Empower Students!
ALWAYS!
It is my perspective that it is our responsibility to ALWAYS be empowering students. The reason I was given a chance as a young person is because someone else did that for me when I was like 6 years old. Adults that saw me, took an interest in my energy, talent or boldness. They gave me a shot to go up on stage and risk total failure and reminded me when I did that my worth is not measured by wins or losses but by my deeper understanding that there is one that died to set me free. The more I realize my worth is found in Jesus Christ, the more I am free to explore my God given talents, skills and abilities and learn how to use them for His glory. From there it is just entering into the process of learning how to grow, learn and develop those gifts and work to be as authentic as possible. If we can empower students to do that, we will unleash an incredible gift to the Christian church body around the world.
INSPIRE LEADERSHIP GROWTH
The goal is to get students comfortable with the idea of leading others. Whether that is singing lead, helping pick songs for the worship sets, pulling together chord charts or handling the logistics for the band process. We are always trying to inspire them to stretch, reach, grow and develop in leadership. Participation is great and so many people are needed in that way so there is no shame in just serving and participating. However, when a student shows the characteristics of leadership we strive to push them in ways they feel comfortable to step out and lead. Statistics always show peer to peer is the most effective strategy to inspire young people to engage. The difference is always leadership.
IT STARTS AT HOME
While I have empowered students long before I had children of my own, it is important to inspire others to remember that it all starts in our homes. This picture above is both of my kids in the infant stages of their musicality and performance development. I took them with me whenever they wanted to join me and gave them opportunities to engage in worship leadership with me. My daughter took to it right away and between 7th-12th grade she helped me lead worship in lots of places all over West Michigan. She now leads worship as a college student and I am confident will do so for many years to come. My son bloomed later in his high school years when he decided his sophomore year to pickup his guitar again and get serious about playing.
While working with students I have seen supportive parents and I have seen parents sort of stand in the way of the growth of their student. I extend opportunities to students regularly but if they are in middle school it can depend heavily on their parents whether those opportunities are fully taken advantage of. I absolutely understand there are always many factors involved in running a family but it is my opinion parents should do everything they can to get them involved when interest is there, particularly when it involves ministry. I have witnessed some of the most magnificent parents bending over backwards to get their kids involved and available. It is critical for students and the earlier the better to diminish any fears they have. By performing regularly not only do they find they have something to prepare for but it slowly eliminates anxieties around performing. We all need to make more and more opportunities for students to participate in worship and leadership.
INSPIRE STUDENTS TO TRY
The student in this picture is Asher Yoder. He had never played guitar before and wasn’t necessarily considering it until Mac Warmington and Asher’s brother, Brady, decided they needed a bass player and put a bass in Asher’s hands. He gave it a try and within 2 weeks we had him on stage playing and in about 4 months he was one of the best bass players we had and shortly after that was being pursued by churches and ministries to play bass. He was a naturally gifted musicians and didn’t even realize it. I have lots of stories like this through the years working with students. It can be nothing short of amazing what God can do when we help students see things in themselves that they don’t even see. We can also help them tear down walls of fear and anxiety by supporting, encouraging and inspiring. Music can be intimidating, playing in bands can seem complicated and leading people in worship can feel daunting to students. When we help them understand that their heavenly Father loves to see His children participate in worship, try new things they learn that it doesn’t need to be difficult, complicated or daunting because God sees the heart. He desires for us to lay down our anxieties, fears and doubts and he will give us rest, rest for our souls. True worship is more about the decisions we make to follow Him rather than how well we perform certain tasks, songs or speak. The more we inspire people to try, serve, give and love, the more we realize the truth of scripture that it is in our weakness that He is strong. Bring your sack lunch and see what God will do with it!
Student Ministry Leader
”KWWB has truly brought something special to our events. Kyle’s leadership and willingness to empower students to lead with him, is a gift. Students leading other students truly makes a difference and we are grateful that he brings them along and has them lead as well!”