Those Who CAN, Teach

The Calling of the Christian Music Educator

There’s a saying people throw around:

“Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach.”

I’ve heard it more times than I can count. But at some point, it hit me. This isn’t just a throwaway line. From a Christian perspective, it’s a completely backward way of thinking. To put it more sharply, it’s a downright lie.

For the Christian, teaching isn’t something you settle for. It can be one of many ways to show love and service to your neighbor. Following Christ means learning to die to ourselves, not just in some final moment, but in the quiet, ordinary ways we give our time and energy to help others grow.

In music, there is a lot of pressure to perform, to build a name, and to chase success. But there is another path. Teaching music can be just as meaningful. It often helps others grow in worship, skill, and understanding. It forms character. It trains attention. It strengthens the voice of the Church.

More Christians need to see music not only as something to be good at but also as something to give away—not to be seen but to serve. Teaching music is kingdom work. It is a way to build something lasting in others.

So no, I don’t believe that teaching is what you do when you can’t do anything else. It is what you do when you have a much more corporate and communal understanding of who you are within the body of Christ.

If this resonates with you, if you love music and long to see it flourish in your church, school, or community, I want to invite you to consider how you might help in this area.

Each July, I spend two weeks teaching in Idaho as part of the Chenaniah Summer Music Institute at New Saint Andrews College, alongside my friend and colleague Dr. David Erb. It is a two-week intensive designed for those who want to grow as music educators and also worship leaders to a certain degree. Whether you are already teaching or just beginning to sense that need, this training equips attendees with tools to build joyful music literacy, grounded in biblical theology and time-tested pedagogy.

You do not have to be a professional musician. You do not have to have a music degree. You just need a desire to serve and a willingness to give part of your summer for something that may bear fruit for years to come.

While others may be vacationing, you will be training. While students are sleeping in, you will be furthering your music skills. It may not be glamorous, but it is good. And it is the kind of quiet faithfulness that shapes generations.

To learn more, visit ChenaniahInstitute.org or reach out if you have questions. I would love to see you in Idaho this summer. Here is a YouTube promo and FAQ video for our Chenaniah Summer Music Institute (CSMI) music teacher training course. Please help pass this along to folks who might benefit from knowing about this program.