God recruited mankind from the beginning to participate in His work as we see in His assignment of people to rule over His creation (Gen. 1:28-29). In addition to specific Bible verses, we can learn from His example in recruiting people. Following are some examples:
- Moses to lead the exile (Ex. 3-4)
- David to be king (1 Samuel 16:1-13)
- Isaiah to be His spokesperson (Isa. 6)
- Jesus’ Twelve Disciples (Matt. 4:18-19, 21; 9:9)
- Paul to be His Apostle (Acts 9:3)
Learn from Relevant Bible Verses for Ministry Recruitment
The following Bible verses have relevance to ministry recruitment. Applying these principles to the way we recruit should positively affect the way we approach the task of recruiting.
God’s criteria in recruiting differs from the world’s standard.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam. 16:7)
Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. (1 Cor. 1:26-30)
We need to communicate the value of everybody’s part in ministry, no matter what we’re recruiting them for.
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. (1 Cor. 12:21-27)
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. (Eph. 4:16)
Recruitment should take people’s spiritual gifts into consideration as God expects them to be used.
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. (Rom. 12:6-8)
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet. 4:10-11)
Prayer should be an integral part of our recruitment efforts.
Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (Matt. 9:37-38)
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of them, whom he also designated apostles . . . (Lk. 6:12-16)
Think about recruitment in terms of passing on an entrustment, not merely filling positions.
And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:2)