Recruiting: The Common Cold of Ministry
by Ashley Cornelius
posted 8/24/2007
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Third, we are to show the way ("show you"). You don't ask someone to follow you, and then do nothing, have no plan, or do things in a confusing manner. Know beforehand what you want your recruit to see and learn from you. Then execute.
Fourth, we are to set lofty, Christ-like goals ("for the souls of men"). The first three steps matter not a wit if the picture we paint and the reality that we deliver to our recruit results in anything less than eternal Kingdom gain. Don't water down the truth that your goal is fishing for the souls of children.
MIS-DIAGNOSIS #2: I don't have the right recruitment program
If we pulled cards out of a recruiting issue box, a few issues would likely prove popular:
"My senior pastor won't announce that the children's ministry needs help from the main stage, so now we don't have enough volunteers."
"The leadership team of our church will only let me recruit for leaders in the church lobby once a year and that is just not enough."
"The children's ministry is in the basement, so nobody sees us—how am I supposed to get help?"
It's very easy to come up with a laundry list of excuses as to why we don't have enough volunteers. And developing that list wastes time, depletes energy, and discourages those involved. Yes, identifying problems associated with recruiting is both easy and tempting. Resist, though, and focus on this truth…
REALITY #2: Your recruiting need is not about programs
Sure a church wide volunteer campaign can serve as a good means for bringing new people to your ministry. But don't rely on it alone.
It's your mindset that needs updating, not your programs. Think of an ongoing stream designed to unleash the vision of what God is calling your ministry to do. Sometimes the audience will be the entire church. Sometimes it will be your next door neighbor.
MIS-DIAGNOSIS #3: This recruiting problem will never go away
Recruiting is indeed a constant need. But a problem? Is the recruitment glass perpetually half empty, never more than a task that no one appreciates and no one wants to do?
REALITY #3: Recruiting isn't a problem, it's a privilege.
In His Great Commission—to make disciples of all nations—was Jesus talking only about salvation? Not a chance. He was speaking about full devotion. Among other things, this means cheerful, free-spirited giving of our time and talents to the local church.
Inviting someone to serve in your ministry is a part of spiritual development—for both of you. It is not something to be feared or forwarded on to others. It is something for which to be proud.
Take the next few months and start measuring your success by the number of people your people bring in instead of the number of people you or your recruiting program brings in. In other words, pay close attention to the 1-on-1 efforts of folks already in your ministry.
As you serve in your own area of giftedness, and encourage and develop your volunteers, your volunteer team will become stronger. And as current volunteers feel more connected and comfortable they'll become natural recruiters for your ministry. There is nothing more exciting than seeing volunteers bring other volunteers alongside them to experience serving together.
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