When I reflect on my Pentecostal heritage, one strand runs throughout: music. In every powerful ministry moment I remember — from weekly services to camps — worship music was part of it.

Growing up in church, I encountered ample opportunities to hone my musical skills. There were children’s choirs, orchestras, youth bands, and openings for volunteer solos. Outside of church, children commonly took piano lessons or learned to play another instrument.

Many church leaders today have noticed a significant decline in the number of students pursuing these interests. In conversations with pastors, many express concern about where the next generation of worship leaders and instrumentalists will come from.

The apostle Paul encouraged his young protégé Timothy by saying, “Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6).

When we look at the future of worship music in our churches, we must find ways to fan it into a roaring fire once again.

Start Early

After years of observing youth sports, I’ve realized participation starts early. Even toddlers can take classes and learn basic skills. Before they enter school, many children are already attending soccer or T-ball practices and competing. By fourth grade, they might join a travel team.

Musical training should ideally begin at a young age as well. If we wait until they are teens, students will likely be too entrenched in other activities to start learning an instrument.

To effectively light the fire, we need to involve children in music early. As preschoolers, they can use percussion instruments while singing in kids’ church. Children can start group training during early elementary school and individual lessons by age 8.

Music is tactile. Children need to experience and interact with it physically. The younger we can introduce them to instruments and singing, the better. The first step is helping children develop a love for music.

Partner With Parents

Parenting looks different than it did when I was growing up. Children are more involved in sports clubs and other formal activities, and so are their parents.

I often hear church leaders lament this trend, but perhaps we should lean into it. Today’s parents are gatekeepers. If they don’t support an activity, their children are unlikely to participate.

Many activities demand parental involvement as children progress. Parents often find great fulfillment in watching their child engage in an activity they once loved. They also discover community, which may explain why some families prioritize other weekend activities over church involvement.

Recognizing the needs and motivations of families changes the way we minister to them. We can involve parents in children’s ministry activities, partnering with them at every stage.

Music is tactile. Children need to experience and interact with it physically. The younger we can introduce them to instruments and singing, the better.

At the church my husband and I planted in the New Orleans area, we treat youth ministry like youth sports. Our expectation is that parents will be involved, especially in events like Assemblies of God District Fine Arts Festivals. We interact with families through seasonal parent nights and frequent communication.

We also survey parents to discover their interests and skills, matching vetted volunteers to areas they find personally fulfilling. Sometimes it’s surprising what talents parents have to offer. We won’t know until we ask.

Fine Arts provides opportunities for parental involvement. We intentionally utilize parents as youth volunteers and coaches. We invite parents to join us during Fine Arts trips to assist their students or just cheer them on.

If parents can make time to coach sports, they can participate in their children’s spiritual development. Reminding parents of their spiritual formation and helping them pass that on to their children can be deeply satisfying.

Parents who participated in Junior Bible Quiz growing up are often eager to coach their children in this ministry. Similarly, many parents enjoy sharing their love of worship music — whether playing alongside their children on a Wednesday night or helping them prepare for a Fine Arts event.

Involving parents can greatly enrich discipleship across the congregation and broaden opportunities for shaping the next generation of worshippers.

Utilize Resources

People learn music in formal and organic ways. Formal methods include instrument lessons, vocal training, and choir rehearsals. Organic learning happens through activities like listening to music together, passing down family knowledge, and providing informal coaching. Both types of learning are important.

Every congregation has formal or organic resources it can utilize in preparing young people for music ministry.

Large churches with full-time worship staff can offer formal schools of music, with lessons and ensemble opportunities.

Medium-size churches can provide coaching through staff members or volunteers. (This might be as simple as sending a student who plays guitar a recording to use during home practice sessions.)

Smaller churches sometimes have an advantage. They can informally bring along young musicians, allowing them to play or sing with mentors on the platform. In my experience, those who harmonize best typically grew up singing in a smaller congregation.

Churches of all sizes can guide students to free or inexpensive technology that helps them develop as musicians.

Rather than formal lessons, our church offers organic guidance through Fine Arts. We offer a coach for each area of participation, including short sermon, vocals, instrument, and art. These volunteers provide a supportive environment for students to learn, grow, and sharpen their talents.

This is how sports leagues function in communities large and small. How much more important is the work of training future worship leaders?

Cultivate Worship

Last year, I attended the performance of a local women’s choir. During the event, one of the choir directors said something that has challenged me ever since.

The director, who is also an instructor at a local university, remarked that music programs on many campuses are dying. She pointed to a lack of music exposure in faith communities as the reason.

“We’re no longer raising them up in church,” the director said. “If we don’t teach them, it will die with us.”

This resonated deeply with me because I’ve seen it. Her insight inspired me to prioritize developing young people over my own opportunity to lead.

I have led worship in thousands of services, and there is no place I’d rather be. I am grateful that I continue to have the opportunity to lead on a weekly basis.

Over the years, however, I’ve awakened to a new understanding of worship ministry. My role as worship pastor is about more than choosing songs, planning programming, and leading the musical portion of services. I am also called to cultivate worship by preparing the next generation.

There’s nothing I want more than to fan into flame the gift of God in every child and teen who is part of our local church. And nothing is more rewarding than watching these young people grow and thrive in the gifts God has given them as they begin stepping up to lead the body of Christ in worship.

This article appears in the Summer 2026 issue of Influence magazine.