Why a new year shouldn't mean a new church

January is widely recognised as the peak month for job changes, driven by post-holiday career reflection and the "new year, new me" mindset. 

In January, the recruitment market opens as staff churn and new budgets are handed out for the year ahead.

The offer of more money, a promotion, or a better work-life balance is too enticing for some and overcomes any loyalty they might have had for their previous employer. 

I do not begrudge anyone making such a life decision and wish them every success in their future professional move. I do, however, take exception to those who bring the same attitude to church life: “new year, new church.” 

Fidelity to your church

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis is a satirical Christian story told through letters from a senior demon, Screwtape, mentoring his nephew, Wormwood, on how to corrupt a human soul away from God. In chapter 16, he advises against fidelity to the local church. Those who too easily "come and go" from different congregations usually have a weak, self-indulgent faith and they raise huge alarm bells for us as church leaders.

The local church is not a place of work that you can simply leave whenever a better offer is made available to you. The local church is a family to love and serve, with all of its struggles and beauty. The local church provides a safe space for you to grow in the fruits of the Spirit through the inevitable adversity that comes with doing life together with other people. 

You may have disagreed with another member in the church over the festivities, but this is no excuse to leave, no more than abandoning your husband or wife after a disagreement. Any contention in the local church is a wonderful opportunity to grow through your reconciliation. 

Trust me, there are many people in my church who "cultivate my patience," but we work it out as all good families do. Some arguments in my congregation have ultimately been a tremendous blessing for us and have brought people closer together. Not getting your own way all the time is a helpful lesson to learn and important for Christian growth.

People who leave churches leave churches. Transfer growth is always high risk. They claim to have been Christians for 20 years, but in reality, they are one-year-old Christians 20 times. Whenever an opportunity to grow through contention comes, they take the easy option and leave. Those who come to our church in such circumstances are always encouraged to go back to where they came from and make amends.

I encourage you not to be this person. If it is not a primary gospel issue, do your best to work through it.

Get more involved with church life!

If the Christmas break has given you time to reflect and you are seeking a new and exciting challenge, let not your church family be a casualty of this ambition. If you are getting itchy feet, my advice is to plug in to your local church even more. Ask your elders how best you can serve, pray about it and then commit for the year. Your soul will be blessed with a renewed sense of purpose, you will build stronger relationships within the church, and you will grow in grace as you overcome any issues you may have had.

I pray that you will have a blessed 2026 with your local church, with all the ups and downs that come with family life.