Musings on Spiritual Matters

The momentum cycle is a powerful dynamic in a congregation.  The way that this cycle is turning can have a long lasting impact on a church.  There are few congregations that have no discernible direction to the momentum.  Most congregations are turning either in a positive or negative cycle.  If one can manage this turning, the congregation will grow easier instead die quicker.  So how do you manage this powerful force in the congregation.

Step 1. Leaders communicate.  Sometimes elders, ministers, whoever is leading will announce decisions without information.  The law is given without why the law must be followed.  Leaders sometimes expect people to always blindly follow.  Sometimes the sheep need to, but this should be the rare occasion.  Communication is the key which will lower resistance and suspicion.

Step 2.   Look for God.  Sometimes the stories of God are left in the Bible.  It seems that we say we believe in a living God, but never mention His work in the modern church.  Leaders and members must be looking for the hand of God in the congregation.  Tell the stories of what God is doing in this church.  Focus on the “God things.”

Step 3.  Have Eyes of Faith.  Not everything is going to be a plus in a church.  But the negative stuff does not have to hurt a church.  Look for the bigger picture.  See the negatives as opportunities.  Saul was picked by God, and he was unfaithful, but if he was not removed there would never have been a David.  Even though somethings look bad, in the end they might be a blessing.

The cycle of a congregation can be powerful.  If this element is not managed, the congregation will sink deeper into a negative dialogue with one another.  Leaders watch this dynamic and do whatever they can to influence it.

Related posts:

1. The Cycle of Addiction in Ministry
2. MOMENTUM FOR THE MASTER
3. Hiring Preachers and Being Stagnant
4. A Leader’s Filters
5. People Want to be Part of a Winning Work

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This entry was posted by Matthew on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at 9:47 am and is filed under Church News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.