As I travel leading family concerts I always have kids ask me if I get nervous singing on stage. All I ever wanted to do as a kid was sing. I started singing solos on stage as an elementary student. I’ve been recording and doing concerts professionally for 19 years so in most cases I’m not nervous. Really with only two exceptions: #1 First times out doing a new song where I’m still completely sinking my teeth into knowing it like the back of my hand. #2 When a lot of close friends and family are there. But, the question doesn’t only come from kids. I’ve gotten it from leaders too. Yes, the person that has the role of worship leader for kids. Thankfully, I’ve never had a group of kids throw rotten tomatoes or boo me off a stage. (I doubt you have either) so why are some still nervous and afraid? What’s the worst that could happen? We’re all human.
One of the biggest things I see in young/less experienced vocalists and leaders is a lack of confidence and thus a lack of authority. If you’re gonna get up there and lead then you might as well lead as if you’re the leader. The dictionary defines a leader as “a person or thing that leads”. To do your job you have to be a leader and that means that others should be following your example and commands. Take charge. Own it. It’s your stage. It’s your moment to navigate the ship and take your audience on a journey to experience God’s presence through their worship. Keep in mind this instruction and promise we have in Joshua 1:9 “Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be afraid. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.”
It’s important to lead with authority. I want to encourage you that if you have been given the job of worship leader there is someone who believes in you and your ability. They have entrusted you with the expectations you’ll get the job done effectively. They have said you are capable and handed the reigns to you. So why don’t you believe in yourself and your ability to get the job done the way that the leadership above you does? The best thing you can do is sing with confidence and talk to your audience to get them excited and teach them with authority. There’s a lot of respect that is gained from having this kind of boldness. We learn about this from Jesus’ example. Look at Matthew 7:28-29 “Jesus finished saying all these things. The crowds were amazed at his teaching. That’s because he taught like one who had authority. He did not speak like their teachers of the law.”
I think of worship sets as a journey that we are taking our audience on. Through the quantity of songs you do, the different tempos, dynamics and the messages and themes building upon each other, you can plan your songs to take your audience to a new place during your time of worship. People don’t mind following someone who knows where they are going. But, if you lack boldness and authority you aren’t going to appear to be someone that knows what’s going on, much less where they are going. We should strive to be more like Jesus and the way that He taught and discipled those in His audience. Become a leader that leads with authority. Worship with boldness, giving all you have as you model to others how to enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.
Written by Yancy
©2016 Yancy Ministries, Inc.
Learn more about Yancy and her KidMin media at WorshipHouse Kids.
Yancy is a worship leader and songwriter for kids that travels the globe doing family concerts and training worship leaders. She grew up a Kidmin PK that knew God wanted to use her music for His glory. Yancy is passionate about creating resources to serve the church. She recently launched a new worship series called “Kidmin Worship”. Yancy also created the original music for Standard Publishing’s “Deep Sea Discovery” VBS. Her life is made even more complete with her husband, Cory and son, Sparrow Rocket where they live in Nashville, TN.
