Momentum is the strength or force gained by motion or through the development of events. That is the official definition. Every church either has forward momentum, or they are stagnant or worse yet, they are in decline. I call momentum “Big Mo”. When he is with you, it seems you can do anything, but without “Big Mo”, even the simplest obstacles appear like impassable mountains. Every leader wants “Big Mo” around because life is better with him than without him.
New Life lost “Big Mo” after two very dark days that happened 13 months apart in 2006 and 2007. The results of those two cataclysmic events were devastating on many fronts. Trust was broken, our innocence was lost, and our world seemed to be crashing in around us. The Holy Spirit never left us and God’s love was very real to us, but “Big Mo” was nowhere to be found.
Then he suddenly reappeared at New Life in June of this year like a Christmas miracle. He came back and I was glad to see him because there were times when I was not sure I would ever see him again. I was beginning to believe he was like Big Foot, a fictional beast that others would sometimes claim to see but no one could ever capture.
Why did he come back to New Life? Am I genius leader? Did he come back out of sympathy? I am just now processing all that has happened, so I do not have all the answers. I know for sure that I am no genius, so I have marked that one off my list and I don’t think “Big Mo” is a sympathetic creature. He only hangs out with people who are ready to advance and take ground.
You see, “Big Mo” loves the windshield and not the rearview mirror. He hangs out with people who are looking ahead and not dwelling in the past. This summer, we did just that. We became convinced that God had not removed his lamp stand from New Life and we should get busy with our assignment. We began to dream about taking care of widows, orphans, and the poor. We began to dream about planting life giving churches around the world. We began to serve the needs of our city and we made a choice to pray with fervor and passion.
We are not moving real fast right now, but we are moving forward. The most important step in any journey is the very first one. We will pick up speed in the days ahead and our resources will match our growing vision. The poor will be helped, churches will be planted, and lives will be changed. The Holy Spirit is the one who decides where “Big Mo” spends his time and I am grateful God has sent him back to New Life.
Do you have “Big Mo” in your life right now? Are you moving forward with force or have you stalled? Are you in retreat? The first step is to deal with the past honestly and prayerfully so you can spend more time looking ahead through the windshield. The Holy Spirit will then send “Big Mo” back into your life and you will move forward with strength and force.
October 12, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Hello Pastor Brady, I had to chuckle when you said that you and Abram were at the Pizza Place in Lake George. My husband and I just purchased a piece of property a few miles from that….my heart has just been quickened to that area, somewhere between Praise Mountain, and the backside of the Haymen Fire…the little hills where His rain will water the
land…a mountain sanctuary.
My thoughts regarding where the ship is at, as we have referred to New Life, sort of drifting at sea…I don’t mean this critically at all, it is a miracle that we are at sea, after all we have been through….I always saw rooms on the ship, deliverance rooms, healing rooms, prayer rooms, teaching rooms, etc….which is why I am excited about being involved with the Sunday eve. service….I believe a room where His healing can go forth, and hope can spring up.
I believe that God is still unveiling His plan for the church, and that it’s purposes are much greater than we ever could have imagined…..I see it as a multi cultural Christian Center, where so many smaller churches can come and be ministered to and where we can support one another, where they can use the facilities, and we can all share the load…..In the Spirit I have seen the ship docked and people were coming and going, a gala event, where joy was being renewed, and believers were strengthened for the work to be completed. A church in the midst of a City of Refuge for the times ahead.
In terms of momentum, I believe Jesus is the gatekeeper of The Holy Spirit…..As we submit to the Head of the Church and we begin to move with His heart, then He pours out His Spirit in ever increasing measure…..I believe we are in for a quiet winter season, and so much will spring forth in the spring….
Winter serves it’s purpose, as somethings die off, and other root structures are strengthened….And it provides the time to cozy up near the fire…..to be still in His Presence….
I am excited for the days ahead…..for a sense of vision, through apostolic leadership, He is so good!!!
blessings…kathy walton
October 15, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Well, one COULD say that “Big Mo” came back to New Life just before the White Family moved here. I mean, he knew we were coming. He wanted to be here when we showed up, gettin’ things ready for us! I like his timing. =^)