Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Then the people of Judah began to complain, “The workers are getting tired, and there is so much rubble to be moved. We will never be able to build the wall by ourselves.” Nehemiah 4:10

Momentum = The amount of force a moving body has because of its weight and the speed at which it is moving … a moving force that overcomes resistance, 

“Momentum is a friend to every leader who is consumed with the cause of Christ and His Church.”  Brian Houston 

There is a tendency when we have momentum not to appreciate and nurture it.  There’s also a tendency when we lose momentum to get discouraged and want to quit.  Whether it’s a small group, a weekend service production team, the kids ministry or the 1st impressions ministry.  (Sorry if I left your ministry out) momentum is a powerful force, so how do we keep it going?

• Appreciate and celebrate momentum.

What if we reacted to people who are moving toward a relationship with the heavenly father and other good people news like the father in the Prodigal Son story did?

“But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet.  ²³  And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, ²⁴  for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began.” Jesus set the pattern for responding to growth and success.

It’s not prideful to boast about what God is doing in your ministry.

• Remember momentum is attracted to wisdom and repelled by foolishness.

The Bible says, “through wisdom a house is built.”  Sometimes momentum is lost and it had nothing to do with our administration, but examining one’s own performance is still the best place to start.  I’ve ran meetings and preached sermon at times in ways that lacked wisdom. People usually let me know by not coming back.  If I could say one thing to my younger self it would be, “Phil, get humble when things aren’t going as well as you would like for them too it’s probably because you are doing something that’s not smart.”

Scripture says, “On a good day, enjoy yourself; On a bad day, examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days So that we won’t take anything for granted.” Ecclesiastes 7:14 

“There’s only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that’s your own self.” ~Aldous Huxley

• Momentum is impacted by times and seasons.

“Life’s challenges are not supposed to paralyze you, they’re supposed to help you discover who you are.” ~Bernice Johnson Reagon

Yes, there will likely be a time when your small group attendance drops off and you are doing everything smart and you attitude is perfect; stuff happens. Well the Bible has a word for us during tough seasons, ^“Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.“Ecclesiastes 11:4  

Call, invite and serve during the difficult seasons because tough times don’t last but tough people do.  Somebody is going to be really grateful that you are still open for business when they showed up.

• The one thing that a Christ Follower must never fail at is faithfulness.

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” ~Albert Einstein

I am not one of those who minds shutting down a ministry that has outlived its usefulness. The first rule of thumb when you have a dead horse is, “dismount,” however most people who cancel their ministry quit too soon.  By the way faithfulness is not a grimacing and sour faced going through the motion it is enthusiastic, energetic performance brought consistently to serve others. I am determined that when Jesus returns he will find me faithful. 

“Well done, good and faithful servant.; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord.” (Matthew 25:21)

•    Remain optimistic.

“The difference between can and cannot is only three letters. Three letters that can shape your life’s direction.” ~Remez Sasson