<Theofragen>

If you have been a part of Church-culture for any significant length of time you have heard the lament, “20% of the people do 80% of the work.” For a mathematical dilettante such as myself, I have often thought, “Oh, 80 + 20 = 100. We’re fine.” Yet, upon closer scrutiny, it suddenly donned on me that if such a depiction is true, then only 80% of the work is actually getting accomplished and the proverbial remainder perpetually slips through our corporate fingers. If this is indeed the case, then the “faithful,” the 20%, are like mariners frantically heaving buckets of water over the sides of a sinking nave while the other bemused seafarers look-on as the waters rise. Is that an apt description of the modern church? Do you feel like a bucket-hurler or a perplexed on-looker?

Programs constitute our good intentions to minister to the needs of many people at the same time and are an important part of the Church. Nevertheless, programs often result with a few folks (maybe 20%; hint, hint, wink, wink) compensating for those who will shirk their ‘responsibility’ of fueling the program. Eventually this group will get burned-out because they are carrying an inordinate percentage of the burden (say, oh I don’t know 80%). Many well-intentioned programs are eventually scrapped in lieu of another.

Missional communities tend to place a greater degree of emphasis on people than they do on programs. They contend that programs should serve the people, rather than people serving the programs. This lends itself to a theory I have about the 20/80 scenario. I believe that we have so narrowly defined what constitutes “ministry” and have become so dependent upon programs that the Church is fated to frustration from the word, “Go!” Furthermore, I submit that we only have 20% involvement because only 20% of a church’s constituency is passionate about providing the resources needed to fuel ecclesial programs and structures. Being a missional church means that every Christ-follower is called to engage in the mission of God in her community. Can programs alone do this?

Bo Prosser, the CBF Coordinator for Congregational Life, puts it well when he says that a missional church is about “empowering people to share their passions on purpose in order to be the presence of Christ to others, whether anyone joins our church or not.” I encourage all of you who are reading this to ask yourself, “What am I passionate about?” What stokes your fire? If you could do anything with your free time, what would you do? As a case in point, consider Tabitha from Acts 9. She used her passion and talents to make clothes for those in need. Might you follow in her footsteps in some novel way?

A missional church is like an elementary school playground. Children seem to know instinctively what makes them happy. Some kids will play on the swings. Others will play kickball. Yet others will gather with their friends to talk. As adults, we must be intentional about doing things that we enjoy amidst all of life’s complexities. We must think ‘outside the box’ if we are to use our passions in ministry. God is already at work in the world among people who share your passions. What we need are incarnational manifestations of your passions to serve our communities and bless our world.

Please note, if you are already passionate about a church program then by all means please continue to do what you love. Your work is vital to our church. For those of you who feel like a frenzied sailor, trying to keep the ship afloat or a like a befuddled onlooker, trying to figure out what is going on, please hand your bucket to someone else and find something that makes you feel alive in Christ. We all have a part to play, let’s dream together about what part you are to play. Peace.

People and Programs

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