Music, Ministry, and Teaching

I was talking to an elder, or steward, or some other type of leader in the church, about young people and their career choices.

I said "I always tell kids to consider ministry, teaching, or some career that develops their talents, as in music." Before I could finish the sentence, his face took on an expression of clear disdain and effected good humor.

"Well, you've got to be realistic."

I said, "There will always be a need for more ministers. And we do not have enough good people going into teaching. And nobody likes second-guessing their career choices at mid-life." The meeting ended on a awkward "agree-to-disagree" kind of note.

I heard about an adult Sunday School class, where the same topic came up. The group was asked the question:

"What would you do if your child told you they were considering the foreign mission field?"

The consensus response was "I'd try to talk her (or him) out of it."

Uh-huh.

You've heard of the "Culture of death?" Well, we have an equivalent problem - the "Culture of Life." We say one thing, but act like this life is all we've got. We act like things are so good in the world that we all can afford to have our cushy six-figure incomes, our early retirement, and our $10,000 vacations.

Be realistic? Here's reality: global starvation in the tens of millions. Epidemic rate of latch-key kids. Employees (and spouses, and friends, and parents, and children) that are less important than my own "quality of life." 

Yet we're all headed to the same place. If you really have faith that there is life beyond this one, then why are you so obsessed with having this home, that vacation, this car, that expensive toy? I think that you supposedly believe that you will get all of that, and more, in the next life?

Ministry - If you are a Christian, or any religion, for that matter, it's supposed to be the highest calling, to lead a life devoted to serving others (which is what ministers are supposed to do). Why therefore, don't we first say to our young people: "Please be sure to consider the ministry, or mission field."

Teaching - An ancient figure, Aristotle, maybe, said "The two questions are: Who is teaching the children, and what are they teaching them?" You can't complain about public schools, while urging your talented (and possibly gifted as a teacher) child to take up a career that "pays better." We should be disappointed when our kids don't want to teach. 

Music (or other talent) - Come on. It's the Information Age. All you need are about a thousand fans, globally, in order to make a living in music. And speaking of "quality of life," why do we kill ourselves in the search for it, and then urge our children, who bring so much joy to others with their artistic gifts, to snub those gifts until they have enough money to do all they want to with it (i.e., when they're too old to be as effective any more). Become your child's biggest fan and promoter! Help him or her create a non-profit built around their talent and passion. The tools are there. And there's no business like the arts - where the only asset you need to bring to the start of the business is yourself, and your gifts. What's unrealistic about that?

I think it speaks to an insecurity on our own part, that makes money our true idol, despite what we profess to believe about it.