I was listening to the Albert Mohler Program on my commute home, and the topic was how American parents and kids are becoming more and more obsessed with being famous. The cited the rising popularity of "American Idol" and its spin-off programs dedicated to 'discovering talent' and how parents are taking it upon themselves to do whatever it takes for their child to be 'discovered' next. They cited surveys of children who desired to be famous over intelligence, strength, health, etc; children who would rather be famous than any other worthy profession.
The interesting thing to me, is to not point at the world's problem with fame-seeking (that's nothing new) but to point the spot-light on churches and pastors. The mega-church, tele-evangelism, radio programs, podcasting, and even blogs all give pastors and church leaders a "voice to be heard"; a new forum to hear the praises of people--to seek out the attention of man.
Do you guys think this obsession is something new; getting worse? How do church leaders fight to ascribe all praise to God amidst a culture bent on being "THAT" pastor of "that" church?
As a side note, Mohler made the comment that it really is up to Christian parents to operate in a counter-culture manner to combat the American avalanche of being famous. What does that mean to you? How do you do this, or see yourself doing this?
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That is a tough one to tackle J.P. First of all, I am not a parent, so maybe Eric or Mikey T would be better suited to answer this question. I can only speak from an outside perspective.
Today's American culture, especially that of even Christians, is to be recogonized and accepted by man in all areas of life. We, as you know, chalk this up to our sinful depraved nature. The idea that parents are rearing thier children for fame is rediculous. I mean, I hope none of us has our 3-year old out on the golf course giving them serious golf lessons (see Tiger Woods). There is a lot of unnessary sacrifice that parents "do for thier kidss." Really, I think a lot of it is selfishness on part of the parents. "What will my friends think if my kid isnt cool?" "Why can't you be more like Joe's son?" "I sure wish my daugher was skinnier, she can do the same things as Hannas daugher if she was." These are ACTUAL statements I have personally heard from the mouths of parents at the school I work at.
As parents, we need to focus on "the little children" tha God gives us and raise them in a way that is glorfying to the Lord, not man. I am not saying that if your child becomes famous you failed as a parent. What I am saying is if you first seek after your child being famous, then you have failed. God is in control, and if he chooses to use our children, or us for that matter, in a way that the world deems you "famous" then so be it. Life is too short, and family life is even shorter, to waste on seeking after the fleeting things of this world.
I think Nate was right on. Now-a-days too many parents allow their children to rule the roost so to speak. Family dinner time and prayer and devotion time have been replaced by soccer and dance lessons and many other activities. All this is done so that the kids will think their parents are cool and so that other families will admire them for having such successful children.
This is one of the dilemas I am facing because I realize that Lindsay and I already find it difficult to sit down and consistently eat dinner, have bible study, and pray together. It seems that I have already allowed to many things to be more important than the spiritual welfare of my family. I know I have to cut some things out somewhere. My problem is deciding what to cut out. I can not imageine how hard it is going to be when we have several children.
This is why I dread sending my kids to public school. Not only will I have to battle natural sinful tendencies but then I will also have to battle the constant messages they get from their peers.
Well I here my wife calling me to the dinner table so I better get my priorities straight and get back to this later...
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