In a recent promotional for children's music, the writer noted several CD box sets of children's music, Bible Songs and children's worship CD albums that were obviously CCM based and rock oriented. These sets each contain at least 100 songs/choruses apiece and are based on heavy bass rhythm backgrounds that are conducive to swinging, swaying and dancing movements.

          From a content's viewpoint, these CD's pose a special danger since they contain nearly all the traditional children's favorites, plus newer solely CCM based songs/tunes with diluted messages. The resultant mixture is obviously designed to blot out distinctive differences between the traditional songs and the contemporary sounds.

          The writer has listened to several of these sets and personally confirms that the rhythm backgrounds for most of these songs are essentially the sounds of worldly rock music. One three CD box is entitled "100 Bible Songs & 100 Bible Stories" and it openly states that "your 2-4 year-olds can sing and dance to 100 tunes including 'Noah's Arky, Arky’ and 'Zaachaeus.'" Another 3 CD set indicates the songs include "'contemporary' pop tunes."

          Another CD set is titled "A Centered Heart: Contemporary Worship Live." While a few of the musical rhythms may lie within an acceptable wholesome beat range, most of the musical beats are dominated by heavy bass rhythms, rhythms that definitely promote dancing style movements!

          A third CD set called "Awesome Bible DVD Series" asserts that "now your youngsters can see, hear and sing favorite Bible tales and tunes" with "animated" episodes of O. T. and N.T. stories. The featured "voices" however, include those who do not meet the Bible test for emulation such as pro-ecumenist Max Lucado, confessed CCM entertainer-adulteress Twila Paris and "other" names not mentioned.

          Children's gospel songs can be lively and spirited, without any of the heavy bass CCM pro-dancing conducive rhythms! These CCM sounds are becoming more common since there are fewer piano players available today in Fundamental Baptist churches than in previous generations, and sometimes no pianist is available for children's services.

          PS: THE PREVENTATIVE/REPLACEMENT PRINCIPLE: While there are available CD's/cassettes of children's gospel songs that utilize only traditional wholesome sounds, thus far, this writer has been unable to locate any children's gospel songs with traditional music backgrounds that Fundamental Baptist churches can use where no pianist is available.

          If readers know of any reliable sources, he would appreciate this information. Children can learn to sing gospel choruses/songs/hymns and sing them well, without instrumental accompaniment if necessary!! Working together, the F.D. editor and his wife prepared a volume for a church pianist from children's song books no longer published, along with a booklet of typed words for children [Sorry, this is not available!] Some readers, even without music abilities, could do the same for their churches if needed.