What the Bible Says About Casting Your Recruiting Net
Recruiting volunteers can be the most difficult and discouraging area of volunteer management—if we try to do it in our time and by our plans. But in God’s time and by God’s plan, it will be done.
Look in Luke
As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
—Luke 19:29-35
It’d be interesting to find out the behind-the-scenes of this story. Before the disciples ever arrived, what happened in the hearts of the colt’s owners? How were they able to make such a sacrifice? How did Jesus prepare them to be ready for service? And, wouldn’t it be great if recruiting were that easy?
That’s just it—it is! Or it can be.
Recruit While Focusing on God’s Provision
Over and over in the Bible, we see stories of God’s miraculous provision for his servants once they were commissioned to do God’s work. Noah had everything he needed to build the ark; Solomon had everything he needed to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Just as the disciples had more than enough fish when they cast their nets in obedience to Jesus, you have everything you need to build a children’s ministry.
Scripture is filled with pointers to trust God to do the work that he has put in our hearts. In fact, it’s very clear that it’s impossible to carry out God’s work without God’s help. Throughout Scripture, God tells us not to put our faith in people, resources, or methods other than God’s miraculous provision. Consider these verses:
May he grant your heart’s desires and make all your plans succeed. May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory and raise a victory banner in the name of our God. May the Lord answer all your prayers.
Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.
“What sorrow awaits my rebellious children,” says the Lord. “You make plans that are contrary to mine. You make alliances not directed by my Spirit, thus piling up your sins. For without consulting me, you have gone down to Egypt for help. You have put your trust in Pharaoh’s protection. You have tried to hide in his shade. But by trusting Pharaoh, you will be humiliated, and by depending on him, you will be disgraced.”
Follow God’s Timing and Plans When Recruiting
Recruitment can be the most difficult and discouraging area of volunteer management—if we try to do it in our time and by our plans. But in God’s time and by God’s plan, it will be done. Perhaps in recruitment more than any other area of volunteer management, God wants us to “be still” and see his mighty hand at work. God wants to do the miraculous in calling out people to service.
The struggles of finding enough volunteers are nothing new. Jesus, himself, said in Luke 10:2, ““The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”
After Jesus pointed out that the workers are few, he didn’t suggest new methods; he said to cry out to God. It’s not a one-time, at-the-beginning-of-the-recruiting-phase prayer. It’s the same kind of desperate, ongoing plea that Moses make to God when he prayed, “If it is true that you look favorably on me, let me know your ways so I may understand you more fully and continue to enjoy your favor…If you don’t personally go with us, don’t make us leave this place.” (Exodus 33:13, 15). This guides us to say, every step of the way, “I don’t want to—I can’t—do this without you God.”
Invite God into your recruiting process. Give it to God. In your stillness, God can show up in that space no longer filled with your frustrated efforts. Take a deep breath and trust in the One with unlimited resources.
Looking for more recruiting tips? Check out these articles.
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