by Nancy Moore
For the past 15 years I have worked full-time as a pastor search consultant at NL Moore & Associates, but before that I worked in the local church. Leading a small group ministry put me in a position to actively recruit, train and support more than 100 small group leaders and coaches. Many of the things I learned about effective ministry recruiting in those years were foundational to the consulting success I experience today. Whether you are recruiting for ministry volunteers or a pastor, these simple suggestions will help you be more effective.
- Identify the work. What do you need someone to do? Whether you call it a job description (paid position) or a role definition (volunteer position), take time to clarify the goals and objectives for the role you will invite someone to consider. At the same time, begin to think about the optimal skill set needed to be effective. Outline the various job activities and desired outcomes, the weekly or monthly time commitment, and how success will be defined. Additionally, be prepared to share some of the challenges you are facing currently that this role can help you overcome. People are motivated by challenge as well as opportunity.
- Describe the ideal candidate. Who would you love to have in this role? What are the “soft” skills the ideal individual will possess if they are truly effective? For example, if you need a volunteer for nursery ministry, a gentle, loving demeanor may be ideal. If you need a volunteer to lead large group time with elementary students you may want someone out-going, fun and energized who loves to be up front. If you need a volunteer for tech ministry you may want someone who is naturally quiet and enjoys working behind the scenes. Not everyone is meant to fill every role. There will always be a degree of investment needed to get someone up to speed, but long-term fit comes when their personality or God-given design is well aligned to your ideal. Describing the soft side of an opportunity can spark interest in a way the job description never will.
Approach people personally. In my experience, general ads asking for “help” just don’t work. They draw unqualified interest that may tempt you to settle, or lose hope that the right people are actually out there. The qualified people you want to reach are not paying attention to ads, and many aren’t actively looking for an opportunity to plug in. Be observant. Make note of individuals who are, in the course of daily life, expressing themselves in a way that represents who you are looking for. Then, approach them personally and invite their prayerful consideration. Tell them what you’ve noticed in them that inspired you to reach out. Acknowledge they may feel your ask is out of the blue. The question I get asked most often in recruiting is, “Why me?” A personal response to that soul-stirring question inspires consideration in a way that a generic ad never can.
- Articulate your obligation to them. How will you empower this person to success? I can’t tell you the number of stories I’ve heard from people who were hesitant to volunteer again because of their last experience. It went something like this, “I stepped up to volunteer, and I felt like I was put on an ice flow and shoved off from the shore. The ministry leader waved to me as I floated away, ‘Good luck! I know you’re going to have a great trip.’” Ministry service is a two-way street. People want to do a good job and to feel confident they can accomplish what they’ve committed to. But, they also want to know how you will equip, train and support them. What can they expect from you in the way support, care, and weekly or monthly communication? When the commitment is mutual, the act of volunteering with you becomes a joy instead of a burden.
- Set a tone of commitment with flexibility. Most people value flexibility, particularly from those they serve with in ministry. Understanding is a powerful asset in ministry. It inspires loyalty, confidence and a sense of “team.” Through a personal approach you can emphasize this is an important decision and you take it seriously, but you can also let them know you understand they have other circumstances that may occasionally take priority over this commitment. Be flexible and help people take their next step of faith. Help to remove their barriers and empower them to trust God and try. Then be available to pray with them about the opportunity without spiritually manipulating, guilting or directing them. Remember it is the job of the Holy Spirit to compel people to action, not yours.