Teaching children the power of worship

Worship involves an intimate relationship with God, Kathleen Chapman told attendees at Children’s Worship University (CWU), hosted by Texas Baptists Music & Worship at First Baptist Church Lewisville on Jan. 20-21. Chapman, author of Teaching Kids Authentic Worship, served as the featured speaker at the training event for Preschool and Children's choir and worship leaders.

“When you start worshipping, your life will be forever changed,” Chapman said.

Chapman shared that many times it is easier for a child to understand the concept of worship because of their belief systems.

“They [children] don’t come in with the doubts and baggage and skepticism the adult tends to have,” she said. “It’s easy for a child to wonder and be in awe and let all their inhibitions go and really show everyone how excited they are. It’s not as easy for adults to do that.”

Detailing several awe-inducing facts about the human body and animals, Chapman reminded the adults in the room about the mystery of creation, produced by the great Creator God. She took attendees on a journey, detailing her personal experience seeking to truly understand the meaning and practice of worshipping God.

“If we don’t understand worship, the kids in our ministries are not going to understand worship,” Chapman said. “It’s a paralyzing effect. It was for me when I had been in ministry for so many years and I realized I didn’t understand worship. I started at square one – writing down ways I could worship God.”

Throughout the weekend, attendees engaged in workshops aimed at developing and maintaining strong children’s worship programs within their churches. Topics ranging from “Sing your way through the Bible” and “Praise Him with instruments” to “From rote singing to music reading” and “It’s like herding cats!” each workshop provided valuable tools, insights and instruction for attendees to take back to their communities.

“Our children are the future, and I can’t think of a better way to eternalize God’s truths than through worship,” said Angela Irby, CWU planning team member and worship associate for children’s music at the Heights Church in Richardson. “I am thrilled to serve on the CWU planning team because I enjoy to create and plan this special weekend event to help motivate and inspire anyone who has a love and passion to make a difference in the lives of children!”

CWU, which is hosted each January, is one of the leading children’s worship trainings in the nation, according to Tom Tillman, Music & Worship lead for Texas Baptists’ Great Commission Team. In previous years, attendees have traveled from as far as Mississippi and Pennsylvania to participate in the two-day conference.

“CWU is one of the best investments our church leadership makes in our volunteers and staff,” said Stephanie Pulley, children’s music specialist at First Baptist Dallas. “The extremely practical and relevant tips and ideas inspire on multiple levels and the spiritual anchor of the keynote speaker makes this event so robust. CWU fits a lot of value into this one weekend. Every single leader leaves on Saturday chomping at the bit to implement new concepts as soon as possible.”