September 7, 2009  

Ministry Tools
Bob Burroughs

Quote

"Music students outperform non-music students on achievement tests in both reading and math. Skills such as reading, anticipating, memory, listening, forecasting, recall and concentration are developed through music rehearsals and performances. These skills are valuable to students in math, reading, and science.

B. Friedman: "An Evaluation of the Achievement in Reading and Arithmetic of Pupils in Elementary School Instrumental Music Classes"

Scripture

"The Elders are gone from the city gate; the young have stopped their music."  Lamntations 5:14  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer

Great God of all things-the stars, galaxies, mountains, oceans and all who live upon this earth, I bless You today for children-the hope of the future of mankind. I pray especially for all who work with these precious children, as they teach, mentor, love, and encourage each one. They will never know their influence on these children till the Lamb's Book of Life is opened and everyone will hear their results. I pray for the music leadership in both churches and schools-that more attention will be paid to the children's music programs for teaching, training, and inspiring children to love the gift of music. Thank You for those churches and schools who already place a high priority and foster a dynamic music program aimed at the children. Blessed indeed are they. I pray this prayer in the strong name of the One who knelt to bless the little children, Jesus Christ.  Amen.

What Think Ye?                   

Children - A Gift From God

I find it most interesting hat so often in Holy Scripture, Jesus uses children to teach adults specific as well as general lessons, You know the stories about how Jesus would bring children into His presence, then honored and blessed them. Seems He had a deep love and respect for the simple, yet profound faith of little children

I have just finished reading the new Leonard Sweet book, titled "11," and published by David Cook. In this marvelous book, Sweet (one of my favorite authors because he always stretches my thinking) tells of eleven people we need to have in our lives. It was an awesome read and you should get this book now-today! Chapter nine stood out to me because of his comments about children. I quote:

Jesus affirmation of 'children first' make strange with our expectations. Jesus lived without children of His own, but when he wanted to show what discipleship is like, He plops a child in front of His disciples. Why a child? Because it WAS a child! And children were of no account in Jesus' day, enjoying a little lower status than women and a little higher than beasts. 'Little ones,' especially women little ones, were worthless, insignificant, despised, degraded, and neglected. But in the Gospel according to Jesus, 'Little ones to Him belong, they are weak but He is strong.'  The Jesus Gospel showed how little is large, and Jesus' whole ministry was a sign system in how to be receivers of the neglected, maligned, misfits, and the little and how to trust the God of history to act in history in the Spirit of the Magnificat-who fills the hungry with good things and empties the pockets of the rich, 'Children first' was the 'Jesus motto' because in the Kingdom of God, the last-are first.

As I read those powerful, soul-searching words, my heart became saddened as I thought of the many children in so many churches who have little or no access to good music leadership in a music ministry aimed specifically at children. This is due mainly to two reasons:

1. Some music leaders and others think children's choirs are not important enough to be vital and valuable part of the church music ministry and program.

2. Parents seem content to 'go with the flow' and do not stand up and demand an excellent, efficient and worthy children's music program.

 In many churches, children's choirs have been replaced by other programs, or they have been given severely limited rehearsal time that neither the children nor the teachers are fulfilled. Don't believe it? Ask them!

What does this say about our generation, Dear people! If our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ, proclaimed the importance of children to all who listened, should we not do the same?  Shouldn't children's choirs become a priority once again in our music ministry program? YES!  YES!

But if you do attempt placing a priority on children's choirs, you may begin to hear the old song-and-dance that goes like this: 'Children aren't being evangelized in choir!' Or, perhaps, 'The children aren't learning scripture in choir! There are just singing.'

Baloney! Hogwash! False! Boo! These are nothing but excuses!

You see, many children involved in a good Children's Choir program are ALREADY believers and use choir to reinforce their spiritual growth as they memorize the great hymns of the church, learn the doctrines of the church through song, learn how music can comfort in the times of stress and by learning how to worship God by singing and playing an instrument before the Lord. Remember this: children who have participated in three or more years of music ensembles foster a zero dropout rate in most schools!

Believe me! The Holy Father, King of kings, and our Redeemer-Kinsman will surely hold us responsible and ask why teaching and training in music skills were not provided for His children--the future of the church.

And we will say.... ???

What think ye?

Leadership          

Make Your Children Be More Successful. Teach them Music 

Duane Shinn - Composer, Teacher, Pianist

We know that music education helps children improve academic skills, develop leadership skills, and gain a sense of accomplishment. We also know that support for music education in churches and public schools is always under pressure. So as parents, you should become more involved, pay more attention, and act as if your children's music education is as important as math and writing. Why? Because it is!

But if these facts do not convince your son or daughter to study music, or be in a choir or instrumental group, perhaps the fact that musicians are usually the life of the party will convince you. Guitar players, singers, and pianists are always in demand--no mater what the venue, whether it be in church music groups, jazz combos, contemporary rock groups, with drummers and bass players close behind.

With the current decline in support of music and arts education in churches as well as in schools, it is more important than ever for parents to encourage their children to study music and be in a choir!

Family Leadership

Tips for Sharing Music Across the Generations

Amy Goyer, AARP Family Expert

• Go as a Family to hear music. Experience all kinds of music together. Expose younger and older generations to a wide musical variety. Everyone doesn't have to like the same kind of music, but it's all about listening, discerning, and appreciating--and having common experiences.
  
• Share ear buds. As your kids, grandkids, or parents to listen to bits of your music now and them. Listen to their playlists. If they don't have a playlist, show them how to get one. You will discover something to talk about for sure!
  
• Take it outdoors. There's something extra special about music outdoors! It can make music you don't necessarily care for seem enjoyable, and the casual atmosphere is conducive to family interactions.

 

 

 

 

• Stretch Yourself. Try something new among the generations in your family. Introduce a new genre of music to them. Be a role model.  Show that anyone can enjoy making and listening to music!

• Start young. Children have open attitudes about music. They often show great enthusiasm and unbridled joy when it comes to making, listening to, and moving to music. Take advantage of this and make sure they hear all kinds of music on a regular basis. They will learn so much.

• Stay Young. No matter your age, experiencing music with other generations will keep your mind stimulated and keep you young. Don't get stuck in your comfort zone. Try something new. Music can boost your brainpower!
  

Inspirational Corner

Terry York

Dr. Terry York is Associate Professor of Christian Ministry and Church Music, and dually appointed at Baylor University, Waco, TX, serving on the faculties of the School of Music and the George W. Truett Theological Seminary. He is scholar, a gentleman, a man of great vision, purpose and a true heart for God. He wrote the lyrics to the very familiar hymn, "Worthy of Worship," with music by Mark Blankenship. He was also the Associate Editor of the 1991 Baptist Hymnal. It is my pleasure to introduce Terry to our MME readers. If you wish to contact Dr. York personally, his email address is: Terry_York@baylor.edu

It was my distinct and humbling honor to the Baptist Church Music Conference W. Hines Sims Award, Brentwood, TN in June of this year. As my friend, Chuck Bridwell, read the citation, I was very much aware that not one achievement on his gracious list was a 'solo' accomplishment! There were duets, trios, quartets, and large choirs represented in the list, but not one solo accomplishment. Remembering all the people who have touched, encouraged, and inspired my work along the way made the spotlight seem to burn embarrassingly bring and the beautifully fashioned award seem exceedingly heavy.

Every pastor, choir member, teacher, student, fellow student, deacon, friend and critic who has ever taken the time to talk to me has had a hand in shaping my life and ministry. The aware reminded me that each day's to-do list is an arena for potential miracles, that each mundane minute has the potential of becoming a special moment. It is the awareness of this potential that turns life into abundant life!

Learning from the servants at the wedding in Cana, we routinely carry our particular buckets of everyday water--knowing at any moment, Jesus could turn one of them into a bottle of wine. Should the servant be applauded for the presence and quality of the wind? The servant's reward was (is) that a miracle had taken place and that Jesus had done it.

To keep ministry in church music ministry, we must see Christ in every face, hear heaven in every note, and pray that when we stumble, we will stumble in the right direction. 

To put the applause in proper perspective, I asked for the attention of the young ministers of music present and shared with them the insight (and I hope, encouragement) that the reason lists of accomplishments are read at this kinds of presentations is because if a list of the flops and failures were read, the ceremony would take twice as long!

It was an honor to be recognized with the W. Hines Sims Award, but I cherish the most the opportunity if affords to say thanks: Thanks be to God and those to all who have crossed my path. Each intersection was a step up.

This Idea Will Work 

Show Interest - Even If You Don't Conduct It !

Ministers of Music - who are growing a good, solid music ministry - also have an interest in ensembles/choirs/groups they do not conduct!

Ministers of Music - who are learning to be better church musicians and minister more effectively - cannot only be interested in the groups for which they are responsible.

Other groups who do not see the Minister of Music personally along the way should also receive some personal attention.

This seems to be a difficult lesson to learn. A Minister of Music cannot - and should not try to conduct every group. It just can't be done. Therefore, some groups, such as children's choirs, bell choirs, ensembles, and perhaps instrumental groups may end up with lay directors and leaders. The Minister of Music who knows how to effectively minister must be equally interested in each of these groups as if he were conducting them!

Learn to celebrate with the leadership of other groups. Encourage them.  Compliment them privately and publicly. Provide opportunities for them to stretch and grow in the music leadership skills.

And--visit a rehearsal once in a while-uninvited. Just drop in and stay a few moments. They will be thrilled you came by and honored them with your presence.

This Idea Will Work!

Food For Thought

The Pittsburg, PA School District analyzed its 1997 dropout rate in terms of students' musical experience. The results were, in a word, amazing.

• Students with no ensemble performance experience had a dropout rate of 7.4%

• Students with one or two years of ensemble experience had a dropout rate of 1%

• Students with three or more years of ensemble and performance experience had a dropout rate of 0.0%.

Eleanor Chute, in "Music & Art"

Humor  

It may come to this, but if it does, it will be worth it!  

 

 

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