I have developed a layered plan for Re-Vitalizing our SC Baptist Youth Music programs. I would love to share the graphic with you.
“Give Me your Tired, your Poor… your Youth, your Children!”
Last week, a friend from my youth choir days at Park Street Baptist Church in Columbia sent me a CD copy of the vinyl album we recorded in 1972. I was amazed at the quality of choral sound and the advanced level of repertory. It was in that choir so long ago that seeds of music ministry were born in me and several others. Jim Barrington, our music minister - long ago deceased from cancer - took us to SC Baptist Youth Choir Festivals and Summer Music Camps every year. We were so blessed to have that opportunity.
Throughout my 27 year tenure as music minister in SC churches, providing excellent youth and children’s choirs was a top priority for me. But I realize that many of you feel too tired and poor to provide graded choirs in this contemporary age of church music. Yes, they can be demanding and expensive. However, I want to encourage you not to give up on choirs and/or other group musical experiences for your children and youth. Join us for Children and Youth music classes at the Worship Summit each August for tons of help in those areas. Plan to recommend your high school singers and instrumentalists to Baptist AllState, your middle school students to YouthSingers, and your children to Honors Chorus. Nominations are submitted in September. Put M-Tools for Youth MusicArts Mission Team Training, held each February, on your calendar now.
AND if you need immediate help and can’t do it yourself… send your kids to Summer Music Camps. Youth MusicArts Camp with Summersalt features one week in June and one in July. Children’s Music Mini-Camp for 1st & 2nd graders and Young Musicians Camp for 3rd-5th graders occurs each summer to energize and equip your children. In one week, they will get the equivalent of months of activities and training.
I have developed a layered plan for Re-Vitalizing our SC Baptist Youth Music programs. I would love to share the graphic with you. Simply e-mail me and request it at markpowers@scbaptist.org. And share with me both your successes and your needs in music ministry to our young people!
