08-08-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
August 8, 2025
This Sunday, we will have another ordination at Cypress Creek Christian Church. I don’t want to brag or toot the church’s proverbial horn, but this is a pretty big deal. Since arriving at the church thirteen years ago, we have ordained three of our church members after they completed seminary (John Frey, Mariah Newell, and Tamika Nelson). And a fourth member of our church had gone to serve another church (June Stoker), yet we had the privilege of cosponsoring her ordination. And of course, this Sunday we will celebrate the ordination of Carolina Fuentes. This is really quite extraordinary, and I am amazed at how the Holy Spirit has worked through the church, calling forth amazingly gifted people. And it is not simply those who have attended seminary and are seeking ordination, but a handful of folks in our congregation who have chosen the Commissioned Ministry path, a five-year program of intensive classes on a whole range of ministry topics. Rev. Becky Winders just received her commissioning a few months back. In Ephesians 4, we read how the Spirit calls different people, with different gift, for the purpose of equipping the saints for the work of ministry, and for building up the body of Christ. I give thanks to God for all the gifts that find their way into our church, and then through the support of one another, empowered by the Spirit, and guided by our mission of Putting Love First, many people are finding purpose in their faith. Can I get an Amen?

For all the many ways you inspire people’s gifts and for the many ways you utilize those gifts, we are thankful. Holy God, you often see gifts the world would overlook, yet because you call forth those no one else would expect, the world has been blessed in ways too numerous to count. Thank you! Amen.