The goal of most church leaders is to build a thriving, disciple-making church. So why is it so hard to get plans to materialize? Let’s take stock of what builds, or kills, momentum.
The Momentum Challenge in Ministry
Cruising Sydney’s beaches in my black convertible, I felt unstoppable—until a kangaroo smashed into my car, wrecking my ride and teaching me a lesson: momentum is fragile without preparation.
Pastoring a church is like driving a Formula 1 car, where success hinges on building and sustaining momentum through spiritual purpose and strategic planning. Let me share my blueprint to help you accelerate your church’s growth.
In Formula 1, momentum propels a car through tight corners and long straights, balancing speed with control. Aerodynamics, tires, engine, and driver skill all matter. Church growth is the same—you need spiritual vision paired with practical systems.
My approach, shaped by years of leading churches and coaching pastors, uses eight “gears” to drive growth, starting with engaging guests and building teams.
Like an F1 driver with a pit crew, you can’t win alone. Hebrews 12:1 urges us to “run with endurance the race set before us,” and that’s the heart of my vision: momentum, not competition, to advance God’s kingdom. My own story shows why momentum matters.
At 21, I was lost in alcohol and drugs, numbing childhood abuse and abandonment. A high-speed car crash nearly killed me, but God wasn’t done. Drunk and desperate, I stumbled into a Catholic church one Christmas Eve, where a warm welcome and a sermon sparked my salvation. That church’s momentum—rooted in love—changed my life, leading me to plant churches. Your church can create those moments too.
Lifeway research shows 60% of churches are plateaued or declining, baptizing fewer than ten people yearly. Barna says 42% of pastors have considered quitting since COVID.
When Speed Meets Reality
Momentum counters stagnation, renewing vision and energy.
To build it:
- Start by clarifying your spiritual purpose, focusing on the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20) to make disciples who multiply, not just fill seats.
- Review your mission to ensure every program aligns.
- Prayer is your fuel. Personally, I spend 30 minutes daily seeking God’s heart, praying Scriptures like 1 John 3:1–3 to anchor my identity. Strategic planning, like Moses’ tabernacle blueprint (Exodus 18) or Paul’s missionary journeys (Acts 20), is next. I assess systems—hospitality, discipleship, outreach—and set goals, like doubling guest retention in six months.
- Finally, build a team, your “pit crew” of volunteers for roles like guest engagement, empowering them with training.
Through Leaderscape, I’ve seen this work—a Texas church grew from 300 to 750 in 18 months by engaging guests, and an Alabama church hit 1,100 with clear systems.
Strategic Planning and Systems Assessment
Momentum faces challenges: burnout, resistance, tight budgets. But God’s grace is enough (2 Corinthians 12:9). When obstacles hit, you pray, adjust, and rally your team, like an F1 driver mid-race.
Pastor and church leader, you’re in the driver’s seat. Is your church stuck or accelerating? Gather your team, pick one step—prayer, planning, team-building—and start this month. Your race is God’s kingdom, and the finish line is a thriving, disciple-making church. Buckle up and let’s race.
This article is derived from the book XLR8 by Michael Murphy. Click here for your free copy.