In this episode, Dawn explores WHY storytelling can be built into into your every encounter with children. Biblical stories and stories about Jesus equip and accompany children as they step out of the worship space and into their young lives. Pastor (and expert storyteller) Priscilla Paris-Austin shares her expertise and some inspiring ideas with Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman. It’s a conversation sure to help worship leaders sharpen their own storytelling skills. 

For more about Pastor Priscilla and her Sacred Storytime podcast, (https://blog.augsburgfortress.org/a-peek-into-the-studio-of-sacred-storytime-with-pastor-priscilla) Listen to Pastor Priscilla's podcast (https://www.podbean.com/site/search/index?v=sacred+storytime+with+pastor+priscilla)

WHY consider bringing children at your church into leadership roles every week, not just on Youth Sunday.  Deacon Jennifer Baker-Trinity chats with Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman offering ideas about how to more fully incorporate children into every aspect of worship, the jobs borth large and small, sacred and simple. Of course, giving children more responsibility has risks as well as rewards. Learn how to roll with it when the unexpected happens with the child leaders you’ve empowered! 

Find the Thanksgiving for Baptism with Children that Deacon Jennifer mentioned on page 60 in the Pew Edition of All Creation Sings.

We appreciate you and the community of leader/listeners we are building through this podcast! Please like and share Worship Whys with your circle and check in with your thoughts at [email protected]

It’s a challenge! Worship planners know that one size DOES NOT fit all  when welcoming children in worship.

Creating developmentally appropriate activities for all young learners can be done, but it requires preparation and flexibility. Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman shares some insight and ideas on how to build worship practices that span the different age groups—and appeal to all of them.

Have you created worship practices to appeal to children of different ages in your church? Email Dawn about your experiences at [email protected]. And you can read more about Dawn's insights on kids in worship in Chapter 9 of her book "Little Steps, Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child's Faith."

WHY do drums engage children—and the whole congregation—with the power of percussion?

Rev. Lowell Michelson, senior pastor at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in West Chester, Ohio and a lifelong musician, brought his drums along as he joined host Dawn Rundman. Think drums involve loud banging that doesn’t belong in church? Then this episode of Worship Whys will open your eyes—and ears. Learn how music and rhythm instruments can touch children like nothing elsePastor Lowell has some great hands-on ideas that he uses with children in his services and are easy to implement at other churches. His suggestions are anything but humdrum and sure to have your congregation marching to a different beat.

How have you used music at your church? Dawn would like to hear the experiences of worship leaders! Email her with your experiences at [email protected].

WHY people of all ages worshipping together enriches the experience for everyone!

“Intergenerational worship” creates more benefits for all than “multi-generational worship” does. What’s the difference? How can worship leaders create an environment that does more than acknowledge a diversity of age in their congregations? Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman shares research-based lessons that she learned at an international conference on intergenerational worship, and her observations from a week at an intergenerational camp.

Please like, follow, subscribe, and share this podcast! Your support helps us connect with more worship leaders like you. Let Dawn know what you want to hear about next at [email protected]

WHY is church camp such a pivotal faith event for so many kids, and how can worship leaders expand that special summer experience to create excitement year ‘round?

Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman talks with Rozella Haydée White, who shares experiences from her decades of youth ministry experience at a variety of camp environments. Rozella offers feedback for worship leaders about how to incorporate camp and the love of God’s outdoors into services and ministry.

Rozella’s book, Love Big: The Power of Revolutionary Relationships to Heal the World, is published by Fortress Press and available here: https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/product/24389/Love-Big-The-Power-of-Revolutionary-Relationships-to-Heal-the-World

Send your camp stories to Dawn at [email protected]

WHY incorporate poetry into your children’s ministry?

Children crave rhyme, rhythm and wordplay as their language develops and poetry, like music, will amuse and amaze them. Published poet and multi-disciplinary artist Joe Davis shares powerful ideas about how to incorporate poetry in worship with Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman. Joe’s practical advice will deepen your understanding of why poetry is a thrilling addition to your worship plans! Learn more about Joe at his website, www.JoeDavisPoetry.com and follow him on social media @JoeDavisPoetry. 

Explore Joe’s poetry books published by Augsburg Fortress at https://www.augsburgfortress.org/store/search?ss=Joe+Davis+poetry&c=0

Connect with Dawn at [email protected]. She would love input from worship leaders who are inspired by this podcast.

WHY use the pipe organ in your church to more deeply engage children in worship?

Children are curious about the magnificent instrument in your church—and sometimes a little frightened by it! David Sims, longtime church organist and current Music Development Manager at Augsburg Fortress, pulls out all the stops in a conversation with Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman.

David offers practical pointers on how to introduce children to the pipe organ so they get more out of the music it produces.

Dawn Rundman would love to hear from listeners who have thoughts on pipe organs or other topics discussed in these podcasts. Dawn’s e mail is [email protected].

Dawn’s book, Little Steps, Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child's Faith, is available wherever books are sold

WHY to think about the brains of your youngest congregation members as you plan worship.

Neuroscientists have made dramatic breakthroughs in mapping babies’ brains and are learning how the brain’s plasticity in the first few years of life shapes lifelong development. Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman’s fascination with early brain formation led her to take a deep dive into the subject in her doctoral studies and

influenced her to write her acclaimed book, Little Steps, Big Faith: How the Science of Early Childhood Development Can Help You Grow Your Child's Faith.

Dawn shares innovative information about babies’ brains and offers strategies to inspire worship leaders to take simple steps to engage the youngest children (and their families) as they begin faithful lives.

What successful ways have you connected with babies in your church? Email Dawn with your experiences at [email protected].

Dawns book is available at: https://www.wearesparkhouse.org/store/product/23763/Little-Steps-Big-Faith-How-the-Science-of-Early-Childhood-Development-Can-Help-You-Grow-Your-Child-Faith

WHY does reflecting on your own faith story give you insight into children at your church today?

What are your childhood church experiences that were meaningful, even profound? Reflecting on your own personal faith journey can give you insight into what is impacting the children you connect with.

Worship Whys host Dawn Rundman shares her faith autobiography as an example. A preacher’s kid growing up in the Midwest, Dawn was moved by her home church and prized her warm relationships with older congregation members. Listen to why Dawn encourages worship leaders to contemplate their own faith formation as a way to discern what might be meaningful to children they interact with.

What memories did you generate by pondering your own faith autobiography? Dawn would be interested in hearing from listeners who were encouraged by this podcast to think about their journey. Drop her an e mail: [email protected].