As a consultant with INJOY Stewardship Solutions, I have the privilege of primarily working with churches who have positive momentum. Many people think momentum is one of those things that is hard to describe but you know it when you see it. But I have discovered after 20+ years of experience, there are definitely some common threads with these churches.
This post is written to help pastors and church leaders identify and implement accelerators which can help make their mission and vision a reality and allow them to reach more people for Christ.
The following are 15 Signs Of A Church With Positive Momentum:
Jesus Is Primary
The central ingredient of churches with positive momentum are centered on one thing…Jesus. Every song exalts Jesus. The centrality of every sermon is Jesus. Christ gets lost or placed in the shadows in many aspects of Christianity, but not at churches with positive momentum. These churches focus solely on Jesus.
The Bible Is Central
Joshua 1:8 says, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” (ESV) Psalm 1:1-3 says, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law[b] of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (ESV)
You cannot have positive momentum, personally or collectively, without first being anchored and tethered to the Word of God, the Bible.
There is a reckless and heretical view by some in Christian leadership to minimize the Bible. For example, their thoughts are it is OK to preach books of the Bible during summer months with smaller audiences and supposedly less visitors but you must get back to preaching felt needs when schools reopen.
Felt needs like money, marriage, and raising children do not eclipse or supersede the Bible’s importance. It is the Bible which actually gives meaning and context to the felt needs. It is from the Creator we find out what to do during our everyday lives. The Bible is truth and God’s spoken word on paper.
Churches with positive momentum also unapologetically and courageously teach biblical truths on cultural items regardless of popularity or outcomes.
The Pastor Has Personal Momentum
Everything rises and falls on leadership. Growing churches are led by growing pastors. These pastors are personally sharing their faith outside of their platform ministry. They are personally inviting people to church and discipling others.
They are growing. Their sermons reflects their intimate relationship with Christ. These messages flow from their personal Tent of Meeting and are not recycled content from previous sermons or messages preached by others.
Growing pastors do not give talks. Pastors with positive momentum give specific Bible-based messages from the Ancient of Days to a specific group of people at a specific point and time in human history.
The Staff Are Spiritual Leaders, Not Just Skillful Ones
People are a picture of the leader. The staffs of churches with positive momentum are marked by their personal, vibrant relationship with Jesus. Just because a person has a particular skillset does not mean they have the maturity for spiritual leadership responsibilities.
Who you are is more important than what you do. Skills are easily replaced in today’s world but a growing, vibrant, and transformational relationship with Jesus can be hard to find.
The Pastor And Staff Lead From The Front
People do what people see.
The parking lot and lobby are the new green room. This is where you will find the staff in churches with positive momentum. These highly-visible staff are the picture of the desired destination at which their congregations should wish to arrive.
It is hard to generate positive momentum when leading from the green room or corner office.
The Church Is Gaining, Not Losing Leaders
John Maxwell’s Law of Respect teaches people naturally follow leaders stronger than themselves. If your church is attracting high-capacity people with influence, talent, time, and financial resources, it is a sign the leader is also high-capacity. The Law of Respect says they would not follow him otherwise. It is also an indication that God is confirming your mission and vision because He is sending people and finances to resource it.
If your church is losing these type of individuals, it is a sign of low momentum and low-capacity leadership. Improving your leadership and/or strategy are of primary importance.
The Church Is Multi-Generational
Churches with positive momentum have the energy of youth coupled with the wisdom and resources of more seasoned individuals.
The Church Is Multi-Racial
Churches with positive momentum have diversity in race, backgrounds, incomes, and seasons of life among its attendees. This creates a freshness of the worship experience which is attractive. It is a true picture of the Body of Christ.
The People Have Joy
You feel this from the moment you enter the parking lot. The people are glad to be there. A level of expectancy is found throughout the campus. God has changed their life and He is about to change the lives of countless others.
There Is A Heightened Sense Of Urgency
This is one of the greatest differentiators on the list. The Gospel is shared on a weekly basis because of the depravity of our times and the days are short. These times call for an urgent decision.
A Culture of Discipleship
This goes back to the primacy of the Bible. People are studying God’s Word and imparting it to the others. In Acts 8:31, when asked by Phillip about the Scriptures he was reading, the Ethiopian eunich replied, ““How can I, unless someone guides me?” (ESV) In churches with positive momentum, people are constantly guiding others through the Bible and explaining it to them.
A Culture of Generosity
This flows from the culture of discipleship. Churches with positive momentum will see more first-time givers and greater weekly income. There is a sense of ownership. Matthew 6:21 says, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (ESV)
Visitors Are Coming
Because of the impact the church has made in their lives, people are inviting their friends. Multiplication, not addition, is taking place.
There Is High Attendance On Holidays, Bad Weather, and Summer Weekends
Church attendance is a privilege and priority. What God is doing at churches with positive momentum supersedes any minor inconveniences that weather or the calendar may cause. God is doing something incredible and people do not want to miss it.
There is also such a wealth of attendees that variances caused by holidays, bad weather, and summer weekends seem to have little to no impact on attendance. The people just keep coming.
Lost People Are Getting Saved
Basically every mission statement I have ever read or heard refers to lost people being saved. Therefore, the ultimate measurement of momentum are lives changed for eternity.
Nothing creates more positive momentum than having dead people being raised to life and following Jesus. Therefore, this should be the primary measurement for evaluating the effectiveness of every ministry activity.
Hard Questions
How many of these fifteen are you doing well? What areas do you need to work on?
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