Shift Breakout Session 2 – The Junior High Worshipper

Brandon Grissom Elevate Declaration:

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    • We are loved by God
    • We see ourselves the way God sees us
    • We love everyone (even when it hurts)
    • We do stuff that makes the world a better place

Greek > Proskuneo > Kiss

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    • Romans 12:1

Junior High = Change

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    • voice is changing
    • new way of school
    • body is changing
    • everyone looks different – one showed up with a beard last week

5 needs of JR HIGH students

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    • Physical – rapid growth, voice change, energy levels.  Need to provide a place where they can move around and get out some energy – physical outlet
    • Social – the primary thing of life. obsessed with connecting with friends.  myspace, xbox live, texting, etc.  Get them to talk to people – have a greeting time.  (just had an idea – provide a card and pen and have them go to 5 people they don’t know and write down their myspace url or facebook name and invite them)
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      • Saying at elevate – everyone here is cool. If you are attending here, then you are cool
    • Intellectual – questions.  They need a safe place where they can ask question.  As a worship leader – no churchy language and explain songs! What does hallelujah mean?
    • Emotionally – Face serious self-esteem issues.  We need to provide an outlet where students can pray through their hurts.  Set up prayer stations for students can go to during the service
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      • They put down butcher paper and told them to write down prayer request – got some serious stuff. Kind of luck we did with our dirty secrets cards!
    • Spiritual – they are questioning you, childhood faith, curious about what friends believe. 

Starting a band Vs Creating a worship culture

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    • Student involvement vs Student ownership
    • Limited Band Openings vs Unlimited creative serving opportunities
    • Oldest, most gifted musicians get to play vs musicians are placed in bands of similar age and skill level
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      • Older musicians give lessons to younger musicians
      • True intergenerational – one 50 yr old who is an awesome example of service and being Christ-like
      • authenticity should always trump relevance – you will lose your coolness – students care more about how real you are and not how cool you are
    • One band vs multiple bands
    • Live worship music vs Worship through music, arts, video, open-mic sharing, interactive experiences, and serving opportunities
    • no adults allowed vs specific adults are chosen to provide intergenerational leadership to young artists
    • Sing popular Christian songs vs Create original worship music, explain the “churchy” language of pop-christian songs
    • Avoids “secular” music vs Embrace that “everything good” comes from God – therefore content can some from a variety of places, not just Christian radio
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      • just said we could use radiohead
    • Planning is optional vs Planning is vital
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      • Quickly involve the first musicians that knock on your door vs Carefully create a process for recruiting retaining, and releasing artists
  • Build into yourself:
    • Family first
    • Daily scripture and quiet time
    • Find people to grow with – meet weekly – I meet wednesday nights from 8-11
    • Worship Privately

Take home stuff:

  • Do we have anyone who can write songs?
  • Recruit from outside of the church – where do I find them?
  • Don’t plug in everyone – lay in the groundword – process for joining (almost done with ours)
  • Audition – bring own equipment – bring a song they know – metronome for drummer – don’t do 4/4 do other signatures – everytime i point to them they do a fill and then get back to the song
  • Find people to do the lessons
  • Light of the world give students glow sticks

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