Summary: Recruiting is a process. It always amazes me how much effort it takes and how much time is required to make it come together. Start early!

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I want to give you one big piece of advice for recruiting. This one big piece of advice is super practical. Recruiting takes time. Start yesterday. Better yet, you should have started five weeks ago.

I know that this sounds ultra practical and should go without saying. Yet, this single reminder could greatly help you. When it comes to recruiting, wise leaders start five weeks ago. Recruiting is a process. It takes time for the back and forth and for people to ask spouses and more. You honestly can never start too early. No matter how many years I sat in the recruiting chair, it always amazes me how much effort it takes and how much time is required to make it come together.

Now, please understand that I have put it off recruiting for another day or possibly for next week. Rest assured, I have started recruiting far too late and I have paid the price. I have paid the “lazy tax” and I do not want you to make this same mistake. You might ask, “Why does recruiting take so long?”

Let me give you a silly and yet honest assessment of how it typically goes: Day 1 - You call. No answer. Day 2 - You call tomorrow. No answer. Day 4 - You then call again and they answer the phone. You share the vision. You call them to action. You now need to allow time for them to reflect, pray about this opportunity, talk with their spouse and more. You set a call back date that is reasonable. Day 11 - Call back one week later. No answer. Day 15 - You wanted to call back on day 12, but you got swamped. So you call back on day 15 and thankfully, they answer the phone. They need more time because they forgot to talk with their spouse. Day 18 - You call back. No answer. Day 20 - You call. This time you feel it is ok to leave a voicemail. Day 23 - You call back again. They answer. They tell you yes. You freak out and rejoice! You send them a follow up email and provide relevant details.

Notice that this process took over 3 weeks. It took 23 days, and this was a fast one! Recruiting takes time. There are no shortcuts. It requires human-to-human engagement. It is not cut and dried. It is a very protracted process. Therefore, if you start recruiting 1 week before you need everyone in their slot, you are doomed. You need to allow a significant lead time. The typical recruiting campaign takes around 4-6 weeks to run the full cycle.

Bottom line: Start Early; Start Yesterday! Be sure to check out LeadVolunteers.com as your one-stop-shop to help you recruit, train and retain volunteers.

Summary: I believe people can be led by God. I believe the sheep know the shepherd’s voice. I believe God leads His people. Therefore, the pressure is OFF me and rests more on God.

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Recruiting takes faith and not your human finesse. Paul admonishes us and warns us about leaning heavily into our persuasive words of wisdom and human ingenuity. Recruiting takes faith.

Now, keep in mind, recruiting takes our preparation, our persistence and our personal push. I get that. But It takes faith, doesn’t it? I think this could be hard to lean into, but I want you to remember, recruiting takes faith.

I believe people can be led by God. Do you believe this? Or do you believe that you alone need to lead them? I believe the sheep know the shepherd's voice. Do you rest in this promise? Or do you think that your exclusive voice of vision and persuasion matters most.

Previously, we talked about letting volunteers feel the freedom to say no. Let me share something with you. The testimonies of the people who have sat down and listened to God and come back with an honest and prayerful answer of “NO” are astounding. I have stories of people who felt compelled to say no. And just 3-4 months later, their life circumstances seemed to testify that God was looking out BOTH for them as well as our ministry.

I believe God leads His people. Therefore, the pressure is OFF of me and rests more on God. I find this to be deeply comforting. Here is the thing: My heart AND my head believe that God sees the beginning and the end. He knows every word before it ever leaves our mouth. He may have good reason for this person NOT to serve with me this year. I want to leave room for that. I want to leave room for God to override all of my vision and persuasion. I want to stay out of the way.

Do I need volunteers? Of course. God knows that too. I have prayed about it. He has provided before and I have confidence He’s going to do it again. It is a matter of getting the right people at the right time. Right Person, Wrong Time = Wrong Person. It’s a trust thing. Recruiting takes faith.

Be sure to check out LeadVolunteers.com as your one-stop-shop to help you recruit, train and retain volunteers.

Summary: After casting the vision and value of the volunteer role, and how you can envision the volunteer, with their unique gifts and abilities in this role, end with my #1 recruiting line — “Please feel the freedom to say no.”

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I have shared this concept with you before. And yet, some ministry principles demand a second hearing. I have an always and forever “GO TO” recruiting phrase. My #1 recruiting line is saved until the end of my recruiting call. By the time I share this recruiting phrase, I have boldly cast the vision and value of this role. I have shared how I can envision them, with their unique gifts and abilities in this role. Before I drop my #1 recruiting line, I will have shared everything about the time commitment, the start and end time, the requirements and more. I have left nothing on the table.

Before the call closes, I make sure to include my #1 and top recruiting line of all time . My #1 recruiting line is, “Please, feel the freedom to say NO.”

Listen, I am a persuasive person. I do not want to use those gifts incorrectly. I do not want to try to do what Obi-Wan-Kenobi did to those Storm Troopers and manipulate the situation. “These are not the droids you are looking for…” I don’t want to use guilt, manipulation or inappropriately leverage position or persuasion. Honestly, I want them to feel called and compelled to do this role. I want them to ask of God. Check in with their Heavenly Father to gain His direction.

You may have heard this from me before, but may I share it again? I honestly feel this ONE phrase, if it comes from your heart, will change everything. Now, you might ask if anyone has stopped the conversation and said, “Sweet! I’m out. My answer is NO.” Here is the reality: No one has ever jumped forward and said, “I’ll take you up on that no right now.” That has never happened. Honestly, the reverse has happened. People feel safe. They don’t feel I am trying to pin them into a corner. Who wants that, right? Truth be told, this one phrase, when used with a pure heart, breathes so much oxygen into the conversation. There is no high pressure sale. I am sorry, that just seems wrong.

Rather than saying an instant no, people’s response could be summed up in one word: Relief. The most common verbal response has been “Thank you, I appreciate you said that.” Bottom line: Give people the freedom to say no. Be sure to check out LeadVolunteers.com as your one-stop-shop to help you recruit, train and retain volunteers.

Summary: God gets the glory as you serve others, and again when they thank Him for his provision and care through your service. Double win.

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2 Corinthians 9:12 says “…this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God.”

Our ministry is rendered unto God and not to people. Plainly stated, we serve God not man. But our labors in the Lord DO meet the needs of other human beings. Yet it does not end there. There is an easily overlooked “spiritual bonus,” resulting from our efforts.

Consider this: People, whose needs are met by you, might tell God thanks for what you did. God not only gains glory as (1) you selflessly serve Him, but He receives (2) offerings of thanks from those whose needs were met. Here’s the basic rundown: First, you serve God. Second, your service meets someone’s need. Third, God received heartfelt worship through thanks from the one whose needs were met.

I know this sounds elemental and basic. Yet, it brings me joy to consider that someone might report thanks to our Dad for what you have done. There is an amazing double bonus: (1) God gets your sacrifice and (2) someone’s thanks. Today, render your service not for the applause of men. Rather bless others and they might tell our Father thanks that He helped them. Double win.

Summary: Paul had experiences of being in need and of having plenty. He convinced himself of his future ability to “do all things” based on the track record of a faithful God.

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In Philippians 4:12-13 we read “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”

Paul can proclaim future “do-ability” through previous experience. Paul had previous experiences of being in need and previous experiences of having plenty. Therefore, Paul convinced himself of his future ability to “do all things,” based out of the previous track record of a faithful God.

There is a learning that must be experienced before confidently stating that you “can do all future things” through Christ who gives you strength. One must experience the secret of contentment when things looked bleak. One must master the secret of contentment when blessings abounded. Paul had spiritual muscle-memory that allowed him to confidently face unknown future.

God provided mission-success when I had an abundance of well-qualified volunteers and when I felt woefully understaffed. Therefore, the future seems brighter, because of my rearview mirror. Look back today.

Summary: Ministry is a series of opportunities. Approaching today’s tasks “as unto the King” will determine future opportunity.

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Luke 16:10 tells us “He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much.”

Ministry is a series of opportunities. Everyday we have Kingdom tasks before us. How we approach today’s tasks is a telltale indicator for whether you should be trusted tomorrow.

Here’s an inescapable truth: If today you apply excellence in seemingly insignificant tasks, you will likely apply excellence in clearly significant tasks. If you work with a slack hand today, chances are, you will work with a slack hand tomorrow. This verse is not a means of “how to climb the ministry ladder” with your human bosses. God is the one who sees and provides greater Kingdom opportunities. God quietly observes your faithful or haphazard execution. It is the Lord who recognizes your secret motivation, your love for people and your love for the Kingdom.

Your approach today will determine future opportunity. Polish today’s tiny tasks and see what your tomorrow brings. Which of today’s duties demands your special attention? Which task today could be approached “as unto the King?”

Summary: You are God’s child. Know who you are, whose you are, and the guarantee of your future.

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John 13:1-4 tells us “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God, rose from supper. He laid aside his outer garments, and taking a towel, tied it around his waist. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”

Jesus knew who He was. Jesus knew His position. Jesus knew His purpose. Jesus knew the guarantee of His future.

What about you? Whose are you? Do you know unto whom you belong? Do you know your specific and sanctioned station of ministry and calling? Do you understand the solid footing upon which you stand? Do you grasp that nothing will remove your name from the Lamb’s Book of Life? It was out of a firm understanding of these things that Jesus took that next step: taking up the towel. It was His clear understanding that allowed Him to do what seemed unthinkable: wash dirty feet.

Start today by reviewing the fact that you are God’s child. Begin by rethinking what you have been asked to do. Center yourself by knowing where you will ultimately end up. Taking today’s next step will be easier.

Summary: Work takes … work! Ministry is hard. Reach out to a fellow laborer and remind yourselves that you are in this together.

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1 Corinthians 3:9 reads “For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”

We are in ministry. Therefore, we are workers for this Kingdom. We are not merely spectators. We have stepped into the call. This is our vocation, but this is also our volition. This is our work and we are in willful agreement. We GET to do this. We are workers in God’s field and we are working for a great harvest. We are HIS workers.

But don’t be fooled. Work takes…well…work! Ministry is hard. Sometimes we feel worn and isolated. We can feel alone and confused. You, however, are not alone as a ministry laborer. You are a part of a great heritage of men and women who have pushed, pulled and plowed for the Lord. We are in this together.

I wouldn’t want to do it alone and I wouldn’t want you to think that you are doing it alone. We are FELLOW workers. We are a part of a secret and sacred club of those who know both the joys and toils of serving the Kingdom. We are here to build into the lives of others and yet isolation tells us we are laboring alone. Can you reach out to a fellow laborer today and remind yourselves that you are in this together?

Summary: Today you will reinforce your reputation in one way or another. How might you reinforce the reality that God is Love through a singular action today?

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John 13:34-35 says “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I am a student of people. People give clues about their emotional state or what they value. I notice when people who always wear contact lenses show up to a meeting wearing glasses; did they have a rough morning? I notice when normally gregarious people choose a more reserved posture. It registers to me when someone consistently and quietly removes dirty dishes from others. I notice the small things. Everyone is constantly communicating, though words may not ever be used.

Jesus says that love is a dead give-away that you are His follower. A constant aura of love and self-sacrifice is rare. Love provides an unmistakable clue. Reputation is earned through time + consistency of any behavior.

You have a reputation. You have earned it. Today you will reinforce your reputation one way or another. Is there a tangible way you can share love today? How might you reinforce the reality that God is Love through a singular action today?

Summary: God is all knowing. He sees all. He remembers all His children’s works. Who can you remind of the wonderful truth that God is keeping track of all their love and labor?

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In Hebrews 6:10 we read “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.”

God sees, God knows and God is waiting with reward for you. He is NOT unjust! God does not forget. While you have likely forgotten some of your own times of faithfulness and labor, the Lord has not.

God is all knowing (omniscient). God is all powerful (omnipotent). God is everywhere (omnipresent). We are omni-nothing. God is omni-everything. He sees all. He remembers all His children’s works. Worship Him that He does NOT forget our labors.

We as humans, however, do forget. We have all overlooked a volunteer’s labor and their contribution. Sometimes and somehow our best volunteers’ efforts have sadly gone unnoticed by us. But God, being good, does not forget our work for the Kingdom. None of our efforts in the Lord are unaccounted for and missed.

Who should you pour into today, knowing God will never forget how you seek to help the saints? In addition, who should you call today to thank for their labors in the Lord? Someone may need reminded that God has been noticing and keeping track of all their love and labor.