Making 2026 a Transformative Year
December 31, 2025
Pastor Brandon’s Guide to Transforming Your Life, Your Church, and Your Community in 2026
As we approach the new year, many of us are thinking about how we want the year to go. Maybe you plan to exercise more, eat better, drop some bad habits and pick up some good ones. All of that is good, but if you want the new year to truly be different, I want to offer you three steps you can take to change your life forever. And here’s the great thing: in completing these steps, it won’t be just your own life that is changed. You’ll be impacting your church and your community, as well.
Step 1: Read your Bible every day. Whether you want to read the entire Bible this year, one of the Testaments, or do a deep dive on a particular book or section, make or pick a plan right now that leads you to Scripture every day. Pick a plan, pick a time, and make it a priority. At minimum, read enough each day to give you something to think and pray about—maybe even keep a journal with your thoughts about it. There are countless plans available—pick one and get started. Oh, and invite someone to do it with you, or at least tell someone you’re doing it and ask them to check in with you periodically to help keep you accountable.
Step 2: Go to church every week. Go to a worship service and actively worship. Don’t sneak in halfway through the second song and bolt for the door before the final amen. Get there early and talk with others. During worship, sing your heart out to God. During the sermon, take notes. Get connected with a Sunday school class, Bible study, or small group. Find ways to serve. Make the body of Christ a priority.
Step 3: Pray. Talk to God in all situations. Intimacy with God is built through prayer. Draw near to God, pour out your heart, and spend time listening for God’s direction. Find a prayer rhythm that works, and get into it daily.
I 100% believe that if you faithfully take these three steps this year, it will transform your life, your church, and your community. Why? Because these are the channels through which God pours His grace out on us, and every encounter with the grace of God is transformative.
That’s it. Three steps to transform your life, your church, and your community. Let’s do this together in 2026 and see what God does!
Grace and peace,
Brandon