FIRST IN LAST OUT
THE BIG MO | Todd Elliott
No, not Moses. Momentum.
It’ s that thing you can feel, and everybody wants, but it’ s so elusive that nobody knows for sure how to get it or keep it. Watching the Chicago Bulls try really hard to close the gap with the Cleveland Cavaliers is a great example. Of course the Bulls want it, so why not just go get it? If only.
I have always taken momentum for granted. I’ ve been fortunate enough to be part of teams and organizations that had it, usually in what seemed like unlimited quantities. We were going somewhere, and that somewhere was good.
As a leader in a large environment, it was interesting to look around the organization and see ministries that were growing like crazy while amazing things were happening, while other ministries that once seemed thriving and unstoppable were struggling to regain their footing. When all I cared about was production, my workload, and finding the exact right process for what worked best for me, I couldn’ t have cared less about momentum. To me, figuring out where to move the high school ministry because they had outgrown their room was more of a headache than something to celebrate. Positive momentum usually meant more work for me.
I am all too familiar with how difficult it is to build momentum, at least the positive kind. Negative momentum is everywhere, always pulling things down. Add to that the reality that Satan isn’ t a huge fan of what we’ re doing in our churches, and it’ s no wonder positive forward movement is so difficult to sustain. In Exodus 17, the Israelites fight the Amalekites, and the only way they can keep momentum in their favor is for Moses to hold up the staff of God. Before long, he grows so tired that Aaron and Hur have to hold up his arms. Otherwise, the battle is lost. Whenever I’ m reminded of how difficult it is to keep positive momentum moving forward, this is the picture that comes to mind. Most of us aren’ t Moses. But every one of us gets the opportunity to be Aaron or Hur:
• Am I supporting the leader who is trying to keep momentum going, or am I just wishing they would get it moving?
• Am I“ holding up the arms” of the person responsible for leading my church? Or
even the leader of the ministry I’ m a part of?
• How can I support my leader and help keep positive momentum moving forward?
As someone who needs others to help hold up my arms, please do everything you can to lift up the leaders you serve alongside. Once momentum is lost, it can be incredibly difficult to get back.
Todd Elliott Todd is a writer, speaker, technical artist in the local church and Founder & President of FILO, which stands for First In, Last Out. FILO was born out of his own need as a technical artist in the local church to be in community with other church tech people, to learn new ways of doing things and to be inspired that what he did mattered. The more FILOtype people he met, the more convinced he was that these are things we all need. That’ s why FILO exists: to equip, encourage and inspire technical artists in the local church to become the best version of ourselves. Formerly the Technical Arts Director at Willow Creek Community Church, he started FILO in 2015 to help other technical artists become more effective so that the local church can be more effective.
FILO’ s flagship event happens yearly: Our next FILO Conference will be May 4 + 5, 2027 in Chicagoland, IL. Register now for best pricing options!
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