also grow if you are willing. it's a "be ready for anything" kind of mentality that's willing to take risks. these are the kinds of things that i think make a good kids' worship musician. this week is MegaSports Camp (VBS) and every morning i get the great joy to work with some really great musicians as we rock out and serve the kids in their mega-worship! think this might be the gig for you???
btw - did you notice i didn't mention musical ability? if that's a question in your mind, let's talk, i have thoughts...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)