Breaking the 80/20 Rule: Using Our Gifts to Serve Together

By: Sarah Hogue, Director of Children’s Ministry and Member Formation

The old saying goes that in any organization 20% of the people do 80% of the work. This is known as the Pareto Principle and is applied widely in both business and personal situations. We all know it is true in those dreaded school “group projects.” Can you guess where else it applies? You guessed it! Church!

Recently in Kingdom Kidz, we have been learning about Spiritual Gifts. God has gifted all of us in various ways in order that we can serve Him. We have been talking about spiritual gifts and various service roles in the church and how each role contributes to the work of the body of Christ. I Corinthians 12:12 tells us, “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” Paul goes on to discuss how every part of the body is important in its own right. An eye is just as important as an ear or a foot. They all serve different purposes, but they all work together and each contributes to the health of the body.

We are not given the same gifts, and that’s why it is good that the church has many available opportunities to serve Christ. Maybe you have the gift of hospitality and your warm smile as a greeter would help people feel welcome. Maybe you have a heart that is passionate for local missions and you could help with the food drive. Do you love working with kids or youth? We always have a need for additional help in those ministries. Are you enthusiastic about music? We have many opportunities to serve by bringing praise to God and blessing our congregation through music. Do you consider food a love language? Our Loaves and Fishes ministry uses food to care for people, whether via Lenten Dinners or taking lunches to the Senior Center.

There are so many opportunities at Dutilh Church to get involved and serve God. When we all dive in and share our gifts, we are better able to share the load as a body of Christ. By God’s grace, may we become a church where the Pareto Principle doesn’t apply.