Most church leaders want to build communities that last, with members that stick with them through thick and thin. Without commitment and consistency from members, the church remains more of an event or activity than an actual community.
They also know the joy of watching members grow with one another in one-another relationships, experience lasting transformation, overcome conflict and trials, and build deeply rooted communities that invite others into knowing Jesus. While these connotations certainly ring true, they may not dig deep enough to reveal the actual nature of commitment and consistency. More than the result of self-discipline or a particular personality type, commitment and consistency are tied to inner belief systems and values.
Even the least routine-oriented person might show exceptional loyalty to a group of friends if they believe those relationships bring them fulfillment, growth, and an opportunity to love.
And even the most skeptical person will continue to show up at a small group if they know that community is ultimately beneficial to their spiritual life. Commitment and consistency can supersede any personality type or even generational stereotype.
In other words, any church, anywhere, can build a culture of commitment and consistency. Did you notice a common theme from the list above? Ultimately, commitment and consistency are about relationships with one another, and with God. While Cialdini was writing in context of marketing and business, he was ultimately explaining the power of building relationships.
