Weird Worship

/ Jason Morris / 3 Comments

So, I just attended a worship service that was…interesting. The music was led by an African-American man on piano and vocals and a Anglo woman on vocals and attempting to play the djembe.

The vocals screamed 1970’s Maranatha or Gaither Music Group. Very cheesey. Very over-the-top.

One of the most interesting moments was as the final speaker was wrapping up his message. The pianist began playing a chord progression with a certain rhythm that sounded oddly familiar. On the second round, I realized that he was playing the Dave Matthews Band “Crash Into Me.”

I thought to myself, “Well, that’s weird.”

Then, he proceeded to invite the crowd to sing “Sanctuary” on top of this chord progression. It worked in parts. But, overall, the chord progression and the melody did not work well together.

I think he was trying to blend some contemporary elements with this older chorus. It was…”creative?”

I have a few minutes before my next workshop and just had to write about this…

I really never thought that I’d hear “Sanctuary” and the Dave Matthews Band at the same time. How bizarre?

Is T.I. Genuine?

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

Recently, I saw a preview for a reality show featuring rapper T.I. The idea is that it will follow his daily life…the trials and tribulations of being a star…and to show that he really isn’t the bad guy that all the criminal charges he is facing make him out to be.

Yes, T.I. faces a potential 30 years in prison on various charges.

So, is this television program an attempt to show that he truly is a great guy who simply made a mistake? Or is this a program that will have a number of staged “good deeds” to try an influence those deciding his fate?

I’m not surprised. This deal is with MTV. If you spend anytime watching MTV, they have a tendency to glorify immoral behavior. They help elevate the “thug mentality” of many of today’s youth culture. Don’t think so? Just stop by Delta or Northside middle schools and listen to the students conversations. You would think you were sitting in a room with Lil’ Wayne.

They also seem to glorify drunkenness and sleeping around. Don’t believe me? Just watch 20 minutes of the “Real World” (which is so far removed from any thing near reality) or any other reality show on the network.

They glorify prosperity. Watch “The Hills”, “The City” or reruns of “Laguna Beach” and just seen how they portray wealthy teenagers. It gives many of our young people the idea that they “deserve” way too much.

My hope is that T.I. truly is genuine. I highly doubt it, though. I’m sure this is simply another way to make another dollar. But, maybe in the midst of filming this, he’ll portray some glimpses of goodness that will help today’s youth see that the world isn’t about getting what we deserve and receiving handouts.

I’d love to see MTV put on a show that is all about doing good deeds. Maybe through this kind of program our young people would see that there really is a greater good to be done in this world.

Above Reproach, Part II

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

In this mornings Star Press, there was a follow-up story concerning the local pastor charged with sex crimes against minors. The story surrounds his initial hearing where he entered a plea of “not guilty.”

It is my hope and prayer that he truly is “not guilty.” Regardless of the outcome of the trial, much damage has been done. It will be difficult for the victims to trust Christian leaders. It will be difficult for some in the church to trust current and future pastors. It will be difficult for people in the community to trust Christian leaders. It will be difficult for this pastor. If he is “not guilty” many who have already presumed guilty until proven innocent will still cast out their judgment on him. It’s a messy situation.

The human side of me definitely struggles to believe his plea. The police ran a three-year investigation that led to his arrest. Of course, at this point, most of the information is the testimony of the victims (which can be a he said/she said). We do live in a society in which people present false accusations in order to “get back” at someone who has hurt them.

I’ll be interested to see how all of this plays out. I urge us all to pray for the victims, this pastor, and this church.

Teens & Technology

/ Jason Morris / Leave a comment

This summer, I’ll be speaking at a camp that is taking a pro-active approach to the vast usage of technology among teenagers. There will be opportunities for students to ask questions, respond to polls, and give feedback via text messaging.

I believe that this is a great response to what’s going on in the current teenage culture. I believe that this is a great opportunity to address the appropriate use of technology. I believe it’s a great opportunity to utilize a piece of technology that more and more teens are using. Of course, at the same time, I believe this presents a great challenge. There will be massive amounts of temptation to utilize the technology to disengage with the events taking place at the camp.

I am proud of this camp for extending itself and taking a chance on engaging students right where they are at. Rather than asking kids to totally ignore something that plays a major role in their daily lives, the camp is asking the kids to use it to participate in the experience.

This was solidified for me on Sunday night, when I had the opportunity to hang out with some teenagers. Rather than have conversations with one another, they would text each other. This blew me away. Rather than have a verbal conversation with someone sitting 10 feet away, the kids would text each other. Could it be that the topic of conversation was inappropriate? Potentially. But, from what I could gather, it was pretty much small talk.

There is a part of me that is concerned about the abundant use of technology for communication. Could it be that the more we use technology for communication the less we’ll be able to engage verbal conversations?

I’m excited to see how all of this plays out…at camp and in our world.

A Pure Heart

/ Jason Morris / 1 Comment

During his earthly ministry, Jesus often saved his harshest words for the religious folks. One day, to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, Jesus quoted a passage of Scripture from Isaiah and revealed that it was about them. The passage says:

“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.” (Matthew 15:8-9)

When I read these words, I am reminded of my need for a pure heart. I am also reminded of my need for true worship. And, I am reminded that my teachings should be more than legalistic rules.

Too often, we read of those in ministry who honor God with their words, but their main desire is to attract financial security and fame. Their hearts desire is their own success, rather than spreading this great story. It’s easy to get caught up in this once you begin to receive the praises of others.

Too often, we read of churches whose worship is nothing more than cheap entertainment. The thought process in the design of a worship service focuses more on what will be cool or unique, rather than what will most effectively communicate the Gospel and help one experience the presence of God. Now, I totally understand that often times the cool, unique stuff does a wonderful job of translating the message in a culturally relevant manner. However, I have seen too many worship services where the methodology trumps the message, rather than the message shaping the methodology.

And, how often do we take complex, holy mysteries and reduce them into three rules for sacred living? How often do we take a teaching of Jesus and turn it into five steps for a happy life? How often do we think of a really great catch phrase or a powerful point that we want to make and then rush to find a passage of Scripture that supports our agenda, rather than letting the Scripture shape our agenda?

How often do we simply go through the religious motions of being a Christian? How often do we simply “play” church? Has anyone else grown tired of the show?

A pure heart and true worship is my desire today. It is my desire that my words and my heart will be in one accord. It is my desire that my worship will be in spirit and in truth. It is my desire to cut away all of the things that distract and simply move into a place where I will be in a position to experience all that God has in store for me today.