While election years often bring many stresses, it’s hard not to feel a sense of historical significance during moments of potential change. These periods often bring to the surface the key issues of the day, the struggles of the broader public, and a reflection on where we stand as a nation. Though these pressures can feel uncomfortable, it is often within such tension that innovation and creativity are birthed. What we often fail to do, however, is allow ourselves to feel this same tension within the Church.

For many of us who work with and within the Church, it is becoming increasingly clear that we are in a “new wineskins” moment. In Mark 2, Jesus says, “No one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins.”

These challenges—cultural shifts, technological advancements, and diverse community needs—require us to adopt fresh approaches. While tradition has value, we must ensure it does not become a barrier to reaching people meaningfully. Just as new wineskins are flexible enough to contain new wine, the Church must be adaptable, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide its evolution.

In this changing world, the Church’s mission remains the same: to love, to serve, and to spread the gospel. At the same time, our methods must shift and expand if we are to continue being effective vessels of Christ’s love and hope.