The mathematical equation for momentum is mass times velocity (p=mv). Spiritually speaking, momentum happens when people move together on mission with Jesus. Over the past four weeks I have been at Glorieta speaking at a Men’s Retreat, in Houston at an Acts 29 Bootcamp, in Dallas with a Leadership Network symposium of multiplying churches, in Lubbock training church planters and in Quito, Ecuador doing the same. Although this is a very small representation of the church in the world, I have observed momentum.

Observations
Momentum is challenging to categorize much less precisely define. Let me do my best. I am observing a movement of young men obeying the Great Commission of Jesus (Matthew 28:18-20) by planting churches. It was the consistent theme of each of my travels regardless of the official subject of discussion. Take the Acts 29 Network for example: 250 churches have been planted in the last few years with over 450 potential planters presently in process and 100 more per month requesting applications. The volume may be unique to Acts 29, but the concept isn’t. I have seen a similar movement across different networks, denominations and local churches. It is going on in Lubbock. It is happening deep in the jungles of Ecuador.

Obstacles
Current and potential church planters communicate two challenges across cultural contexts. One has to do with family and the other with the church. First, most pastors, planters and wannabes struggle with being the men Jesus calls them to be at home. Again, this seems to be true in inner city Houston, in the capitol city of Santa Fe and rural Ecuador. Second, most church leaders are frustrated with the engrained separatist mindset of the people they serve. Rather than engaging spiritually lost people with the gospel of Jesus, most Christians seem to withdraw from those who don’t yet know Jesus and become antagonistic with their culture. Interestingly enough, these two symptoms relate to a single cause. Or perhaps stated more positively, are overcome by a single solution biblically.

The Greatest Need
We find in Colossians 3 and Ephesians 5-6 family tables that define a man’s relationship to his wife and children. Both family tables have a common prerequisite. In Colossians 3: 16, it is the imperative to “let the word of Christ dwell richly in you”. In Ephesians 5:18 it is “be filled with the Spirit.” It would be an irresponsible interpretation to consider the word of Christ (the gospel) and the Spirit as synonyms. Rather, I believe them to be distinct yet inseparable in their effects. So, as the gospel penetrates my heart I am filled with the Holy Spirit and vise-versa. The apostle Paul passionately makes this point in Galatians 3:1-9. So, the greatest need facing the homes of pastors and church planters, existing and potential, is to be led by a man presently and repeatedly repenting of sin and trusting in the person and work of Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit.

So what about the isolationist tendency of the church? We see a prime biblical example in Acts 1 and 2. In a few short verses, the church transforms from 120 faithful but isolated believers to over 3,000 people in a single day. The catalyst: The Holy Spirit fills the apostles and the gospel is proclaimed in power with great impact. Although Pentecost was undeniably unique, the infilling of the Holy Spirit wasn’t limited to this single event. We see a similar occurrence in Acts 4:23-31. In both instances, the people of Jesus became fearless and intentional in engaging spiritually lost people with the gospel as a result of the Holy Spirit’s work. Just like Christian homes, the greatest need of the church is to be led by Spirit-filled men boldly proclaiming the gospel of Jesus.

Moving Forward in Momentum
Make no mistake, God independently creates and sustains momentum. Biblical and church history would reveal that such powerful movements don’t last forever, and seldom beyond a single generation. If indeed a unique movement of God is underway globally, an important question must be raised. How do we as individuals and members of a local church become swept up in the tide? How do we participate in what God is doing? Simply, we repent. We turn from our selfish, isolationist, judgmental, compassionless, fear of rejection attitudes and actions. We turn to the perfect life, the substitutionary death and victorious resurrection of Jesus to find forgiveness and freedom. We believe in the gospel. And as we do so, we experience a fresh infilling of God the Holy Spirit Who alone is the energy of momentum.