ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
May 22, 2022
Yesterday was another crazy day at Cypress Creek Christian Church and Community Center. We are in the middle of recital season, so we’ve got them coming and going. There were two piano recitals on Friday evening, two on Saturday, and another one coming this afternoon. There was also a very large dance recital yesterday, along with the Corvette Club and an Art Group. And somewhere in the midst of our busy schedule, we’re going to try to squeeze in worship and Sunday School. I feel a little bad that I told our new Community Center Director, Ginni Whitten, that I did not imagine the Community Center to be at full steam until the last quarter of 2022. Bruce was once again wrong!
With all of that said, I am so proud of Cypress Creek Christian Church and how it thinks about its buildings. The buildings are God’s, and we are stewards or caretakers of these buildings. When you are a caretaker, you need to be asking the question: How does the one who owns all of it expect it to be used? A lot of churches become protectors and gatekeepers, as if the buildings were museum pieces. Growing up, I had a good friend whose mother had the chairs and couch in the formal living room covered in plastic. I remember being told, “We’re not allowed to sit on anything in this room.” I was so confused. What was the purpose of all this wonderful furniture?
In Numbers 3, we find the assignment of duties during the time when the people were traveling in the wilderness. In vs. 36, we read: “The Merarites were assigned responsibility for the frames of the dwelling, its bars, pillars, bases, and all its equipment—all these items…” Different groups were given different tasks, with the expectation of sticking to the task given to them and not trying to do anything outside of their assignment. Basically, the Merarites were in charge of the tent poles, but they were the best pole watchers ever. Among the things God has entrusted to us are a handful of buildings, along with all the potential positive impact this brick and mortar could have on the larger community. And in the last few weeks, the positive has been immense.
Call us once again to the good task of stewardship, O Holy One. So many resources and gifts have been entrusted to us, and we desire to use them all as would be pleasing to you and supportive of your dream for all creation. May it be so! Amen.
