Chris Morris Speaks
Chris connects mental health and the church in practical ways. He shows congregations how to implement ministry guidelines that will not only make people feel welcomed, but loved. From a lived experience, Chris addresses theological and practical barriers to a healthy mental health ministry, and shows that God is not done with someone due to a diagnosis.
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About Chris Morris
Chris Morris is a powerful speaker on mental health and the church. He’s been a respected speaker at a number of churches, universities, and regional conferences. He doesn’t come as a psychologist or counselor, but instead brings his own experience as a battle-tested Jesus-loving veteran of mental illnesses. He brings a unique combination of theological insight, tested strategies and compassion for those you’re ministering to. He is able to break down the barriers between leader and sufferer because he is both.
Chris tackles the questions most people are afraid to ask. He brings hard-won wisdom from the trenches of both ministry and mental illness, and isn’t shy about sharing it. His topics include the absence of God in dark times, what the Scriptures have to say about mental illness, why a person is so much more than their diagnosis, and how to develop a multi-pronged mental illness ministry that helps those who suffer to be noticed, loved, and known.
Chris has a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Arizona Christian University and is a current student at Northern Seminary, where he’s pursuing a Master of Arts in Theology and Mission.
This first segment addresses why the church should talk about mental health in the first place:
The next segment is the beginning of the most powerful moment I have ever experienced with God, where God spoke hope into my spirit after my suicide attempt:
Here is the rest of that story, where I tried to argue with God and lost:
In this clip, I talk about the Apostle Paul’s mental health moment:
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Chris’ speaking topics
Mental Health Awareness Sunday:
Sometimes the best thing you can do for your church is introduce a topic in a nonconfrontational way. A Mental Health Awareness Sunday is the best way to introduce the topic of mental health to your congregation. I can speak to your congregation directly, sharing some of my story and addressing some of the common Christian mental health myths. We can also approach this as an interview, where you ask me questions in a more informal approach to getting the word out. Either way, at the end of this service, your church will have a better understanding of God’s heart for those in mental illness communities, what some common misunderstandings are within Christianity about mental health, and how to support those going through mental health moments.
How to Perform a Mental Illness Check-Up:
Do you know what to do if someone comes to you and confesses that they are suicidal or overcome by anxiety? Even though you aren’t a licensed psychologist or professional counselor, you still have plenty to offer during a potential mental health crisis and you don’t have to feel overwhelmed when this happens. Your presence, your kindness, and your direction can quite literally be the difference between life and death for someone. By walking through a mental illness check-up, you can help a person figure out their best next step. Learn today from Chris how to perform a check-up and grow in your comfort with mental health situations.
Where is God in the Darkness—Uncovering God’s Presence in a Crisis:
It can be beyond difficult to manage a mental health diagnosis or crisis, and the core of this struggle is wondering why God feels absent. Questions like, “Why is this happening to me?” and “Did I do something to deserve this?” float through our minds. In this teaching session, Chris addresses these sensitive questions with biblical wisdom and tenderness, without giving any pat or Christian-ese answers. The reality is that God is drawing near to us even in our times of deep struggle when he seems far away. The key is to learn to see glimpses of his goodness in the midst of our challenges, but it is possible to find the affection that God has for us.
What Does God Think about Mental Illness?:
Many Christians believe that mature Christians won’t struggle with mental illnesses, but this is simply not the case. This session walks through examples of prominent people in the Old and New Testaments who appear to have had mental illnesses and highlights how God still used them despite their struggles. God doesn’t disqualify anyone because of a diagnosis but uses us because we are weak vessels to display forth his goodness and glory. Be empowered to walk out your destiny in God.
Resilience & Other Skills I Learned in the Psych Ward:
Many people would be ashamed to even admit that they were in a psychiatric ward, but don’t count Chris among them. He recognizes that he’s learned several vital lessons during his two visits to a mental health facility, and he learned them from his fellow patients, the physicians, and God himself. He learned what it means to be resilient, how to invest in himself, and how to lean into community to find health and wholeness. Be inspired to grow in your walk with God and in your community through this talk.
Keys to Being Mentally Healthy from Psalm 139:
It is possible even in today’s hectic world to make choices that set you up to be mentally healthy. This isn’t easy to do because everything and everyone seems to be competing for our mental and emotional energy, so finding a good source for a foundation can be challenging. We can find our solution in our identity in God and his great love for us. Psalm 139 has 13 specific aspects of our identity that we can embody to find mental health. Learn more about these revolutionary truths.
Book Chris to speak
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