I had stepped away from blogging for quite some time. The last post on this page was dated in 2018, when I had briefly used this old site as a place to collect thoughts and prayers.

However, I’ve decided to renew my use of the “Tuesdays with Morris” page. Who knows what that will mean?

What I can say is, these are strange days!

In this time of “social distancing”, our “new normal” is far from “normal”!

This week is Holy Week. I can honestly say that this is the most bizarre Holy Week I’ve encountered. Figuring out how to offer meaningful gatherings online has presented a new challenge.

Yet, I welcome this challenge.

You see, I am one who has long believed the Church needs to be challenged to find new ways to present the message. It’s that old adage of finding new methods to present the message.

Consultants have been saying for a long time, “we need to find a new way to be the Church.”

Well, the time is now! We really do not have the option to just “keep doing what we’ve always done.”

Many of my colleagues are venturing into the world of online church for the first time. Some who have already been offering online options have expanded those options. Some of my colleagues are currently offering daily Bible study and prayer times. Some colleagues are trying to offer hip, slick, and high-tech options. Some are just trying to figure out how to use their web cam!

My hope is that these new online offerings will continue once things “get back to normal”. The reality is, I don’t know what “normal” will look like post-Covid.

However, whatever “new” things churches and pastors are offering during this time, don’t let that fall off when we are able to gather in person. We are discovering new ways to “be” and “do” church…and we shouldn’t stop.

Uniting God,

Ephesians 4:3 reminds us to “make an effort to preserve the unity of the Spirit with the peace that ties us together.” As I read and meditate upon this verse, I find myself asking, “Am I making an effort to preserve unity? Am I working for or against peace?”

God, in those moments where I am tempted to jump into the divisive rhetoric that is deeply dividing the denomination of love and serve through, help me to step back and ask if what I’m adding to the conversation is helpful or hurtful.

God, in those moments when I am tempted to engage in divisive debates that are deeply dividing the nation I love and live in, help me to step back and ask if what I’m adding to the conversation is helpful or hurtful.

God, in those moments when I am tempted to belittle or gossip about others, help me to step back and examine why I feel the need to tear others down.

God, in those moments when I am tempted to ignore the needs of my neighbor because of my own selfishness, help me to step back and examine if there are practical ways in which I can address my neighbors needs as they arise.

God, so often I work to preserve institutions, reputations, status and privilege when I should be working for peace and unity.

God, help me to put aside my own selfish desires and pursuits so that I might better love and serve you and my neighbor. Help me to be a person of peace that attempts to bring unity where there is division, hope where there is despair, and love where there is fear. And, help me to remember that peace, unity and hope are available in and through you.

Creative God,

Open my heart, mind, body, eyes and soul to experience you in this world today. Too often, I overlook your presence in simple things, in my family, friends, neighbors, enemies, strangers, and all of creation.

While it can feel that things are spiraling out of control, that stress is winning over joy, help me find hope, rest, and renewal in you. 

Remind me that you are in control and help me trust you.

Creative God,

Far too often, I fail to give you appropriate thanks and praise. Therefore, let my words and actions this day be a shout of praise for your amazing love, grace and mercy.

May my work, my interactions with others, my coming and going, my moments of busyness, my moments of rest be holy and pleasing to you.

Merciful God, when I am overwhelmed by the circumstances of my daily life, give me confidence that I am not alone, for You, God are with me.

Help me to always hold onto hope, knowing that no matter what I face today, You, God are with me. You, God, will save me from myself and all those things that attempt me to distract me from You.

God, help me to always choose what is good, what is right, what is pleasing to You. Help me to live, speak, move and act in ways that will communicate that I am Your child.

Creative God, help me to love You by loving others. Provide opportunities for me to put that love into actions, and give me the bold courage to respond in practical and tangible ways.

Thank You, Creative God, for Your amazing love. Be with me this day and help me to be faithfully obedient. Amen.

Deep down, I must hate myself a little. You’re probably wondering why I might say such a thing. Well, it’s because I continually read articles on church trends. In doing so, I find myself sarcastically proclaiming, “Oh, this is just what the sweet baby Jesus needs! Finally, something that will fix every problem in every church. This author has done it! He/She has found the ‘Holy Grail’ of church growth! I can’t believe we haven’t been doing this for years.” Then, I throw up!

You see, every-single-freaking-day I receive an email, a mailer (seriously, who still sends things in the mail?), or see something on Facebook or twitter or whatever that proudly proclaims “THIS is how your church can reach THIS particular group of people.”

Too often, these articles are based on little, if any, research. The author will have visited one (or, at most, two) churches that embrace a particular “style” or “structure” and they decide that this “style” or “structure” is THE answer.

If you dig traditional worship, you can find numerous articles that say,  “high church liturgy will solve all of your problems.”

If you dig modern worship, you can find numerous articles that say, “Is that freedom rock? Well, turn it up!”

If you dig the more contemplative approach, you can find articles that say, “Use lectio divina or Taize-style worship to reach more people.”

If you are a trendy hipster, you can find articles that say, “Wear even skinnier jeans. Use more product to make your hair even taller. Buy weird eyeglass frames (whether you need glasses or not).”

You’ll find articles that proudly proclaim, “Want more families? Do this”. Or “Want to reach millennials? Put these 6 things into practice.” And, on and on and on and on it goes.

And, to be honest, too often we are fooled. We want to catch the wave of the next big thing. We want to be ahead of the curve. Of course, if we embrace something after Carey Nieuwhof or Thom Rainer (both great, very insightful guys) or Nadia Bolz-Weber or Rachel Held-Evans (both, great, very insightful women)  have blogged about it…we’ve probably already missed the wave.

What clergy and church leaders need to do is find an appropriate balance. Yes, it is important to be well-informed of church trends (even the ridiculously stupid ones- I’m looking at you skinny jean wearing, Starbucks drinking sinners!). However, it’s more important to be in-tune with God and your environment.

Rather than spending an appropriate amount of time in prayer, study, and out in the community, pastors are prone to turn to the latest book or blog and say, “Well, it worked there. I’m sure it will go over like gang busters here!” Sure, we can and should learn from others and pay attention to what’s working somewhere else. But, we need to be in tune with who God is calling us to be in our place and time.

To me, the overall key is being open, honest, authentic, and true to ourselves. If we are attempting to be someone we are not, it will show. If we are not fully sold out to a “style” or “structure”, we shouldn’t be surprised when it crashes.

But, if we are open and honest, if we are authentic and true, if we operate with a great sense of integrity, if we are following what God lays on our hearts, that will show. So, just be yourself!

And, for the love of God, if you are a pastor or worship leader who has embraced the skinny jean trend…just stop it! If you feel called to the skinny jeans, this is the one area where you should not be true to yourself. Seriously, God is not calling anyone to wear skinny jeans. They (skinny jeans), like Starbucks, are of the devil and should be completely avoided!