April 15, 2010
I have been sharing with you on recent broadcasts the pursuit of excellence in Christian education that is part of our goal at Heartland Christian Academy, as we both look back on thirty years of effective ministry as Christian educators and also look ahead to more decades of instructing the children of the Northland, as God permits.
Last week we looked at a critical area that our board chairman, Dr. Mark Claussen, urged us as board and faculty to consider as an area deserving excellence in Heartland’s future. That area of focus was Christian discipleship and leadership development. Because that does not happen by accident, we are considering the materials, methods and mission that will help us reach that goal.
The second area that Dr. Claussen challenged us to pursue is in the field of fine arts, including music, art and drama. We are privileged at Heartland to have as our music instructor Mrs. Sonya Connell, a musically gifted member of the Bemidji Symphony and an outstanding teacher. She has helped fellow teachers, parents and students to see what excellence in the area of fine arts could look like.
Even secular educators would agree that most present day artists, actors, architects, and musicians acquired their interest and early skills during fine arts classes offered in school. The rigorous “Reviewing Education and the Arts Project Report” shows there are significant, reliable causal relationships between the systematic, formal study of music and gains in mathematics and in spatial-temporal relationships. Brain studies show the development of more extensive neural connections in musicians. Based on its impact on students, it is fair to say that music and fine arts are areas of study equal to reading, writing, mathematics and science. It is an area deserving of excellence.
Here at Heartland, we believe that all students should have the opportunity to study music and the other fine arts even at the elementary level in a systematic, meaningful way. Training and study in the fine arts should not be exclusively available to those parents who can purchase expensive private lessons. We also believe that such exposure to music, drama and art should not be limited only to students showing exceptional talent. Many students do not realize or express their talent at early ages. Without opportunities even in elementary and middle school, many students will miss developing their creative and artistic abilities. By making this program a focus for future excellence, we believe that we are offering to Bemidji area children something that will continue to bear good fruit long after they graduate from Heartland.
As Christians, we know that God is the author of all talents and gifts, including those expressed in music, art and drama. We also know that those gifts are a powerful vehicle for sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is my sincere hope that future decisions about teachers, resources and facilities will reflect this commitment to excellence in the fine arts that we have been challenged to aim for.
Our broadcast today was sponsored by our good friends at Tenstrike Community Church in Tenstrike, Minnesota, where God’s Name is lifted up in worship every week.