Since releasing The Staffing Workshop this summer, I’ve been blown away by the great feedback from pastors and churches all over the country who are already reaping the benefits of re-vamping their staffing processes.

One vitally important item that I talk about in the workshop is to be abundantly clear about who you want to hire for a position AND who you don’t want to hire.

This means that not only do you have to know who you’re looking for, but the ads and job listings you write must spell out your expectations so clearly that the wrong candidates won’t even bother applying.

As Jason Hatley (Pastor of Worship Arts at The Journey and Founder of Worship Leader Insights) was looking to recruit some new band members recently, he put this principle into practice with this statement:

This is not a “thrown together, disorganized, cheap gear, let’s wing it and see what happens” kind of gig. Attention to detail, personal preparation and a commitment to excellence are a must. Great venue, great gear, great Church!

My hope today is that this little snippet will help you visualize the concept of being clear who you want (and don’t want).

Think about it – if you’re not a serious musician who’s willing to put in the hard work to be a part of this team… you won’t apply!

And isn’t that the point of recruiting – to find the right person?

So here’s the principle (straight from The Staffing Workshop):

Write your position descriptions or paid ads so you attract who you want and repel who you don’t want

Who are you looking for?  Now, how do you plan to find them?

P.S. For the most comprehensive resource on church staffing – covering Recruiting, Hiring, Managing, and “De-hiring” – check out The Staffing Workshop.