Igniting Church Renewal: Building Momentum for Vibrant Transformation
It is a New Year! Get ready to set sail on an exhilarating journey of church revitalization! Picture yourself at the starting line, eagerly anticipating the race horn that signals the commencement of a transformative sailing experience. The clock ticks down, and with less than ten minutes to go, a new wave of activity surrounds you. The race comes alive, their well-rehearsed movements filling the air with excitement.
In the realm of church revitalization, the principle of apathy is at play. Just as objects at rest tend to stay at rest, and objects in motion tend to stay in motion, the same holds true for the renewal of a church. Remember, sometimes the greatest risk is in doing nothing. The key is overcoming inertia and building momentum—a force that will propel your church forward, leaving negativity in its wake.
Have you come across "Church Bombers" in your endeavors? These individuals, enthusiasts of the game Battleship, strategically unleash negativity, disrupting the creative momentum of those working to revitalize the church. I almost hear them proclaiming, "E6, Boom, sunk!" In the pursuit of a successful new year, maintaining momentum becomes crucial. Harnessing the power of momentum allows you to surpass these attempts to undermine progress and sustain forward-moving energy.
Understanding the Muscle of Momentum
Think of momentum as a powerful advantage, much like an underdog sports team with an undefeated record. John Maxwell, a renowned leadership expert, emphasizes the importance of momentum in leadership success. Similar to how a moving object accumulates inertia, the church's momentum will surpass the negative influences of the Church Bomber. Jesus himself illustrated the role of momentum in a story about investment and growth (see Matthew 25). The principle is clear: those who take risks and actively invest what they've been given will experience abundance, while those who do nothing risk losing even what they have.
Avoiding Momentum Loss
Several factors can cause momentum loss in church revitalization efforts. Potential roadblocks include discouragement, failure, lack of focus, ungratefulness, and absent-mindedness. Watch out for those, or you can blow yourself up. Additionally, positive experiences and memories can either hinder or fuel momentum. Celebrate the wins and move forward, don’t dock the ship. Also, fear can creep in as you journey into the unknown. This fear-based thinking will act like applying anchors on a moving cruise, which can impede progress.
Steps to Building Momentum
Building momentum in church revitalization is a deliberate process. Understand that it takes time and persistence to grow a renewed church. Just as a Navy Admiral takes small steps toward rebuilding his unit after a loss, revitalizing churches gains momentum gradually. Taking action, even small steps is crucial. Identify manageable goals, move beyond resistance, and celebrate each success.
Build on your successes, focusing on forward progress. Remember that positive experiences can either help or hinder momentum. Embrace serendipitous breakthroughs, realizing that major breakthroughs can launch a church from good to great.
Nine Strategies to Create Momentum
Legendary Admiral William McRaven advice holds true: “If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed” The legendary speech was all about momentum and mobilization for something greater. Applying this wisdom, consider the following starting strategies for your new year:
Develop a Revitalization Alignment Team to share the burden and empower others.
Utilize the rule of the ninety-day push when planning timelines.
Brainstorm strong biblical content that addresses the mission field's heart language.
Raise the spiritual temperature with church-wide prayer teams.
Generate buzz within the church and community by serving outward.
Drive the revitalization theme across all areas of the church.
Plan revitalization comeback events for new guests.
Recruit volunteers during special events to fill ministry roles according to passion.
Embed missional values deeper into the church culture. Values always drive behavior.
Remember the Muscle of Momentum. Keep it moving.
Creating momentum in church revitalization is like getting a Navy battleship moving. It requires substantial energy and force, but it becomes nearly unstoppable once in motion. Momentum helps assimilate new members, grow past obstacles, and maintain focus on the goal. As you navigate the race of church renewal, keep the wind in your sails and press on!
Dr. Gary Moritz serves as the church revitalization director at the Baptist Churches of New England.
