Hold up: Is that song you're about to pull off the shelf for your youth praise-dance group child or youth-friendly enough?
I mean, is the message of the song something they can skillfully and credibly carry? Emphasis on "credibly," as in "believably?" The song should speak to their experiences or what they are able to relate to --- what God has anointed them and called them to carry. While one youth praise dance group might be able to convincingly minister to Tasha Cobbs' "Break Every Chain," another group the same age might appear "overwhelmed" by the enormity of the message.
We are in no way 'despising the youth' (1 Timothy 4:12) of our younger praise-dance sisters and brothers, but want to encourage thought about the song selection: We trust that you are always consulting God first about song selection. When you choose a song for your youth ministry, make sure it's just not the latest, hottest worship song, or something you yourself should be ministering to, but something that when they take it on, they are able to convincingly and believably tell that message.
Here are two other His Hem Ministry praise-dance blog articles we'll refer you to:
~ "His Hem Ministry salutes all hardworking young people," which includes a list of youth ministries with links to song they ministered;
~ "Looking for a praise-dance song," a list of songs, with scripture citation, according to the song's theme and message
Here are a few suggestions of child- and youth-sized dance ministry songs:
~ "Anthem of Praise" by Richard Smallwood (also, this version)
~ "He Wants It All Today" by Forever Jones (2010)
~ "I Believe" by Jonathan Nelson
~ "I'll Be the One" by Bri Babineaux ('Yes, children can 'go' and tell the good news to their peers, to others.')
~ "Joy to the World" by Whitney Houston
~ "Mighty You Are" by The Walls Group
OLDER YOUTH/TEENS
~ "Over and Over" by Trin-I-Tee 5:7 (see also this dance)
~ "What If?" by James Fortune (Makes reference to murder, suicidal, adultery, abortion.)
I mean, is the message of the song something they can skillfully and credibly carry? Emphasis on "credibly," as in "believably?" The song should speak to their experiences or what they are able to relate to --- what God has anointed them and called them to carry. While one youth praise dance group might be able to convincingly minister to Tasha Cobbs' "Break Every Chain," another group the same age might appear "overwhelmed" by the enormity of the message.
We are in no way 'despising the youth' (1 Timothy 4:12) of our younger praise-dance sisters and brothers, but want to encourage thought about the song selection: We trust that you are always consulting God first about song selection. When you choose a song for your youth ministry, make sure it's just not the latest, hottest worship song, or something you yourself should be ministering to, but something that when they take it on, they are able to convincingly and believably tell that message.
Here are two other His Hem Ministry praise-dance blog articles we'll refer you to:
~ "His Hem Ministry salutes all hardworking young people," which includes a list of youth ministries with links to song they ministered;
~ "Looking for a praise-dance song," a list of songs, with scripture citation, according to the song's theme and message
Here are a few suggestions of child- and youth-sized dance ministry songs:
~ "Anthem of Praise" by Richard Smallwood (also, this version)
~ "He Wants It All Today" by Forever Jones (2010)
~ "I Believe" by Jonathan Nelson
~ "I'll Be the One" by Bri Babineaux ('Yes, children can 'go' and tell the good news to their peers, to others.')
~ "Joy to the World" by Whitney Houston
~ "Mighty You Are" by The Walls Group
OLDER YOUTH/TEENS
~ "Over and Over" by Trin-I-Tee 5:7 (see also this dance)
~ "What If?" by James Fortune (Makes reference to murder, suicidal, adultery, abortion.)
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New to mime? See what some of our His Hem Ministry mime friends advise . . .
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You're not missing out on any of these
praise-dance conferences or workshops, are you?
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Get the 'other' book . . . "OMG ~ I'm Praise Dancing! Now What?"~ o ~ o ~ o ~
Traveling? Use this Booking.com link and earn $25!
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