Lead Connect Praise

Last summer, we started a new music ministry team made up entirely of high schoolers. Their purpose was to serve their high school peers and our middle school EDGE program. Yesterday, we held our last rehearsal for their inaugural year. We talked through what worked well, and what could work better. Here’s where we think we are…

The band an I agree that they were successful in accomplishing what they set out to do in their first year, which was to form as a small group in prayer, learn (some number) of modern worship tunes, and be the house band for our yearly youth group beach trip and weekly middle school program. They did it, and I am really proud of these musicians. Here’s the roadmap of best practices for you if you want to develop a teen music ministry.

What worked well for us…

• Developing friendships – We spent a good bit of time on the front end developing relationships in the group, just “hanging out” and having a lunch or getting ice cream on the trips.
• Practicing on a click track – This develops excellent musicianship and discipline.
• Leveraging songs that our church already knew from Sunday worship.
• Praying before and after every rehearsal and worship event
• Setting clear expectations (Click “PEER MINISTRY BAND EXPECTATIONS” Document) – If you email me, I will send you a copy that you can edit and customize for your church…

What we are going to improve for next year…

• Yearly Auditions in late Spring – This will enable new people to share their gifts. It also affords us the possibility of forming more than one team, and placing people in more diverse groups to match their playing style (modern worship, christian rock, metal). Having more diverse groups would definitely be a plus to reach more teens.
• Having auditions yearly also helps build a sub list so that if school or work commitments prevent one of the team members from being available during a worship event, there is a list of people that will have an opportunity to serve. Teens are so busy, with very erratic schedules, much of which is due to the nature of high school activities.
• Consistent, published, rehearsal schedule. Always publish and keep to your rehearsal schedule. It doesn’t have to be every week, but it does need to be planned three months out.
• Summer workshop days – Focused 4 hour sessions on learning repertoire. Make the days fun by working in lunch by the local pool, or going to see a movie together.
• Ongoing training/mentoring with existing adult ministry teams. We have so many gifted people serving at the church that have a heart for ministry and can offer different perspectives and experiences with these developing music ministers.
• Adding a dedicated set of audio and projection techs that work closely with the bands.

These teens are a blessing to me, and I am thrilled that they are serving our church with their gifts and talents. The church needs more songwriters, leaders, musicians, audio techs, and people with hearts of service. It’s not going to happen unless someone develops them. I encourage you to pray about how you can get teens involved in your worship ministry, or develop a group of them to start their own. Be a blessing, Greg