Youth Sunday, Step 4 -- rehearsal

The “dress” rehearsal

• Distribute the internal bulletins and printout of all written parts. (Don't plan on their remembering to bring their copy.)
• Everyone needs to be there including the sound/light/video people. Just as with a fire drill, the idea is to have the whole process be instinctual through practice.
• Give notes on public speaking in a Sanctuary (available separately).
• Walk through the entire service with nothing left out or shortened. Give loving, encouraging criticism (“boy you have a great voice, but you need to be louder so everyone can hear it”) and start a section over if needed to get it right.
• Keep everything moving so the kids don't get too bored and restless. Use energy and movement on your part to get energy out of them.
• Work at getting people moved and in place before they need to speak or play. This makes the service sharper and more professional and it gives the youth a chance to settle before having to do whatever it is they need to do.
• I always had pizza afterward for those who could stay.