The Bystander Effect

Presented by Zach Smith

The bystander effect is described as “the inhibiting influence of the presence of others on a person’s willingness to help someone in need” (Brittanica.com). In other words, it is the idea that the presence of others can reduce one’s sense of personal responsibility. Does this happen in the Church today? Are you ever hesitant to step into areas of service because others seem to already have things handled? How can we overcome this phenomenon and become the active contributors in the Body of Christ that God wants us to be?