ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
June 23, 2026
In Sunday’s message, I talked about money… specifically what it means to be a part of something greater than oneself. Next week, I will celebrate fourteen years at Cypress Creek Christian Church. If I were to be honest, I am having a hard time wrapping my mind around that number. The first church I served out of seminary, I served for thirteen years and six months, so Cypress Creek Christian Church is now my longest ministry. One of the critiques I probably deserve is my lack of stewardship education. Or to say it another way, I should have preached more sermons on money, giving, and specifically how people can financially support the mission and vision of the church.
When I first arrived, the church was in a financial mess. Watching sermons from the year prior to my arrival revealed that there were numerous Sundays when someone stood up during the announcement time and made a desperate plea for money. Several announcements expressed concerns about whether the church would be able to pay the staff the following week. There was a sense of panic in the appeal which did not create a sense of peace for those who had come looking for some respite. Many people told me they wanted to see more young families at church, yet I pointed out that so many young families are dealing with financial concerns, even crisis at home. The last thing they need to hear when they come to church is something that only intensifies their current state. So from that point on, I focused elsewhere. And yes, we did amazingly well. OK, there were some periods of concern and times when I didn’t sleep well at all. Yet Jesus referenced money, wealth, and possessions more than he talked about heaven, faith, or salvation. And since our culture has some pretty unhealthy, even dangerous ideas around money, it is probably good for the church to speak about it often. Again, as I shared in my message on Sunday, guilt, fear, or manipulation would not be Jesus’ approach. In fact, some of the concerns he raised were related to those who abused the poor, widow, and orphan—abusing the people who had absolutely no power and were easily targeted by those with power. The church should represent Jesus, not the people Jesus spoke against.
You have gifted us to be generous, O Lord who first loved us. Generosity will look different for every person, based upon gifts and abilities. Yet let us never dismiss the possibility that generosity birthed from an attitude of abundance could bless another human life. Amen.
