At the start of a new year, I often find myself praying about both where we’ve been and where God may be calling us next. Like many pastors, I pay attention to national trends in church life, not because we’re trying to follow the crowd, but because patterns in the wider Church often help us see ourselves more clearly.
One of the voices I return to each year is Carey Nieuwhof, a Canadian church leader and writer who does an excellent job curating trends, particularly around church leadership, digital culture, and generational shifts. And every year, I’m struck by how closely the data tracks with our local experience here in Geneva. So, what might 2026 hold for churches like ours? Here are a few themes Carey lifted up that I think are worth reflecting on and how I see them playing out in our own church and community.
1. The End of One-Way Communication
Carey says it plainly: today’s church can’t just broadcast content and expect engagement. People want conversation. They want to be known. They want to ask questions and share stories and have room to grow through dialogue, not just sermons.
I’ll admit that this one hit close to home. I’m a “broadcaster pastor.” It’s how I was trained, and how I learned to lead. But I also know it’s not enough. Fortunately, the staff here at UMCG has lovingly pushed me since day one to make more space for interaction—for conversation, not just proclamation. In 2026, I want to listen more. I want us to listen more. Because church isn’t just something we present. It’s something we build together.
2. Helping People Feel Known
One of Carey’s most important insights is that loneliness is rising and that the local Church should be the best place for people to feel seen, welcomed, and truly known. Not the best preaching or way to serve, but to be known!
If we’re honest, we might say, “Aren’t we already good at that?” And I’d say, yes. But in today’s world, we have to work even harder. That means sitting with a new family at Grace Gather Grow. It means noticing and greeting someone you don’t know well (or at all) during coffee hour. It means remembering a name, making the call, or sending the text. It means we don’t rely on the pastor to carry the entire load of connection. The whole body of Christ is called to that holy work.
3. Going Beyond Sunday
According to Carey’s research, churchgoers today are far more engaged throughout the week than they are on Sunday mornings. That’s not to say Sunday worship isn’t vital; it is. But if we’re serious about discipleship and connection, we need tools and rhythms that stretch beyond the pews and pulpit. Some of that happens digitally like our Lenten devotionals, social posts, and daily reflections. But much of it happens through how we serve our neighbors. At UMCG, that looks like:
- Serving warm meals at Hesed House and Lazarus House
- Volunteering in Geneva public schools
- Supporting children through CASA Kane County
- Donating time and resources to the Northern Illinois Food Bank
- Sponsoring events like Steeple Walk, Whoville Bash, and the HOPE Sign on Third Street
- Offering our building as a resource to community partners
All of these efforts shine a light beyond Sunday, reflecting the love and presence of Christ throughout the week. We have to tell this story endlessly and invite others to share it with us.
4. Growing Generosity by Telling the Story
Carey notes that churches who tell compelling stories and offer easy giving tools see increased generosity. Not because people are guilted into giving, but because they want to be part of something that matters.
We are a generous church. But if I’m honest, we’re not always great at telling the story of what generosity makes possible. It can feel like bragging, I know. But telling the story isn’t about us. It’s about the impact of God’s love in action. It’s about giving people the joy of taking part in that impact, which illuminates our communities with God’s grace. That’s one of our goals for 2026: to better communicate how lives are changed right here, and far beyond because we give, serve, and share faithfully.
5. Leading Culture, Not Echoing It
Finally, Carey names what so many young people feel: that today’s culture often leads to despair. What they crave is not a church that parrots the left or right, but one that leads with hope, rooted in the Gospel, not a political echo chamber.
This is where I see real opportunity. The Church, at its best, leads culture by offering another way. We’re not in the business of fear. We’re in the business of grace. And if we can double down on being a people of joy, welcome, and courageous hope we will lead by the light of Christ.
A Glimpse of What’s Next
This year, our Church Council is diving into Get Their Name by Bob Farr a short book about becoming more relational and outward-focused. We’re excited for that learning to shape everything we do in the year ahead.
And if you’re wondering what this might look like in practice, you’re invited to come to any Council meeting to hear more and join the discussion.
We’re hosting a special Foundations & Futures Luncheon on Wednesday, January 7 from 12-2pm. This is your chance to hear some specific goals and hopes for the future of UMCG and to help shape what’s next.
🎯 It’s not too late to RSVP but please do so today so we can be sure there’s enough food!
