General

Part 1 – The Physics of Spiritual Momentum – The Mass (People) Component

This is the first of a 3-part post on Spiritual Momentum. Each of the posts covers one of the 3 components of momentum from physics and relates the physical law to our spiritual context. I realize most Pastors will not have the patience for this series of posts. However, the physical laws of nature give us insights into how God has made things to be and are inherently spiritual. What can we learn from these laws as we look at some spiritual truths through some not-so conventional lenses?

Part 1 – Mass Component of Momentum

Overview of Momentum

Momentum is mass in motion in a specific direction. If an object is moving, then it has momentum. The amount of momentum is dependent on how much mass is moving, how fast the mass is moving, and in what direction it is moving. The physical law of momentum states:

Momentum = mass x speed x direction

Translating this into an equivalent spiritual law of momentum would state:

Momentum = # of People x # of Spiritual Next Steps x Size of Next Steps x Measure of How Strongly Steps are Toward God per unit time

In other words, how many people are taking large next steps toward God in a period of time. Increase the number of people, increase the momentum. Increase the number of steps, increase the momentum. Increase the size of steps, increase the momentum. Decrease the time period the steps happen within, increase the momentum. The key is the directional component toward God. Lots of people can takes lots of big steps in a short period of time but if its not toward God there is no momentum.

The following Table shows the relationship between the physical law of momentum and the equivalent spiritual law of momentum:

Component of Momentum	Physical Law of Momentum	Spiritual Context
Mass	The measure of an object’s resistance to changes in either speed or direction (the other 2 components of momentum). Mass is proportional to an object’s weight. The heavier an object the more resistant it is to changing its speed or direction.	People and the totality of issues that create resistance to spiritual next steps (movement toward God). The more people, the more mass. The more resistance to change, the more mass (opposite to what we expect). Its actually our rebellion from God that creates the momentum toward Him.
Speed	Distance traveled per unit time.	Distance is number of next steps in a specific direction multiplied by the size of each step. Spiritual speed is then number of next steps toward God multiplied by size of these steps per unit time.
Direction	The direction or pathway an object is moving. Value actually ranges from 0 to 1. Directional component is an “enabler” of full momentum. When it is “0”, momentum is “0” regardless of mass and speed. When it is at its full capacity of “1”, it enables mass and speed to experience their full potential in maximizing momentum.	Away from God = 0. Toward God = 1. Value can be anywhere in between 0 and 1. Anything less than 100% toward God limits momentum (limits the full impact of mass x speed). Within our ministries there is a similar effect. People moving 100% in sync with ministry’s vision = 1. People moving opposite = 0. Most people are somewhere in between.

This 3-part post will unpack each of the 3 components of momentum.

Mass (People)

Physically “mass” is the amount of something that we can see and feel. Mass is a measure of quantity. A twenty pound block has twice the mass as a ten pound block. Twenty marbles have twice the mass as ten marbles. Double the quantity and you double the mass.

Momentum is directly proportional to mass. In the momentum equation, mass is the “stuff” that is moving in a certain direction. Double the mass that is moving and you double the momentum.

In churches, mass is people. People who are stationary or people who are moving in a direction other than toward Jesus are the substance from which momentum is made. They are the fuel for spiritual momentum. They are the substance for which Jesus died. God delights in people who move toward Him. Hence, God delights in spiritual momentum. You can not have people moving toward God without having spiritual momentum. Increase the number of people moving toward Jesus and experiencing life change and you increase momentum.

Unfortunately its a bit more complex. Tension arises in syncing and aligning people with the unique vision of a specific local church. Are our local church visions, strategies and priorities in sync with the Great Commission and Great Commandment? If so, are our people in sync / alignment with the vision, strategy, and priorities? Do our vision, strategy and priorities help people take next steps in moving toward Jesus? Its possible to quadruple our mass (number of people attending) and not increase momentum at all because people are not being transformed to become more like Jesus (i.e. the mass is not moving toward Jesus). This may be the biggest complaint voiced about the consumer church in America! Part 3 of this series addresses this dimension of spiritual momentum (the directional component).

We use a wide range of strategies in our churches to create momentum (e.g. marketing, outreach events, special sermon series, etc). These strategies are aimed at increasing our mass. Good start. However, mass that is stationary does not add to momentum. We can double our church size and not increase momentum. The only mass that contributes to momentum is that moving toward Jesus. We must be zealous about helping new people (new mass) begin the journey of taking spiritual next steps (speed component of momentum covered in Part 2). Reach them…get them plugged in…then get them moving toward Jesus. Don’t let mass sit idle.

Our Challenge (Opportunity)

The physical definition of mass is “the quantity of inertia possessed by an object.” Ugh, another science term. Inertia is the tendency of an object in motion to remain in motion, or an object at rest to remain at rest, unless acted upon by a force. In other words, objects resist change. Mass is a measure of resistance to change. It requires an external “force” to change inertia.

So how do we tie this all together in spiritual terms…

1. Mass (people) moving toward Jesus creates Spiritual Momentum. Increasing mass (people) without people moving toward Jesus does nothing to increase momentum
2. People who are stationary or people who are moving in a direction other than toward Jesus are the substance from which momentum is made. They are the fuel for spiritual momentum.
3. Inertia causes people at rest to stay at rest or people moving in a direction other than toward Jesus to continue in that other direction.
4. God delights in people who move toward Him. Hence, God delights in spiritual momentum. You can’t have people moving toward Jesus without having momentum
5. People at rest (not moving toward Jesus) do not naturally start moving without some external force.
6. That external force is the working of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit has the power to overcome inertia and get people moving. We are powerless to create the external force. Our role is to help people come face to face with Jesus so that they experience the Divine external force that will overcome their inertia.
7. Often we unintentionally build strategies to build momentum that do not focus on getting people moving toward Jesus. Our role is to expose people to Jesus’ transforming power which is the force that will overcome their inertia leading to speed.

In part 2 of this series, we address the Speed Component of Momentum.

© 2011 Envisaging.