ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 23, 2025For more than six or seven years (really, for more like three decades), we have been talking about the decline of Christianity and the growth of the nones. Of course, the nones are not to be confused with the nuns. Nones are those who self-describe as unaffiliated with any organized religion, often checking the box “none” when asked which religion best describes you. Our denomination,
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 22, 2025I am excited, anxious, and carrying a little uncertainty in regard to my Sabbatical that begins in two weeks. First, let me begin by saying how much I appreciate the opportunity to step away from the daily work of ministry. When I started negotiations with Cypress Creek Christian Church nearly 14 years ago, I insisted that my Letter of Call include a Sabbatical, and at
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 21, 2025Prayer for the Week: May the resurrection we proclaimed yesterday become the resurrection we personify today. Holy Power of Grace, every attempt to contain you and limit your impact upon this world is temporary at best. Every tomb has an expiration date, for nothing can separate us from your eternal love. There are those who seek to create a larger and more intimidating stone to
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 20, 2025Good morning! It is Easter… just in case it wasn’t on your radar. In ministerial circles, this is the so-called Super Bowl of Sundays. I know there is another event that claims a date in February, and that’s fine. There’s no question that I, especially early in ministry, built Easter up as the pinnacle Sunday where I had to bring my A+ game. When I
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 19, 2025In Mark 6:31, we read: “Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest a while.’ For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.” This invitation to his disciples came at a moment of death. The invitation came from Jesus, but was not in regard to his own death. It was the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 18, 2025In a college art appreciation class, I saw Rembrandt’s etching, “The Three Crosses” for the first time (https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/359757). I must admit that the class had not been particularly captivating before that moment. However, that particular image not only captured my attention but also left an indelible mark on my mind. I had encountered numerous paintings depicting the crucifixion, yet somehow, they failed to convey the
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 17, 2025There are very few things I enjoy as much as sitting down for dinner with friends. The food doesn’t necessarily need to be good, though that’s a nice bonus. At the end of the day, it’s about the people. I’ve also been around a table with some discord where food was served, but there were those who would have rather thrown it than eaten it.
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 16, 2025Last night, I ventured into our dimly lit chapel, where a few flickering candles guided me on a simple journey. It is not a big Labyrinth, and if you want to move quickly, you could probably finish it in two minutes. I walked it slowly, pausing at each turn with the question, “Where have I felt the nudge of the Spirit to make a slight
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 15, 2025Saturday was Passover for our Jewish siblings, and we need to remember that most of the main characters we find in the Gospels were Jewish. That includes Jesus, and I’m certain he had been celebrating Passover all of his life. This week, we will focus our attention on the last Passover Jesus celebrated with his followers before he was crucified. It would have been like
ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS April 14, 2025Prayer for the Week (revised from worship): When excuses suddenly appear on our tongues, I implore you, Merciful God, to pause our breath and silence the fear-induced justifications before they are vocalized. When we are fully immersed in the joyful celebrations of our faith, we too often miss where the Gospel message is encouraging us to go. Help us to rise above any fears, so