ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 9, 2023
Amidst some crazy weather last night that included power outages and no traffic lights in the area, we had a bunch of youth (many of them new youth as this was the first gathering with those moving into 6th grade this fall) show up. If you were not here for Youth Sunday, then you missed the glimpse of what is happening in Children and Youth at Cypress Creek Christian Church. It is exciting as young people who are either searching for a place of welcome and inclusion or are tired of seeing others excluded for random reasons, are coming together and building real community. Mariah and Grace can articulate it much better than I can, but I checked in on the Youth last night, and there was a palpable “something” that makes me so hopeful for this coming year. And of course, this comes after a VBS where we had numerous visiting parents asking questions about the unique vision and mission of Cypress Creek. Funny, the adults are sort of wanting the same thing as the young people. They are searching for a place of welcome and inclusion or are tired of seeing friends and family excluded for random reasons. What part of John 13:34 do we not understand — Jesus said, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” There was nothing about picking on, bullying, speaking hateful words, judging, condemning or disparaging others. I’m really excited for what is emerging within Cypress Creek Christian Church, a community that really is passionate about Putting Love First, not second or third behind hateful rhetoric or the shaming of those we do not understand. I think our young people might even understand the importance of this vision of faithfulness better than most of us. I am extraordinarily hopeful because of them.
For the hope and visionary leadership our young people bring to this moment, O Lord, we are forever thankful. Allow for our cynicism and weariness to be overcome by the witness of those who are living into the conviction that they can and will make a difference. Amen.
