Not Surprised

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

Unfortunately, I am never surprised at the ridiculously rude behavior at various programs and events in and around Muncie. I sometimes wonder if the inability to show others respect is actually a part of the core curriculum of our school system. 

In all honesty, I can’t blame the students for their poor behavior because it is all-too-obvious that it comes from the top-down. Grandparents passed it onto parents who, in turn, passed it on down to their children. 

This evening at Emily’s  spring program, I observed the following:

– Parents letting their children wander aimlessly through the gymnasium during the performance

– Parents and children standing right next to Emily as she directed, taking pictures, videos, and in some cases trying to talk to their child

– Parents answering phone calls and carrying on conversations while remaining seated. 

– Parents having loud conversations with other parents during the performance

At one point, the principal actually addressed the crowd. She asked, “Who came to see the kids perform? Isn’t that why we’re hear? So, let’s turn off the cell phones and pagers. Let’s stop talking. And, let’s listen.” 

It’s sad that it does not surprise me that this happened this evening. We are at a point in time in which many people simply don’t know how to behave in public. 

I wish this only happened at school programs. But, I see it everywhere…the grocery, the mall, Lowes, the movies…even the church. 

Generally, I want to lash out at these people and say, “If these people weren’t so stupid, maybe they’d understand how to behave.” I want to look at these people and say, “Listen idiots…look at the example you are setting for your children and grandchildren. Are you really all that surprised that you have problems with them?”

But, then, I realize that my thoughts are not filled with grace, mercy, compassion, or love. The truth is…many of these folks simply don’t know any better. No one ever set an example for them. No one ever gave them opportunities to learn many of the things I take for granted. 

Then, I find myself thinking…”At least they are here.” Some kids missed out on the experience because their parents were unwilling to show up. Some kids participate, but have no one special in the audience. And, so, I find just a glimmer of hope in the fact that these parents at least care enough to show up…to be there for their children. Showing up is sometimes the best thing parents can ever do for their children.

A friend shared this verse with me the other day…

“…You must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. You must make allowance for each other’s faults and forvie the person who offends you…” (Colossians 3:12-13)

Giving Our Best

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

When we have the opportunities to give, do we give our best? 

Do we give our best at work? 

Do we give our best to our families?

Do we give our best to our God?

Do we give our best to one another?

Do we give our best to our communities?

Do we give our best to our environment?

I have always found myself asking questions like these. Today, I was reminded of them while sorting food in the basement of the Muncie Mission. They recently received a large donation of items from a local food drive. As I was separating cans and boxes, perishable and non-perishable items, I found myself wondering if people were giving their best?

Were people giving out of a desire to help those in need or in order to clear out their pantry’s? I found a few cans that were way past the expiration dates. I found a few cans that were so old they were rusting. I found items that I truly wondered if people really thought anyone would want? I found many items where people had put in partially used items. 

So, do we give our best or do we give just enough to make ourselves feel better about ourselves?

No Leftovers

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

This Sunday’s message will be focusing on stewardship. At Center Chapel, we are attempting to help people view and practice stewardship holistically.

When we hear the word “stewardship”, many of us are tempted to think only of money. Many churchgoers, at the mention of the word stewardship, begin to prepare themselves to hear a bunch of babble that will make them feel guilty about not giving enough money to the church. We tread on dangerous ground when approaching the topic of stewardship because a lot of damage has been done in this area. People should not feel guilty about stewardship…they should feel joy and excitement.

The guilt is easy to lay on…And, in all honesty, many already feel guilty enough. Not too many of us need reminders that we are fallen, sinful people. Most of us need constant reminders that, in spite of being fallen, sinful people, there is a Great Hope in the world. But, too often, guilt wins out and we quote verses like Malachi 3:8, which says, “Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings.” Following this verse with a great sermon on robbing God leaves many stricken with guilt…But does it produce any life change?

The challenge is to help people find joy, passion, excitement, and a desire to give. And, not just give of their money, but of their time, talents, material resources, etc. Stewardship isn’t just about our finances. It’s about our work, our play, our possessions, our families, our environment…any thing and every thing God has given (which, by the way, is everything…hence the holistic view of stewardship).

This Sunday, we just might explore that passage from Malachi (because when you look at the whole passage and not just one verse, it’s pretty powerful). We just might look at what Jesus had to say about stewardship (let’s just say the whole idea of a tithe might get thrown out the window). We just might explore why we give, how we give, when we give, what we give, and all that jazz.

I’d be interested in learning some of your thoughts on stewardship. What thoughts come to mind when you hear the word “stewardship”? What positive images do you have? What negative associations do you have? Any good stories on stewardship? Give me a shout.

“Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has given more than all the others who are making contributions. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”               (Mark 12:43-44)

Mother’s Day

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This Sunday is Mother’s Day. If you’re reading this, you have no excuse if you fail to do something nice for the mother’s in your life as you have been reminded.

Special days, like Mother’s Day, present an interesting dilema in the church. While we want to take time to recognize all of the mothers in attendance, we don’t want to neglect the non-mothers. The congregation is made up of a wide-array of people. There will be men, children, and women who do not have children in attendance. So, how dow we appropriately recognize mother’s and still have a service that will help connect all with God? Of course, we all have mothers (unless you were born in some kind of weird science lab). So, there should be some elements of a Mother’s Day celebration that we all can connect with. But, is that enough of a connection for all? Is this a Sunday where our main goal is to simply “make mom happy”? Well, I guess you’ll just have to “come and see” how we approach Mother’s Day at Center Chapel.

Psalm 139:13- You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. (NLT)

Psalm 22:10– I was thrust into your arms at my birth. You have been my God from the moment I was born. (NLT)

Making a Name

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

Each day this week, when I turn on the news (daily) or Christian radio (which isn’t very often) one of the stories I hear most often is about the Miss America runner-up.

The big news is that she shared her personal feelings about a question Perez Hilton asked concerning gay marriage.

First, I think Hilton fully knew what he was getting into. And, in all honesty, I think he got the answer he wanted because her conservative answer provided a soap box for him to stand on.

Second, I think her answer that has some upset has actually turned out to be the best PR she could have received. Most people cannot tell you the name of any Miss America runner-up from years past. Most people cannot tell you who actually won this years pageant. But, this runner-up is all over the news.

Third, I heard today that she is a student at a small, evangelical Christian college. She keeps saying that she has these conservative values that have shaped her stance on gay marriage. I guess modesty would not be one of those. I mean, in these pageants the girls basically parade their outer beauty in skimpy outfits in order to be told “you’re beautiful.” So, gay marriage is wrong…but parading around in a bikini on national television is okay??? Maybe that’s a poor comparison, but I think you get my point.

Fourth, I would say “good for you” to this young lady for actually being honest. She answered the question truthfully. She could have lied and given Hilton the answer he wanted. Instead, she gave the answer that she really holds in her heart and mind. And, it’s been a major PR payoff. Would she have been on the “Today” show if she had just come in 2nd place? I’m not saying I agree or disagree with her answer. I’m just saying that I applaud her honesty.

Fifth, I truly don’t understand the debate on gay marriage. I know that it’s not for me. However, I believe that it’s an issue of civil rights. I believe that all couples, regardless of race, orientation, or age should be granted the same civil rights. Many in the Christian circle talk about gay marriage being a threat to the sanctity of marriage. I’ve got to be honest…if two men or two women get married, it’s has absolutely no effect on the sanctity of my marriage. I sometimes wonder what’s a bigger threat…gay marriage or Christians divorcing??? And, as Christians, I really believe we have things that should take more of our time, energy, and focus (like feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, caring for the orphaned, widowed, the least of these, etc).

It’s a difficult issue. I know that the United Methodist church has open doors for those in the homosexual community. At the same time, we define marriage as the union between one man and one woman. We do not support gay marriage. However, this is an issue that we continually wrestle with…and I think that’s healthy. I think it is a good sign that we are at least having the conversation. Looking at Scripture, tradition, experience, and reason…this is what we’ve come to. But, we continually re-visit these issues to make sure we get it right. And, that is one of the reasons I’m proud to be a part of the United Methodist church.