Perfect Participation

When I entered management almost thirty years ago, my employer placed tremendous emphasis on training its front line supervisors. The principles taught us in those classes helped us run our areas and develop successful business relationships. One such principle remains with me still -- the 80/20 principle: "80% of your challenges come from 20% of your people." If I wanted my operation to be 100% successful, I had to reach that small percentage of employees who remained unmotivated or disgruntled, untrained or incapable. I aspired to do just that.

I often look at the body of Christ and think of the 80/20 principle. Sadly, it seems 80% of outreach, 80% of stewardship, 80% of engagement appears to be the result of the commitment of only 20% of its members. Not being a pastor, and having limited experience, I wasn't sure if my assessment was accurate and, if so, widespread. Well, google "80/20 rule sermons" and you'll find over 31,000 entries. In some cases, the principle (known as Pareto's principle) is applied a little differently, but it appears many groups of believers struggle with engaging all of its members in some area of service and/or support.

So, what is the solution? With so many queries and suggestions out there, I'm not sure I have anything to add; but going back again to something I learned from my employer, maybe I can provide some insight. There are three fundamental reasons people change; if you can appeal to folks' devotion to any one of those, presumably you can effect change.

• People change for the benefit of the "organization." Perhaps people can be motivated to involvement because of their love for Jesus. One pastor says, "[T]he biggest sin in our church is you sitting there doing nothing and still calling yourself a follower of Jesus." Ouch! But, if love for Jesus isn't motivating people to serve Him with all they've got, their relationship might begin to resemble the church of Laodicea.
• People change for the benefit of others. Whether it is to impress, outdo, help, please or simply be close to others, people will add their names to sign-up sheets for the sake of those around them. And that's not entirely crazy; we were made for community. If we appeal to those with a strong desire for personal relationships, they may follow or lead others to participate.
• People change for their own benefit. It is counter-intuitive to serve or give and expect to receive; our human nature is "looking out for number one." But Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." If people want to be blessed, they must bless others.

Of course, none of these ideas amount to a hill of beans without prayer. The effective, fervent prayer of the righteous yields much. Judging by what I and others are seeing and hearing, our congregations could use plenty of prayer to get a perfect score.