I have visited a lot of churches over the years and there is something that nearly all children's ministries struggle with.
Getting kids engaged in worship through singing. From mega churches to small churches I have seen this play out with very few exceptions.
I am the central children's director at a church with 7 campuses. All of our campuses struggle with this at times and we are looking for ways to do a better job at engaging kids in worship.
I believe there are specific reasons why some kids don't engage in worship. Here are 7 of them that I have identified.
#1 - The songs are too hard or "grown up."
I often see well meaning churches trying to get kids and parents singing the same worship songs. The thought behind it is valid. We want kids and parents to be on the same page so they can sing the same songs.
But...many of the songs are too grown up for kids and they seem to disengage when this happens. Just because a worship songs is a fit with adults doesn't mean it is a fit for kids. Kids are made to move...move...move. They need songs that capture their attention and engages them with movement.
Doesn't that mean kids can't sing slower, meditative songs? No. But songs should be age-appropriate.
#2 - Kids...especially pre-teens...are self-conscious.
Often you will see your 4-6th graders standing back and not engaging. Watching the worship but not getting involved. They don't want to appear "babyish" or "uncool." They are very conscious of their peers and what they will think if they openly and freely worship.
#3 - No one is leading them.
If we expect kids to worship, then we must lead by example. Volunteers should engage in worship. The kids will see this and be more likely to engage in worship. The good news...volunteers don't have to have the voice of Celine Dion to help lead kids in worship. It says to make a joyful "noise" to the Lord. If you are like me, it is definitely a "noise" that comes out.
The main thing is for volunteers to demonstrate a heart that worships God. Instead of sitting in the back on their cell phone during large group time, they are up with the kids...encouraging them to join them in worship.
Worship should be lead not only from the front of the room, but also by volunteers who are among the kids.
#4 - There are too many motions.
If you are not careful, focusing on the motions more than the words of worship can cause kids to not engage. Should we do motions...of course. But the motions should be there to help kids gain meaning and understanding of the words they are singing.
Motions should not trump words of worship. Balance is the key for this.
#5 - You don't have any guys leading.
This is especially true when it comes to pre-teen boys. If they only see girls...especially younger girls...up front they will usually not engage.
If you want to engage all the kids in worship, then you need to enlist some high school boys to help lead.
#6 - You are not targeting the oldest boys in the room.
Aim high. You should be targeting the oldest boys in the room. If you can engage your pre-teen boys, you will engage all of the kids. "Little kids" look up to the older kids. That's who they want to be like and want to emulate.
When you don't target the oldest boys in the room and the songs are not age-appropriate for them, they will see your music and worship as too "babyish' for them and they will not engage. This will then affect the entire group of kids.
#7 - You aren't teaching kids the importance of worship.
Kids need to understand the "why" of worship. On a regular basis, take some time to explain why we worship God with our voices. Help them see that worship is not just a fun thing to do, but first and foremost it's a way that we can express our love for God and bring honor to His name and who He is.
Those are seven reasons why some of the kids in your ministry aren't singing during worship time. I am working on engaging kids more in worship in our ministry. Join me for this mission. It is vitally important as we raise up the next generation of kids who will worship God not only through music but also with all their heart and being.
p.s. Have you checked out the original worship songs for kids that were written and produced by my friend Travis August? They are available at this link. All songs come with worship videos with and without motions.
