What a joy to record the events of the Fine Arts Chapel at Southside Christian School on Thursday, April 13, 2023. If you would like to read my summary of the high school chapel on this day, please read on. . .
Fine Arts Chapel
Southside Christian High School
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Thursday, April 13, 2023
9:40-10:20 a.m.
Fine Arts Center/Cafeteria
Summary of and Editorializing by Dr. Bob Stouffer, High School Principal (All mistakes are mine alone.)
Pastor Nathan Forrest, Campus Pastor and Director of Discipleship, welcomed the student body after Easter break. He announced a “very exciting” opportunity on this day for all in the audience to hear from Tim Morgan, the new Fine Arts Director for 2023-2024. Pastor Nathan indicated that the goal of the chapel was to highlight the work and accomplishments of the fine arts students and directors. Pastor Nathan indicated that he is praying for ALL of the students to persevere over the course of the next several weeks. He is praying for relationships to remain strong through good choices of words and tones when everyone will be stressed.
Pastor Nathan indicated a number of prayer requests for the fine arts students who will be on the Fine Arts Tour next week. Wisdom. Calming of nerves. Playing the music with excellence. Safety in travel. A genuine spirit of camaraderie.
Pastor Nathan prayed for those requests with the entire student body.
Pastor Nathan introduced Tim Morgan once again to the student body. (He had sung with Dr. Aaron Howard during the Spring High School Spiritual Life Conference.)
Mr. Morgan expressed appreciation for the spontaneous opportunity to sing with such a talented musician as Dr. Howard.
Several students in the audience raised their hands when asked if they were a student of Mr. Morgan’s when SCS Elementary School students.
Mr. Morgan expressed appreciation for his great times and experiences with SCS in the past.
Mr. Morgan is married with a family. He was married in 2008 in Michigan. His son, Oliver, is currently a third grader, and Grant is a kindergartener. Mr. Morgan indicted the students would see Oliver and Grant running around SCS in 2023-2024. His students are excited about attending SCS.
Mr. Morgan’s parents were originally from Jamaica. They moved to New York. He was born and lived in the Bronx. At 8, he moved to Wisconsin. Cows in books in N.Y. Cows on the ground in Wisconsin. He moved to Greenville for college. His first job was at SCS.
How did Mr. and Mrs. Morgan meet? Mr. Morgan was a camp counselor with his wife at a camp in Wisconsin. They met there. We eventually went to the same college. They did ministry at a local church in Greenville. Earlier, he had been interested in another girl, but, eventually, Mr. and Mrs. Morgan dated, courted, and married.
What about the roots of his interest in music? He was always involved with music. He believes churched people are more versed in music than unchurched people. In high school, he got involved in music at a Christian school. His director and teacher and coach (all one-in-the-same) was good at all of those many activities. He was a great mentor to Mr. Morgan. He pulled talent out of Mr. Morgan.
Mr. Morgan decided he wanted to be a teacher. He studied music education and voice at college. He was successful in the vocal realm. He jumped into and loves every part of music.
What was his spiritual journey? His parents were very intentional about making God the most important thing in the lives of their family members. At one point, he got “a little burned out” by church. But, even then, he saw and gave witness to many evidences of God. God “had him.” He said, “God is there. God loves us more than anyone can, even in dark times. We learn new things about life and people. We can encourage each other through God’s words.” God put him through different season to grow him spiritually.
Mr. Morgan has been involved with major musical productions. The complexity of these productions obviously engage and motivate Mr. Morgan.
What is the compelling reason for Mr. Morgan’s love of music and return to SCS? He said, “Music is a part of worship. When we get to heaven, we will continue to praise and worship God.” He wants to be a part of that now. He is in two different bands. He’s in Fountain Inn and Anderson on Saturday at gigs. He is a vocalist for these bands. He helps with worship at his church. He is emotionally-stirred and fulfilled when he is worshipping at church. He “sings his brains out” at Saturday gigs and then does similarly on Sundays. “I feel more fulfilled in worship at church.”
“God. The souls of people. The Word of God. Worship. What better things could you throw your life to?” Pastor Nathan said and asked. “Give your life to something more than a paycheck. Determine how work ties into what is eternal.”
Mr. Morgan encouraged the students to find purpose in life beyond themselves. We should work for God’s purposes. “It’s not about you. It’s about Him and the higher purpose.”
Mr. Morgan explained his journey back to Southside Christian. He had been approached about the position a year ago. He didn’t believe that then was the time. Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, he experienced prompts for him to help teachers help students. He knew he could be replaced in his position at Byrnes High School at any time. He had a shift in his thinking. Talking again about the position for 2023-2024 allowed him to think differently about the next phase of his career. He wants to advocate for teachers. He wants to push the goals of Southside Christian.
Thoughts, dreams, plans for next year with so much change and new faces? Mr. Morgan wants to get back into the Southside Christian culture. He wants to reconnect with students. He wants to “know the people as humans first.” He wants to understand the humanity of students. He said he needs to be the “number one servant.” He wants to serve and keep things afloat the first year. He wants to “tread lightly” and also advocate properly for fine arts teachers and students.
What would Mr. Morgan say to the students who are sold-out for the arts — and students who are not into the fine arts? Mr. Morgan encouraged the ninth, tenth, and eleventh grade fine arts students to stay with their ensembles. They should take performances as opportunities for additional opportunities, which could be outside of school time. “Don’t stop, and continue practicing,” he said. To those who do not perform, even the least amount of interest could lead to advantages in life. Music is a great connector of people. Great performers started in high school.
At Pastor Nathan’s invitation, Mr. Morgan prayed to close the chapel.
drbobinc 