So. You\u2019ve worked hard with your band to improve your musicianship, teamwork and Biblical theology of worship. You\u2019re all set. But then comes the moment you\u2019ve dreaded. Yep, it\u2019s the 13 year-old who always wants to play your guitar after church every week, driving your Fulltone overdrive to wig-blasting levels towards your elders. This mysterious teen speaks to you this week, rather than the usual mumbled grunt. They\u2019ve made a decision. They want to play in the worship band (they\u2019ve been having lessons with their Uncle Bob). Your mouth drops as a new reality dawns. You\u2019re going to have to work with… Teenagers. (Cue scary music).<\/p>\n
Our heart must be to see young people trained, empowered and supported. Not only are they the church of tomorrow, they are the church of today. We need to encourage them and let them unleash their energy and passion for Jesus to freshen our worship. Most of the time, we don\u2019t need to inspire them to take up an instrument or vocals (although they are watching you as you play and lead!), but we do need to stand alongside them, train them \u2013 and yes, learn from them.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut hang on!\u201d you cry, \u201cI\u2019m no youth worker… What do I do? Do I call for the youth worker, even though he\u2019s tone deaf and thinks a bridge is something you drive over?!\u201d Nope – although building a rapport with the youth workers will help! Let\u2019s kick off with 4 starting tips\u2026<\/p>\n
2.\u00a0HAVE FUN.<\/strong> 3.\u00a0KNOW THE PARENTS.<\/strong> 4.\u00a0PRAY AND BE REAL.<\/strong> Congratulations<\/strong>. Your journey with young people and bands is beginning. It will be hard work, there will be lifts to be organised, you\u2019ll often wonder if you\u2019re getting anywhere. But believe me, you are. Around four years ago, one of the lads decided he wanted to be a youth worker and a worship leader. We had a little band together with 3 other teenage lads. It was tough going at times. But we watched worship DVDs together, chilled out and talked worship, he taught me riffs and the band had opportunities to play. He\u2019s now a worship leader in his own right, leads at Summer camps for young people, has empowered others and has played at various churches and events. He\u2019s just one person who God has transformed and is using. We play our small part, God will do the rest.<\/p>\n Steve Hayes\u00a0is a worship leader at City Community Church in Exeter (UK) as well as a school youth worker.\u00a0He has also created\u00a0a website packed with\u00a0great youth work resources at\u00a0myfishbites.com. <\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Other posts you might find helpful<\/strong><\/p>\n Worship team dynamics – the phases every team goes through<\/a><\/p>\n The conscious competence learning model<\/a><\/p>\n Communication skills for worship teams<\/a><\/p>\n
\n1.\u00a0INVEST AND TRAIN.<\/strong>
\nIf you\u2019re not a youth worker, then just think how encouraging it is that a young person wants to be involved in worship. They\u2019re keen to learn and be listened to but they also need to be trained. When one young person always appeared after a service, I knew the question was going to be, \u2018when are we playing this week?\u2019 There was no \u2018are we playing?\u2019 It was always \u2018when\u2019! We quickly established that we\u2019d practice every 2 weeks. But he was enthusiastic – something we need to harness, and your investment of love and time is key. I remember that as a teenager, a Christian lead guitarist gave me his signature after an event. It was such a small thing from him \u2013 yet such a big moment and so inspiring for me.<\/p>\n
\nIf you\u2019re working with a young band, try and have fun with them. Our ways of having fun have ranged from very surreal games, to eating fish & chips, to having stones thrown at the building we were in during practice and playing mini worship sessions. It all adds to the sense of belonging and being together, which is an essential skill they\u2019ll need when playing. In youth work, the \u2018main\u2019 things we do are often only a key to the \u2018God moments\u2019 with individuals \u2013 sitting around after an event, driving back in a car, chatting around the camp fire. In these moments, relationships are built. I naturally build these kinds of spaces into band practices. So we\u2019ll sit around on the sofas, drink coffee, laugh at my singing and eat the church\u2019s supply of biscuits\u2026<\/p>\n
\nIf possible (and if you don\u2019t already), it\u2019s good to build relationships with the young people\u2019s parents in the church \u2013 and those outside if possible. They will mostly be so encouraged that someone is taking an interest in their son or daughter – apart from those parents whose son practices his Hillsong solos at midnight, and the drummer driving her parents insane with crashes, fills and patterns off the latest Musicademy drum workout DVD.. Christian parents will be happy their child is involved in Kingdom work. If parents know you\u2019re interested in helping their son or daughter, they will often reciprocate; for example I\u2019ve had chocolate, invites for lunch, food and a lot of thanks.<\/p>\n
\nKeep praying for and with these guys. Let the Word of God, prayer and worship do its work. As you are real and model Godly integrity, you will see God transform them from musicians to worshippers.<\/p>\n