To The Unsung Heroes… Who Sing

I have been in ministry for a long time, and I think that it is high time that we show a little love to some of the most passionate and under-resourced servants of the Church. 

The youth group worship team! 

If you know a student involved in leading worship, do me a favor and tag them on this blog post, because I want to issue a heartfelt THANK YOU to them! 

     What many people don’t know is that the most common way for someone to get involved in worship goes a little something like this: 

The youth leader has been spoiled with a talented 12th grader leading worship for 4 years in his group. Now that he has graduated, he looks around in a panic as students walk into the building, realizing for the first time that no one is there to lead worship before he speaks. So he scans the room and asks… “Who has some talent and a pulse? Can I throw them on stage and get lucky with another student who can lead worship for our group?” He spots an unsuspecting victim and asks if they will lead a song or two. 

     Ok, that might be a bit exaggerated. I know at least a handful of youth leaders who have a bit more forethought than that. But as you can imagine, that first set is a trainwreck. It’s still better than resorting to “YouTube Worship.” Little does the youth leader know that this one simple act means the world to the student. It is the beginning of a lifelong love for leading God’s people to worship. 

Unfortunately, this is a pretty rough on-ramp for someone who is developing a love for music, the Church, and worship of our King. There is a better way. In partnership with Infusion Ministries, youthworshiptraining.com exists to help students who find themselves in this exact scenario. There are instrumental instructions, practical help with stage fright, drama, scheduling, and theological training. The best part is that there are free scholarships available! 

     I am happy to report that despite the strange introduction to worship ministry most students experience, God has honored many students' willingness to learn on the fly!

God has certainly provided, and his grace is evident in the lives of these students who are willing to put in the extra time and effort required to learn the many specialized skills that go into playing music, but more importantly, leading worship. We who have gone before see your sacrifice and salute you! 

     My prayer for you is that you, dear student, would not fall into the trap of defining yourself as a musician, performer, or even as a worship leader, but that you would see yourself first and foremost as loved and cherished as God’s adopted son or daughter. Leading worship is a high calling! But there is no greater title than that of a royal priest. (1 Peter 2:9-10) Lead out of a sense of belonging - God wants you and invites you to be involved in leading his people to direct their attention to him. That is no small thing, and I am grateful for you. 

• Jason Hundley, Director of Worship and Communications at Infusion Ministries