RELEVANT CHILDREN'S MINISTRY

Last week, we announced the release of a brand new worship album for kids. 

The album is called 12 because it contains 12 new, original songs that will help kids grow in their faith.

We had a drawing to give away an album to celebrate the release.  

The winner of the album is Julissa Lopez.  Julissa is the Children's Ministry Director at ICC Church in Staten Island, New York.  Congrats Julissa! 

I am really pumped about this worship album.  The songs were written and produced by an amazing artist named Travis August. 

Each song was written as part of an intentional discipleship pathway that takes kids on a journey from salvation to spiritual leadership.  It corresponds with our Connect12 curriculum.  

Each song has a really cool lyrics video that can be used for live worship.  If you'd like to see a few samples of the songs, you can do so below.   Audio and lyrics have lead vocals and no vocals so you can use the songs in worship with your voice or the voice of Travis.  

You can get all 12 songs for only $39.00.  This is an incredible deal.  Most songs with a worship video sell for $12 to $15 each.  

You can preview the album and get more ordering information at this link.

The songs are all written with today's kids in mind and the words get stuck in your head which means it lodges in kids' long term memory. 

Below are some of the song samples. 

One of the key things I often look for in a church is to see if the kids engage in worship.

Especially the 3rd-to-5th grade boys.  The majority of the time they are standing there motionless. 

It can definitely be a challenge at times to get all the kids worshiping.  There are key factors that are involved in the solution. 

We've talked about the "cool rolls downhill" factor.  When the younger kids see the older kids worshiping, they will engage as well.  So you always want to target the 5th grade boys.  Get them singing and everyone else will join in.

But that's the challenge.  How do you get 5th grade boys to sing?  A few factors include how many men or boys are on stage helping lead?  Are the songs geared for them?  Are the older kids sitting up front with the younger kids behind them.  Remember...cool rolls downhill.  If the younger kids see the older kids singing in front of them, they will join in as well.

This past weekend, I was at a church and was observing their elementary worship service.  One of the songs had a really cool, defined beat.  I saw something happen spontaneously.  A few of the 5th grade boys started tapping their chairs in sync with the beat in the song.  Not only did it sound really cool, but the other kids saw what the "big kids" were doing and joined in.  Everyone was engaged...from the youngest child to the oldest. 

I have obviously seen praise teams lead the way, but this time the kids in the audience lead the way with their "home made" drums.

Next time you are leading a kids' worship service, invite the kids to join in by playing their "drums" (chairs). You might be surprised at how many kids get involved for the first time in a long time.