Children’s Choirs As Leaders Of Worship

Children's choirs need not be relegated to simply providing entertainment in worship. Instead, they should function as important worship leaders. The imagination and energy that children are capable of bringing to this role will enrich the service and challenge them in their own spiritual journey. The moment has arrived: Sunday morning; public worship; the youth choir anthem. With precision, the children, music folders in hand, rise in unison from the pew and walk to the front of the sanctuary. They stand along the top step-lined up according to height-and turn toward the congregation. The director steps forward and faces the choir. All eyes focus on the director; hands open the music folders; heads and shoulders straighten. The accompaniment begins as the director raises a hand to indicate the entrance of singing. The congregation sees focused faces, hears the melodious music, and well articulated text. At the anthem's conclusion, the choir, the director, and congregation quietly be…