Another thing to briefly consider is the music education aspect. Many churches would like to have a good or better music programme with skilled musicians to assist. Well, it all begins at a young age. If all we ever teach our children is to sing along to CD tracks by rote, with no teaching of musical reading skills, then in fifteen years, don’t be surprised if the church’s newest choir members are unable read music. With little effort, children can learn a lot about music!
Yes, everyone loves to hear the children sing in our churches. It is a very cold heart that is not moved when a child sings about the love of God. However, more important than the congregation’s response, is the instilling of Christian values and worship in the lives of our children. Children are the future of our churches. We owe it to them to give careful thought to the music that they sing.
James M. Stevens
Christian Today
Senior Music and Culture Advisor
Dr. James Michael Stevens is a prolific musician and published composer of over 200 songs. Winner of numerous ASCAP Standard Awards for Composition, he has formally served as President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA), and currently resides in Nashville, Tennessee as Chairman of the Music Department at Free Will Baptist Bible College.
www.jamesmstevens.com
jstevens@fwbbc.edu
