ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 2, 2026
We are already into June — how time flies when you’re having fun. Now I don’t want to make too much of this, but I need to say something to Cypress Creek Christian Church. We have tough days around the church. There have been numerous times when I have gone home shaking my head wondering how we were going to solve a problem or whether God’s call to ministry was intended for someone other than me. With a handful of less than good days, and we all have them, I feel as if I can say that we are having fun. Well, maybe instead of fun, I would offer purposeful, impactful, and joyful. Time does seem to fly when you feel as if you have purpose, this purpose is making an impact, and both you and the people you’re impacting find joy. Church has always been hard, but since the pandemic, it has taken on a new level of hard. For many churches, the pandemic and the culture shift that occurred around it have brought dramatic drops in worship attendance, significant financial challenges, staff layoffs, and a lot of blaming. This makes church life less than fun for everyone, and that lack of fun is clearly felt by those who might be visiting the church. It’s rare for a week to pass without me having a conversation with a clergy colleague who finds themselves in what feels like a congregational death spiral. I empathize with these ministers who often stepped into churches that were already unhealthy, purposefully challenged, and financially struggling. Unfortunately, a new minister’s enthusiasm is quickly and completely quashed by those who have allowed themselves to slip into a survivalist mindset. As much as I believe in miracles, when a church gets there, it is nearly hopeless. And even more important, it is not fun. So this is a long way to saying, “Thank you!” There is still plenty of work for us to do as a church and many things we can improve upon, but I am humbled to serve a church where there is purpose, impact, and joy. And yes, it is fun… most every day.
Holy Spirit, O Source of Inspiration, we give you thanks for the way you empower and guide us for the work we are being called to do. Even on those challenging days, keep before us a sense of purpose that honors the ways of Jesus and glorifies you. Amen.
