From Discernment to Flourishing

Throughout this series, we’ve explored a simple but deeply important principle: people flourish when they are placed where they belong.

In Part 1, we reflected on Samuel calling David in, a reminder that God often identifies the person before the position is ever visible. Calling precedes appointment, but it is confirmed through discernment, process, and community.

In Part 2, we explored the five Cs of recruitment, Calling, Character, Competency, Culture, and Chemistry, a framework designed to help leaders place people wisely and help individuals work in alignment rather than toil in misalignment.

Taken together, these principles remind us that recruitment is never merely functional. It is deeply formative.

Leadership as Stewardship of People

Leadership is not just about filling vacancies or achieving outcomes. At its heart, leadership is stewardship, of people, purpose, and potential.

When leaders rush placement, people may perform, but often at the cost of joy and sustainability. When leaders discern well, people grow, teams strengthen, and organisations flourish.

Wise leadership asks not only:

“Can this person do the job?”

but also:

“Is this the right season, seat, and setting for them?”

Calling Requires Community

Calling is rarely clarified in isolation. Scripture consistently shows that calling is recognised, tested, and affirmed in community.

That’s why godly leadership values:

• Prayerful discernment

• Shared wisdom

• Accountability

• Time

Calling without character lacks credibility. Calling without competence lacks effectiveness. Calling without community lacks protection.

But when all three come together, people are empowered to step into work that is life-giving and fruitful.

From Toiling to Working

Work, as God intended it, brings purpose and fulfilment. Toil, by contrast, drains energy and joy.

The difference is not effort, but alignment.

Many people are capable, committed, and hardworking, yet remain weary because they are seated in the wrong place. One of the greatest gifts leaders can give is the courage to help people move into roles where they can truly flourish.

So, let me conclude with this Invitation

Whether you are a leader, a team member, or someone prayerfully considering your next step, here are three questions worth holding before God:

• Am I working – becoming what God created me to be or merely toiling?

• Am I sitting in the right seat, in this season?

• As a leader, am I placing people for flourishing, not just for function?

As we seek to “call them in,” may we be leaders who listen well, discern wisely, and place people faithfully, trusting that God continues to call, equip, and appoint in His time.

When people are placed in the right peg hole, work becomes worship, teams become healthier, and organisations reflect something of God’s good design.