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People today often observe that we are living through a period of remarkable and rapid change. I am never sure whether such an assessment is accurate, or if every generation has this same perception. Change, sometimes rapid and disconcerting change, seems to be an ever-present part of human experience. In education, in manners and customs, in language, in politics, in music, and even in church life, change appears almost constant.

Surrounded by constant change, what reassuring encouragement it is to hear the words of Hebrews 13:8, that “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.

As we begin this new year at St Jude’s I want us to reflect briefly on continuity and change. How do we ensure that we cling to that which must not be altered, and how do we embrace and pursue good change? What will it look like to be faithful and flexible in 2026?

We believe that continuity is good. Not simply because what we inherit from the past has been tested, tried and feels familiar, but because the unchanging nature of Christ and the gospel means we ought to expect godly continuity. Jesus Christ is unchanging, and the gospel message of his death, resurrection, and promise of new life is unchanging. This means that novelty for the sake of novelty is unnecessary. Those always looking for something new will be disappointed with true Christianity.

However, while continuity is good, we also believe that change is not only inevitable, it is vital. Change is necessary because our own lives, our church, and every aspect of our current state will always fall short of perfection in living out the gospel and the character of God. The call of the gospel to repentance, faith and growth in holiness is a call to change and transformation. The call of the church to be ‘always reforming’ reminds us that no church has arrived. The church must constantly be re-examining itself in order to maintain the right doctrine and practice.

Change is also necessary because the context in which we speak and live out the gospel is constantly changing. The message of Christ remains the same but the situation and culture into which that message is preached do change. We need a faithful flexibility. We need to hold firmly to the fundamentals of gospel mission and life while adapting how they are implemented to meet new times.

This challenge of change vs. continuity was one that Church of England Archbishop Thomas Cranmer wrestled with as he put together the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) in the middle of the 16th century. In his preface to the BCP he warns against two extremes - “too much stiffness in refusing [change], and of too much ease in admitting any variation”. As he put together the prayer book he made changes, but did so for “the more proper expressing of some words or phrases of ancient usage in terms more suitable to the language of the present times, and the clearer explanation of some other words and phrases, that were either of doubtful signification, or otherwise liable to mis-construction”. Changes were made in church practice so that the unchanging gospel message might be clearly heard in that generation Cranmer was also very conscious that what might be useful in his time and place might not be useful in others. He wrote that “every Country should use such Ceremonies as they shall think best to the setting forth of God's honour and glory, and to the reducing of the people to a most perfect and godly living, without error or superstition.” He encouraged others to make the changes necessary to remain clear, purposeful, and faithful.

It is the task of church leaders to champion both change and continuity. Leaders need to champion change because what is necessary and helpful is not always popular or convenient. They must also champion continuity, because in a constantly changing world it is easy for a church to lose its centre and direction.

In Hebrews 13 the author uses the reality of the unchanging Christ to spur the congregation on to faithful service, even in an uncertain context. Because “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” we must press on and “not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings” (vs 9). Because Jesus is still king, “keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers.” (vs 1-2)

Christ continues as Lord and Saviour, and so, in a world full of change we press on in faithfulness and flexibility.

While continuity is good, we also believe that change is not only inevitable, it is vital. Change is necessary because our own lives, our church, and every aspect of our current state will always fall short of perfection.

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