Christmas and Consumerism

Please note, the following is not an appeal for money or really about SCYM at all - just some things I've been pondering this weekend.

I don't know if this is the first year it happened or just the first year that I paid attention, but you knew it was coming. As the doors of a Wal-Mart on Long Island opened at 5:00 am on Black Friday, a maintenance worker was trampled to death by a bargain-seeking crowd. Not only did frenzied shoppers step past the injured man, reports stated that many customers became irate when told the store was closing early due to the man's death.

Sickened. Shocked. Saddened. I am, and I hope you are too. Neither you nor I were there. We did not take part. I like to believe that we would have acted differently. We are not responsible. And yet - why do I feel in part responsible? Why does my gut say that our culture of consumerism is in part responsible? Why do I grieve over what we have become? Because while it's easy to point fingers and say, "How dare they," when I examine myself I realize that the same ugly impulse, the impulse to get and to clutch, is found deep within me.

There is nothing wrong with things. The Bible makes it clear. There is even nothing wrong with the pleasure that things can bring. I truly believe this. But there is a sickness in a culture that says I must get, I deserve things. I deserve things I cannot pay for. Once I have the things I deserve, I want more things. Because consumerism at its worst puts its death grip on our soul, choking out the life of Jesus in us, and we don't even realize it until we see the horrible extremes it can reach in an angry crowd.

It's in me, this sickness of discontent. Much more than I want to admit. It shouldn't be, but it is, and I suspect it always will be. I confess that I often think things like:

My six-year-old coat is starting to look a little shabby. I deserve a new one.

My kids wear a lot of hand-me-downs - clothes that look great - but they're not clothes I picked out myself. I deserve to buy them new things, so that they look even cuter.

Our kitchen is outdated looking - why not redo it now and pay it back later, so that we can enjoy it?

The angry crowd reminds me of what I have potential to become, if I let these thoughts go unchecked. They are far from God-honoring; in fact, the greed and discontent in them keep me from being sensitive to his voice. So, for this holiday season, I am resolving a few things that will help fight the chokehold of consumerism in my soul, disciplines that I hope will put my spirit more in line with God's:

I will be content with the coat I have for another winter. In fact, I may even get out the leather reconditioner and see if I can touch it up.

When I go out to eat this holiday season, I will order less than I want and tip more than I need to.

I will give to someone who needs it.

I will be glad for my kids' hand-me-downs and the people they came from.

When I am shopping, I will smile at store workers and thank them when they help me. I will not roll my eyes at the customer who is too slow, the person who takes my parking spot, or the person in front of me with too many items. These people are all my neighbors.

At least once, I will put paper money in a red kettle, not coins.

I will publish this list, to hold myself accountable.

May we all know and hold onto the one who came to serve and to give this Christmas season. May we all slow down, breathe deep, thank God for what we have, and give generously of ourselves.

Faith Bosland
Executive Director

GirlPower

These past two weeks have probably been the most rewarding weeks for me. The girls are beginning to respond and truly bond with some of the volunteers, and it’s such a blessing to watch. Thursday, after our basketball clinic and in light of the upcoming holidays, we all listed one thing for which we were thankful. One of the girls brought a smile to my face when she said, “I’m thankful for GirlPower and for all the new friends that I made.” Another girl again lifted my spirits when she commented, “I’m thankful for GirlPower because it helps me get my priorities straight.”

All of the girls are working hard towards their Girls Night Out on December 6^th. In order to attend the Girls Night Out, they have been challenged to complete a star sheet. They receive stars for attendance, helpfulness in the kitchen, improved grade reports, meeting goals, meeting that week’s challenge, or anything else they believe I will reward with a star. The Girls Night Out will consist of a fashion show, put on by them, at my house. But, ssshhhhh, they don’t know this yet. I’m currently taking clothing donations from girls on Wittenberg’s campus so that each girl can go home with a new piece of clothing. All of the volunteers will attend the Girls Night Out and serve as the audience as well as fashion consultants.

I’m so thankful for those who pray for the program and for the girls that come. Keep praying! The girls are becoming more and more at ease and love to receive advice from the volunteers. Likewise, pray for the volunteers. Pray that we all heed wisdom in our guidance and answers to some of the girls’ life questions. It’s been such a fantastic semester, and I’m looking forward to all of our new plans for the spring semester.

Aubrey Herbst
Girl Power Director

Stand in the Gap

I was blessed with a strong Christian upbringing. My parents instilled in me good morals and the importance of living a Christ-centered life. Now that I’m an adult, I am more aware of the world’s hurts. I am heartbroken for the breakdown of families. I see on a daily basis the aftermath of abuse, neglect, and addictions. Children’s lives are being turned upside down and they are being discarded. The world is a cruel place but there is hope.

Christ is at the center of this hope and He is calling us to help. We need to stand in the gap and mentor these hurting souls. That’s why Springfield Christian Youth Ministries was founded. We have the platform to make a stand and to change lives! I count it a great privilege to love and witness to these students. I’ve seen first-hand the positive influences that we (through Christ) have made. I am thankful that I have the opportunity to help the hurting and lead students to the Lord. If we all make the effort to step out of our own comfort zones, we can make a huge impact for the Kingdom of God!

His Servant,

Angie Bishop

STARS and Summer Day Camp Director

Anger Management Groups

This semester I have had the opportunity to sit in and help with an anger management group for 6th grade students at Clark Middle school. Chris has done a great job leading the group, and he has been a great example to me of how to patiently work with this challenging age group. As we continue to meet each week, the students are starting to open up and share their lives with us. It is a sad but true reality that most of these students come into the anger management group with much on their shoulders. Problems with broken families, peer temptations, and the common hardships of the middle school years are the real issues that need to be discussed and worked through at group. When we start to get to know these students and find out about their lives, it is not a surprise that many of them deal with anger issues.

Even though we have only been meeting for a few short weeks, I have seen improvement in the students’ attitudes already. Chris provides great opportunities for the students to use different activities and games to help express their feelings and emotions. I look forward to seeing more improvement in the attitudes and actions of our 6th grade group, and I hope that all who read this will join with all of us at SCYM in praying for the youth of Springfield. God is doing great things at Clark and Schaefer Middle schools.

Kevin Napp
SCYM Volunteer
Junior, Cedarville University