When you’re in a rapid growth environment there’s always a temptation to fall into panic-driven-recruitment.
Panic-driven-recruitment is ugly. You recognize it when you see a children’s leader accosting people in the foyer to get them to help in the overcrowded nursery. You see it when the groups pastor is “doing a sell” on a unsuspecting couple telling them how easy it is to host a small group in their home – “there’s nothing to it.” You see it when the pastor stands on stage and announces the desperate need for volunteers in the student ministry. We know it isn’t right, but we all have fallen to the temptation.
Let’s revisit the passage we looked at yesterday, Luke 10:1-2. Jesus told his newly enlisted 72 recruits that the vision was huge. And he told them they were going to need additional leaders. But notice he says their role in the recruitment process is to “PRAY”, God’s role was to “SEND”.
“Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers.” Luke 10:2
Pay close attention because in that phrase ‘send out” is the most important part of recruiting new leaders. The Greek word for “send out” is a fascinating word. It means, “To draw out, to lead one forth or away somewhere with a force which he cannot resist.” In other words as we pray for new leaders God begins to work on the hearts of people and draw them, compel them, call them into leadership.
If we do our part and PRAY, God will do his part and SEND. I love this because Jesus is teaching us Faith-based-recruitment. Don’t give in to the panic-driven-recruitment looking for warm bodies to fill positions. Look for people who are being compelled, moved, drawn, those who are wrestling with God’s calling. Remember we may be the instrument, but God is the moving force.
Are you trusting in the fact that God is working in the hearts of people around you calling them to serve Him?
I agree with leading through prayer. I also see God uses someone around me to ask good questions and really listen with no agenda but to see me be all God wants me to be — as a key way that God uses the body of Christ to draw us along in the journey.
For the leader who is praying for recruits it is helpful to remember — “I am not recruiting for MY team — I am letting God work through me to send people into His mission.”
Great thoughts on finding the right leaders. I visit this proverb when I’m in a panic to find leaders…
Prov 26:10 – Like an archer who wounds everyone, So is he who hires a fool or who hires those who pass by.
— Ouch! — Too often that’s what we say when we bring on the wrong people because they do more damage than good.
I think that is the best way … PRAYER!
Mac:
Why do we loose sight of this simple but God ordained way of recruiting? Thanks for the reminder.