Monthly Archives: April 2014

The Pareto Principle Trap – Misinterpretated

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The Pareto principle (also known as the 80–20 rule…) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.  – Reference, Wikipedia. This one in a series of posts discussing the Pareto Principle “Trap” and why churches fall into it.

The Pareto Principle states that generally 20% of the effort equals about 80% of the result. church-splitThere are many illustrations in the business world, but I believe that it is often misapplied and misunderstood in the church, because of the “Mary – Martha” scenario I posted yesterday. When we focus on “we who do” and those who don’t”, we build a natural divide between the two groups, like Martha tried to do. We tend to look at where we are involved and see the “lack of volunteers” in our area. When we do this, we are being short-sighted. We focus on our small portion of the entire work being done for the Kingdom of God. Let’s look at the “church” scenario: Continue reading →

The Pareto Principle Trap – Modern Day Pharisees

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The Pareto principle (also known as the 80–20 rule…) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.  – Reference, Wikipedia. This is the beginning of a series discussing the Pareto Principle “Trap” and why those in churches fall into it.

 

80_20_pareto_principleI’m sure you’ve heard it stated that 20% of the people are doing 80% of the work. It has been repeated over and over again within the church as members burn-out or seek to guilt others into serving. As I hear this principle slung around, it seems to me that the people shouting the loudest are those who believe that they are part of the 20% doing 80% of the work. When I hear this, I can’t help but think of the account of Mary and Martha when they entertained Jesus in their home. Continue reading →

Foot Washing – A Picture of Forgiveness

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jesus-foot-washingThe account of Jesus washing the disciples’ feet at the last supper (John 20:1-20) is one that is told often about the humility and servant heart of Jesus. The message that is shared is that we should be humble and serve others as Jesus served the disciples by washing their feet. In fact, Jesus commands us to do just that, to wash one another’s feet:

If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. (John 20:14)

I grew up in a denomination Continue reading →

Is Heaven for Real?

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There is a well known book and now a movie entitled, “Heaven is for Real”. heavenisforrealIt is the account of a young boy named Colton Burpo who says that during a life-saving surgery, that he visited heaven. The story is very convincing as Colton shares information he normally would not know unless someone had to him.

His father, Todd Burpo, is a small town pastor. I sense his struggle to share this story and how it would be received.

I am very skeptical about the account. Continue reading →

The Game of Life – Church Edition

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game-of-life_church_edition_250I was in attendance at a worship service as people were being baptized. I am always amazed at how many people get baptized several years after they make a profession of faith. I wonder if the church is teaching the meaning and reason for baptism, but that is a topic for another day.

This day, what stood out to me was an older gentleman who shared why he was being baptized. He played the game of life, church edition. He was active in the church, attended Sunday mornings, brought his children faithfully, but when he left the doors of the church, he loved the world. It was not until his life fell a part and he hit rock bottom, that he really turned from the world and began living for Jesus. He played the church game, went to church, was active, said the right things, etc. I’m sure everyone thought he was a believer as they saw him inside the four walls of the church. But on the outside, the fruit was not there.

Never give up sharing the Gospel in the church. You never know who is just playing the game, and not living the life.

2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us that, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

Romans 12:2 tells us, “Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect”

Don’t just play church, if you are a true believer then your life will change as you turn your back on what the world has to offer. It seems that so many professed followers of Jesus have embraced the world and say that it is their freedom in Christ that allows them to do it what they do. Paul writes in Romans 6 that we should not continue to sin so grace may abound. That our life is made new through a new life in Christ, as symbolized through baptism. Our old self is dead, and we have risen seeking to serve Jesus.

Are you playing the “church game”? Convincing others that you follow Jesus when you really follow he world? I urge you to stop playing that game, and seek out who Jesus really is and build hat relationship with Him. Then your need to play the game will end.