GETTY MUSIC
CHILDREN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 2021 | NASHVILLE, TN In partnership with the Virginia Martin Howard Foundation
Dear Friends, In 1809 a little English girl called Mary Ann Brailsford took an apple from her mother and planted the seeds in their garden. The tree that grew from that apple is now over 200 years old. It became known as the Bramley apple tree. From this one tree thousands more have been grown producing tons of Britain’s favorite cooking apple every year. A few decades ago, the Bramley apple was introduced to Japan where it is now also a favorite. Throughout history, hymns have been planted in the lives of grandparents, parents, and children and they have grown the fruit of faith and comfort and service and holiness year after year all over the world. It is incredible what a singable melody and a memorable lyric can do to pass the beautiful timeless truths of the Lord from one generation to the next. We hope that these next hours help inspire and resource you in such an important and life-changing work: using the hymnody passed onto us to teach those in our care the wondrous deeds of the Lord. Never has it been so critical for our children to know the God of the Bible, to sing of him and so remember him, to walk according to his Word and find courage to stand in faith. We have gathered people from different disciplines and walks of life to help us see the treasure trove of hymnody we have from many compelling angles. We hope this happy collision of thoughts and practical ideas will grow and blossom fresh fruit as we serve the needs of the children all around us,
Keith and Kristyn
TIMELESS SONGS FOR A NEW GENERATION AN INTERVIEW WITH JONI EARECKSON TADA Joni Eareckson Tada has long inspired us with her heart for children and her enthusiasm for the classic hymns of the faith. We asked her about the songs she sang in her own childhood and her ideas for how to foster an appreciation for Christ-centered hymnody among young people today.
Getty Music: What role did hymn singing play in your childhood? Joni Eareckson Tada: Hymns were the thread that tightly stitched together the patchwork quilt of my childhood. My sisters and I grew up on a farm, and so, in the summer months when we would help Daddy cut, bail, and stack hay in the barn, “Bringing in the Sheaves” was a family anthem. When we would all go on a hike, it was “We Are Marching to Zion.” Every occasion was memorialized with a hymn. On birthdays, we’d honor one another with a rendition of that person’s favorite; for my mother, it was “Living for Jesus.” Since the Eareckson family loved to make music, “There Is a Fountain” and “Come Thou Fount” provided great four-part harmony. After the accident in which I became paralyzed, hospital visits with my family became hymn sings around the bed with “Trust and Obey,” and more. GM: How did these hymns help grow your faith as a child? Tada: I felt a wondrous kind of ‘safety’ when singing hymns with my family. Unlike singing popular songs with them – my mother’s favorites from the 40s – the biblical metaphors and references in hymns seemed to bind me tightly to the hearts of my parents and sisters. Harmonizing on a doctrine-rich hymn, such as “Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord” gave us a common bond in the God of the Bible and a chance to celebrate that bond through pleasure-filled harmony. Hymns comprised our family culture, and as such, they provided rich, stable, fertile soil for my faith in Christ to grow. GM: How did singing hymns strengthen you in suffering? Tada: After I broke my neck and remained at length in the hospital, I collapsed into a depressing brain-fog, unable to hardly put two sentences together in a prayer. At night, I fought back tears by whisper-singing hymns whose words I had memorized throughout my childhood. The stanzas were an anchor for vacillating emotions: “Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me” and “Here’s my heart, O take and seal it; seal it for thy courts above,” or “Our helper he amidst the flood of mortal ills prevailing,” and so many more. More than once, I breathed sighs of relief for all the rich stanzas I had memorized. The rock-solid words kept me anchored, and whenever I would feel my emotions meandering down dark paths, hymns kept me grounded.
GM: Why does a new generation need the old hymns? Tada: Some of the best hymns were written in an era when death, suffering, and the ‘fear of the Lord’ were commonplace in Christian conversation. They were often written by saints who suffered greatly – many even bedridden or blind. Annie Johnson Flint was in a wheelchair when she wrote, “To added afflictions, he addeth his mercy; to multiplied trials, his multiplied peace.” Hymns written in the 1700s and 1800s reflect a frank and sober view of reality, that life is hard, sin kills, but grace runs deep, death is not to be feared, and that only heaven holds all the answers. GM: How would you encourage parents and ministry leaders to encourage their children to sing hymns? Tada: Mark every occasion with a hymn. When you and the children you love stand before an exalted vista? Mark the moment with “A mighty Fortress is our God.” When you stand with them before an ocean, memorialize it with “Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus, vast, unmeasured, boundless, free.” When you tend to a sick child in bed, sing over him, “God Will Take Care of You.” When you enjoy a special meal together? Remember it by singing “Let Us Break Bread Together.” When resting, camping, doing home chores, waking up in the morning or retiring at night… mark the moments with a hymn. It is a way of binding a child’s heart to yours; it ingrains biblical truth into the rhythms of their lives. GM: What hymns do you most enjoy singing now, as an adult? Tada: The hymns that I now default to are ones about the loveliness of Christ. “My Song Is Love Unknown” is one in which I can hardly hold back the tears; the stanzas express such love for my precious Savior. And, of course, “Jesus, I Am Resting, Resting” is my “I’m-in-bed-but-I-can’t-get-to-sleep” favorite. At my age? I am constantly falling back on “I Am His, and He Is Mine” or “O Love That Will Not Let Me Go.” My heart just wants to open itself to Christ so I can tell him how much I love him.
Joni Eareckson Tada, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Joni and Friends International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities. Joni and Friends serves thousands of special-needs families through Family Retreat, and has delivered over 200,000 wheelchairs and Bibles to needy disabled persons in developing nations.
As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste. He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:3-4 (ESV)
CHILDREN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM
VISION
“I will sing to the Lord all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.” (Psalm 104:33) The vision of Getty Music is to join rich theology with timeless artistry in congregational singing for the whole family of God. Since congregational singing is the privilege, joy, and calling of every believer whatever their age, the Getty Music Children’s Leadership Forum aims to help pastors, children’s ministry leaders, and families in: • Passing on the timeless heritage and resources we have in the hymnody of the church, • Grasping the unique opportunity music and lyrics bring to teach children the Christian faith, and • Teaching our children what it means to sing to the Lord and to one another in church life and as part of our witness to the world. As we look at our four children we are eager that they grow a lifelong love for singing deep songs of the Lord. We are eager to teach them a song list that every day is deepening the roots and blossoming the fruit of the gospel in their lives. We are eager that they would use their singing voices as a testimony to the Lord and his Kingdom while they are young and throughout their lives. We know you are eager for that too! For hymns, devotionals, sheet music, and recordings, visit the Family Hymn of the Month at www.gettymusic.com/hymnofthemonth
GETTY MUSIC GREATLY ACKNOWLEDGES THE GENEROSITY OF
THE VIRGINIA MARTIN HOWARD FOUNDATION FOR MAKING THE GETTY MUSIC CHILDREN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM POSSIBLE.
It is through their support, in honoring the legacy of Mrs. Virginia Martin Howard, that we have been able to reach thousands of educators and children’s ministry leaders with training in deep theology, timeless artistry and teaching children to sing for life. We are deeply grateful for this organization, for whom a primary mission is to support, develop, and encourage sacred music.
CHILDREN’S LEADERSHIP FORUM SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
2:00pm | Session 1: Children, Hymns, and Creativity • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Hymns................................................. All Creatures of Our God and King, And Can It Be, His Mercy Is More The Presenters................................... Keith and Kristyn Getty Hymns................................................. All Things Bright and Beautiful, We Bear Witness The Performer/Instrumentalist......... David Kim Preludium and Allegro....................... Fritz Kreisler Hymn................................................... For the Beauty of the earth The Poet.............................................. Malcolm Guite Hymn................................................... O Love That Will Not Let Me Go The Performer/Vocalist ..................... Dana Masters Hymn................................................... Amazing Grace The Painter......................................... Ross Wilson Hymn................................................... How Can I Keep from Singing The Panel: Practical Advice............... Various
4:00pm | Break 4:10pm | Session 2: Children, Hymns, and Spiritual Growth • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Pedagogue................................... Kim Wood Sandusky Hymns................................................. Christ the Lord Is Ris’n Today, Sing We the Song of Emmanuel, A Mighty Fortress Is Our God The Parent and Grandparent............. Bob Kauflin Hymn and Song.................................. Man of Sorrows! What a Name, Just the Way God Wanted Us to Be The Praise Leader.............................. Joni Eareckson Tada Hymn................................................... Great Is Thy Faithfulness The Preacher...................................... Conrad Mbewe Hymns................................................. Revive Us Again, Blessed Assurance The Panel: Practical Advice............... Various Hymn................................................... My Heart Is Filled with Thankfulness The Presenters................................... Keith and Kristyn Getty Hymn................................................... It Is Well with My Soul The Pastor and the Pray-er................ Jim and Kim Thomas Hymn................................................... Christ Our Hope in Life and Death
KEITH AND KRISTYN GETTY
FROM NORTHERN I RELAND
www.singglobal.com/familyhymnsing
bbc d ocum en tary
AT HOME WITH THE GETTYS
www.singglobal.com/athome
N o w
S t r e a m i n g
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A l l
S e r v i c e s !
SPEAKERS & ARTISTS KEITH AND KRISTYN GETTY - Keith and Kristyn Getty have been at the forefront of writing modern hymns for the church. Their songs include “In Christ Alone,” “Christ Our Hope in Life and Death,” “My Worth Is Not in What I Own,” and “The Lord Is My Salvation.” They are the founding CEOs of the Getty Music Group and the Getty Music Foundation. They have been involved in The Village Chapel in Nashville, TN, for over ten years with their four daughters. MALCOLM GUITE - Poet-Priest Malcolm Guite was Chaplain for 20 years at Girton College, Cambridge and
remains Supernumerary Fellow. He teaches at the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge, and lectures widely in England and North America on Theology and Literature. His books include: Love, Remember (2017); Mariner, a spiritual biography of Samuel Taylor Coleridge (2017); Parable and Paradox (2016); The Singing Bowl (2013); Sounding the Seasons (2012); Theology and the Poetic Imagination (2010) and Faith Hope and Poetry (2006). Malcolm has edited two poetry anthologies for Lent and Advent: The Word in the Wilderness (2014) and Waiting on the Word (2015). After Prayer, Malcolm’s poetic response to George Herbert’s poem “Prayer,” was published in 2019. David’s Crown, Malcolm’s poetic response to all the Psalms, will be published in spring 2021. Malcolm has a particular interest in the imagination as a truth-bearing faculty and continues to reflect deeply on how poetry can stimulate and re-awaken our prayer life.
BOB KAUFLIN - Bob Kauflin is a pastor, songwriter, speaker, writer, and director of Sovereign Grace Music. He is the author of Worship Matters: Leading Others to Encounters the Greatness of God and True Worshipers: Seeking What Matters to God, and blogs at Worshipmatters.com. He is passionately in love with his wife, Julie, father to six children, and Pop-Pop to an ever-growing number of grandchildren. DAVID KIM - Violinist David Kim was named Concertmaster of the Philadelphia Orchestra in 1999. Each season, he performs and speaks at venues around the world. This is his fourth appearance at Sing! Global.
DANA MASTERS - Dana Masters is a singer and performer best known for her work alongside renowned artist Van Morrison. She was born and raised in the deep south of the United States by family who ushered in and were deeply involved with the Civil Rights Movement of the ‘50s and ‘60s. After many years in the music industry, she met and fell in love with a Northern Irishman and decided to take a leap and make Ireland her home. There, she became deeply involved in the Irish jazz scene. Now, Dana is determined to pour all of the experience, passion, and creativity collected in the last 6 years of crafting music with Van Morrison into a unique project inviting the listener to not only hear, but to see behind the curtain of songwriting, producing, and arranging into the rebirth of an artist as she steps onto her own stage to tell her story in her own words. CONRAD MBEWE - Conrad Mbewe has served as pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church since 1987. He is a graduate of the University of Zambia, the Cape Town Baptist Seminary, and the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Missions. He is the founding Chancellor of the African Christian University. He is a blogger and an author. His latest book is God’s Design for the Church (Crossway, 2020). He is also the editor of the Reformation Zambia magazine. He is married to Felistas and they have 6 adult children, and 4 grandchildren.
KIM WOOD SANDUSKY - Kim Wood Sandusky is one of the most influential vocal performance coaches in the
global music industry. Her client roster speaks of her success, such as her work with artists like Beyoncé Knowles, Francesca Battistelli, Toby Mac, Lauren Daigle, Kristyn Getty, Thompson Square, Lauren Alaina, and the list goes on. Kim has an intuitive gift and the expertise to handle artists’ vocal development and vocal issues with care. She formulated a progressive method called the “Kim Wood Sandusky Vocal Builder Technique”TM that meets and exceeds the standards of today’s competitive music industry.
KATIE SUTTON - A native of San Antonio, Texas, Katie Sutton has been a vocational children’s choir director for over
15 years. Working as a children’s music specialist and consultant for churches across Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma and Georgia, Katie has served as a children’s choir director in productions with artists such as Travis Cottrell, Steve Green and Keith & Kristyn Getty and is a frequent speaker at conferences such as the Getty Music Worship Conference: Sing! and the Teach Them Diligently conferences. Katie resides in Fort Worth, TX, with husband, Josh, and their three children, Sophie, Zoe and Ethan. Follow her blog at bit.ly/comesingtogether for ideas and inspiration to instill a love of singing in your children!
JONI EARECKSON TADA - Joni Eareckson Tada, the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Joni and Friends
International Disability Center, is an international advocate for people with disabilities. Joni and Friends serves thousands of special-needs families through Family Retreat, and has delivered over 200,000 wheelchairs and Bibles to needy disabled persons in developing nations.
JIM THOMAS - Jim Thomas is the Senior Pastor at The Village Chapel, Nashville, TN, celebrating 20 years as a
worshiping community. Jim has the honor of being a local church pastor in a congregation overflowing with creatives in one of the fastest growing cities in North America. Jim and his wife of 43 years, Kim, share deep connections with Sing! Conference and Getty Music as the Gettys and about half the Getty band attend TVC.
KIM THOMAS - Kim Thomas is a celebrated painter, author and speaker. She and husband Jim Thomas co-founded The Village Chapel in Nashville, TN in 2001, where he serves as Sr. Pastor, and she as Curate.
KEVIN TWIT - Rev. Kevin Twit is a graduate of Berklee College of Music and Covenant Theological Seminary, and
is the RUF Campus Minister at Belmont University. In 1999 Kevin began Indelible Grace Music which has been at the heart of the movement to reset old hymn texts to new music. Kevin is also an adjunct Professor at Covenant Seminary and Belmont University. He is an avid book collector and lectures widely on topics of hymns and worship.
ROSS WILSON - Ross Wilson is one of Northern Ireland’s leading artists. He has been a visiting speaker at Harvard and Oxford Universities. Wilson’s many portrait commissions have included Nobel Laureates Derek Walcott and Seamus Heaney. His artwork is displayed across the world among several public and private collections.
This 8x10 ink and hand mixed pigment painting is an apple tree after the original Bramley apple tree, planted in the Nottinghamshire town of Southwell in the UK. The tree is over 200 years old, and from this one tree, there are now more than 300 growers, with many more in Japan as well. Similar to these apple trees, families and their children, and children’s children continue to be fruitful for many generations. The legacy of what is planted in each child is experienced for many years.
Kim Thomas
Kim Thomas is a painter, author, and Curate at The Village Chapel, Nashville, TN where she leads the congregational prayer each Sunday. She paints in acrylic, Nihonga, and encaustic. Her representational work is characterized by subtle tones and a meditative quality. Her abstract pieces maintain an organic palette and compose silent narratives. Find Kim online at kimthomasart.com and on Instagram: @kimthomasart
Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
The tree of life my soul hath seen, Laden with fruit and always green: The trees of nature fruitless be Compared with Christ the apple tree. His beauty doth all things excel: By faith I know, but ne’er can tell The glory which I now can see In Jesus Christ the apple tree. For happiness I long have sought, And pleasure dearly I have bought: I missed of all; but now I see ‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree. I’m weary with my former toil, Here I will sit and rest awhile: Under the shadow I will be, Of Jesus Christ the apple tree. This fruit doth make my soul to thrive, It keeps my dying faith alive; Which makes my soul in haste to be With Jesus Christ the apple tree. -Anonymous