One day while Jesus was mentoring his disciples, he smiled and said (tongue-in-cheek), "Show me the money!" Actually, he said, "Show me your heart." Well, in reality he said, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:21 NIV) This is one of the most profound stewardship principles in Scripture, yet it is rarely practiced where it matters most — with church elders and ministry board members. These arresting words from Jesus would look good on a T-shirt. President Bill Clinton should have said it this way, "It's the heart, stupid!" The heart issue is the foundational building block for recruiting, inspiring, and unleashing effective board members. There are six best practices for recruiting exceptional board members in Christian organizations and churches. If you ignore or short-cut any step, you'll pay for it sooner or later.

1. Go for passion
Recruit people for their passion, not for their position. Don't swallow the board myth that says you need a CPA, an attorney, a pastor, and a fundraiser on your board. People in those positions make great volunteers, but may be uncommitted board members. Instead, recruit highly committed people with board governance skills who are zealots for your ministry — and who have already demonstrated passion for your mission. If you need a volunteer, recruit a volunteer. If you need a board member, recruit a board member.

2. Pray over prospects
Right now, before you finish this article, begin your Top 50 Prospects Prayer List. Effective CEOs, senior pastors, and development officers know that it takes up to 36 months to bring exceptional board prospects into the board circle. Jim Brown, author of The Imperfect Board Member, writes, "The problem is, most board cultures are developed by default, not by design." You can change that! The Lord wants you to have an extraordinary board. Imagine the potential when you energize exceptional board members who give spiritual oversight and excellent governance to your God-given mission. Why settle for second best? Why recruit untested, uncommitted but good candidates when—with prayer and hard work — the Lord could bless you with a sterling board team?

3. Begin "dating"
Thoughtful adults don't propose marriage on the first date. Effective CEOs don't propose board service to "B-List" prospects. Think of this as a 36-month dating experience. But don't mention marriage (board service) up front. As you pray through the process, slowly bring prospects inside the circles of involvement. Today, they may be unfamiliar with your ministry, so add them to your mailing list and invite them to an event. Test their interest with a volunteer role. Just like in dating, continue to evaluate over many months if your prospect demonstrates growing interest in, and ultimately passion for, your important mission. If Hank turns out to be a lousy volunteer, drop him! You've saved yourself from marrying a lousy board member. If Susan gives 110% and recruits friends and families beyond expectation — you've got a live one! Keep dating!

4. Inspire generosity
The principle of generous giving (your heart follows your money) is not a fundraising gimmick; it's a core value for the fully devoted follower of Christ. It's the one principle in which there should be no exceptions for board service. Do this by design and you'll breathe new life into your ministry. As you "date" board prospects, challenge them spiritually to become generous givers to your mission. Explain why you need a team of highly committed donors who give their hearts along with their checks. Without holding out the carrot of board service, inspire your prospect (and his or her spouse, if that person is married) with the opportunity to make your ministry one of their top three annual giving priorities. If they say no, that's OK. You've discovered where their heart is — before the wedding. That's good. There are thousands of nonprofit CEOs that have "married" board members way too soon — and the commitment, passion, giving, and the heart never followed. Save yourself the agony and do it right, starting today.

5. Propose marriage
You'll know when it's time to propose marriage (board service). The prospect will have demonstrated it and the Lord will confirm it to you and your nominating committee. But just a reminder. Never, never, never invite anyone to serve on your board who is not already a generous giver to your ministry. The board candidate does not have to be wealthy, just generous. Generally that means that during this person's term of service on the board, he or she will make your ministry their first, second, or third highest annual giving priority. No exceptions. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Where this core value is practiced, board members attest to the remarkable culture change that happens. Passionate, highly committed board members — who follow their money with their heart — become incredible zealots for your mission. Wow! Do you have people on your board today who are not generous givers? Your CEO or board chair should plan a one- on-one appointment. Buy them lunch or dinner. Mentor them on what Jesus taught and what a 100% committed board could do for your ministry. Then, ask them for their gift and their heart.

6. Keep dating
The wedding (board member installation) is only the beginning. Ensure that all board members hone their board competencies regularly. Most will bring a diversity of expectations into your board room. They'll also bring the delightful dysfunctional baggage they've picked up from other board experiences. Use your board meetings, your mailings, and at least one board retreat each year to help members become life-long learners on board best practices. Introduce them to board governance workshops, books, articles, Web sites, and CDs. Invite resource people — such as consultants, other CEOs, and professors — to train, motivate, and inspire your board team. Bless your board members and they'll be a blessing to your ministry!

John Pearson is president of John Pearson Associates, Inc., a management consulting firm based in San Clemente, Calif., that helps nonprofit organizations in vision implementation with detailed execution. This article originally appeared in Stewardship Connections, published by Christian Stewardship Association. For more on this subject, read "The Board Bucket" chapter in John's book, Mastering the Management Buckets: 20 Critical Competencies for Leading Your Business or Nonprofit (ManagementBuckets.com). John Pearson facilitates 1-day workshops for board members and helps ministries with vision implementation with detailed execution. Visit JohnPearsonAssociates.com or e-mail John@JohnPearsonAssociates.com.