Riding the Waves of Change

Whoever said “change is the only constant” wasn’t kidding—especially lately. In the U.S., we’re navigating historic political and societal shifts, and in The United Methodist Church (UMC) transitions continue to unfold. How we handle this “constant” change can make all the difference to our well-being. With that in mind, we’ve gathered a few helpful reflections from a Greek philosopher, a modern-day psychologist, and a UMC pastor.

Heraclitus and the Art of Balance

Heraclitus, an ancient Greek philosopher, is attributed to the aphorism: “Change is the only constant in life.” That phrase might have been coined thousands of years ago, but one glance at today’s news feed shows that his insight remains powerfully relevant in 2025.

Heraclitus believed the world is a balanced system—every shift in one direction is offset by movement in another. That’s not just ancient philosophy; we see it playing out everywhere, including decisions within the Church.

For example, at the 2024 UMC General Conference, delegates approved a new, more affordable and sustainable retirement plan that will continue to honor the UMC’s long-standing commitment to provide an adequate income stream in retirement for clergy, but with less of the long-term financial obligations for the Church. The new Compass plan, launching January 1, 2026, represents a significant shift that aims to ensure sustainability in a changing church landscape.

“A change in retirement plans is not something you do lightly,” said Dale Jones, Wespath’s managing director of Church Relations. “It’s a challenge for everyone involved, but the data convinced Wespath’s Board that this was a necessary evolution for the future of the Church, particularly as U.S. membership continues its decades-long decline.”

The Emotional Side of Change

Change isn’t just logistical—it’s emotional. Dr. William Bridges, a psychologist, author and expert on organizational transformation, developed a model that frames change as a transition highlighting the psychological experiences of the change journey. His model includes three stages:

Endings: This step acknowledges the importance of accepting feelings of loss and taking the time to let go of the past.

Neutral Zone: During this “in-between” period, people gradually begin to adapt to the change by learning new roles and patterns of behavior. This period, while necessary, may cause temporary stress and confusion.

New Beginnings: Once they reach this stage, people often feel a renewed sense of purpose and energy in a new direction, indicating that they have succeeded in the hard work of moving through change.

Not everyone may move smoothly or sequentially through these stages. But recognizing and acknowledging these emotional responses can help us feel less overwhelmed and more empowered.

Fear and Faith: A Spiritual Take on Change

One of the most common emotional responses to change is fear. Rev. Adam Hamilton, in his book Unafraid: Living with Courage and Hope in Uncertain Times, spoke directly to the fear surrounding the changing role of organized religion in society. In a 2018 interview for faithandleadership.com, Hamilton addressed how fear affects not just individuals, but also congregations, especially amid declining worship attendance and cultural shifts.

“There’s a lot of handwringing,” he said. “But fear can be a motivating force. Once we’ve done all we can, we have to trust that the rest is in God’s hands.”

In his book, Hamilton offered a memorable way to tackle fear using the acronym FEAR:

• F – Face your fears. Lean into them with hope instead of avoidance.
• E – Examine your assumptions. Challenge your fears with facts—often, the threat isn’t as big as it seems.
• A – Attack your anxiety with action. Fear is meant to move us to act, not paralyze us.
• R – Release your cares to God. Use your imagination to envision not disaster, but divine presence and peace.

All change brings emotional weight. Even when it’s a step forward, it can feel like a lot. A new retirement plan like Compass comes with apprehension, but Wespath’s staff, its Board of Directors and industry advisors have put much time and thought into developing a plan that works for the Church today and into the future—all while considering the wide variety of pastoral appointments and contexts.

With a little wisdom, a healthy dose of emotional honesty and a grounding sense of faith, we can learn not just to cope with change—but to grow through it.