The business world uses the words "open position." In ministry we call it "a big hole" or "a desperate need." The weekend quickly approaches, and we need someone to ________ (fill in the blank).

With the tight rhythm of weekend ministry pounding a beat that never stops, the desire to find the right someone turns into willingness to take anyone. A volunteer roster with names filled in, at least for all the critical positions, feels much better than the same sheet with blanks. After all, when you find a person to ___________ (fill in the blank again), you can turn your attention to searching for new music, the upcoming serving project, or how to avoid (again) hosting an alternative Halloween party. Did you pick up more glue sticks, by the way?

To help fill in the onerous blank on your sheet, you might be tempted to make that volunteer role sound overly easy when you recruit. Or to rely on the person's love for kids to trump any uneasy feelings about the ministry position they agreed to try. ...