Why It Matters

Sit with me and tell me once again, Of the story that's been told us,
Of the power that will hold us, of the beauty, of the beauty
Why it matters
Speak to me until I understand, Why our thinking and creating
Why our efforts of narrating, about the beauty, of the beauty
Why it matters
Show me the love that never fails, Some compassion and attention
Midst confusion and dissention, Like small ramparts for the soul How it matters

-Sara Groves, “Why it Matters”

I still remember my fifth grade church musical. It was held in the conference center in the spring of 1988, and I played the character Anna in "Look in the Book." Sherry Armstrong directed our timid bunch with a huge, encouraging smile and twinkling eyes as we sang, “Look in the book for the answers to all the questions that are troubling you. Look in the book for the Lord to show how He answered questions in the long ago.”

I promise I didn't just look up those lyrics! That song with the message to read and treasure the Bible as God's word is a truth locked away in my heart and mind, even now – several years later.

When I consider my years growing up at Shades, I think of music. Children's choir, middle school choir and high school choir are where I learned more about Jesus, where I became passionately devoted to worshipping Him and encouraging others to join in the song. It matters.

I know life is busy because I'm a parent, too. Making it to Wednesday night church sometimes feels like a miracle, with a battle raging for our time. The week is packed with school, homework and enough extracurricular activities that not even your iPhone can remember them all. It's tempting to say, “Well, it doesn't really matter,” but I'd like to let you in on a little secret. It matters. Big time.

Here are some reasons why children’s choir will matter to you as a parent:

1. Your child will build lifelong friendships. Your child will make friends at choir during these grade school years that will become brothers and sisters in Christ for a lifetime. It’s a tough world out there, and they are going to need each other. They need to be here together – learning, bonding, laughing, having fun and enjoying being in the house of the Lord. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
2. Your child can improve academically. In addition to the amazing spiritual benefits of being a part of a church choir, studies have shown that children involved in choir receive better grades in school, and their scores improve in both language arts and mathematics. Children’s choirs develop other qualities as well, including memorization skills, healthy homework habits, creativity, self-discipline, punctuality, focus and problem-solving. Choir members become good team players, have more advanced social skills and emotional expression and management. (Matthew 22:37-40; Luke 2:52)
3. Your child will receive a foundational music education. Children’s choir provides a free musical education that helps to train and develop the abilities of young musicians who might not otherwise have that opportunity. Regardless of whether these children are budding musicians, they all will be exposed to basic music theory training in a fun atmosphere. For a list of our learning objectives, see www.shades.org/stomp. (1 Chronicles 25:7; Psalm 150:1-5)
4. Your child will have opportunities to serve the church. Children’s choirs benefit both the children and the church in the areas of discipleship, worship, evangelism, missions and fellowship. These choirs give the children a healthy place to belong, grow and contribute to the body of Christ as worshippers and worship leaders. (Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12)
5. Your child will grow spiritually. God is planting seeds of Biblical truth directly from His word into the hearts of the children of this church through music. Music is special because something will trigger those truths to resurface in your child's heart and mind over and over again throughout their lives. They are also learning how God is worthy of our praise, and learning to love worshipping Him. (Psalm 119:9-11; Psalm 119:105; Hebrews 12:28)

Now, will your kids care about all of those reasons as much as you will? Probably not. But, here are some things that will matter to your child:

• friends
• fun music
• “singing in the rain”
• drumming buckets
• bouncing tennis balls to the beat
• painting the ceiling with flashlights
• laughter
• movie candy prizes
• caring leadership
• the irresistible love of Jesus

My job here provides no greater joy than seeing God place gifts and talents in children to be used for their good and His glory. I am inspired because I know that this band of children worshippers will grow to be men and women of God, lifting their voices to lead people into the presence of The King. I’m more passionate than ever about training up this next generation, because it matters. And they matter too.

STOMP (Special Times of Music and Praise) meets on Wednesday nights at Shades from 6:00-6:40, starting August 19. For further information, please visit www.shades.org/stomp.