Scripture: Col 1:24 I now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up in my flesh what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ, for the sake of His body, which is the church,
Vilfredo Pareto was an Italian economist and sociologist born in 1848.
He is known for the Pareto Principle (or 80-20 rule) which works like this: 80% of sales come from 20% of the clients; we wear 20% of our clothes 80% of the time; 20% of our work consumes 80% of our time & resources; 20% of the people own 80% of the resources.
In churches, it works similarly: 20% of the people give 80% of the money; 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people, 20% of the people have 80% of the problems.
80-20 is a flexible figure, so it could be 70-30, or 75-25, but the principle itself still holds true.
So, for example, in a church of around a hundred people, we could generally pick out about twenty people, and 80% of everything that gets done, gets done because of them.
There can be good reasons for this. Income levels, age, health, and other factors play a role in determining who does what. But one of the biggest reasons is that so many people don't know how to make a meaningful contribution because they don't know what their strengths are.
Imagine a church where everyone knew and used their strengths and fulfilled their God-given ministry.
In fact, that's how it was meant to be. Each part of the body doing its bit to make sure that the body keeps functioning as it was meant to.
What contribution are you making to the body of Christ?
Just click the link to hear a message by Pastor Tony Llewellyn on Church is a Body.
Please note that all Scripture quotations, unless otherwise stated, are taken from the New King James Version ®. © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.