07-31-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 31, 2025
It’s the last day of July and my first day back in the office. It feels a little like the first day back to school after summer break. It’s been a few years, but I can still remember the emotion. There was excitement, nervousness, and especially as I was moving to a new school, a whole lot of uncertainty. I’m returning to the same church, yet in some ways, I am not. If we believe in the Spirit’s ongoing work in the life of the church—a movement that is never solely tied to a specific personality—then I’ve got to believe there has been growth and new insights in the life of the congregation that I have not participated in. That feels a bit strange, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. The church is not the building. It is a living entity, animated by the Holy Spirit through the faithfulness of the people. I do feel out of practice as I have been working on my first sermon back, and it is on its third draft… each of them dramatically different than the previous one. I would ask you to be gracious as I return, but I already know that you will. It is in the church’s DNA, and for that, I am thankful. 

I think about 2nd Corinthians 5:17-19, where we read:
So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; look, new things have come into being! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.

Notice, the work of God and response of the people are not tied to a minister. As we remind ourselves often with our mission statement—God is the first actor, setting before us the standard for God’s love, the love we are to embody within the work of the church. Thanks for doing exactly what God was needing you to do these last three months.

There is gratitude for your church, O Lord, and my spirit knows joy. Thank you for continuing to guide the necessary work of sharing the Gospel at Cypress Creek Christian Church and beyond. Amen.