How can I attract the Young teenagers to join the choir

[Budd]

Hey yall, I've been directing for about 4 years.
I've never had a problem getting the young adults to join a choir at previous churches i've attended until i started as the assistant MD at my church. I've been there for about 2 years and im ready to take the choir to another level in ministry.

We have about 9 or 10 that are already on the choir from ages 14 to 40, but theres a lot of young adults and teenagers who can sing a melody but won't join the choir.

The choir doesn't sound bad at all.
I know there's a way i can get them on board, but i need some help finding some ideas.

its like they don't wanna do anything that requires them to be in the front of the church i think.

Also I have like 2 or 3 who sing for a community choir, but never have time for their church at all, not even mentioning the church choir.
What do yall think about people like that who always have an excuse why they can't do anything for their church, but you see them everywhere else with a community choir? lol...

[betnich]

Maybe they believe their ministry shouldn't be confined to a particular church...or have enough time to do a community outreach every now and then, but can't/won't commit to  weekly rehearsals/services at your church.

That being said, honey attracts more than vinegar, IMO...

[momuzik]

What type of music do you all sing? Sometimes the more contemporary "jump around" music will attract the younger.

[under13]

^^Exactly. Sing some youthful songs. They aint gonna wanna join if you still singing "order my steps" and "goin up yonder" every week.

What do yall think about people like that who always have an excuse why they can't do anything for their church, but you see them everywhere else with a community choir? lol...

So What? Maybe they enjoy ministering to the unchurched. Maybe they like a different style than the church choir's.  Singing in the church choir is not for everybody.

[Budd]

Yea I understand what some of you are saying.
Naw but we are an excellent choir.
We sing all the latest from Hez, to Ricky Dillard, Donald Lawerence, on down.
We get it in on the contemporary. No order my steps, or down by the riverside, unless its an updated version...I have teenagers on the choir, but their's a lot more i would like to get involved.

But see this is what im talking about, Im getting responses that say they maybe enjoy ministering to the unchurched or different styles, or maybe they feel they feel they shouldn't be confined to a church. Understand that im not condemning those, but realize and read my post again. How can I attract them to sing on the Young Adult's choir in my church. Key word (attract them) to give it a chance.

I think I have a strategy and i'll let yall know, because so far the question has been unaddressed really.

Growing up i disliked church, but guess what attracted me, captured my attention, and opened my eyes to church, music. Then once i got into church from being attracted by the annointing of God in the music, i began to really pay attention and get into the word of God when the preacher would preach. I began to try and applied different things that i learned from the Word. It all started from the Lord using something to capture my attention.

Let me ask again,

How can I attract the teenagers to give the choir a chance?

Thanks for all your respones

[betnich]

To attract more people to your ministry, be attractive. People will be drawn to your realness, talent and anointing.

I find that in so many churches (not yours - you are trying to get more people involved) musicians, singers tend to form cliques and play 'keep away' from the rest of the congregation. Sort of a 'us four, no more' mentality. Or a MOM (not you - I am thinking of others I have known) wants to act as gatekeeper, holding the keys to the Music kingdom. You don't cozy up to them, you don't get in. This may be necessary for musicians or a Praise Team, but not with a larger Choir.

    If you have any of that attitude in the band or choir, you have a problem that needs to be addressed with prayer and frankness. Look at the people you have - is there any defensiveness? What is their attitude toward 'outsiders' who wish to be let in?

[Budd]

Well Thanks very much, I do believe we have one undercover cancer that a lot of people really don't mainly want to deal with.

It turns out to be the choir president...lol....but she'll be resigning next month as president and i'll be taking over...

Again, thanks for the responses and the wisdom. Keep me in your prayers and i'll do the same for you all....


God bless.

[under13]

Well, what reasons do they give for not wanting to join?

[sjonathan02]

Let me ask again,

How can I attract the teenagers to give the choir a chance?

Thanks for all your respones

What attracted you may not attract them.

I've always found that if a teenager wants to do something, they'll just do it. If you're going to do music JUST to attract the teens, then you're missing the bigger picture.


I mean, is this, specifically, a youth choir? 

[betnich]

Again, thanks for the responses and the wisdom. Keep me in your prayers and i'll do the same for you all....
God bless.

Will pray for you and your ministry.
Would God by any chance be leading you toward doing a Youth Choir from time to time?