As director of ministry placement, I've made my share of mistakes. Here are some of the biggest I've made. I share them so you don't have to repeat them!

1. Don't pray about it.

If God gives the vision for a ministry, He always prepares the players to make it happen. Successful ministries grow in God's own timing.

2. Assume everyone you ask to serve will stick it out automatically.

People stay in the game because they feel needed and valuable. A coach is the one who can keep the vision and purpose before volunteers as they go about doing ministry that God has equipped them to do. It is our responsibility to provide ongoing training and support. We must reinforce their job description and its boundaries. We must ask them often, "How can I better support you? How can I make things easier for you? What tools do you need?"

3. Don't allow people to tell you where they want to serve.

You can sell your idea or your pity story and hook someone who has the gift of "I can't say no," or you can go for ...