Five Oaks Survival Manual - Simplicity and Priorities

A few years ago a book was published called Simple Church based on research done on some of the most effective churches in the U.S. The conclusion was that most of them kept things focused and simple. I learned a lot from that book, but the reality is that we have been practicing simple church principles for my entire time at Five Oaks. In fact, we felt the need a couple of years ago to encourage small, targeted ministries that offer training, fellowship and ministry opportunities around common interests, needs or callings because we were a bit too simple.

But we're still simple--focused on priorities and our mission. We don't want people to come to the church building three or four times a week for Christian activities. We want our church out making a difference in the world and building relationships with people from from God. So our ministry focuses on five key areas. We say "no" to a lot of good things so we can do the most important things most effectively.

• Worship Services: This is the primary entry point to our church whether we plan it to be or not. It just is. It's also the ministry that impacts the most people, so we place a very high priority on the weekends.
• Small Groups: This is the core of who we are and what we do. Small groups are our primary place for building relationships, partnering in ministry, studying the Bible and caring for our congregation.
• Children's Ministry: Here we partner with parents to help their kids come to know Christ, grow in a knowledge of God and grow in deeper love with him.
• Student Ministries: Middle school and high school years are hard on our students faith. We partner with parents to keep their kids growing through these years. But they are also great years of opportunity. Our students serve in our Children's Ministry, reach their friends for Christ and also make a local and global for Christ.
• Impact Ministry: This is our ministry focused on demonstrating the Kingdom of God locally and globally and on bringing the gospel to the ends of the earth.

Getting Motivated

Great post by Mac Lake on getting motivated at MacLakeOnline. Mac is a motivating guy. He spent the morning with David, Keith and I when we went to Seacoast Church to look at their response services and their multi-site operations. We picked his brain and learned tons of stuff.

There is nothing worse than not being motivated. The Gallup organization indicates that as many as 74% of US employees are not “fully engaged” in their work. In other words they are going through the motions but not finding meaning or fulfillment in their work. So what can you do to kick start your motivation and get a little fire back in your belly? Here are a few simple ideas.

Be a Ferocious learner. When you are learning it expands your mind and gives you new ideas. And fresh ideas are like gasoline in your motivational tank.

Exercise Daily. Sometimes our lack of motivation is not emotional but physical. Get outside, get moving and you’ll find that when the endorphins start firing you will get a spring in your step both physically and mentally.

Put Your Strengths to Work. There’s nothing more motivating and fulfilling than doing the things you’re good at. Take a look at your week and plan out your projects and time based around those things that you do best. When you do this you’ll begin to see results and get that feeling that you’re making a difference.

Study Best Practices. Sometimes we aren’t motivated because we’re stuck in routine, doing the same things the same ways. Take some time, look around you at some of the industry leaders in your field and study their best practices. This will give you fresh ideas which will lead to fresh motivation.

Get away. Sometimes a simple change of scenery can give you a whole new perspective. Schedule some time to get away to your favorite think spot or vacation spot. Build in some think time and see what happens, it’s likely this time of mediation will lead to some inspiration.

Put Your Goals in Writing. Schedule an hour where you can think through what God might want you to accomplish over the next six months. Pray it through, think it through, talk it through, then write it down. I find that every time I put my goals in writing in sparks a new fire in my heart.