The Commitment Circle

These paragraphs in quotes were taken directly from a book by Betsy Schwarzentraub
called AFIRE with God.

“Commitment Circle—A healthy church knows that people participate in the church on their own terms, not on the church’s terms. They participate in the context of their total life involvements and how well the congregation helps them meet their personal goals. There are four patterns of church participation, called the Commitment Circle, that arise from such participation.

1. About 5 percent of the members are “Creatives.” They give generously of their time, energy, abilities, and money and bring considerable creativity to the church.

2. Another 15 to 20 percent are “Responsibles.” They are very active, provide most of the leaders and volunteers, and are generous supporters. Together, the Creatives and Responsibles give about 75 percent of the church’s donated
income and 100 percent of its leadership.

3. Roughly 20 to 30 percent of the members are “Responsives.” They identify with the church but attend infrequently. They respond to initiatives by church leaders and attend all-church events if contacted personally. They provide no leadership
and give about 20 percent of the congregation’s income.

4. The other 45 to 60 percent of the 45 to 60 percent are “Dormants.” They look to the church for baptisms, weddings, and funerals and for chaplaincy during turning points or crises. They may be former leaders who had a falling-out or who burnt out, may be family members of relatives and Responsives, and may attend at Christmas and Easter. They do not contribute time, leadership, or money.

This Commitment Circle is good news! With this circle we can tailor contacts with people according to their agenda, not our. While Creatives and Responsibles get excited about the congregation’s new in ministries, Responsives respond to services that meet their personal needs or the needs of their family at this stage. Those whom God calls to visit Dormants commit themselves to long-term, one- on-one relationships. This means we don’t need to dispirit enthusiastic Creatives by sending them to visit Dormants with long standing complaints. We don’t need to complain about why some people do not come to the all-church planning retreat, or why some people do not pledge. We can work to increase the committed percentages around the circle. We can quit feeling bad about ourselves or others and resource people where they are.”

Emily Puskar
Christ Church Greenwich
Diocesan Stewardship Committee

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