Woodmont in 2026!

Woodmont in 2026!
by
January 06, 2026

Happy New Year! Every new year is a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and a chance to realign and refocus. At Woodmont, we have identified three focus areas for 2026:

DEEPER DISCIPLESHIP – Moving from just being a Christian to knowing Christ better. We have started a new sermon series on the Gospel of John. John’s gospel stresses the importance of “believing in Jesus.” We will also be lifting up our discipleship path at Woodmont.

LIFE GROUPS – In addition to our “dinner for eight” groups, we want to see more life groups formed at Woodmont. Life groups cannot be assigned. They must be formed by people who want to share life together. We have a small group leader training next Monday, Jan 12th at 5:45 in room #105. Please come if you are interested in leading a group.

EXECUTE OUR VISION – We had a very successful capital campaign this fall. Over 21 Million Dollars has been committed to build a new family life center and additional parking on our campus. Our goal is to break ground on this project by early summer.

As we start 2026, here are “10 Guiding Principles” to apply to your life in the new year:

1) Identify your top priorities and intentionally invest your time and resources in them. Don’t spread yourself too thin. Don’t major in the minors. In life we cannot do everything so we must do the things that matter the most. Many people find themselves “an inch deep and a mile wide.” That is not a healthy way to live. It leaves us exhausted and overextended.

2) Seek to be a non-anxious presence in the midst of a chaotic and noisy world. Anxiety is contagious. Leaders are able to hold steady when everybody else is afraid. Managing emotions is the most important component of leadership. We have too much fear and angst in our culture.

3) Learn from every experience you go through in life. The wisest people look at life as one big classroom. We get the chance to learn and grow every day. Never stop learning.

4) Surround yourself with people who will tell you the truth and make you a better person. Invest in the most important relationships that you have. Some people make you better. Others bring you down. Be around those who elevate you.

5) Stay away from toxic people who are always negative, cynical, and who have a problem for every solution. Life is too short to spend large amounts of time with people who suck the joy and magic out of living. Avoid them.

6) Keep an ongoing gratitude list and constantly add to it. When we fail to be grateful, we become entitled. We also spend our time focusing on what we wish we had. Gratitude is the key to finding peace and contentment.

7) Self-care must be a top priority. Nobody else can do self-care for you. We all have physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual needs that are interconnected. We cannot neglect them. If our cup is empty, we have nothing to pour out to others.

8) Spend less time on social media and more time face-to-face with others. Social media is an addiction that seems to have no limits. We need face-to-face interaction as human beings. Happiness is found in relationships but those relationships cannot be limited to a screen.

9) Pray, meditate, and reflect on a regular basis. Whether you are religious or not, downtime is essential. Build margin into your life. This allows us to remain grounded. We must learn to slow down the mind.

10) Pick and choose your battles wisely. You cannot fight them all. Live humbly and civilly. Sen Howard Baker always said, “Remember that the other guy might be right.” Our culture needs more agents of peace, healing, and reconciliation. We have too much conflict, tension, division, and drama. Be a uniter.

Most importantly in this new year, remember that the greatest joy in life comes from forming healthy relationships. Winning the relationship lottery is the key to success and meaning. Be open to forming new ones. The happiest and most fulfilled people recognize this and live by it.

Here’s to an exciting new year!

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