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<\/a><\/p>\nMany a child\u2019s musical toy-box overflows with songs and rhymes, especially when actions and movements are involved.<\/h3>\n
Classics such as\u00a0The Wheels On The Bus<\/em>,\u00a0If I Were A Butterfly<\/em>\u00a0and the 1932 cuddly two-step\u00a0Teddy Bears\u2019 Picnic\u00a0<\/em>remain favourites. More recently, songs from Disney, High School Musical, and Veggie Tales, where computer animated vegetables help children learn about life and faith, have all packed-out the playground of sing-a-long delights.<\/p>\n As a result of Sunday schools, Parent and Toddler groups, seasonal fun weeks, school nativities and Bible-story animations, there is now a vast array of Bible-themed songs aimed at children of all ages. Of course, we\u2019re all familiar with\u00a0Father Abraham<\/em>,\u00a0The Wise Man Built His House Upon The Rock<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0He\u2019s Got The Whole World In His Hands<\/em>, but how do we stay up to date with the latest songs? And, with so much now available, how do we find the gems guaranteed to set children\u2019s feet a-stomping and hands a-clapping? CCLI set out to find some answers\u2026<\/p>\n Our Song Is A Great Big Song<\/strong><\/p>\n A catchy tune seems to be the starting point for a great children\u2019s song. Nigel Hemming of Vineyard Kids and the\u00a0Great Big God<\/em>\u00a0series, adds that in addition to being catchy, \u201cit must have a good vibe! It\u2019s a myth that all children\u2019s songs have to be bouncy or crazy, though it\u2019s fun to have a few, but I think a good one knows what style it\u2019s trying to be and works well within that.\u201d<\/p>\n Jo Squires from\u00a0BIG Ministries<\/a>\u00a0observes, \u201cMusic is a big part of most children\u2019s lives, either songs from the radio or music from films, and so it\u2019s important the songs we write are the same standard as these. We learn so much through songs too, as music and words can be so memorable. It\u2019s absolutely crucial that the lyrics we write for children\u2019s songs are not just thrown together but make sense, teach good theological truths and are written in \u2018normal\u2019 language.\u201d<\/p>\n The instant-recall factor is obviously a vital musical element but Squires alludes to other equally important factors \u2013 content and lyrics. Many middle-aged adults possibly remember singing\u00a0\u2018Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning\u2019<\/em>which invoke memories of campfires and lanterns. For our media-savvy, net-generation the challenge is on to take God-truths and bible stories and convey them with cultural relevance.<\/p>\n Fandabidozzie<\/strong><\/p>\n A renowned exponent of successfully combining relevance with content and, at the same time making it fun is Doug Horley (aka\u00a0Duggie Dug Dug).<\/p>\n His latest project,\u00a0Noah A Musical Adventure<\/em>, brings to life the story of Noah and has been playing to packed venues around the UK. Doug\u2019s\u00a0approach is to \u201chave easily understandable lyrics that avoid religious jargon and use everyday language children relate. I sometimes use unusual, quirky words that are fun to sing. If the children are having fun, there\u2019s more chance they\u2019ll want to join in! It\u2019s great if the lyrics can have some depth to them as well. Songs are a fantastic way to teach truth without being preachy. They\u2019re also a great way to learn Bible verses too.\u201d<\/p>\n The Bible Tells Me So\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Dreamworks has obviously understood the bounty of drama the Bible holds, and\u00a0Prince Of Egypt<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0Joseph: King Of Dreams<\/em>\u00a0are superb examples. Not only were the soundtracks brilliantly composed but they also attracted the A-list singers of the time.<\/p>\n Similarly,\u00a0Friends And Heroes<\/em><\/a>, an animated children\u2019s adventure series, understands the potential of the Bible and through the tales of two young people in the first century \u2013 Macky and Portia \u2013 inspiring stories from the Old and New Testament are brought to life. Each episode includes wonderfully crafted and extremely memorable songs: Perfect edutainment!<\/p>\n Ishmael, known affectionately as the\u00a0\u2018Father God I Wonder<\/em>\u00a0man\u2019, is a highly-regarded writer of children\u2019s songs and his epic Glorie Company has impacted thousands of young lives. He describes his writing formula as \u201csimple but profound.\u201d Many of Ishmael\u2019s songs are literally bible verses sung to easy-to-play music with accompanying actions, and the repetitive nature of many of his songs is a method highly favoured by other writers.<\/p>\n \u201cRepetition of melody and lyrics makes a song more memorable to children,\u201d explains\u00a0Trevor Ranger<\/a>, children\u2019s worker and associate for Scripture Union. \u201cThe old \u2018chorus\u2019 had its origins in itinerant preachers leading services in rural communities where people couldn\u2019t read hymnbooks. The chorus was the only part that was repeated and as such, the only part everyone sung. Rhyme is another helpful tool in remembering the song. Children love a song that is lively and exciting but we shouldn\u2019t underestimate their ability to sing and worship God in a more reflective style.\u201d<\/p>\n The All-Age Puzzle<\/strong><\/p>\n A sizzling issue for churches, event organisers, children and family workers is whether or not \u2018All-Age Worship\u2019 is actually just children\u2019s worship dressed up to feel inclusive. So are there specific all-age songs or do the band simply alter the arrangements of children\u2019s songs to reflect more grown-up tastes? Has \u2018All-Age\u2019 found an ascendency because of lackluster children\u2019s services? Jo Squires sheds light from her experience with BIG Ministries, whose music and resources are fast becoming the choice of many a playlist and programme.<\/p>\n \u201cAll-Age worship is a really tricky one to get right. It often gets a bad press because of negative experiences, which is a real shame because when it\u2019s good, it\u2019s brilliant.<\/p>\n We need to think differently about how to sing when all-ages are together.\u00a0Choose a song for everyone and ask yourself how to make this accessible for non-readers, those of limited mobility, those who don\u2019t like singing, those who like change and those more comfortable with \u2018old\u2019 ways of worship. To truly make a song fit all-people, we need to think more about abilities and differences and less about ages, and aim to unite everyone in worship.\u201d<\/p>\n Simon Parry, who co-writes with\u00a0Hillsong Kids<\/a>\u00a0agrees. \u201cAn All-Age song must try and cater for a wide audience. The style and environment of church is also important. I\u2019ve led\u00a0One Way<\/em>\u00a0in a rocking all-age style and then slipped in\u00a0Father God I Wonder<\/em>. It\u2019s being conscious of how best to merge what the kids worship to and what the congregation worships to.\u201d<\/p>\n Adding to the harmonious thinking on this topic, Nigel Hemming, who has been leading \u2018All-Age\u2019 worship for over ten years, thinks the key is \u201c finding songs which can be owned by both children and adults. To put it crudely what works best are children\u2019s songs that are not too \u2018kiddy\u2019 and grown up songs that are not too complex!\u201d<\/p>\n According To C.S Lewis<\/strong><\/p>\n The highly influential C S Lewis said, \u201cA children\u2019s book that only children enjoy is not a good children\u2019s book in the slightest.\u201d This has become the mantra of\u00a0Nick and Becky Drake\u00a0<\/a>who align themselves with that principle.<\/p>\n Becky believes \u2018All-Age\u2019 worship \u201cshouldn\u2019t just be entertainment but an opportunity for the whole family of God to be led into His presence together.\u201d<\/p>\n In terms of approach, do the Drakes differentiate between writing songs for children and writing for \u2018All-Age\u2019?<\/p>\n \u201cWe don\u2019t make a distinction in our writing,\u201d clarifies Becky, \u201cbecause of the C.S Lewis principle. But there are songs geared towards pre-schoolers or young children with more repetitive tunes and fewer words. In my view, God\u2019s truths are ageless and timeless, so it should always be possible for parents to worship along with their little ones.\u201d<\/p>\n Regardless of whom the songs and resources are targeting, there is, however, one consistent expectation \u2013 good quality!<\/p>\n The Rhythm Inside<\/strong><\/p>\n iPods, mobiles and YouTube have made young children into avid fans of mainstream music and artists like One Direction, Bruno Mars, Taylor Swift and Demi Lovato are rocking their worlds! This means tiny ears get accustomed to music with great production values funded by big budgets. Needless to say, children\u2019s music in the Christian market can\u2019t compete on a purely monetary basis. However, the difference in listening experience is often negligible, and there is a comparable\u00a0commitment<\/em>\u00a0to quality, with real musicians playing real instruments producing a polished, authentic sound.<\/p>\n There is excellent music being released from the likes of those featured in this article \u2013 BIG Ministries, Duggie Dug Dug, Friends and Heroes, Ishmael, Nick and Becky Drake, Nigel Hemming, Simon Parry, Trevor Ranger \u2013 and by no means is this an exhaustive list! It appears the future of children\u2019s worship music is looking \u2018all things bright and beautiful\u2019. Proverbs 22 verse 6 in The Message says, \u2018Point your kids in the right direction \u2013 when they\u2019re old they won\u2019t be lost.\u2019<\/p>\n Thankfully, there are many gifted songwriters with a real heart and passion to connect with the emerging generation and their families, and deliver top-quality, memorable songs packed-full of truth, faith, fun and God. With the right playlist, your church could turn \u2018hide and seek\u2019 into \u2018seek and find\u2019!<\/p>\n <\/p>\n We asked on Facebook \u2018What are you singing in your Children\u2019s\/All-Age gatherings?\u2019 The songs below were the most popular choices. (CCLI numbers included. Songs link to\u00a0SongSelect)<\/em><\/p>\n Creator God\u00a0\u2013 Nick & Becky Drake 5100172<\/p>\n Big Family of God\u00a0\u2013 Nick & Becky Drake 5100093<\/p>\n Unique\u00a0\u2013 Nick & Becky Drake 6300964<\/p>\n Great Great Brill Brill\u00a0\u2013 Doug Horley\u00a01033422<\/p>\n Be Happy\u00a0(I\u2019m Gonna Jump Up And Down) \u2013 Doug Horley\u00a03784552<\/p>\n I Love You\u00a0\u2013 Doug Horley 6144591<\/p>\n One Way\u00a0\u2013 Joel Houston\/Jonathon Douglass\u00a04222082<\/p>\n Superhero\u00a0\u2013 Beci & David Wakerley\u00a0\u00a04343026<\/p>\n Supernatural\u00a0\u2013 Beci & David Wakerley\/Julia A\u2019Bell\u00a04776569<\/p>\n Friend Of God\u00a0\u2013 Israel Houghton\/Gungor\u00a03991651<\/p>\n Rhythm Inside\u00a0\u2013 Damian Herbert\/Mark Vallance\u00a05637614<\/p>\n Great Big God\u00a0\u2013 Nigel & Jo Hemming\u00a03373437<\/p>\n <\/p>\n To find out more about the artists and ministries we spoke to:<\/em><\/p>\n BIG MINISTRIES<\/a>\u00a0 www.bigministries.co.uk<\/p>\n DUGGIE DUG DUG\u00a0\u00a0www.duggiedugdug.org<\/p>\n FRIENDS AND HEROES<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0www.friendsandheroes.com\/uk<\/p>\n ISHMAEL\u00a0\u00a0www.ishmael.org.uk<\/p>\n NICK AND BECKY DRAKE<\/a>\u00a0 www.worshipforeveryone.com<\/p>\n NIGEL HEMMING \u2013\u00a0GREAT BIG GOD\u00a0\u00a0www.greatbiggod.com<\/p>\n
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