Last week, Dominic Gratto began a discussion with Sojourn worship leader Katie Vaughn. Here, we present the conclusion. Katie talks about differences between leading worship for kids and for adults, favorite hymn writers, the sense of community at Sojourn and more.
DG: What would you say is the biggest difference between leading worship with kids and leading worship with adults?
KV: Kids worship is typically children ages three to eight or so and tends to be more evangelistic in nature because most of the kids are not yet believers. Sojourn Gathered consists mostly of believers - though it is definitely still evangelistic. In the kids’ worship we are in some ways teaching them how to worship (as well as participating in worship ourselves) and encouraging them to respond to the Lord’s calling and to praise him through singing.
With the kids, we are building on and affirming what they are hopefully already hearing at home from their parents. We’re trying to show them that worship isn’t about singing songs about twinkling stars, as the song goes, but it is actually about singing songs to the God who made the stars.
DG: Are there differences in the music and lyrics, as well?
KV: Yes, definitely. There’s a lot less instrumentation in kids worship - not intentionally so, but just because that’s how it has been. Our songs also tend to have a higher pitch because kids’ voices haven’t matured yet. Singing in their range can sometimes be challenging. We are striving to become more diverse instrumentally, though. Christy Osterday came in once and played her cello and the kids ate it up. I’d love to get some banjos and mandolins in the mix, too.
DG: Do you have any favorite songs in your worship leading pocket?
KV: One of my favorite “children’s” album is Awesome God, from Sovereign Grace - specifically the song, “Mighty, Might Savior.” I’m also a big fan of Kyle Noltemeyers’, “Pray. Read the Bible. Go to Church.”
DG: Favorite hymn writer?
KV: Isaac Watts, at the moment - just because of all the exposure to him that I’ve had since Sojourn has been working on the new Isaac Watts project. But I’d also have to list William Gadsby. He’s been a favorite of mine for years.
DG: Have you ever dabbled in any music writing yourself?
KV: I did a little bit when I was twelve. That was about the same time I started leading worship with my family at my dad’s church. They certainly were not any songs that I’d whip out today to share but I definitely fancied myself a song writer at the time.
DG: What do you love about Sojourn?
KV: I love the diligence through which we work through the scriptures. I love that we hear the gospel so regularly. I need that reminder that gospel isn’t just the means of saving me from sin and death but it is the means of any and every redemptive change in my life.
The community that I’ve experienced here is phenomenal as well. I know the word “community” gets thrown around a lot but it is true. The sort of Christian community that I felt when I came here was something that I’d never experienced before and yet I knew it was so right.
DG: Any favorite musicians or bands?
KV: Classics: Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Miles Davis. More recently: Bon Iver, Sufjan Stevens. Radiohead is a must. Louisville favorites include Brooks Ritter and Jamie Barnes.
DG: Do you have any major life goals?
KV: Goals, no. Dreams, yes. Lately, I’ve been really drawn to learning more about Sojourn’s history and church planting in general. I’ve been talking with people here who are preparing to go out and do church planting. I think that’s the direction I’ll take once I graduate. I also want to get married and have a family that loves and serves the Lord.
