Other 80 Percent

The Authors Scott Thumma, Ph.D., is professor of sociology of religion at Hartford Seminary and researcher at Hartford Institute for Religion Research. Scott is recognized as a leading researcher and writer on congregational studies. He is also editor of the Lilly Endowment funded website Insights into Religion. Warren Bird, Ph.D., is director of research and intellectual capital development for Leadership Network. An ordained minister, he serves as an adjunct faculty member at Alliance Theological Seminary. Warren has coauthored 22 books including Culture Shift and Viral Churches, both from Jossey-Bass.

• About the Jossey-Bass Leadership Network Series xiPreface xiiiIntroduction: Wandering Sheep xixPart One: Listening1. What Do You Hear from the Committed 20 Percent? 32. What Do You Hear from the Less-Committed 80 Percent? 233. How to Create a Listening Team 39Part Two: Learning4. Cultural Causes of the 80/20 Problem 595. Comparative Patterns in Churches 756. Misinformed Efforts to Build Participation 977. How to Create a Learning Team 117Part Three: Leading8. Start with What You Do Well 1279. Create More Ways for People to Participate 14310. Reach Toward Spiritual Growth and Development 165Afterword: The Sheep Who Came Back into the Fold 173AppendixesA. Resources 175B. Methods and Description of the Datasets 181C. Sample Survey Questions 189Annotated Bibliography 197Acknowledgments 201The Authors 203Index 205