Music is at the centre of the teenager's world. Personal MP3 and CD players provide a private soundtrack-to-life for youths everywhere.
Despite this, many youth ministries choose to avoid singing and music in their programs. This decision is based on one or more presuppositions.
Firstly, they assume that teenagers don't like to sing. Whilst voice-breaking-year-nine-boys might decline an invitation to sing solo, it doesn't mean that they won't sing along with a group of other youths. In fact, this is exactly what happens in rock concerts. Why can't it happen in youth group?
Secondly, some people think that singing is inappropriate for groups targeted at non-Christians. Yet, singing provides an opportunity for Christian teenagers to show their enthusiasm in following Jesus. Rather than mask this remarkable witness, we should harness it as a tool for outreach. In the same way that the word-centred 1 Corinthians 14 gathering brought the outsider to repentance and faith, the rich dwelling of the word of God in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs (Colossians 3:16) can also lead non-Christians to say that "God is really among you!" (1 Corinthians 14:25).
Thirdly, many youth leaders think they don't have enough resources to include singing in their program. Whilst it is true that a full accompaniment of live music can lift the singing, it is perfectly fine to sing along to a solo acoustic guitar. In fact, this universal instrument is almost generic in its style, cutting across the youth sub-cultures.
So, if you don't have singing in your youth group, how do you introduce it? Well, the ideal context is a youth camp. This provides several sessions in which the teenagers can get used to singing together. It's also a great situation in which to learn some new songs.
If you don't have any musicians amongst the leaders or the students, then why not get a teenager to learn the guitar? Get the youth group to buy a guitar, and send one of the students off to learn some chords. Trust me, you can go a long way with only five chords!
The next issue is song choice. Whilst it is possible to sing traditional hymns, (especially with the new tunes), choose songs that have shorter and easier words. An often overlooked source of youth songs is the pool of children's music. I have often kicked off a youth group night by leading a stirring rendition of "Pharaoh, Pharaoh' or "Blind Man'! The enthusiastic singing (and actions!) provide a great segue into the next few songs.
However, let me sound a warning. Youth group singing can easily turn into a mindless moshpit, in which the focus is on movement not meaning. Remember, the purpose of singing is to let the word of Christ dwell richly, not to just burn off energy.
Martin Luther said that "next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world". Are the youth in your church missing out on this great treasure?
Jodie McNeill is a youth ministry trainer with Anglican Youthworks. You can email Jodie at Youthworks. This is an excerpt from his upcoming seminar at the TWIST Music Conference
