02-25-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
​February 25, 2023
Someone who reached out to me recently through my online Etchings, and who lives outside of Texas, asked where he might find a church like Cypress Creek Christian Church. He is quite impressed with who we claim to be and really enjoys watching our worship services online. So I spent about two hours visiting different websites of churches near where he lives and then watching some of their online worship services. Let me just say that my exploring has made me appreciate what happens at Cypress Creek Christian Church. Even more so, I think about the last two worship services I have enjoyed at Cypress Creek and the marvelous preaching. First, last Sunday, Dr. James Seymour preached a magnificent sermon for Laity Sunday. Then on Wednesday, for Ash Wednesday, Rev. Mariah Newell offered another magnificent sermon. In both services (I attended the Traditional Service on Sunday), the choir was powerful under the direction of Dr. Joel Plaag. People were equally thrilled with the Contemporary Service on Sunday, with the music leadership of Keeton Coffman.

I’m not bragging for the sake of bragging, but to offer a truthful observation. Cypress Creek Christian Church has some very gifted, faithful, and committed people, both staff and laity. Between the two services, where I was not the preacher, but mostly someone given space to truly worship, I was fed and inspired. Through word and song, I felt ushered into the presence of God. I heard Good News proclaimed with sound and thoughtful theology. Today, I give thanks for all those who call Cypress Creek Christian Church their training center and outpost for living the Gospel. I give thanks for our Vision of Putting Love First, even when it is disruptive and discomforting to life as we’ve come to enjoy it. With all that said, I want us to be mindful of pride. I don’t want folks pulling a muscle trying to pat themselves on the back.

Yet let’s be clear! We are making inroads into communities that have felt rejected, lost, frustrated, guilt-ridden, and unheard. They look around at the hundreds of churches within driving distance, and they see only more and more of the same. Some churches package the unhealthy and damaging theologies of guilt, hate, and shame quite well, using phrases like: "All are welcome" and "unconditional love," but what they really mean is that all are welcome to come and conform to something I do not believe resembles Jesus. You read the words "unconditional love," but then see a footnote that includes all the conditions.

I am not claiming Cypress Creek has reached perfection. Far from it! But it feels as if there is an alignment of gifts, passion, purpose, theology, and most importantly, God’s Spirit. People’s lives are changing; years of burdensome guilt are being exorcized; those who have felt like outsiders are experiencing a grace that by definition leaves no one out; a renewed commitment to living and being the kingdom of God on earth is happening; people are seeing Jesus in an entirely different way. Call it what you want, but something God-inspired is happening at Cypress Creek Christian Church, and I am excited!

With some trepidation, O God, I come requesting a bit more of whatever it is that you are doing around this church. A new and right spirit is indwelling itself among this community, and a unique Jesus-focused, love-infused expression of the Gospel is being shared. All we can say is, "Thanks be to God!" Amen.