ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
April 28, 2024
The Greater Houston Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) was really quite wonderful. If you read my Etching from yesterday, you know I was looking forward to hearing the keynote speaker, Rev. Dr. Dawn Weaks. She did not disappoint. There was also some wonderful worship, great conversations over lunch, and many hugs from folks who I have come to love and respect. One of my takeaways that I will continue to reflect upon was connected to a usual conversation topic of things we’d like to change or improve upon in our congregations. What troubles me is the number of items that are not all that significant in the whole scheme of things. Not to be dismissive, but as Dawn had talked numerous times about resurrection, some of the side conversations sure sounded as if we were simply putting some new makeup on the dead body. Combing the hair on a corpse ain’t changing the pulse. Still dead! The church needs to name the poison it has been feeding itself. That’s probably a little dark, though when they call a Code Blue in the hospital, they show up with a crash cart that contains more than blush to brighten the cheeks of the person who has flatlined. Cypress Creek Christian Church still has plenty of work to do, but I feel as if there is new life pumping through the veins of this body. Tough decisions have been made in recent years, and some of them have caused discomfort, even bringing some people to the decision of leaving the church. Everyone of those brings grief to my soul, but as Dawn reminded us a few times, we cannot be defined by the “tyranny of the minority,” and we cannot allow a few to stand in the way of what God is calling the church to do.
Holy God, there is discomfort in the journey to new life. In fact, there is often death before resurrection. Give us the courage and strength to remain faithful, while always leading with love. Amen.
4 thoughts on “04-28-24”
Hi Bruce,
May I ask a couple of questions regarding your posts on 4/27 and 4/28? What categorically where the changes that made some people uncomfortable and thus felt the need to leave this church? – Was it concerning the truth that Jesus loves the gay community the same as anyone else? – And perhaps acknowledging that women are just as capable of learning and ministering as men are? – Or was it other issues?
Also per you’re tongue in cheek delivery may I inquire as to what future struggles or agendas the church is dealing with?
Peace be with you
It is some of that and more. I never want to underestimate the discomforting power of love. So many people are incredibly generous in the ways of love until it hits a line that they or someone else has drawn in the sand. I find that some people are uncomfortable when they talk to their friends about the far-reaching character of God’s unconditional love. It’s easier to quietly succumb to a love that is limited and restrictive. I’d rather be bold and even stumble over the generosity of God’s grace. In the end, I doubt God will be disappointed if I was a bit too loving. Though to be honest, I’m pretty sure I have fallen short on many, many occasions. Cypress Creek is currently a pretty healthy church, though because we are a group of flawed and fragile people, we stumble a little. When I speak of the church, it is often the larger church, across denominations and traditions. Churches that once prided themselves on having lots of young people are (not everywhere) now in decline, often losing more and more from 28-40 year olds. We are growing, though a lot of our new folks are not connecting as well as I’d like. That is going to take the work of all of us. Thanks for asking!
I would think that every Pastor would often read 1 Kings 3:9 , though I have no doubt you know it by heart.
It seems that people go through their own lives worrying just about everything and don’t stop to realize that everybody else deals with their own issues as well, and that every occupation comes with its own obstacles.
But I think that being a pastor, priest, etc., is the one position that most would never even consider to be difficult at times. I’m not going to sit here and tell you what you already know, but just to say that I realize that being the leader of a congregation is so multifaceted that it can rival the responsibilities of a S&P 500 CEO. – Different product of course, your commodities being hearts, minds and souls. The CEO leads his company towards growth and the ‘Shepard’ moves his flock towards inner growth. Both have to deal with financial health to function. And of course this only the surface.
I think most people understand just how much a pastor gives up to do what they are called to do, but I wonder if they realize that its time and self-indulgent peace of mind that’s most sacrificed?
I truly hope you meet your goals and as always if I can be of help, let me know.
Tim
Thanks so much for this note of encouragement. And though I have many challenging days, I am extraordinarily blessed to be where I am and among the people of this congregation. I talk to friends and colleagues on a weekly basis who are in very unhealthy settings, and the stress is high. Every church is complicated, but in some situations, leadership has allowed bad behavior (might we call it bullying) to define the culture of the congregation. We have plenty of work to do, and I still have much to learn, but Cypress Creek is a community that shows a lot of grace.