20-80 Rule

An axiom that appears to be an organizational truth: In any organization, 20 percent of the people do 80 percent of the work. You might think of this as a skewed bell curve, with a small percentage over achieving, most doing just enough to get by, and the remainder under achieving.

Why do you suppose that is? It might be sheer laziness and a lack of desire. It’s easy to “pass the buck” and figure someone else, somewhere, somehow, will pick up your slack. And excuses are like armpits, everyone has them and they stink.

But does this principle apply to our churches? Look around. Is it the same one or two people there early every Sunday morning? When you have an event serving the community can you predict exactly who it will be that shows up to volunteer? Do you struggle finding teachers for your children’s Sunday school? (and who doesn’t!)

Ephesians 4 is one of the scriptures on which I plant my flag. I will choose to die on this hill, so to speak. The first section of the chapter, “Unity in the Body of Christ” in the 1984 NIV, concludes, “From [Christ] the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” (v 16)

In the fourth chapter of Crazy Love, Francis Chan challenges us by defining the lukewarm christian (intentional little-c). I’ll let Jesus define it here:

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16)

This is written to a church. A community of believers. A religious organization. And Jesus wants to spit them out of his mouth.

Look around. Are you the 20 or the 80?