Random Thoughts On the Pareto Principle and Serving in the Church

Four random thoughts that may make a difference in how we apply the Pareto Principle.

Let’s face it, the Pareto Principle is a thing in ministry. The Pareto Principle states briefly that 20 percent of the church (this apparently applies to all areas of life) seems to do 80 percent of the work. Therefore, in ministry: 20 percent of the church seems to do 80 percent of the serving, 20 percent of the church may even account for 80 percent of the giving, and 20 percent of the church is responsible for 80 percent of the evangelism or mobilization efforts. It is a thing. But does it have to be? Does it have to be a crutch? Does God’s church have to abide by this principle? Do we have to stand for the principle because the principle happens to apply to much of life? I don’t think so.

Photo by Austin Distel on Unsplash

How can we change this? Maybe we teach, correct, and train with intentionality.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 (NIV): All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God  may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Regardless of what you believe “every good work” means, scripture is a vital equipping tool for this work. Our churches need to be taught, corrected, and trained in righteousness.

Our righteousness leads us to a desire to do good work in the kingdom of God. We should equip one another to continue God’s work.

We cannot ask and encourage the same 20 percent to do the work.

To the contrary, we need to teach, correct, and train the other 80 percent and prayerfully increase the desire to be the servant God requires in his church. In addition, we need to encourage rest (I want to go full blast on this right now but I will save it for another post). We can do this by limiting service times in key roles.

We cannot expect only 20 percent of the church to desire ministry.

To the contrary, we should make full-time ministry attractive through training in righteousness and thoroughly equipping young men and women. Through being better examples.

What are we doing wrong? Many of our young people are not interested in ministry or other leadership positions in the Lord’s church as they used to be. Have we sucked the awe and inspiration out of the role?

We cannot micromanage the 20 percent.

The 80 percent are looking on and they are watching the example before them. They are looking to see if they would like to take part. Trust God and trust the training you have done via the Bible. Let their work and service be a joy. Give some autonomy to those who have already offered to serve.

We will gain more of the 80 percent if we celebrate the 20 percent.

This is a big deal. I think we take servants for granted sometimes. When they are victorious and they accomplish great feats do we celebrate them as we should? Remember the 80 percent are watching. Know this, there are other people in our church who desire to serve but need some motivation. Find a way to motivate them.

What are your thoughts? You may be a part of the 20 percent or you may be a part of the 80 percent. You may be a leader trying o figure out how to crush this 80/20 principle as it would relate to ministry in this particular way. Please share your thoughts.