I am a huge music fan, (I was a music major before switching to Christian Education) and even considered going into the field of "Music Therapy" while I was still in High School. I started playing the piano in 3rd grade, and the guitar in 7th Grade. I began singing in high school, and sang in several wonderful choirs throughout college. Then when I entered ministry I discovered something called "Children's Choir." I was hooked! To combine KIDS, MUSIC, and JESUS!? Brilliant! Teaching kids to sing, allowing them the opportunity to use their gifts and talents to bless and encourage the body, teaching them theology and Scripture memory through songs... again... genius! Equipping others in the body to serve in Children's Choir or a children's worship ministry? For some people, the thought of "teaching Sunday School" is scary, but they will "help" in music ministry. I have seen moms and dads build props & sets, paint scenery, measure kids for costumes, sew angel robes, work backstage with microphones,even just come and collect money at the door ..... and I have been hugely blessed at seeing ministry happen because a team of people came together to make something happen that they couldn't have done on their own. And have you even watched kids perform on stage in church? Some are shy, others are wiggly, and in others you can see their confidence GROW right before your very eyes. My own daughter had her first on stage "lines" in children's choir in about 3rd grade, and now she is a theater/ acting major at a wonderful Christian university.
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| APU Gospel Choir |
I'll never forget the grandma that was bringing her grandaughter to choir, and because it was easier to stay and help than go home and come back, she volunteered to listen to the children recite their memory verses in the hallway (I always used to choose a Scripture passage for the kids to memorize that went along with the songs we were going to be singing.) This older grandma received such a blessing from that "small" ministry... she expressed to me continually how she was the lucky one to be serving in that role. When I think of her, I am reminded to never "apologize" for asking people to serve in ministry, and that no matter what the role, everyone who serves will be BLESSED. The phrase "It is better to give than to receive" is not just a catchy saying... it's God's truth, it's God's plan, and it's true! (Acts 20:35)
Many churches don't do "Children's Choir" any more... which I understand. We are often pulling families apart instead of pushing them toward each other by planning too many activities for kids. It's hard to squeeze in Sunday School, Awana, Upward, Small Groups, Children's Choir, and any type of committee meetings or planning meetings into ONE FAMILY's busy schedule in one week... but some churches try to do that! Some churches have opted to have a Children's Worship team learn songs, and choreography to the Sunday morning kids' worship songs and have them help lead in Children's Church or whatever your big celebration environment is called. No matter what you do or how you do it... music is such an important part of Kids ministry. There are so many gifted, energetic children's worship leaders out there.. so that even if you yourself are not a musician, if you have a CD player, a DVD player, or a projection system and a computer, you can have rockin great music for your kids on a Sunday morning! Not only will you be helping your kids learn Scripture, theology, and develop their gifts for the Lord, but you're also giving them the tools and the value system of WORSHIP! Of lifting up the name of Jesus corporately in praise! What a great gift!
Check out:
Jana Alayra
Mary Rice Hopkins
Go Fish
Rob Biagi
Uncle Charlie
Yancy
Use their music! Invite them to come to your church! Recruit others to learn their music if you are not a musical person! In my next post, we'll talk about our Rob Biagi concert, what went well, what I would do differently, how we did publicity, etc.
Bye for Now!
Carol
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