Intentional, Student Led, High School Worship Experiences: Best Practices Shared

Dan Beerens | February 2009

Through a generous grant by the Calvin College Institute of Worship, high school chapel worship teams from within CSI schools were invited to come to the Calvin Symposium on Worship that was held January 29-31 in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Twenty-five schools took up the offer and sent teams consisting of students, teachers, and administrators. Due to the publication deadlines of this magazine, I am unable to report on the conference. So, I moved to a plan B.

Prior to the conference, I posed this question to those responsible for producing student chapels at their school:

What is the best thing or things that have happened to your planned worship experiences in the past 5-10 years that have made it a more meaningful time for students?

What emerged from responses I received back were the themes of student involvement and intentionality. Respondents emphasized how significant of a change it has been to involve students in the planning of chapels. They commented it has been difficult to give up control and trust students to do a good job, but how rich and meaningful the experience/result has been. It was also evident that each school that responded has made a significant commitment of time and intentionality in their program. The commitment of teachers and administration to set aside time in the school schedule allows the time necessary for good student/mentor conversation around worship, to do effective planning, and to deliver a meaningful chapel experience.

In the table below I have summarized some specific ideas or strategies, the person who contributed it, and a quote from them. I am grateful for their willingness to share and hope that this small compilation of ideas will be stimulating and helpful to you. I am sure that you could learn much more by contacting the person or school listed if you have further questions.

SPECIFIC IDEA / STRATEGY CONTRIBUTOR QUOTE
Student involvement - sharing mission trip experiences, reading a devotional, opening or closing in prayer, giving a testimony, drama class performances, praise band Grace Brus, teacher, London District, London, ON "The success of the band does depend on the musical ability of the students."
Spiritual Emphasis weeks in fall and spring Todd Tolsma, principal, NorthPointe, Grand Rapids, MI "... (our) spring one will focus on godly living and what that should look like."
Sponsoring World Vision kids - feature one monthly; Senior Reflections - senior student sharing their faith story Steve Winkle, chaplain, South Christian, Grand Rapids, MI "... in one worship service every month, our students and staff are challenged to think, pray, and give globally before hearing a testimony of God's faithfulness from someone we walk the halls with every day. What a blessing!"
Prayer chapel - small groups led by Spiritual Life Team members Scott VanDyke, teacher, Kalamazoo Christian, Kalamazoo, MI "This (empowering students) has reaped great dividends: I have learned that what I would have thought second-rate can be spot-on for what the students need for their walk with Christ."
Open the mic to share what you are thankful for; after a certain video teachers leave to pray for students in lobby while students have a prayer/confession of sin time Mac Wiener, teacher, Timothy, Elmhurst, IL "Variety, variety, variety... think outside the box (or auditorium)"
Spiritual Encouragement Week (S.E.W.) with 100% student led chapels built on school theme for the year Marcia Van Popering, Student Life Coordinator, Calvin, Grandville, MI "This week brings the gift of student to student witnessing to its highest form."
Chapel planning group meets twice weekly with mentor and follows mutually designed plan for year. Student leaders plan and implement chapels after two-week prior approval of plan by mentor. Rick Vander Woude, music teacher, Calgary, Calgary, AB "... a majority of the students have taken ownership of the chapels and we have had many great challenging chapels completely initiated by the students. We have seen them challenge each other resulting in a more positive spirit (fruits of the Spirit) in the daily activities of the students. It has allowed the students to try different things to involve everyone in the services and ask questions about faith and living as a Christian."


I get very excited about the kinds of authentic faith nurture that is happening in the contexts mentioned above! I know this is a small representation of the many good things that are happening in our Christian schools. If you are willing to share what you are doing, please contact me and I would love to share this encouragement with others through the Nurturing Faith blog or in future issues of Christian School Teacher. In the words of the song: "How can we help but worship?" Thanks for helping kids to praise and worship Him in the context of their lives and our life together in Christian community!

Dan Beerens serves as editor of Christian School Teacher and Vice President of Learning Services with CSI. He has worked in Christian and public education as both a teacher and administrator in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan.