RUMINATIONS ON CAMP

I've been leading worship for 3rd & 4th graders this week at Lakeview Methodist Conference Center in Palestine. It's been a fun, exhausting week. I haven't been here during the day. I've just been playing each night, but you can still observe a lot of stuff at camp.

I've led worship to pretty much every age group and I have to say that there are some definite benefits to leading 3rd and 4th graders rather than older, more 'teenage' audiences.

• NO ROMANCE. There's a real freedom in leading a group of kids who aren't interested in finding a significant other. Normally, you've got that one couple on the back right side trying to sneak in some hand holding during the song service. Not with third and fourth graders. They are there to party.
  
  
• GRATITUDE. Leading for kids in the 9-10yr range is far from a thankless job. In fact, even the smallest effort on your part to bring a quality musical worship experience will endear you to a crowd like that. They'll love you for the effort you put forward and they'll respond in kind.
  
  
• SILLINESS ENCOURAGED. There isn't a much sillier age than 3rd and 4th grade. Leading worship for a crowd like this is just plain fun. The louder, goofier, funnier you can be, the better! Let's be honest - it won't be long before many of these kids begin to face the temptation to be somehow 'cooler' than church, so I'm enjoying their enthusiasm while I can.

This week has been hard, but it's been fun and I think the students have given honest, passionate praise. Can't ask for much more than that.