You are Planting a New Church

You are planting a new church! Yes, you. 

Let me explain. 

Dan's new office space in the balcony at Awaken! 

New churches are one of the most effective means of reaching more people for Christ. 

That's why it's exciting that our church is partnering with Dan Lukas, Awakenen Church in St. Paul, and the Evangelical Covenant Church to plant a new church.

Since you are the church, that means you are planting a new church! 

The Evangelical Covenant Church is a kissing cousin of our denomination, Evangelical Free Church. They have an 87% success rate on new church plants! Their success compared to others is due in large part to a great process of training, support, and long-term coaching.

So, what's next for Dan and Five Oaks? 

• Dan begins a full-time residency at Awaken in January.
• Dan will be back at Five Oaks to preach several times in 2017.
• We'll hold some information meetings on those weekends where you can learn more about Dan's venture and how you can pray, help, or join the launch team. 
• Dan will gather a launch team through 2017 and launch a new church.
• And we are offering a Church Planting Workshop the morning of March 11. The Governing Board and lead staff will be there, but you will also be invited. 

If you want to get even more value out of the workshop or just find out more about church planting, let me know by email and I'll tell you how. 

Overheard at Five Oaks - November 29

"Look out the back windows of the commons. What's new?" - Brian Burquest pointing out the new home being built directly behind our property.

"There are no more kid's to buy presents for on the tree." - Referring the the Kid's Hope Giving Tree for kids at Woodbury Elementary. This is a great thing. They're all covered. Thank you to all who are doing this!

"The leadership at Woodbury Elementary are disappointed when parents don't jump on the chance to have a Kids' Hope Mentor."

"That could be a new chapter in the book The Art of Neighboring." - What I said in response to a staff member who's thinking of shooting a neighbor's dog for leaving gifts in his front yard.

"I don't care. I'll be eating at Volunteer Central!" - Said at meeting when talking about no cookies this year at our Christmas services, but offering free coffee and hot chocolate. And, yes, the food is great at the Christmas services Volunteer Central. (Hint, hint)

"We're excited but nervous." - Amy Thornton when asked about the Thursday morning Advent services she and Melissa Borner are launching this weekend without Dan.

"When we say, 'One of our missionaries,' what exactly does that mean? Are we their only support?" - Said at a staff meeting. We mean the fourteen or so missionaries we support out of our mission's budget, but we are one of many partners they have.

"The people I talked to loved the kids' video from the weekend...and they were all adults."