Our West Ohio Annual Conference was blessed this week with the presence of the Ginghamsburg UMC praise team and the teaching presentations by pastors Sue Nilson Kibbey and Mike Slaughter.Sue Nison Kibbey spoke on "Developing Leaders." Here are some of her key points:
- According to Psalm 37:4-9, God wants to do wonderful things through each of our lives.
- The 20/80 barrier (20% of the people will usually do 80% of the work) is a huge problem in most local churches. Sometimes, the 20% people prevent the 80% to get involved because the 20% only want the 80% to do the ministries they are doing!
- In order to break the 20/80 barrier, the 20% people need to develop a church atmosphere in which the 80% are given permission to be involved in the new ministries they want to do and not just the ones which we feel are critical to do.
Mike Slaughter spoke on "Leading a Missional Movement." Here are some of the key points:
- The local church leaders need to always ask and answer these basic three classic questions: 1) What is our business? Answer: Making disciples for the transformation of the world. 2) Who is our customer? Answer: The poor according to Isaiah. 3) What does our customer value? Answer: God's healing grace and love.
- In order to be faithful to our mission in the church we always need the three "p's." P - Picture (what's your picture of God's preferred future?) P - Plan (which includes loving God and neighbor.) P - Practice
- Our missional strategy are the three "c's." C - Celebration (Worship) C - Cell (Accountable small groups) C - Call (Serve in the world)
- A process for assimilation of new people includes 1) Radical Hospitality 2) Personal connection with the pastor(s) 3) Care System 4) Opportunities for service
I think Sue Nilson Kibbey misunderstands the 20/80 principle. (Or perhaps I do!) The 20/80 rule is descriptive of reality and our efforts will not significantly change that aspect of human community. It is not a barrier to be overcome. That only leads to frustration when we can't significantly impact the 20/80 ratio.
ReplyDeleteI think it is more important, however, to use the principle to consider our activities as congregations: 20% of our activities will produce 80% of our ministry benefits. It only makes sense to put our best efforts into the 20% and be at peace over the rest.
Hi Eric. Thanks for your comment. I actually think Sue does believe that the 20/80 barrier can be broken with intentionality.
ReplyDeleteHer main point was that most churches have 5 to 7 typical ministries that we expect our members to support (ie. VBS, filling committee positions, etc.)
If we (the 20%) become intentional in allowing the 80% to begin ministries rooted in their passion and gift/skill sets, they will become more involved, just not in the ministries we typically expect.
Blessings to you and your ministry in CA.