ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 20, 2025 Prayer for the Week: O Triune God, enfleshed in the one who was both/and, we thank you for the beautiful and amazing diversity found in this world, of which every person is deemed one of your beloved. Provide us with the capacity to see your image in every individual, without exception or condition. Push us beyond simple tolerance when it comes to diversity,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 19, 2025 I want to use this Etching to offer a big and broad THANK YOU! Yesterday, we had one of the biggest memorial services we’ve hosted at Cypress Creek Christian Church since my arrival. The Centrum was full, but even more challenging was that it was a memorial service for a very young man. As much as one tries to be professional, making sure
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 18, 2025 What does it mean for Cypress Creek Christian Church to take a step in faith? What does it mean to look at who we are, the God-given gifts we have, and the context in which we find ourselves, and then ask what it means to be faithful in this moment? And of course, faithfulness is rarely sitting still and choosing to maintain. Faithfulness
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 17, 2025 In the opening chapter of Mark’s Gospel, right after Jesus declared how the Kin(g)dom of God had come near, he turned his attention to calling disciples. We read in vs. 17-18, “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Like any good teacher, Jesus required students. To be
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 16, 2025 Where is our growing edge as a church? I understand that those seeking a clear and focused business plan may not appreciate my perspective, but I believe our growing edge is everywhere. While Christian Nationalism is gaining traction and attempting to present itself as a legitimate expression of Christianity, there is an equally significant, if not larger, movement of individuals who are disillusioned
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 14, 2025 On Sunday, as the Contemporary Service was clearly running longer than expected, specifically because of a special program by Worship & Wonder, a children’s program within our denomination, I began thinking about how to cut my sermon. As I started to preach, in the back of my mind, I determined a way to remove a section and bridge the divide. After cutting it,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 13, 2025 Prayer for the Week: Wherever the cries of the hurting are heard, I pray for compassion. Whenever grief has overwhelmed a friend, I pray to be fully present with grace. Whoever finds themselves being crushed by unjust actions, I pray to bring my voice, and if necessary, my body to the work of healing and restoration. I offer these prayers to you, Jesus,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 10, 2025 God is the first actor, the first cause, or the unmoved mover. In one way or another, these rather old theological concepts are suggesting what is found in Genesis 1, “In the beginning, God…” But even more so is the idea that faith is a response to what God has and continues to do. Some might say faith is a human construct in
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 8, 2025 Guest Writer: Kay Smith In Matthew 25:35-40, we read: I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.’ “Then
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS October 7, 2025 Today is the birthday of a dear friend, colleague, mentor, and someone with the spiritual gift of encouragement. His name is Bob Turpin. Bob often joked how he was starting college the year I was born, and though he was in ministry early in life, like a lot of folks, he found himself working outside of the church by the time he was