Vision 2026

The turn of a calendar has a way of stirring something in us. With a new year comes a fresh list of well-intentioned promises. “This will be the year we read the Bible all the way through”. “This will be the year we lose weight, join a club, start journaling, or finally build better habits.” None of those desires is wrong. They often reflect a deeper longing for growth, clarity, and renewal. The challenge is not making resolutions but ensuring that our focus is placed where it truly belongs.

When a church casts vision at the beginning of a new year, it does something similar but far deeper. Vision is not about quick change or surface improvement. It calls us to look backward with gratitude and honesty so we can move forward with wisdom. Scripture repeatedly invites God’s people to remember what He has done as they prepare for what He will do next. Reflection becomes the groundwork for faithful planning.

Looking back on 2025, the theme Together shaped our life as a congregation in meaningful ways. Rooted in Acts 2:42, we were reminded that the church is formed through shared devotion to God’s Word, shared prayer, shared learning, and shared obedience. Togetherness was never just about activity. It was about alignment. God used that year to teach us again that faith is not a solitary pursuit but a shared journey.

That foundation now leads us into 2026 with a new focus: United. Unity is not a response to crisis, nor is it a call for sameness. It is a sign of spiritual maturity. As Paul teaches in 1 Corinthians, unity grows out of shared submission to Christ. Togetherness teaches us how to walk side by side. Unity teaches us how to stand with one heart, one purpose, and one conviction centered on the Lord.

This movement toward unity also requires honesty about the realities of church life. The business of the church matters because stewardship matters. The loss of a ministry partner and tenant, a declining congregation, and rising costs are not imagined challenges. They are real. Yet they do not define us. The church has never been sustained by money alone. It has always been sustained by God’s calling and the faithfulness of His people.

On a personal note, this season carries special meaning for me. Having served alongside this fellowship for thirty-five years—first as associate pastor and now as senior pastor—I am deeply aware of both God’s faithfulness and my own continued need to learn and grow. These years have been a gift. They have shaped my faith, sharpened my calling, and deepened my love for this church. And even after decades of ministry together, I am convinced that God is not finished with us yet.

Our studies, worship, and prayer directives will guide us over the coming twelve months with anticipation of our 125 years of ministry service in Midtown Memphis. These practices will keep our hearts centered and our vision clear as we prepare for that milestone. Paul reminds us that stewards are required to be found faithful, and faithfulness today prepares the way for faithfulness tomorrow. Unity now strengthens ministry later, and what we choose to invest in during this season will shape the legacy entrusted to the next generation.

This is why the ministry of the church must always remain central. Local missions, international missions, discipleship, age-appropriate ministries, and daycare ministry are not secondary concerns. They are expressions of obedience to Christ. Unity strengthens our ability to serve, and wise stewardship supports our ability to send, teach, encourage, and reach those God places in our path.

So, as we step into a new year, here is my resolution to you, the church family. Whether through Sunday worship, Wednesday evening Bible study, daily devotional emails, or encouraging text messages, my commitment is to keep all of us focused on God and His continued plan for our 124-year-old fellowship. New Year's will always bring new promises. May ours be this: to walk together, stand united, and remain faithful to the mission God has entrusted to us.