A NEW programme that uses popular school-assembly songs to inspire worshipping communities seeks to “double the number of children and young people as active disciples by 2030”.
iSingPOP is the singing, performing, and resourcing project of the charity the Innervation Trust. Funded by the Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board’s (SMMIBs) partnerships funding stream, the charity has received £500,000 to support 300 churches through the training of clergy and lay leaders, besides launching new worshipping communities.
The new programme will support “the Church of England’s vision to double the number of children and young people as active disciples by 2030”, a statement from Church House said on Tuesday.
iSingPOP produces worship songs that reach more than 77,000 children weekly. It also has resources that equip teachers, clergy, and volunteers to lead faith-based music sessions in schools and churches, the statement says.
“The aim is to connect collective worship in schools to engagement with church for families interested in growing in faith together,” it continued.
The organisation collaborates with schools and churches to organise concerts, for which, over four days, iSingPOP facilitators teach children songs that explore the Christian faith, culminating in a whole-school performance for parents.
“This approach has already inspired many families to explore faith beyond the school gates,” the statement said. “Through the new programme, iSingPOP will help to link worship in schools with the life of local churches.”
The approach is based on a pilot in Worcester diocese, which has combined iSingPOP resources with local mission plans for children, young people, schools, and families. Church House reported that 161 children are engaging children in follow-on worship activities across nine new worshipping communities within its first year.
The director of iSingPOP, Miz Porter, said: “For 25 years, we have been working with churches and schools to create inspirational collective worship resources that uplift children.
“We believe intergenerational worship has the power to introduce whole families to the Gospel, and we are delighted that this new programme will help churches across the country in deepen their relationships with local schools.”
A member of the SMMIB, Suzannah O’Brien, said that she was encouraged by iSingPOP’s plans “to introduce a new generation of primary school-aged children to faith through vibrant worship.
“Equipping every parish church to welcome children and young people is at the heart of what we do as a Board, and I look forward to hearing stories of what God is doing through this programme.”
