Written by Jared Kennedy, managing editor for books and curriculum for The Gospel Coalition

In my time serving as a children’s minister and family pastor, there was perhaps nothing that tested my faith in God’s provision quite like recruiting volunteers. Several years ago, I participated in a conference call with a group of children’s ministry leaders in our church’s denomination. The topic of conversation was—you guessed it—recruiting Sunday school teachers. The moderator asked, “What have you found to be most successful?” One pastor spoke up quickly: “I find the most success when I am the most passionate and prayerful.” I’ll never forget those last three words.

For many church leaders, summer is a time of comparable rest. But the fall ministry season is right around the corner. It’s wise to think now about who will be on your ministry team come September. Here are three principles that have helped my recruiting.

First, recruit to vision. It’s tempting to look at a ministry roster, see needs for the upcoming season, and then rush into filling the gaps with anyone available. But it’s better to stop and consider why each volunteer role is important. For example, why is teaching toddlers important? Toddlers’ language abilities are exploding. Most 2-year-olds can say around 200 words, but by their fourth birthday, they’ll know 1,500. I want teachers for toddlers to be passionate about teaching important words like “Bible,” “prayer,” “sin,” and “Jesus” to 2s and 3s. Before you make a phone call to a prospective worker, think about why that role is essential to your ministry mission and pray that the Lord will bring people to mind who are particularly gifted for that role. Then, be ready to share that passion with the potential volunteer.

Second, recruit to relationships. During an early stage in our church’s life, a young couple volunteered to coordinate the nursery during our Sunday evening service. As long as Dan and Jessica were in leadership, I rarely had to think about finding a nursery volunteer. Why? They also led a tight-knit small group, and several members of that group were always ready to serve with them. When recruiting, invite volunteers into a discipleship relationship. Paint a picture of the training, growth, and fellowship opportunities afforded by serving in the ministry area you lead. Then, as you lead, follow through and commit to building that culture of relational discipleship.

Third, be honest about your needs. You’re inviting new people into serving because you can envision a place for them in your ministry. Can they envision it too? If we’re too proud to admit our need or deceptively paint our ministry to be a well-oiled machine, we shouldn’t be surprised when people think, There’s no way they can use me. But when we honestly admit we need all church members to use their gifts, God’s people will be able to see the importance of their service.

God wants us to admit our need to him too. In Matthew 9:37–38 (NIV), Jesus told 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.” As you recruit, ask God to put names of individual people on your heart so you can pursue them. Ask him for clarity of vision and boldness to ask, and know this is a prayer he wants to answer.

—Jared