Generating and Sustaining Momentum

Everything is easier when an organization is experiencing momentum. According to the research on secular breakout organizations, momentum occurs when there is a new leader, product, or company vision. Churches can implement this formula to maintain long-term momentum within their membership. There are three practical ways of generating church momentum.

“Change before you have to” - Jack Welch

If you examine companies that have existed for over fifty years and compare them with their early days, they look dramatically different. They still exist because they adapted, adjusted, they changed. Many no longer support the products that were central to their company launch. Companies that survive are led by people willing to make hard choices for the purpose of innovation. Grace Hopper once said The most dangerous phrase in any language is “we’ve always done it this way.” In church revitalization, you cannot allow your team to focus on how things used-to-be. Use-to-be's don’t make honey, only gonna-bees do. If something is not effective or not producing, it should be considered for change.

John Maxwell “Change is inevitable, growth is optional”

Close your eyes and think about the church condition five years from today. How will you need to evolve to meet that vision and be a forerunner when that time comes? What changes do you need to make? Start making those changes now.

As a leader, you have the remote. If you don’t like the channel you are on, nobody can change it but you. – Stand up and change it. Leaders must intentionally and regularly think about their future. Pastors leading churches in revitalization should regularly meditate on a better vision for the future. If churches wait until innovation is forced on them they minimize their growth. Healthy churches look towards the future and prepare next steps.

Don’t worry about the critics or naysayers. Stay ready – New Levels will bring New Devils. Remind your team that every change you make is an effort to improve.

“Do what you feel is right, for you will be criticized anyways.” - Eleanor Roosevelt.

Pastors should not change for the sake of change, but change should have strategic purpose that is connected with a God-given vision. At the core of every big change is the question “why?” Before revitalizing Pastors make significant changes they should be prepared to connect the purpose with scripture and a righteous cause.

Jim Rohn “Life does not get better by chance, it gets better by change.

Our culture has witnessed the revitalization of corporations. The comeback stories of companies on the brink of bankruptcy offer proven strategies that can be applied to the science of church revitalization. Let’s consider a few..

Lego – In 2004, the company was in trouble with over $800 million dollars of debt. They hired a new CEO named Jorgen Vig Knudstorp. Knudstop allowed fans of the brand to get involved in the creative process. Today the company is thriving.

Apple – In 1997 the company was contemplating closing its doors. Co-founder Steve Jobs returned and made the difficult decision to join with their competitor Microsoft to release a Mac version of Office. Later new innovations and the release of the iphone catapulted Apple to become one of the largest companies in history.

Best Buy – In 2009 the company was on the verge of closing its doors. They hired a new CEO Jubert Joy who innovated the supply chain and refocused the company on customer service. Under Hubert’s leadership Best Buy has experienced an impressive yearly growth of 20%.

Delta Airlines - In 2005 Delta declared chapter 11 bankruptcy. Instead of closing its doors they merged with Northwest Airlines and improved customer service. Today the company is stronger than ever.

Other companies such as Converse, AW, Applebee’s, Target, and Burberry used similar techniques to revitalize their structure and recover from near closure. Each of these companies experienced a dramatic turnaround by introducing one of three new elements: a new leader, new vision, or a new product. Additionally, some made hard decisions to merge with other corporations to restore health to their brand. If circumstances are desperate, revitalization leaders may consider partnering with neighboring ministries to strengthen the financial and human resources of a struggling church.

Aspects of church revitalization share similar solutions with these corporate turnaround stories. New leaders, new vision, and new programs (the church’s product) generate momentum for the short term.

NEW LEADER + NEW VISION + NEW PROGRAM = MOMENTUM

When we started our church, we applied this formula for organizational momentum as one of our first systematic strategies. We planned something new every two weeks. We scheduled a new sermon series, new program, or planned to introduce a new leader to our church administrative calendar. Even when we had money or resources to introduce multiple new elements, we postponed one of them so that we would have something "new" to introduce two weeks later. Improving existing programs also generates short-term momentum. Every new or improved thing was announced, and our members began to expect something new every week. The expectation of new has become part of our church culture.

Churches in need of revitalization are often suffering under a famine of hope. Introducing "new" consistently creates desperately needed excitement and momentum within the congregation. What "new" have you introduced lately? New generates an atmosphere of momentum. Ask your congregation or staff to describe times when your church experienced momentum. Once you make a list, take a closer look. There's a strong chance there was a new leader, a new program, or a new vision. Put the theory into practice for six months and see if you notice a difference in the attitude of your members.