The Pareto Principle Trap – Modern Day Pharisees

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