Blog - kid's Worship Innovation Then & Now- part 4

kid's Worship Innovation Then & Now- part 4

Mar 14

Written by: jimwideman
3/14/2010 12:43 AM

The wonderful change that has taken place is that today’s songs are more Biblically based than any other time in my four decades of children’s worship.
The challenge that I see that lies ahead is that we define when an action or motion song is needed. It’s important that worship doesn’t become so focused on the right motion that kids can’t focus on what worship is all about, putting all our attention of Him who alone is worthy. I believe the greatest action is when kids practice the five Biblical benefits of worship I mentioned above.
1. We were made to give praise to the Lord.
2. It’s a good thing to give thanks to the Lord
3. We get lifted up when we lift him up
4. He lives in our praises
5. When we draw near to him, He will draw near to us.

I am thankful for all the wonderful innovations that are available today, ipods, computers, media shout and pro-presenter but the key is to use these tools to prepare kids to receive the Word they need to live big now not as the church of the future but as the church of today. Our worship teams have to be more than dancers or chorographers, they too must be worshippers. Kids need positive peer influences as well as example or models of how to enter in and draw near to the heart of God. Our kids need worship leaders not song leaders. A worship leader not only sings songs but also teaches and instruct. They give direction to where we are headed. They are to lead and to encourage. They must worship from a pure and grateful heart themselves. It’s a proven fact that people learn best by doing. I believe it is the responsibility of every children’s ministry leader to desire for their children’s ministry to be a laboratory where kids can try out what they learn about praise, worship and responding to God. I also believe we can allow our services to get into ruts. Praising with song or dance are not the only ways to offer praise to God. Encourage kids to verbally express their love, adoration, and thankfulness by being trained to let His praise continually be on their lips. Innovators look for ways to get kids to enter His presence with thanksgiving in their hearts. We work hard to mix up our methods and techniques of teaching not do the same with how we teach kids to praise.
Don’t do what you’ve always done instead dare to innovate. Dare to make changes in how we lead, train, and develop kids to be life long worshipers by introducing new methods, ideas, or products that will help establish kids to do what they were created to do. So what’s the next big thing? I don’t know, that’s up to you, young guns. It will only come when we dare to innovate and think bigger and differently about what we are doing in our churches in the areas of worship. I’m ready, how about you? Ready, set, innovate!

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Jim Wideman

Children's Ministry

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1 comment(s) so far...

Re: kid's Worship Innovation Then & Now- part 4

Totally agree. We don't have enough worship time in our children's program today and every now and again I bring a small group of kids upstairs when the adults are worshipping andfor me - I know its not for everyone - when they are free just being themselves in worship it seems to bring the worship to a deeper level.. I so enjoy worshipping with children.

By weare2bees on 3/16/2010 11:20 PM