We're Failing Our Children

Monday, February 08, 2010

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My heart is burdened this week for the families of America. I have been involved with Christian school education my whole life, from kindergarten, through high school, college, master's program, and four different Christian schools since graduation. I have worked with students of all ages, from all different sorts of ethnic backgrounds, different levels of family wealth, different levels of spirituality.

Over the years, I have observed the shift in the culture of Christian homes. Where once hot preaching warned our families of the dangers of worldliness, popular culture, secularism and humanism, today, many churches (and Christian culture at large) have embraced much of what used to be avoided.

And it shows.

Today, many early elementary students act as though singing is a foreign concept. Music is something to be consumed, not performed. Music is something that makes them move, not something that touches their heart and changes their life. Singing on pitch is a struggle, instead of a joy. Energetic participation in musical activities is viewed with suspicion.

I have come to have the distinct impression that most families in today's culture fail to sing.

And that's a shame.

The Christian home should be filled with music. Never before in history has great music been more available for listening to. Everything from good clean folk music to the great classics to soul-searching Christian music should be played often, so as to increase the children's musical vocabulary.

Parents should be singing to their children often. Family devotion time should be a priority in the home, and families ought to spend much time learning psalms, hymns and spiritual songs during this important family activity.

When was the last time you sang a song to your children? When was the last time you sang a song with your children? Do you provide them with instrument lessons? Do they see you singing in your church choir? Do they hear you singing God's praises loudly and joyfully during the time of congregational singing at your church.

In your family, you will get what you honor. More importantly, you will get what you demonstrate.

Be aware of the importance of passing on the gift of music to the next generation.

By the way, the picture included with this blog posting is of the John Marshall family, who have been a special blessing to my family and my home church for many years.

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Such a needed post!
You have such a great point. Godly music in the home is such a great need. God created us with the desire for music, and if our children are not taught about good music, they will gravitate to the world's music.

The Marshalls have produced some of my all time favorite music. You can find all their music at GreatGospelMusic.com
8/6/2010, by David Langham

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Curtis Hollembeak

Curtis holds a bachelor's degree in Bible with a music minor, as well as a master's degree in Sacred Music, having studied under Dr. Frank Garlock, president of Majesty Music, and Ray and Ann Gibbs, well-known Christian singers. He has served as music director and jr. high/high school supervisor at Grace Baptist Church of Mankato, Minnesota; school music director at the Franklin Road Christian School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; media engineer for the Sword of the Lord in Murfreesboro, Tennessee; and, full-time music director at Second Baptist Church and Twin City Christian Academy in Festus, Missouri. He is currently self-employed and serves in the music ministry of the Berean Baptist Church in Rockford, IL. Curtis is co-founder and President of the Asaph Music Co. He regularly sings bass with the Bible Truth Chorale on recordings produced by Bible Truth Music at Faith Music Missions.