The Art of Momentum: Use It or Lose It

By Dwayne Moore

As we dig into this topic together, I want to share some thoughts that have been stirring in my heart during our recent staff gatherings at Next Level Worship. If you’ve been following our journey for a while, you know we’re passionate about seeing a ministry of worship that goes beyond Sunday mornings. But to get there, to really see transformation in our churches and communities, we have to understand a concept that can be our greatest ally or our most frustrating mystery: momentum.

I’ve been asking myself lately, “What is actually moving forward?” It’s a question every leader, whether you are a pastor, a worship leader, or a volunteer, needs to wrestle with. Because in the Kingdom of God, momentum is never stagnant.

What Is Momentum, Really?

Momentum is essentially accumulated energy. In our teaching sessions, we often describe it using a metaphor that most of us can visualize: a massive boulder sitting on the side of a mountain.

Momentum exists in two distinct forms:

1. Potential: That boulder has been sitting there for millennia. It has the capacity for movement, but right now, it’s just taking up space.
2. Active: Something shifts. A nudge happens. Suddenly, that boulder isn’t just a static object; it’s a force of nature.

In our personal lives and our ministries, we are often surrounded by potential. We have potential opportunities, potential leaders, and potential areas for growth. But potential doesn’t change the world; active momentum does. Are we content just looking at the boulder, or are we ready to see it move?

The “No Cruise Control” Reality

One of the most dangerous myths we can believe is that once we get things moving, we can just sit back and relax. Let me be clear: Momentum has no cruise control.

We often wish it did! We think if we just get the right band together, or launch the right worship discipleship program, the momentum will just carry itself. But it doesn’t work that way. Momentum is either building up or it is fading away. If we don’t give a moving project our constant attention and “fanning,” it will inevitably begin to slow down.

Think about your own leadership journey. Have you ever felt like you were on a roll, only to wake up a month later and realize the fire has dimmed? That’s because momentum doesn’t grow on its own. It requires a deliberate choice to keep your foot on the gas.

Starting and Fanning: The Two-Step Process

Momentum requires two very specific actions: Starting and Fanning.

We don’t always have to be the ones to start the movement. Sometimes, God initiates something through a guest speaker, a spontaneous moment in a service, or a new connection. But even if we didn’t start it, someone has to “fan” it.

This requires what I like to call “dogged determination.” (And no, I have nothing against dogs, but there’s something about that all-in, intentional persistence that perfectly describes the effort needed!) To keep the boulder rolling, we must capitalize on specific moments. When we see a spark of excitement in our team, we shouldn’t wait until next month to talk about it. We need to jump on it now.

A Mind to Build: Lessons from Nehemiah

When we look for a biblical blueprint for momentum, we don’t have to look much further than the Book of Nehemiah. It is one of my favorite stories because it shows the grit behind the glory.

Scripture tells us that the wall was completed in record time because “the people had worked with enthusiasm” (Nehemiah 4:6). They had a mind to build. They weren’t just showing up; they were engaged in a great work.

Nehemiah faced constant distractions: people like Sanballat and Tobiah trying to pull him away from the wall. His response is a masterclass in maintaining momentum: “I am engaged in a great work… why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” (Nehemiah 6:3).

Do we have that same level of focus? Or do we let every minor “meeting request” or distraction derail the momentum God is building in our worship ministry?

The Six Drivers of Momentum

Based on our experiences on the field: from the U.S. to our intensive schools in Africa: we’ve identified six key drivers that help build and sustain momentum:

1. Determination: It’s not always fun and games. Sometimes pushing the boulder is stinking hard work. You have to decide you aren’t stopping until it moves.
2. A Sense of Urgency: This isn’t about being frantic or worried. It’s about recognizing that some moments are “now or never.” If we wait a week to follow up on a powerful event, the window might already be closed.
3. Timing: There is a rhythm to ministry. We must have a sense of when to push and when to prepare.
4. Readiness to Act: This is where preparation meets opportunity. When we went to meet with leaders at Liberty University, we didn’t just show up to chat. We had slides ready, a plan laid out, and a vision to share. Because we were ready, a 40-minute dinner turned into a successful partnership.
5. Divergent Thinking: When the boulder gets stuck: and it will: you can’t just keep doing the same thing. You have to think outside the box. How else can we solve this?
6. Consistency: Small goals met consistently create a “speed” that eventually becomes hard to stop.

Real-Life Momentum: From Liberia to YouVersion

We see these principles in action all over the world. Our brother Donald shared how, in Liberia, there were a dozen reasons to “derail.” But the team stayed determined, and this year’s trip saw a level of impact far beyond the previous year.

We also see it in our digital efforts. For years, we’ve talked about getting our content on YouVersion. It was a boulder that felt a bit stuck. But thanks to the persistence of our team members like James and Donald, we kept pushing. Now, the emails are flying, the plans are submitted, and we are on the verge of reaching millions more with the message of wholehearted worship.

Even in our mentorship programs, we see women and men leaders stepping into new roles. Whether it’s Linda or James, the momentum was built on years of faithfulness, and now we are seeing the fruit of that “fanning.”

The Role of Divine Favor

We can talk about strategy all day, but we must never forget: We can roll the stone, but only God can raise the dead.

True, lasting momentum in a church ministry requires divine favor. When the wall in Jerusalem was finished in just 52 days, even the enemies of Israel realized that the work had been done with the help of God. That is my prayer for Next Level Worship: that whatever people say about us in the future, they have to conclude that it couldn’t have happened without the Lord’s intervention.

It Starts in the Heart

Finally, we have to realize that momentum doesn’t start with a meeting or a new setlist. It starts in the heart.

Before Nehemiah ever picked up a brick, he wept. He fasted. He prayed. The momentum was building inside of him before a single stone was laid.

We cannot create momentum around us until we have it inside of us.

Are you carrying a burden for your people? Is there a “godly vision” burning in your soul? If the fire has gone out internally, no amount of external “pushing” will move the boulder. Guard your heart, friend. Keep your own lifestyle of prayer vibrant and fresh.

Taking the Next Step

So, what are you doing to fan the momentum in your area? Maybe it’s time to set a small goal. Maybe it’s time to have that difficult conversation you’ve been putting off. Whatever it is, don’t let the moment pass.

Momentum is a gift, but it’s a temporary one if we don’t steward it well. Let’s be a people who are ready to act, eager to build, and always reliant on the power of the Holy Spirit.

Forward is forward: no matter the speed. Let’s keep moving together.

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Next Level Worship is a global ministry dedicated to helping people experience God more deeply through authentic worship and leadership training. To learn more about our missions and resources, visit nextlevelworship.com.

This article was written by Penny, our AI Blog Writer, in collaboration with Dwayne Moore and the NLW team.