The Statistical Church

(1990 Gallup Poll)

The Statistical Church demonstrates classic charitable giving patterns. In designing a stewardship education model, it is important to have realistic expectations. It is also necessary to direct energy toward those areas that are most fruitful. When Jesus told the parable of the soils, Jesus recognized that all soils were not the same. Some were more productive than others. When He called twelve to ministry, he poured his energy into those who formed his core group. We must be practical in our expectations and become good stewards of our time and talents. There has been a tug on the leaders and clergy of many congregations to pursue the lapsed and dormant. Time and experience witness to the futility of this approach; rather, we encourage leaders to focus on those whom we call the "Becomers."

Leaders, 20%: Give 80% of the money and 100% of the leadership. These are the folks who are the backbone of the congregation. Their giving patterns match their patterns of worship attendance.

Becomers, 38%: Give 20% of the money and none of the leadership, but are responsive when asked to participate and become involved. Often these people are new to the congregation and have never been asked to do anything. Sometimes they simply want to worship and give. Our evangelism programs are designed to draw persons into deeper commitment to God and the Church.

Casuals, 22%: They consider themselves members, yet their attendance and giving reflect only marginal involvement. They are often among the "if only" group mentioned by active members. The rector/vicar is told, "If only you would call on ____, they would come." They seek the church for baptisms, weddings and funerals and are sometimes in attendance on special days. They are not givers of record, so there is no way to measure their giving. Often they see the clergy as "firemen," i.e., in a crisis they call the clergy for help.

Casuals are to be cared for when they need it, but are usually not good prospects for deeper involvement. Rarely will a crisis bring them into active church involvement. While many programs target this group in an effort to increase their commitment, this is an ineffective use of time and talent.

On the Rolls, 20%: This group is the most problematic for any congregation. Gallop found that there were some people who actually considered themselves members of a church, but who did not believe in God.  These individuals are members for a variety of reasons, which may include family or status.  Well-meaning Christians believe it is their responsibility to "fix" what is broken.  But their needs can not be allowed to set the mission of the church.

Often we refer to this group as the "hatched, patched and dispatched" folks who only seem to make it to church for the liturgies of water, rice and dirt (baptism, wedding and funeral). The Church of England classifies these folks as those who come to church three times in their lives: twice they are carried, and the third they are dragged.

They are not givers of record.  The key is that we do not send our precious volunteers to call upon people who are angry and disgruntled.  That is a job for the few, the tough, the trained.

Conclusion

1. Stewardship education programs that work are the ones that support the Leaders and encourage the Becomers.  Minimum time and energy should be expended on those who are simply On the Rolls and are dormant or spiritually dead.  The issue is not one of salvation!  All the the baptized are saved.  But all are not equally committed to the mission and ministry of God's church.
2. The focus of many evangelism programs has been on the least committed quadrants.  This may not be the best use of our time and talents.
3. Programs have become a substitute for good ongoing pastoral care (lay and clergy) and have often abused our brightest and best folk by inflicting them with visits to contentious and difficult people.

This information is a restatement from the "Diagnostic Devices" section of The Episcopal Network for Stewardship at www.tens.org and the TENS Manual for Stewardship Consultants/Mentors.  For a copy of this manual contact TENS at 800.699.2669 or e-mail at tens@tens.org.