Recently, our staff has been making an effort to ensure that we’re all on the same page when it comes to vocabulary.  Below is a list of some of our terminology that Michael posted on behindtheleaf.com, and we wanted to share this with you guys now so that you can preview some of the changes that have been made.

More info on this will be coming your way shortly!

It may not sound like a big deal, but it’s important for everyone in your church to use the same vocabulary. Here’s a list of official Oak Leaf terms. Believe it or not, getting everyone on the same page required a good bit of discussion (and some final decision making from me).

  • Volunteer – Not serving group member. This is a person who serves in some capacity at Oak Leaf Church.
  • Volunteer Team -Volunteers don’t serve alone; they serve in a team. Not serving groups. A team is a group with a purpose. Teams work with a goal in mind.
  • Coach – This is a person who is charge of a volunteer team. They coach other leaders.
  • Huddles – These are short meetings of volunteer teams that happen before a weekend service.
  • VIP – This is the acronym used to guide the Huddle Meeting. Every huddle meeting should contain some vision, some information, and some prayer.
  • Mission Statement - We are here to lead people from where they are to where God wants them to be.
  • 3 G’s – (Gather, Grow, Give) This is our strategy – how we accomplish the mission. We want to GATHER people on the weekends. Then we want to help them GROW, maybe through a Journey Group or an Oak Leaf University course, or by reading their Bible. Finally, we want them to GIVE… through being on a volunteer team and giving of their finances.
  • Service – Not experience or gathering. Are you coming to the Saturday night service?
  • Time of Giving – The part in the weekend service where people give their tithes and offerings. Not “the offering.” We are going to participate in the time of giving.
  • Receive the offering – We receive the offering. We do not have mafia guys who go through the aisle and take it.
  • Guest – Visitors are usually uninvited, but you prepare for guests.
  • Partnership – This is what we call membership. It’s usually a good idea to say “this is what we call membership” when you toss out the term.
  • Courses – What we offer through Oak Leaf University. Not classes or seminars.
  • Instructor – The person who teaches an Oak Leaf University course
  • Handout – Not the bulletin or talk notes.
  • Connection Card – Not communication card.
  • Next Step Area – Not table. If you decided to follow Christ, stop by the Next Step Area after the service.
  • Environments – Not classrooms. The air isn’t working properly in one of the preschool environments.
  • Auditorium – Not the sanctuary or the main room. If you have a main room, then you have minor rooms.
  • Invite – We never recruit….we invite.
  • Opportunity – We have opportunities for people to serve, not needs.
  • Message – Not sermon or talk.