What is the best advice you have received as a church
leader? I continue with my second piece
of advice given to me that I now pass along to you.
“Give yourself to the dedicated few.”
When I consult with churches on stewardship, I often get
a common question from the new stewardship chair, “What can we do to
effectively reach all the people in the church who give so little?” I know exactly why this question is asked.
The chair person has looked at the data and discovered
that 70 to 80% of the income of the church comes from 20 to 30% of the members. Looking at the large percentage of parish
givers who give a very small amount, it is natural to start thinking about how
well the church would do if all the people giving little stepped up to the challenge
of the primary supporters. My advice? “Aim your principle efforts are the dedicated
few!”
I have heard a number of different leaders give this
advice in one way or another from John Maxwell to Bill Bright. The most direct was told me by John Wimber,
the founder of the Vineyard Church Movement.
When I told him that I was having trouble getting everyone in my parish
to deepen their commitment, he pointed out to me that in scripture we
constantly see God working by calling first the most committed to deeper
commitment.
Of course, we also have the example of our Lord
himself. He had many admirers, but he
gave most of his energy and time to “the twelve.” This inner circle became the first leaders of
the Christian Movement after the Resurrection.
It helps to remember that Jesus ministered to “the crowd.” He also taught his disciples. However, he chose
the twelve to lead. I have often noticed
clergy who aim their energy and efforts only at the congregation in general
(the crowd?) Lasting and deep change
seem to me to come when a leader gives herself or himself to an inner circle of
more dedicated people.
As a student of history, I have also noticed that
movements that have had long lasting effect usually have a leader who created
and disciple an inner circle of dedicated people.
Over the years, I have constantly rediscovered this
principle. If I want to get something
done, or move the congregation forward, I start with the most committed. This is also true for me. When faced with a costly or sacrificial decision
in my congregation, I first have to deepen my own commitment.
