Music superstar Katy Perry has strongly denounced her childhood experience with religion. Her real name is Katheryn Hudson. In an interview with Vogue, she recalled her childhood as a PK (Preacher’s Kid). She described religion and her description fell short of any knowledge of a personal relationship with the Lord.
Katy Perry told Vogue “… my house was church on Sunday morning, church on Sunday night, church on Wednesday evening; you don't celebrate Halloween; Jesus gives you your Christmas presents; we watch Bill O'Reilly on TV," she continued, "That was my whole childhood and youth and early teens. I still have conditioned layers dropping off of me by the day."
There are many famous PK’s. Alice Cooper, the heavy metal star is one. Friedrich Nietzsche, the atheist philosopher is another. In fact there is a line up of VIP’s – Denzel Washington, Aretha Franklin, Martin Luther King Jr and Malcolm X.
I counselled a PK years ago. She expressed a deep anger for religion and the church. One night she overheard a church group gossiping negatively about her father. Those same people openly showed affection for him and that hypocrisy made her very bitter and angry. That was the seed in her rebellion. Thankfully the Lord touched her and she is a vibrant believer today. (So are her children).
Franklin Graham
One of the better known PK’s is evangelist Franklin Graham. He was raised in a log cabin home in the Appalachian Mountains. His dad, Billy Graham, was already a well-known preacher when Franklin arrived. He had lived rebelliously for a time but one night, alone in a Jerusalem hotel room he committed his life to Christ. Graham was 22.
Another PK Mark Connor shared this story. “The day Franklin Graham was born, he received a telegram. “Welcome to this sin-sick world,” the Western Union message said, “and to the challenge you have to walk in your daddy’s footsteps." It didn’t take long for Graham, to realize that being a preacher’s kid would be both a blessing and a burden.” “
On his webpage (markconnor.typepad.com) Mark describes vital facts from his own childhood. “My parents were the real deal,” he begins. The environment in the home must be, for want of a better word, Christian. Nothing impacts the off button faster than a hypocritical lifestyle. Connor described his family as wearing ‘no masks.’
His parents did not demand perfection. He was allowed to be a growing boy. He was disciplined when necessary but he was also free to be ‘normal.’
He recalls his Christian life was fun. I relate to that comment. Years ago when our eldest child Kerrie started secondary school, we were concerned there was very little fun in the entertainment world for a Christian child. We opened a ministry ‘The Hamburger Hut’ which featured movies, music, table tennis and hamburgers. The teenagers ran the programme and they attracted large crowds every Saturday night.
Honour
In a Focus on the Family article Arlene Pellicane made an important observation: “If you want your child to live a good and blessed life, pray and plead with God that your children will understand what it means to honour you as a parent. Teach them to honour you. Insist upon it. Giving honour and respect isn't just a nice idea for someone else's well-behaved children; it's a biblical command for everyone. The way children treat parents will form the basis for how they treat others — their future friends, spouse, teachers, bosses and yes, even God.
Sadly, it seems these days that honouring parents is more uncommon than common. Our forward-thinking culture has largely neglected the wisdom of our grandmothers. Would your grandmother tolerate the tantrums you see in the malls or the sassing at home? Probably not.” (focusonthefamily.com)
Which brings to mind, ‘Honour your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land that the Lord God is giving you.” (Exodus chapter 20, verse 12)
There are many important reasons why God is called ‘our Father.’ He is the perfect parent. He gives to His children ‘good things.’ We will not measure up to His wonderful perfection but we can bring His character into our home. A godly parent is quick to apologize to a child. “I’m sorry” brings freedom.
Jesus prays and intercedes for us. (Romans chapter 8, verse 34) We should also pray and intercede for our children. Some parents, cannot relate to the attacks on them today. The media, their screens and the music of the day bombard them with the ways of the world. Pray they will be able to discern the destruction coming from the spirit of this world.
Parents who pray with their children unleash great and powerful resources. Encourage them to pray out their fears, pray for their friends, pray through whatever comes to mind. So many times I have prayed with a small child at bedtime. No sooner than we say ‘amen’ it is bye byes.
Through prayer we underscore God is alive. He hears. He listens and He answers. He is personal and chooses to be involved with us.
Leading your child into their personal relationship with Jesus, is the greatest thrill.
Please do not read this far and leave before you pray for Katy Perry. Pray the Lord will touch her and she will find the joy of knowing Him.
Pray for those who are lost and if possible reach out with love and blessing to a Preacher’s Kid who may be struggling.
Ron Ross is a Middle East consultant for United Christian Broadcasters (Vision FM). Previously he was radio news editor for Bridges for Peace in Jerusalem, Israel.
His career started at WINTV (Email: ronandyvonne@mac.com)
Ron Ross' previous articles may be viewed at
http://www.pressserviceinternational.org/ron-ross.html
