12-23-25

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
December 23, 2025
I had an interesting conversation with someone who knows about our church, but is not a member. He had some wonderful things to say about Cypress Creek Christian Church, and then he thanked me for being “a nice church.” I almost—emphasis on the ‘almost’—started to explain away his comment. I was close to giving him the full rundown on the Love First Life, which would have guided me to a deeper explanation of the theological foundation for our convictions. But I am glad I paused, or maybe it was the Spirit smacking me upside the head. Whatever the case, in a world where many things, people, and organizations are not nice, I am thankful that someone referred to us as “nice.” And though I believe there are many churches that would fall in the category of nice, that was not the experience of the person with whom I was having the conversation. What he found at Cypress Creek Christian Church was, at least in his opinion, unique, and he thanked me a second time for being a “nice church.” I can’t say for sure what all the attributes might be that come together and form a nice church, but for everyone who seeks to be nice in real and tangible ways, I offer you the gratitude I received on your behalf. 

In the struggle for justice and righteousness, especially when the problems seem so immense, I ask for your Spirit’s encouragement as I try to be nice, while also showing some kindness, some mercy, and a whole lot of unconditional love. When I am feeling overwhelmed by it all, trying to be nice is something I should be able to wrap my mind around. Amen.