Robert Bellah of the Department of Sociology at the University of California-Berkley was quoted in Involvement:  Being a Responsible Christian in a Non-Christian Society, “The quality of a culture may be changed when 2 percent of its people have a new vision.” If Bellah is right, think about the influence that 2% of the people in a church’s Bible study ministry could have in changing the culture of their church.

The average church in America has 89 people in attendance according to The Barna Group. We are a country of small congregations. 2% of a congregation that size is just 2 people. The church I attend averages 400 in worship and Bible study, so 2% at my church equals 8 people. I’ve led the education/discipleship ministry of a church that had 2400 members; 2% of a congregation that size is 48 people. Do the math for the church you attend. Or go even smaller and think about your Bible study group. If you have a group of 20, then the culture of your group could be changed by just four people.

What could take place if 2% of the people partnered with you and used their influence to bring about positive change in your organization?

• Do you want to start regular training for your group leaders?  Then find 2% of the people to help you implement it and be advocates for it among their fellow group leaders.
• Do you want your group to reach out to the community more frequently?  Then find 2% of the people in your group who share that dream, empower them, and turn them loose.
• Do you want the high school students you teach to share Christ with their friends more frequently? 2% of the ones you teach will be on board with that – so work with them and let them challenge the rest of your group.

Others will begin to catch the vision as they hear stories of lives being changed. You don’t have to have a massive group of people in order to bring about change in your church or group.  As leadership expert John Maxwell once said, “Go with those who’ll go with you.”  Even though 98% of the people might not initially follow your vision, find the 2% that will, thank God for them, and get going.

Fill in the blanks, “If I had 2% of the people following my vision for ____________, then I could see us becoming or doing __________________”.  Ask the Lord to give you that 2% so that you can make a difference in your church and in your community.

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