The Purpose-Led Children’s Choir

By John Francis

I started in the Music ministry in 1988 at a church in Kentucky called, Kirksville Baptist Church. My job was to lead worship, to direct the choir, and to oversee the Children's Choir program . . .

"I need you to know that I do not feel the calling to work with children." [the classic response from the Worship leader in his twenties (or beyond)]. The pastor consoled me and said, "Don't worry, there is good leadership in there - you probably will never need to bother with it". YESSSSS!

A few years later at Unity Baptist Church, we had a couple that wanted to start a children's choir. I would hear the children singing, occasionally - I would more often hear this young couple screaming at the children. This was the beginning of my trek into Children's Choir directing - and guess what, I was called to work with children.

Since then, I have seen with dismay 'Worship Pastors' myopically closing Children's Choirs in favor of other activities such as TeamKid or AWANA's (both fine programs). I've also seen the decay of good quality music provided for children. But I feel that there is a scriptural mandate for training young children in choir, and in this article I wish to help you to find your vision for that program that in 6 or 7 years takes the chorister from child choir member to adult choir member. With this easy ten step method.

1)         Purpose/goals

First, ask yourself this and every year: Why do we do this? There were three pillars to the Troy First Baptist Children's Choir that I directed for six years:

1) Every child will hear clearly and many times the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2) Every child will learn the fundamentals of singing.

3) Every child will know how to read music at the end of their 6th year.

and then my private on know by our staff, but not shared with the adults quite so freely.

4) Every child continues into our Youth Choir/Handbell/Drama group.

These purposes need to be first and foremost on your mind everytime you plan and rehearse. The first failure of many children's choirs is the lack of direction.

2)         Ministry leadership must be a present fixture in the Purpose Driven Children's Choir

This is another secret of having a growing children's choir program. The minister of music MUST legitimize the ministry with his presence. Maybe it is directing one of the choirs, or accompanying. If the MoM is the administrator only - he needs to be seen, and taking part.

3)         People Management

A great, not-so secret, secret is that of people management. The children you work with must not be allowed to drifting into nothingness if they start missing choir. 1) Take roll, 2) Make contacts the day after, 3) Don't put it off. You need to make sure that your children know that they're cared for.

Accountability with adult volunteers are very important. I was the only paid person on staff with our choirs. So, with the exception of directors, I ask many folks to each do a few specific jobs. They are not unimportant, but I don't belabor one person. If someone forgets, or doesn't perform their responsibility - I call them soon after, and ask them to make sure they take care of it from here on out. If volunteers think that their job is unimportant, they won't do it.

Youth are instrumental in child care and helping teachers and directors. I have had an awesome youth force made up of . . . you guessed it - former children's choir members!

You need to always have handy your application forms and handbook for the perspective parents. Also, I find that because we now have people waiting to be in next year's choir - we have pre-registration at our Spring Concert.

4)         Education

5)         Instrumental music

Recorder Choir, Handbell Choir, ToneChimes

6)         Proper Infrastructure

Preschool - Kindergarten Preschool Choir

Grades 1-3 Music Makers Choir

Grade 4 Recorder Choir

Grade 5 Tone Chimes

Grade 6 Intermediate Bells

Grades 7-12 SPAM (drama/choir/handbells)

7)         Cross promotion

The quicker we stop having turf wars within our churches, the better. Try to make a point of advertising Sunday School activities, AWANAs, and other programs in your group. I have never had a family join our church through their child being in children's choir only - but the children's choir was a portal of other activities and then it all becomes pretty natural.

8)         Other day than Sunday

One of the great strengths to our program is the fact it is on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, right after school (PreK-6th grade). Sundays and Wednesdays have such great competition that it wears down children and families. If I were transplanted to another church, the first thing I would do with a new children's choir is to get it off of the holy calendar - and make it on a typical work day. The response will blow your mind.

9)         Transportation

10)       Communication

There is nothing that is better than a well-done handbook for your program - replete with all the dates and times. However, that alone will not totally do it. I strive for 100% attendance. So, at the choir rehearsal two weeks before a performance the children receive a yellow alert paper to take home, then the rehearsal before, they receive a red alert note. I also utilize a website called callingpost.org, which is really to good to be true. It calls all my people for me, for pennies a call.

(The eleventh - Patience)

This group won't spring up overnight. In fact it will take 4 or 5 years to build, and 8 to 10 to see it truly roll at its full potential. But set up this infrastructure NOW, because it will happen. Don't spend years playing makeup.

In conclusion - and why it works

The key to this, and the reason it works, is that it is providing a service to the community, and at the same time placing the Gospel in front of the children. THIS IS A WIN-WIN SITUATION. Our public schools are simply not providing this anymore. I have children in my choirs that could not afford band instruments - but are now music readers, and Jesus-lovers.