Let’s look at The Five Cs of Recruitment

It’s vital to make sure that people in the workplace are sitting in the right seat in relation to their role. Too many people today are on the right bus but in the wrong seat. And when that happens, even good people can end up toiling rather than truly working.

If we are to enjoy life to the full, that must include experiencing work as God intended, purposeful, fulfilling, and aligned.

So, let’s look together at what I believe is a godly and practical strategy for recruiting the right people into the right roles at the right time. Here at UCB, we refer to this as the five Cs of recruitment.

Their purpose, from a leadership perspective, is to help ensure that people are sitting in the right seat and able to fulfil their God-given assignment. The benefit for employees is that they are able to give their best, driven by purpose, not merely performance.

1. Calling

Calling asks the question: Do we believe we are living out our life assignment – the work God has uniquely entrusted to us?

God never asks someone to do something without also providing what is needed to do it well. In Scripture, calling is often accompanied by God’s equipping, what the Bible refers to as anointing. This is not a mark of status, but a sign of empowerment for responsibility.

David was called, then anointed, and only later appointed. God’s order matters. Calling is normally confirmed over time through character, competence, and community discernment. It is a process through which God shapes us into who He desires us to become.

2. Character

If we are to become the people God desires us to be and the kind of people others can trust and follow, we must pay close attention to our inner life.

Reputation is what others think of us; character is who we truly are.

We may not always control the situations we face, but we always have a choice in how we respond. Scripture places enormous weight on character, so much so that the Bible could rightly be described as a manual for godly living. It is filled with both positive and cautionary examples, given for our learning and growth.

God cares deeply about who we are becoming, not just what we are achieving.

3. Competency

Competency matters, even in ministry.

Competency is the ability to apply knowledge and skills effectively to achieve the desired outcome. While character is foundational, calling without competence can limit impact.

As I often say, if I needed major surgery, choosing between a surgeon with excellent character but no competence, and one with competence but no character, would not take long. This is not to diminish character, but to highlight that both are essential.

Character is who we are; competence is what we can do. And whatever we are called to do should be done wholeheartedly and excellently. If we want to grow in our assignment, we must also be willing to sharpen our skills.

4. Culture

Culture shapes behaviour.

At UCB, we seek to cultivate a kingdom culture – a values-based way of working where biblical principles shape our purpose, priorities, and practices. Jesus summarised this clearly:

Love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10:27).

We describe this as our PPF culture – Putting People First. That means serving our audiences well but also serving one another internally as we ourselves would wish to be served.

Healthy culture isn’t just about what we believe – it’s about how we treat people every day.

5. Chemistry

Finally, chemistry matters.

Chemistry speaks to how people relate, collaborate, and function together. Good chemistry strengthens trust, improves communication, and enhances team performance. Without it, even capable teams struggle to flourish.

That’s why fit matters. Being in the right role, with the right people, enables individuals to give their very best, not just completing tasks, but becoming who God created them to be.

Let me conclude 

When people are misplaced, they may still perform, but often at the cost of joy and fulfilment. When people are well placed, work becomes life-giving rather than draining.

So, as you pray for vacancies to be filled, call them in just as Samuel called David.

And remember this pattern:

God calls. God equips. And, in time, God appoints.

May we be leaders who discern wisely, place people well, and help others enjoy their God-given work rather than merely enduring a job.