09-26-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
September 26, 2023
On Sunday, I begin to talk about the importance of seeking the one left behind and doing so at any cost. Though not entirely unique to Cypress Creek Christian Church, our statement of inclusion and our willingness to embrace people that other churches are quick to show the exit do set us apart from many other churches. I know I am biased, but I truly believe we are a very important voice in N.W. Harris County and beyond. We do this by continuing to speak a very Christ-centered understanding of the Gospel, without requiring people to leave at the doors of the church things like their brains and their compassion. In fact, it sort of seems to me that Jesus was all about inviting people to engage all of who they were in the work of discipleship. Jesus pushed the envelope in regard to who he welcomed and to whom he would enjoy table fellowship. It challenged most every corner of religion and culture in his day. Jesus did so to erase the lines of exclusion, yet early Christianity followed closely behind Jesus with its own engineering schematics, through which it reintroduced many unquestionable lines of demarcation. Lines create a much happier world for many folks until someone draws them outside the circle of acceptance. This was, in my opinion, the nonsense Jesus was seeking to dismantle, yet the Body of Christ has generally been too insecure to live into that kind of unrestrained and unimpeded love. As we continue to think about who God is calling us to be as a church, this is where the uniqueness of our calling is speaking to this moment in history.

God, there is so much of your Gospel hidden under layers of misconstrued interpretation and intentional whitewashing. Help me to unshackle Jesus from comfortable restraints placed upon him by a very uncomfortable church. It is never easy, but we trust your loving Spirit to be our guide. Amen.