THE 80/20 PRINCIPLE

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HOW THE 80/20 PRINCIPLE APPLIES TO THE CHURCH

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By Ken Blue

“The Pareto principle (also known as the 80-20 rule,[1] the law of the vital few, and the principle of factor sparsity) states that, for many events, roughly 80% of the effects come from 20% of the causes.[2][3] Business management thinker Joseph M. Juran suggested the principle and named it after Italian economist Vilfredo Pareto, who observed in 1906 that 80% of the land in Italy was owned by 20% of the population.[3] It is a common rule of thumb in business; e.g., “80% of your sales come from 20% of your clients.” Wikipedia Encyclopedia.

This principle is found to be accurate in “many” endeavors. The business world has understood it for years. It is time that pastors consider it, and see if it might apply to their ministry investments and returns.

If a pastor will check the income of the church against the membership, he will discover that approximately 20% of the people are giving 80% of the income. The same rule will follow when it comes to ministry involvement. In addition, the church building will usually maintain about 80% of its seating capacity. These may vary, depending on the size of the church

Another factor that should be considered it that 80% of the financial and manpower investment, in many churches, only produce about a 20% return in souls saved and membership growth. This fact should motivate every pastor to search out which investments produce the greatest returns. Retailers know they only have one shot per year to make it big, and that time is the Christmas season. If they fail here, red ink will be the result.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]You want people in your city to think of your church when they consider attending a church.[/perfectpullquote]

Do pastors know the best seasons for harvest? It there a best place to seek for souls and one method that nets more visitors than another? The answer to the last question is yes. Again, the facts show that 80% of all visitors come to church because a friend or family members invite them! If that is true, then shouldn’t 80% of our outreach efforts be directed getting church members to bring others?

The question is, how can a pastor get his members to bring these visitors? The answer, many have discovered, is to have something going on at the church that members will want to invite their friends and family to attend. Dr. Jack Hyles and Dr. Lee Roberson built their large attendance on the “big day” philosophy. That is, they would have at least three big days each year. They pulled out all the stops and invested a major portion of the 80% to reach the community and get them to church. Some were always gleaned from those who attended.

For many years at Open Door, we invested greatly in Christmas, Easter, and the fourth of July. It was not uncommon to see the attendance increase by two or three hundred on those days. Now, I can hear the sarcasm of the critic; “how many came back?” No one knows the answer to that question, but one thing is for sure; those who came now know who we are and where we are, and seldom did a Sunday go by without visitors, or sinners making professions of faith.

Here is something to think about: It is not uncommon to see the Goodyear Blimp floating above football stadiums during the season. Thousands see it from the bleachers, and many more see it on television. Now, can the Goodyear tire company tell you how many people purchased their tires because of the blimp? They cannot, but evidently they KNOW the return is worth the investment. When people think of tires, they think Goodyear!

The same principle is true with your church. You want people in your city to think of your church when they consider attending a church. You make this happen by getting your name and exposure out before them any way you can and as often as you can.
Preachers must get over the false concept that if the members are busy, good things will happen. Good things will only happen if they are busy working on the things that will produce the 80% results or more.

GET OUT OF DEBT FREE

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YOU OWE A DEBT YOU CANNOT PAY

By Ken Blue

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23.

That most Americans are so far in debt they can’t see a way out is an understatement. However, there is a much greater debt accumulating that few know about or give much thought to. God tells us that our sins carry with them a debt. All of us are sinners, therefore all are debtors. We sin each day in word, thought, and deed. If you only committed three sins per day; at year’s end you would have 1095 sins, and you would be practically perfect if you only sinned three times per day.

Suppose you live fifty or sixty years and only commit three sins per day, you would face God with 65,700 sins against your account. You see, the wages of sin is death; sin is death to your spiritual life, to your physical life and to your eternal life. You and I owe something that we cannot pay!

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]You can get out of debt free![/perfectpullquote]

Now, for the good news; you can get out of debt free! Notice that our text says the gift of God is eternal life. Because we sin willfully, we have accumulated a debt we cannot pay. Because Jesus Christ never sinned, He paid a debt He did not owe. In simple bookkeeping, we have a -1 in our account and He has a +1 in His account. If we could get His +1 moved to our -1, it would balance the books and we would not owe anything!

That is exactly what God does for every sinner who realizes that he cannot pay what he owes. We acknowledge our hopeless state and receive God’s gift of mercy and life in Christ. You see, death is the wage for our sins, but eternal life is God’s free gift to all who will receive it.

Notice that it is a free “gift”. You don’t work for a gift, you can’t pay for it, nor do you deserve it. Your only option is to reject it or accept it. If you want to get out of debt FREE, accept God’s gift in Jesus Christ today.

GOD’S BLESSINGS ON OPEN DOOR BAPTIST CHURCH

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By Pastor Jason Murphy

One year ago I took over as the Senior Pastor at Open Door Baptist church in Lynnwood, WA for Pastor Ken Blue who had started and pastored Open Door for 39 years. I can honestly say that I don’t believe the transition could have been any smoother. That is a testament to God’s Grace; Pastor Blue’s handling of the transition, a good staff, great people at Open Door, a supportive wife, and many of God’s people praying. Through the years at Open Door, there was rarely a Sunday that we did not see someone make a decision to accept Christ as their personal Savior. By the grace of God, that has continued this past year. Pastor Blue asked me to write an article sharing what God has done at Open Door in the last 12 months. Since Oct 12th 2008 we have seen:

196 first time visitors- These are the ones who filled out visitor cards.
71 professions of faith- These indicated that they were accepting Christ as Savior.
23 baptized-These were publically baptized.
96 people joined our church- These 96 people took the mandatory 3 hour class which covers:

Our Structure
Our Strategy
Our Doctrinal Statement
Salvation-Baptism and the Lord’s supper

At the end of this class they are required to sign the Membership Covenant of Open Door Baptist Church

I have trusted Christ as my Lord and Savior and have been baptized by immersion (or will be baptized at the next opportunity). I enthusiastically support Open Door’s purpose and strategy and I desire to become a fully devoted follower of Jesus Christ.

I. I will share the responsibility of my church by:
• Praying for her health • Inviting my unchurched friends
• Warmly welcoming those who atten • Sharing my personal testimony (Romans 14:19, Romans 15: 7, John 1:41, 2 Corinthians 5:20)

II. I will support the message of my church by:
• Attending worship faithfully • Honoring Christ in my lifestyle
• Getting involved in a Small Group • Giving regularly
(Hebrews 10:25, Acts 2:42, Philippians 1:27, 1 Corinthians 16:2)

III. I will protect the unity of my church by:
• Acting in love toward other members •Following the leadership
• Refusing to gossip (1 Peter 1:22, Ephesians 4:29, Hebrews 13:17)

IV. I will serve the ministry of my church by:
• Discovering my gifts and talents • Developing a servant’s heart
• Finding a place of ministry (Romans 12:6, 1 Peter 4:10, Philippians 2:3-4,7)

As a pastor, I am honored anytime someone would make a decision to join our church and allow me to be their Pastor. So, if the Lord tarries we will continue to do what we are doing and always try to improve in every area. We are living in exciting times with a tremendous opportunity to reach people for Jesus Christ. Below is a picture of those who just joined our church in the last 3 months by taking our membership class, which we have 4 times per year.MEMB

REPENTANCE AND FAITH; A TWO SIDED COIN

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HOW SALVATION RELATES TO REPENTANCE

salvationBy Ken Blue

There is a teaching that causes great troubling of the mind for believers. That teaching is; not only must one believe on the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation; he must also add repentance toward God to it. These are presented as two distinct acts. Thus the Believer spends the rest of his life struggling with the question; “Have I truly repented?”

This confusion comes from failure to understand that when one turns to Jesus as Savior, he simultaneously turns from his former state as an unbeliever. His acceptance of Jesus Christ is the act of “changing of his mind.” That is all that is necessary to become a child of God. “He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” 1 John 5:12. In the matter of salvation; repentance and faith are simply two sides of the same coin.

However, sanctification is a process whereby we turn from the world, the flesh, and the Devil on a daily bases. Once we get saved, the struggle begins. We desire to live for the Lord and please Him, but we discover that our old nature and old habits remain. The unhappy truth is; you and I will battle these until the rapture or the day of our death.

The believer must understand that he does not lose his sinful nature when he gets saved. Christ comes in, and now he has two natures in one body. These two will never be friends. As a believer, we have daily victory as we yield to Christ.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The believer does not lose his sinful nature when he gets saved. Christ comes in, and now he has two natures in one body. These two will never be friends.[/perfectpullquote]

The following verses show the key to victory over the world, the flesh, and the Devil. “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.” Romans 6:6-14.

The above passage gives three steps to daily victory. First, one must know, or understand, that he was crucified and raised to life with Jesus! Secondly, he must make personal, and by faith count himself as dead to all that would condemn him. Finally, he is to yield to the Lord Jesus by loving and living for Him.

My wife and I have been married fifty-four years. All those years, she has had a responsibility to me and has lived for me. But, at my death, she will be completely free from laws related to our marriage. Therefore, she will be “dead” to any former obligation to me. When Jesus died on the cross, everything that could condemn you died with Him! In other words, you are now dead to all condemnation. Greater still, He is alive and you are married to Him!

You know you are married, if you are, and your marriage license will stand in any court. The only proof you have of your birth date and place is your birth certificate. It too will be accepted as authoritative. Likewise, you have God’s written Word as your marriage certificate and your birth certificate. When in doubt, just get It out, and read all those assurance verses He has given you.

Getting saved is as easy as believing and asking. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. That is all that is required! When you believed; you repented. That is salvation and nothing must be added to it. However, now that you are saved, you are to grow in grace and the knowledge of the Lord. This comes about by reading His Word, prayer and daily experience. Do not confuse the two. Salvation and repentance are two sides of the same coin; sanctification is quite another.

WHY SOME PEOPLE WILL NEVER LIVE FOR GOD

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THE REACTION OF PEOPLE TO THE GOSPEL

PeopleBy Ken Blue

“And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: 8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. 9 Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9.

The pastor must not get discouraged, but he must face the fact that the majority who hear his messages will never evidence the fruits of salvation. This should not deter him from faithfulness to his calling. There is no way to be sure who is saved or not. We must leave that decision with the Lord.

The above text, gives three reasons why some will not live for Christ.

A lack of spiritual understanding:

V 3-4; 19. “When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.” Matthew 13:19.

Paul lists ignorance as one of the reasons Israel was not saved.  They were ignorant of God’s righteousness and attempting to work their way to heaven. The major reason people are not saved today is their failure to understanding the plan of salvation for this dispensation. Much of this ignorance must be laid at the feet of pastors and teachers. All a person must to do is listen to radio and television preachers and evangelist to witness this mass confusion. If that is not enough, just watch Oprah Winfrey, and her new age religion. Millions listen to her every day and embrace her teachings. The text makes it clear that the Truth had been sown, but the soil was not receptive because of a lack of understanding.

A lack of Christian character:

5-6; 20-21. “But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21 Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.” Matthew 13:20-21.

This second group showed evidence of real interest at first. They appeared to be eager to follow the Lord wherever He leads. These dear people will respond to any invitation. They may get baptized and join the church. But, within a few weeks or months they disappear. No matter how many calls or letters you send, all is to no avail.

Something they heard or an unpleasant experienced caused their apparent spiritual interest to dry up and die. The reason may have been criticism from a family member, a coworker, or a friend. Perhaps the call to service or to give up some pet sin was all that was needed to cause them to wither and die. The real reason, according to the Lord, is a heart problem. They simply lack the moral character to do the right thing. There is no depth of commitment to their profession.

A lack of Self control:

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Credit cards will choke the life out of you if you don’t get your spending under control.[/perfectpullquote]

V. 7; 22. “He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.” Matthew 13:22.

Materialism is the number one problem in America: The lust for things we don’t need has caused more divorces and self-centeredness than anything else. Many Americans are very unhappy. They believe they have a right to be happy; and the more things they possess, the happier they will be. This spending trap creates all kinds of emotional, moral, and spiritual problems.

The quest for the latest and the best is the killer. Young couples believe they should have two new cars in the driveway, own a brand new home, have it fully furnished with the most modern furniture, and then be able to eat out in restaurants each night. This is a picture of the average young family, and it is the road to sure disaster. Your credit cards will choke the life out of you if you don’t get your spending under control. Once people begin to have the above problem, they cannot stay focused on church, the Bible, or spiritual things. The cares of this life choke out all that is valuable and important.

Thankfully, some will live for the Lord and serve Him. V.23. “But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” Matthew 13:23.

Pastor, there are those who will hear the Word, receive Christ, and become productive believers! You will notice that people differ in abilities and productivity. So preach the Word to everyone you can. Expect God to bless and give souls for your work. But, you must remember that many, who make professions, will never live for Christ. The real problem is not the seed. It’s the soil. If you want more like those in verse 23, you must have more professions. That’s how you do it.