+ 2

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SUOV
CULTURE
EDIUG
Here at VOUS, we know that culture
either happens by default or by
design. Rather than allowing
our feelings, upbringing, or the
standards of our society take the
lead, our goal is to intentionally
and consistently create the culture
we want to see. This book is your
guide to the culture and language at
VOUS. If you experience something
that needs to be added to this book,
let us know.

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 +

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE

EROC
VALUES

VOUS ——VALUES
OUR CORE VALUES ARE WHO WE ARE.
THEY ARE

REV.
NOT JUST WHAT WE DO, THEY ARE PART
OF OUR
DNA. THESE ARE NON-NEGOTIABLE FOR
OUR STAFF
AND LEADERS.

2021 —
06
+ CORE VALUES 07

JESUS: SERVANT LEADERSHIP:

IS OUR MESSAGE IS OUR IDENTITY
The purpose of VOUS Church is to If you’re too big to serve then
share the hope of Jesus. Jesus you are too small to lead. We
is our message. We are Jesus believe the greatest leadership
people, not religious people. is service to others. Every
Methods will come and go, leader is a servant first. From
yet our message will remain the parking lot to the pulpit,
the same. everyone serves. Every role
is different but they are all
important. If you ain’t helping,
PEOPLE:
you ain’t helping!
ARE OUR HEART
Our heart is for ALL people.
All people are loved by Jesus.
HONOR:
We make no apologies for being
IS OUR CALLING
specifically focused on reaching We our a vocal with our honor,
those far away from God. We meaning we are not stingy
desire to bring the broken home with our words. We submit to
at all costs. We believe that leadership and are thankful for
our light is best seen in spiritual authority. We choose
the night. joyfully to submit to those God
has placed over us. We honor and
care for those God has placed
GENEROSITY:
under us.
IS OUR PRIVILEGE
Generosity is about giving more
than what is required. We see
PASSION:
generosity as a privilege. We’re
IS OUR PURSUIT
generous with our time, talents Everything we do, we do it with
and treasure. We go first in passion. From our worship to
our giving. God has given richly our service we do it with Holy
towards us, it’s our honor to Spirit Energy. Passion drives
give back to Him. us. Passion for Jesus. Passion
for people. Passion for
His church.
EXCELLENCE:
IS OUR SPIRIT
We are going to always do the
best with what we have. We’re
on time, engaged and prepared.
We don’t do things halfway. If
we’re going to do it, it’s
going to be to the best of
our ability.

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OUR STAFF VALUES ARE WHO WE ASPI

RE TO BE.
THOUGH WE MAY NOT ALWAYS LIVE UP
TO THEM,
THESE ARE THE ATTRIBUTES WE ARE
CONSTANTLY
PURSUING AS A STAFF.

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE

VOUS ——VALUES

FFATS

REV.
2021 —
08

VALUES
+ STAFF VALUES 09

MAKE IT BETTER REPLACE YOURSELF

What am I doing personally Who am I empowering today? It’s
to help us improve not just about getting the job
organizationally? My role, no done, it’s about involving as
matter the job description, is many people as you can. If you
to make the organization better. replace yourself, you’ll always
I won’t do tomorrow what I have a place. Leaders who
can do today. I choose to put attract leaders are the leaders
my full weight down. Imitate. you can’t afford to lose. You
Innovate. Evaluate. Repeat. can’t fill anyone’s cup, but you
can empty yours. If you aren’t
bringing someone along and
TAKE IT PERSONALLY
teaching them how to do what you
How am I personally engaged in are doing, you aren’t leading.
our mission and vision? How am We aren’t doers, we are leaders.
I putting into practice that We are intentionally creating
which I am encouraging others and communicating a pathway of
to participate in? We can’t growth and purpose for others.
ask people to do that which we
are unwilling to do. We lead
but we also participate. We are
STAY FIT
not just church leaders, we are How am I taking care of myself
members of the body. Serving, spiritually, physically,
giving, Crews, Growth Track, relationally, financially,
the fundamental parts of our and emotionally? We take
organization are championed responsibility for our own
by the team whole-heartedly. health. No excuses. Nobody
This is who we are. We are the owes me anything, Jesus gave me
Church. Think. Be. Do. everything. Our personal lives
come to work with us. (Your
marriage, body, frustrations,
WORK TOGETHER
come to work with you.) I
Where am I leveraging the can make a personal decision
talents and skills of those that negatively impacts the
outside my primary team? “I’m organization and my coworkers.
not too proud to ask for help, Our attitude is not dictated by
and I’m not too busy to be of the weather, we carry our own
help.” I will inspect what I weather. We choose to be here.
expect. Collaboration is valued We are thankful for community.
in all aspects of ministry.
There are no one-man bands at
VOUS Church. God is honored in
our unity. We seek to honor God
by our collaboration in every
aspect of His church.

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REMAIN FLEXIBLE
How do I manage the tension THOUGHTS / NOTES / ETC.
triggered by new ideas,
innovation, and change? God
gives you the “what” before he
gives you the “how.” We are not
intimidated by a big vision. We
run towards God dreams and put
our faith in action. Everyone is
up for change until something
changes. Change brings tension.
In order to be flexible you
have to constantly stretch. We
embrace the stretch and the
tension that change brings. We
are not defensive or protective.
We are called to the “house” not
a “room.” We are committed to
the big picture.

CELEBRATE CONSTANTLY
Am I finding something or
someone to celebrate today?
Gratitude brings joy and joy
brings strength. We make it
an organizational focus to
celebrate the journey every
step of the way. We don’t take
ourselves too seriously. We are
committed to learn to laugh and
have a sense of humor. Celebrate
others success. We like to party
(with a purpose) at VOUS. We
make hard work look fun.

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—OPMI
TNATR
LOC
AT
—IO
NS
VOUS CULTURE GUIDE REV. 2021 —
+ LOCATIONS 13

SOUTH MIAMI (SOMI SOMI - PROPERTY

6767 Sunset Dr S Miami, FL 33143
Seating Capacity: 500
Originally a Baptist church
built in 1968, SOMI is our first
permanent Sunday location,
purchased in early 2021. We
launched weekly Sunday services
at SOMI on Easter Sunday,
April 4, 2021.

VOUS HQ SOMI
6767 Sunset Dr S Miami, FL 33143
The staff headquarters at our
South Miami location. In the
spring of 2021, we converted
this old Baptist fellowship hall
into the SOMI hub for our staff.
VOUS HQ SOMI
VOUS HQ DESIGN DISTRICT
77 NE 40th St. Miami, FL 33137
Our future staff headquarters,
located in the heart of Miami’s
Design District. This building
was purchased under miraculous
circumstances in the middle of
the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

CHURCH ONLINE
vouschurch.com/online
Our online church community,
established in March 2020. Each
week, thousands of people join
us from all over the world to
worship, serve, and connect.

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE REV. 2021 —

 +

FROM DAY 1, WE IDENTIFIED KEY BUIL

DING BLOCKS FOR OUR CHURCH,

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE

FOUNDATIONAL PILLARS UPON WHICH
WE COULD BUILD A HEALTHY
COMMUNITY. OVER THE PAST FOUR YEAR
S, WHAT BEGAN AS FIVE CORE
THINGS HAS EVOLVED INTO A LIST OF
SEVEN KEY AREAS.

THINGS

REV.
TSRIF

2021 —
14

FIRST
+ FIRST THINGS FIRST 15

GROWTH TRACK VOUS CARE

The VOUS Growth Track guides An ongoing collection of
you to discover your redemptive curriculum known as Care Crews
purpose and live the life God that help individuals navigate
created for you. Growth Track through seasons, to find
is made up of four steps over freedom, and to walk in the path
four weeks that equip you to that God has planned for them.
follow Jesus, connect at church,
discover your purpose, and serve
VOUS CREW (CREW)
others. Growth Track takes place
at both of our locations each VOUS Crews are small gatherings
Sunday. (In months that include of people who meet in-person or
five Sundays, Growth Track does online to connect, hang, discuss
not occur on the fifth Sunday of a recent Sunday message, and
the month.) pray together. These gatherings
take place every other week
each season.
I LOVE MY CITY (ILMC)
Monthly we gather large for our
VOUS HIGH
ILMC outreaches in which we
partner with local organizations
VOUS High is the junior high
to love on our community.
and high school community of
VOUS Church. We are committed
SUNDAY SERVICES to creating a place where young
people can belong, grow, and
The large, corporate gathering
encounter God. We meet through
of our church community every
VOUS Crews and seasonal events.
Sunday. Service times and
locations may change but our
gathering is always centered on VOUS KIDS
worshipping God and connecting
The next generation of leaders.
with others.
Every Sunday from 6 months of
age to 6th grade these leaders
TEAM NIGHT are equipped with knowledge
of the love of God and their
The midweek gathering for our
identity in VOUS Kids services
community of servant leaders,
that happen simultaneously with
currently hosted at VOUS Casa
VOUS Church services. This is
at 7:30pm on Wednesday nights.
not babysitting. It’s leadership
Team Night exists to include,
development.
inspire, instruct, and involve—
to connect leaders, build Dreamers (Ages 6-24mos
culture, and develop the gifts Heroes (Ages 2-4yrs)
God has given each of us.
Legends (Ages 5-11yrs)

VOUS Buddies (inclusion ministry

for children with special needs)

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—EVE
STN
ALONG WITH THE SEVEN KEY AREAS OF
FOCUS
LISTED PREVIOUSLY, VOUS REGULARL
Y HOSTS
A WIDE RANGE OF EVENTS, FROM SPEC
IAL
SUNDAY SERVICES TO SEASONAL GATH
ERINGS,
YEARLY CONFERENCES, AND MORE.

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE REV. 2021 —

+ EVENTS 19

ANNIVERSARY SERVICES
The annual celebration of the CREATIVE COLLECTIVE
launch of our church and all (COLLECTIVE)
that God has done since. A midweek gathering, not
currently occurring in regular
BACK TO SCHOOL BASH intervals but in the past
(ILMC) hosted 2-3 times per year. A
connection point for current
During the beginning of servant leaders within our
the school year we have an creative department as well
incredible opportunity to love as new people who are looking
the children in our community to get involved or curious to
in a tangible way by providing know more. Collective is both
them with backpacks full of an expression of creativity
school supplies. and a celebration of creative
community. Practically, it
BAPTISM SUNDAY serves as the deadline for
design, environments, and stage
We believe that this outward
design looks for the upcoming
expression of an inward
season of church.
decision is something that
should be celebrated in front
of the people you love and CREW CATCH UP
your community of faith. In our A gathering created specifically
current schedule, VOUS throws for Crew Captains, Coaches,
a party for Baptism Sunday Leaders, and Co-Leaders to
(complete with large baptism celebrate the wins of the
pools, a DJ, and cowbells) season thus far, honor standout
approximately six times a year. leaders, and hear an encouraging
leadership message. This
COMMUNION SUNDAY gathering happens in the middle
of the current Crew season.
As a community, we remember the
price paid on calvary and the
words of Jesus at the CREW COACHING
Last Supper by taking Holy Before each new Crew season
Communion together. begins, all new Crew Leaders
gather with Crew Coaches to
CHILD DEDICATION SUNDAY learn the ropes of Crew life.
Expectations, cultural language,
Families that desire for their
and helpful resources are taught
children to be prayed for by
and discussed.
the VOUS community are honored
and celebrated on Child
Dedication Sunday. EASTER EGG DROP
The Easter Egg Drop is a fun-
filled day, including a petting
zoo, food, games, entertainment,
and the crowd favorite: a
helicopter egg drop with eggs
stuffed with goodies and prizes!

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+ EVENTS 20

FRIENDS & FAMILY TEAM CONFERENCE

A community of pastors and A free one-day conference
church leaders who are friends exclusively for the servant
and family of VOUS. F+F includes leaders of VOUS Church. It
our library of resources includes a massive family
designed to equip, empower, lunch and leadership sessions
and encourage. with guest speakers and the
VOUS team.
HABIT LAB
First conceived during our fall
TEAM LEADERS MEETING
Pray First season in 2020, Habit This gathering originated from
Labs are one-hour gatherings the weekly Saturday morning
where hosts lead us through leaders meeting at Pastor
conversations about matters of Rich and DC’s home during the
faith and spiritual discipline. launch of VOUS Church. It now
takes place several times a
year at VOUS HQ and involves
HEART & SOUL
all team leaders and staff. It
A night for the stakeholders occurs on a Saturday morning
of our community. It happens with breakfast, worship,
2-3 times a year and includes administrative announcements,
updates on salvations, baptisms, and vision casting from
Crews, VOUS Care, and ILMC. leadership.
It is a night of celebration,
worship, and prayer.
THANKSGIVING BASH (ILMC)
PRAY FIRST Help make Thanksgiving special
for a family in need by serving
Twice a year, we set aside 21
in November’s ILMC, Thanksgiving
days to pray and fast together.
Bash where we distribute
We call this time Pray First,
hundreds of meals to families
as a reminder that prayer is
in our community.
not our last resort but rather
our first response. Also, the
Wednesday night prayer meetings
TOY BASH (ILMC)
held during this 21-day period.
During our annual Toy Drive you
will have the opportunity to
STAFF RETREAT sort toys for children, write
A 4-5 day getaway each summer cards, go caroling and prepare
for the staff of VOUS Church. goodie bags for the children &
The retreat is focused on unity, families in our community!
worship, community, and growth.
The purpose of the retreat, is
to rest, relate and receive. TRUNK OR TREAT (ILMC)
In October we host our Trunk-or-
Treat, a fun experience for the
families in our city! This is
a special opportunity to spread
the love of Jesus
during October.

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+ EVENTS 21

VISION SUNDAY VOUS CREW LIVE

A Sunday set aside in August/ A weekly YouTube release around
September each year where the Sunday’s Sermon for viewers
overall vision for the coming to experience what a VOUS Crew
year is presented to the discussion is like.
entire church community in all
services. The vision includes
VOUS GIRL
language that describes the
focus of the year thematically, A sisterhood of strength for
along with specific goals for every season. A gathering for
expansion and health. ALL women to come together
for a night of encouragement,
community, and celebration.
VOUS BASEL
Art Basel is one of the largest
VOUS KIDS CONFERENCE
events in the city of Miami
in December annually. VOUS has VOUS Kids Conference is
hosted an interactive space for a three-day conference
art, coffee, and conversations exclusively for children
on faith and creativity. It is that runs simultaneously with
an outreach that reaches those VOUS Conference. It includes
outside of church. interactive worship services,
outdoor activities and
special guests.
VOUS CONFERENCE
VOUS Conference is an annual
VOUS KIDS LIVE
gathering in the month of June
dedicated to encountering God, VOUS Kids LIVE is a Sunday
equipping the church, and event hosted by the VOUS Kids
empowering the next generation team 2-3 times a year. It is a
of leaders. Established in 2010 moment for parents to connect,
and currently hosted at the gather resources, and receive
Watsco Center arena in encouragement as they continue
Coral Gables. to raise their children with
Jesus at the center.
VOUS CONF LIVE
VOUS PARENT LIVE
VOUS Conf Live is the digital
experience of VOUS Conference, VOUS Parent Live is an
pioneered in the summer of opportunity for parents to
2020. It is a weekend of online gather online to connect, learn
conversations, live panels, about resources, and to be
virtual crews, workshops, and encouraged. Our VOUS Kids Team
the opportunity to interact hosts these gatherings via our
with the greatest leaders of VOUS Kids Facebook group 5-6
this generation. times a year.

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VOUS CULTURE GUIDE

NOT EVERY EVENT AT VOUS COMES COMP
LETE WITH A THEME, BUT
CERTAIN RECURRING EVENTS COME WITH
A THEME ATTACHED. THESE
PHRASES OFTEN BECOME CONDENSED EXPR
ESSIONS OF PROFOUND LESSONS
WE’VE LEARNED AS A COMMUNITY AT
A PARTICULAR MOMENT IN TIME
THAT WE CARRY WITH US INTO THE FUTU
RE.

2016 ——2021

TNEVE

REV.
2021 —
22

THEMES
+ EVENT THEMES 23

STAFF RETREAT TEAM CONFERENCE

2016 — BETTER AT 70 2016 — CULTURE CARRIERS
We want our marriages, families, We do not clock in and clock
church community and city to out at VOUS Church. We don’t
be better when we are 70 years do the culture. We are the
old. We are committed to living culture. Where we go, be it
disciplined, intentional lives a supermarket or a conference
so that our future is full of meeting, we carry our culture
strength and purpose. Our youth marked by our values and faith.
will not be our greatest season.
2017 — IT’S A GROUP
2017 — MIRACLE IN MOTION PROJECT
See theme description under Church is not a solitary
Vision Sunday. Pg 24 pursuit. It is a group project
marked by community, service,
and devotion to God. We bring
2018 — STAND FIRM
as many people as possible
See theme description under along on the journey. We make
Vision Sunday. Pg 24 room for others to belong.

2019 — BRICK BY BRICK 2018 — BRING THE BAG

See theme description under We live in a sound byte
Vision Sunday. Pg 24 generation that loves handles.
But the real power is what the
handle is attached to.
2020 — PLAY THE LONG GAME
See theme description under
Vision Sunday. Pg 24
2019 - MOMENT BY MOMENT
With Jesus, everything changes
in a moment. What follows us a
lifetime of learning, growth
and change — moment by moment.
As servant leaders, we have the
privilege of creating moments
for people that could change
their lives forever.

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE REV. 2021 —

+ EVENT THEMES 24

VISION SUNDAY
2016 — MAKE SPACE 2020 - PLAY THE LONG GAME
Isaiah 54 calls us to enlarge They say it’s not whether you
our borders and establish new win or lose, it’s how you play
territories while forgetting the game. The game of life is
the pain of the past. Our first a race—not a sprint, but a
Vision Sunday was devoted to relay—and the key to victory
casting a vision of what our is endurance. Each generation
broken city could look like as prepares the way for those who
we first make space for God’s will come next. Every present
presence in our own lives. sacrifice is an investment in
the future. So we play the long
game, knowing there is more than
2017 — MIRACLE IN MOTION
the moment, looking beyond what
Individually and collectively, we now see, enduring present
our lives are miracles in pain for ultimate purpose,
motion. We haven’t arrived yet, loving those we have yet to
but God is working on us as we know. Victory is not for those
continue on the journey He has who go the hardest, it’s for
set out for us. those who go the longest. So we
play the long game.
2018 — STAND FIRM
If we stand firm, God will
deliver us. Throughout history
we see ordinary men and women
experience extraordinary
breakthrough and provision
as they simply stand on the
assurance that God is
with them.

2019 — BRICK BY BRICK

The church is built one by
one, person by person. Our
individual lives are living
stones united together to build
the kingdom of God. God is the
builder and we are the building,
bride and body. We are not
over the house, we are in it.
Every day, every interaction
and every responsibility is an
opportunity to build, brick
by brick.

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+ EVENT THEMES 25

VOUS CONFERENCE
2016 — A CITY ON A HILL 2020 — HELLO NEW WORLD
The local church is the hope Not a seminar, not a webinar,
of the world because we have not a summit, not a livestream.
been entrusted with the message An interactive experience.
of Jesus. For far too long our In 2020, we hosted our first
faith communities have been digital conference as we
confined to the four walls of a adjusted during COVID-19.
building on a Sunday. It is time
to be the unhidden and unashamed
city on a hill that lifts up the
light of the world. VOUS KIDS
CONFERENCE
2017 — IN GOD WE TRUST
Regardless of our political 2019 — ON MISSION
climate, cultural context, or
VOUS Kids are called to live
personal challenges, we can
on mission. In every season,
stand strong. Our hope is not
God entrusts his children to
in a system, our status, or
carry the light into the night.
ourselves. Our hope is in Jesus.
With every obedient step, the
mission continues to unfold.
2018 — SO GOD CAME TO US
The love of God is so great
that is crossed the chasm of
sin and brought redemption to
all. This is not a story we
have initiated. We were lost and
broken without a future or hope.
So God came to us.

2019 — NO ONE ELSE IS

COMING
So God came to us, so that we
could go into the world. We
carry the light into the night
in order to bring the broken
home. The charge has been set,
the orders given. Go. And if we
don’t go, no one else is coming.

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE REV. 2021 —

 +

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE

LARUTLUC
LANGUAGE
IT’S NOT JUST WHAT YOU SAY, IT’S
HOW YOU SAY
IT. HERE AT VOUS, WE’RE PRETTY PART
ICULAR
ABOUT THE LANGUAGE WE USE. THERE
ARE SOME
THINGS WE SAY A WHOLE LOT, AND OTHE
RS YOU’LL
NEVER HEAR US UTTER. PAY CAREFUL

REV.
ATTENTION TO
THE LANGUAGE BELOW TO AVOID CULT
URAL FAUX PAS.

2021 —
26

WHAT WE SAY
+ CULTURAL LANGUAGE 27

DON’T SAY... INSTEAD, SAY...

YOUR CHURCH OUR CHURCH

MY TEAM OUR TEAM

MY CREW OUR CREW

VOLUNTEER SERVANT LEADER

OFFICE HQ

CAMPUS LOCATION

SMALL GROUP CREW

OFFERING BUCKETS OFFERING CONTAINERS

BAND/SINGERS WORSHIP TEAM

SERIES COLLECTION OF TALKS

I HAVE TO DO IT I GET TO DO IT

I HAVE TO BE HERE I GET TO BE HERE

IT’S NOT MY PROBLEM IT MAY NOT BE MY FAULT,

BUT IT IS MY PROBLEM

THE TIME YOU HAVE TO ARRIVE YOUR CALL TIME

SORRY, I KNOW SERVING IS HARD! THANK YOU FOR SERVING!

SANCTUARY AUDITORIUM

ADD ONS

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE REV. 2021 —

+ CULTURAL LANGUAGE 28

CULTURAL PHRASES

A CREW TURNS A CROWD INTO IF SERVING IS BENEATH

A COMMUNITY YOU, LEADERSHIP IS
Sunday is our large gathering
BEYOND YOU
but VOUS Crews create intimate The first step of leadership
moments for relationships to is a willingness to meet needs.
be established. In the context We fill gaps wherever we see
of small groups individuals them regardless of whether the
discover personal support for task is in our department or
every season of life. job description. Serving others
develops the leader within
us and guarding our servant’s
ENERGY EMPIRE / VAMPIRE
heart in every season keeps
In any setting there are two our leadership genuine and
kinds of people: those who effective.
bring energy to the room and
those who suck the energy out
of the room. At VOUS, we strive
IF YOU AIN’T HELPING,
to be energy empires, not
YOU AIN’T HELPING
energy vampires. Which one We are in this to serve, not
are you? sit. We can all play a part
in what God is doing in our
city no matter what our age or
FREEDOM IS FOUND IN THE
background. There is a place
CONTEXT OF RELATIONSHIPS
for everyone.
Real life change happens in
community. We learn to walk
out our faith and find freedom
I’M STRONG IF
through relationships.
YOU’RE STRONG
As a team we depend on each
other and our strength is
HEALTHY THINGS GROW
interconnected. The synergy we
The ultimate goal of VOUS is sense is based upon our own
not growth, it is health. True individual responsibility to
health creates strength that steward our lives.
sustains genuine growth. The
grass is greener where you
water it. We believe that as we
INSPECT WHAT YOU EXPECT
continue to steward was God has As leaders we don’t assign
given us, water it, and focus responsibilities and move on.
on health, things will grow. We give responsibility and
then inspect how the job was
completed. By inspecting what we
expect, we are able to measure
how well the task was done and
create goals for the future.

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE REV. 2021 —

+ CULTURAL LANGUAGE 29

INTO THE NIGHT MORE IS CAUGHT

Our mission is to bring people
THAN TAUGHT
that are far from God near People are looking for
to Him. The only way that is leaders who walk what they
possible is to take the light of talk. Witnessing faith and
Jesus into our dark, lost world. leadership in action is the
Into The Night expresses our most effective teaching. Live
commitment to fearlessly take life understanding that others
the gospel into every space of are watching what you do, not
our society. just what you say, and they are
following suit.
IT’S NOT BABYSITTING;
IT’S LEADERSHIP NOBODY OWES ME ANYTHING,
DEVELOPMENT JESUS GAVE ME EVERYTHING
At VOUS Kids we’re not playing We don’t play politics and we
games and passing time, we’re don’t live jaded. We forgive
intentionally building next and focus on the freedom we’ve
generation leaders. Dreamers, been given. No favors needed,
Heroes and Legends are spaces Jesus is enough.
designed to instill purpose,
identity and the love of God
PLAY THE LONG GAME
into the heart of every child.
We are not looking to try to
solve every issue in our lives
JUST KEEP COMING BACK and answer every question we’ve
At the end of each service the
ever had about faith in one
person closing cues everyone in
service. That would be one
the auditorium to say together
long, laborious service. We
“just keep coming back.” Church
are seeking to grow together in
isn’t a one-day event. It’s
faith and community one day at
a community that enjoys the
a time. We value the deep and
journey together. Each Sunday
lasting change that takes place
builds on the next. If you
as we journey together.
don’t know what to do, just keep
coming back and watch as your
life is changed. PRAYER ISN’T OUR LAST
RESORT, IT’S OUR FIRST
RESPONSE
LET’S VOUS THIS!
At VOUS, prayer is something we
We have our own unique culture.
take very seriously. We believe
When we do things, we do them
in the power of prayer and want
the VOUS way. Let’s do this.
to make it our first response
Even better, let’s “VOUS” this.
in every situation.

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RULE EVERYTHING IN BEFORE WE DON’T HAVE TO,

YOU RULE ANYTHING OUT WE GET TO
Serving is a privilege. We serve
When faced with a problem, don’t
willingly. No one is forcing us
write off possible solutions
to be here so we show up with a
prematurely. Just because you
smile and an expectancy that as
have never done it that way
we unite to build God’s house
before doesn’t mean it won’t
miracles take place.
work. Finding solutions requires
an open mind to new ideas, a
willingness to take risks and WHAT WE ARE PART OF IS
a resolve to stop cynicism from BIGGER THAN THE PART
killing the solution before it WE PLAY
has a chance.
There are no divas at VOUS.
We are a part of the global,
STAYING PARTY capital “C” church, not just in
the present but throughout many
We don’t have to wait for
generations past and to come.
someone to go away to throw
Our position or title is not the
them a party. At VOUS, we like
point. What we accomplish when
to throw staying parties,
united together is what pleases
celebrating those who continue
the heart of God.
to faithfully and sacrificially
serve our community.
WE’RE CALLED TO
THE BEST IS YET TO COME SERVE THIS CITY,
NOT TO CHANGE IT
We are people of faith and
Only Jesus brings change. We
believe all things work together
have been invited to be a part
for our good as we trust God.
of the story He is telling in
Our eternity is secure because
our city and our role is to
of Jesus and that is truly the
serve others. As we serve, His
best that is yet to come, no
love and grace do a work that we
matter what this life may bring.
could never do.

THIS CHURCH ISN’T BUILT

ON THE TALENTS OF A FEW, WE’RE NOT A CHURCH WITH
BUT ON THE SACRIFICE SMALL GROUPS, WE ARE A
OF MANY CHURCH OF SMALL GROUPS
Crews are not something we
The only way the church
just offer as an additional
progresses is with a sacrificial
program at church. They are
spirit. VOUS servant leaders,
the heartbeat of the community
teams, and Crews are made up
we are creating. We encourage
of countless men and women who
everyone to be part of a Crew.
place their personal preference
It establishes a consistent
aside for the larger purpose of
peer group of support, creates
seeing the message of
real relationship, and allows
Jesus advance.
leaders to develop their heart
of service.

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HOME IS ALWAYS A JOURNEY

WE’RE INCLUSIVE NOT On the journey home, you’ll
EXCLUSIVE. never walk alone. We find rest,
At VOUS, we say you “belong relationship and responsibility
before you believe”. We are along the road home.
an inclusive church. All are
welcome to come on the journey.

ADD ONS
YOU MIGHT HAVE SOME
ENEMIES OUT THERE, BUT
NONE OF THEM ARE IN
THIS ROOM
Life has a way of making you
feel alone and on the defense.
Anyone that steps into VOUS is
stepping into a space full of
friends who are for them and
believe in them. No need to
keep the guard up, this
is family.

YOU TEACH WHAT YOU

KNOW, YOU REPRODUCE
WHO YOU ARE
More is caught than taught.
Your actions create ripple
effects that far outweigh your
words. Replace yourself is a
VOUS staff value. However, as
you train others to do what you
do, be sure your character is
worth emulating.

VOUS GIRL
PHRASES
A SISTERHOOD OF STRENGTH
FOR EVERY SEASON
VOUS Girls are committed to
the journey ahead — single,
married, raising world
changers, running a business,
walking through heartbreak and
everyone in between!

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IF YOU’RE STILL READING, YOU THE

REAL MVP. WE’VE COVERED A LOT SO
CHECK OUT THIS LIST FOR A VERITABL FAR!
E A-Z OF VOUS CHURCH—A GLOSSARY
TERMS COVERING EVERYTHING FROM THE OF
MYSTERIOUS ONLINE LAND KNOWN AS

VOUS CULTURE GUIDE

“BASECAMP” TO THE MISCHIEVOUS SUMM
ERTIME CREATURE CALLED A “VOUSTER
N.”

A —— Z

SSOLG

REV.
2021 —
34

—ARY
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B CONNECT CORNER
The location in our courtyards
BASECAMP where new guests are greeted,
The project management hub of questions are answered and
everything at VOUS. All staff Bibles distributed to those who
and servant leader communication made a salvation decision.
for teams and projects are
created, developed, and CREW CAPTAIN
completed on Basecamp. Don’t
Each set of Crew Coaches has
send an email. Post on basecamp.
two Crew Captains. A Crew
Captain’s main responsibility
BLACK BOX is to help oversee the health
The gift given in exchange for a of Crew Coaches as well as
Connect Card. Visitors receive help facilitate and implement
the small box with candy, changes that happen in the
stickers, and WWJD bracelet. course of a Crew season. A Crew
Coach oversees 5-6 Crew Coaches
and its leaders per season.
BUILDING BLOCKS
The leadership team within each CREW COACHES
individual Crew is referred to
as Building Blocks. Every Crew Crew Coaches are the men
has 6 Building Blocks: Crew and women that oversee Crew
Leaders (2), Co-Leaders (2), Leaders at VOUS Church. These
Cultivator, and Calculator. individuals are responsible
for the pastoral care and
development of the Crew Leaders

C they are assigned to.

CREW CO-LEADERS
CARE CREWS
Each Crew has two Co-Leaders.
At VOUS, we care for every part The Co-Leader’s focus should
of someone’s journey. Care Crews be on orchestration, the
are an ongoing collection of process of how we do Crew and
curriculum-based Crews designed the planning behind it. Just
to help people navigate through as a conductor orchestrates a
seasons, find freedom, and walk band with many pieces, the Co-
on the path that God has planned Leader organizes to achieve the
for them. desired outcome.

CHURCH COMMUNITY BUILDER

(CCB)
The church management software
for VOUS. CCB manages individual
profiles, teams, crews and
much more.

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CREW CULTIVATORS the courtyard of each of

our locations.
Everyone likes to attend a good
Crew. All good Crews have one
thing in common: they are fun CULTURE CARRIER
to attend. A Crew Cultivator is Culture happens by design or
one who sets the vibe and whose default. We are intentional
main focus is celebration. They about designing our culture, but
find stories of life change and equally as committed to carrying
encouragement. They oversee the our designed culture on a daily
praise and prayer time of Crew basis. Wherever we work, in
and come with an exciting ice every social setting, in
breaker each week. all relationships, we are
culture carriers.
CREW CALCULATORS
In order to determine if your CULTURE ROOM
Crew is making the appropriate The Culture Room is our
strides, evaluation must take interactive, pre-service
place. Crew Calculators oversee experience. This is a space
all numbers and data. Having the for people to be informed,
appropriate data will tell us inspired, and integrated into
if what we are doing is working. VOUS culture.
Collecting names, phone numbers,
email address and attendance for
the night and inputting them in
to CCB in real time goes a long
way in our evaluation process.
D
DEPARTMENT
CREW LEADERS
An area of focus within our
Crew Leaders are the primary organizational structure. Our
leaders of small groups at VOUS staff and teams are organized
(Crews). These 2 leaders oversee into five primary departments—
the process of how Crew nights Creative, Kids, Operations,
are executed and how individuals Production, and Worship.
in Crews get connected to VOUS.
They are tasked with building
and developing building blocks
DISC
within their Crew and preparing A behavior assessment tool
them to lead their own Crews. based on the DISC theory of
psychologist William Moulton
Marston, which centers on
CONNECT CORNER
four different behavioral
A place to connect with VOUS traits: dominance, inducement,
servant leaders if it’s your submission, and compliance. It
first time, have any questions, is administered at Growth Track
or need prayer. Connect Corners stepTHREE and utilized
are easy to find—they’re the at VOUS within teams to
white tents located in increase synergy.

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E G
EST.EHB GROWTH TRACK STEP ONE
A sermon preached by Pastor Learn the spiritual journey
DawnCheré first at a Launch that God has for each of us:
Team Meeting at the Miami to follow Jesus. stepONE
Rescue Mission, then at VOUS happens the first Sunday of
Conference 2016. EST.EHB stands every month.
for “Establish Every Heartbeat.”
GROWTH TRACK STEP TWO
F Explore the ministry of VOUS
Church and find out how to
connect with our church.
FAMILY DINNER stepTWO happens the second
Dinners after Sunday services Sunday of every month.
at Pastors Rich and DC’s home
or HQ. Typically 20-40 different GROWTH TRACK STEP THREE
servant leaders.
Discover your personality type
and spiritual gift. See how
FIRST LOOK they indicate your purpose in
The onboarding moment for life and your best fit at VOUS
new Servant Leaders of VOUS Church. stepTHREE happens the
Kids Department. At a “First third Sunday of every month
Look”, new Servant Leaders are
taken through the Dreamers, GROWTH TRACK STEP FOUR
Heroes and Legends space. They
Find opportunities to serve at
are introduced to leaders of
VOUS Church with your gifts
each age group and given the
and live out your purpose
opportunity to shadow.
by serving others. stepFOUR
happens the fourth Sunday of
FRIEND OF SINNERS: every month.
WHY JESUS CARES MORE
ABOUT RELATIONSHIP THAN
PERFECTION
Pastor Rich’s second book in H
which he explores the profound
implications of the reality HUDDLE NOTES
that Jesus calls us friends not
because of who we are or what we A message containing important
have done, but because of who reminders, sent out each week
he is. to team leads to review in
their team’s huddle on Sunday.

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K LOAD OUT
The process of loading equipment
out of our locations or venues
KICKOFF after services or events. All
equipment is loaded into a truck
A meeting that sets the or storage unit or returned to
foundation for any event. All the rental vendor until the next
Basecamp to-dos are assigned service or event. Start and end
and overall vision is cast. times vary per location
and event.

L
M
LAUNCH TEAM
The team that gave heart and MEETUP
soul to launch VOUS Church in Part of our staff’s weekly
2015. The OGs. expectations, meetups are
45-60-minute meetings with
LAUNCH TEAM MEETINGS servant leaders—often conducted
off site over a meal or
The gatherings that took place coffee—designed to strengthen
leading up to VOUS Church relationships and communication.
launch in September 2015.
Hosted first at Pastors Rich
and DawnCheré’s home and then
at the Miami Rescue Mission
from 2014-2015. O
LEADERSHIP MOTTO ONLINE CREW
“I am a leader. I am a person Online Crews are VOUS’s online
of influence. Today I choose to small groups. Online Crews
be a blessing. With God’s help gather in a seasonal rhythm,
there is nothing I cannot do. along with in-person Crews, by
Instead of being reactive, I utilizing ZOOM.
will be proactive. I know the
answer. I am the solution.”
OFF-MONTH
LOAD IN April, August, and December. The
Off-Month is a period of rest,
The process of preparing evaluation, and planning for
our locations for services the season ahead. During this
each Sunday or setting up a period, we pause Team Night,
venue for a given event. All VOUS Care, and VOUS Crew and
equipment is loaded in and set host OMMs (see below) and Heart
up. Start and end times vary & Soul gatherings.
per location and event.

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OFF-MONTH MEETING (OMM)

Three times a year, team leaders
R
recalibrate and refocus through
our Off-Month Meetings that
REACH UP
evaluate the prior season. Data Every staff member is required
is reviewed, team dynamics are to have a minimum of two
discussed, and vision is cast relationships with leaders at
for the future. other churches. These contacts
are specifically others who
are doing their same job at a

P capacity and excellence level

they admire and wish
to emulate.
PIPE AND DRAPE
The ministry essential they RESOURCE CORNER
don’t teach you in seminary. A A place to buy resources such
magical curtain apparatus used as Bibles, books, merchandise,
to create great atmosphere for and other seasonal products.
services, events, meetings, Resource Corners are the black
breakouts...anything, really. tents located in the courtyard
of each of our locations.
PLANNING CENTER ONLINE
(PCO) ROSTER
An internet-based application A Roster is a CCB list of
that provides one central place servant leaders currently
to organize all aspects of VOUS serving on a specific VOUS
service programming. team. Team leads are tasked
with building and stewarding
PLATFORM HUDDLE their rosters throughout
every SZN.
All production and worship
servant leaders meet 20 minutes
before each service to review
the day’s PCO plan and pray.

PUSH WEEK
The week following Scheduling
Day (see below) in which team
leaders push for 100% responses

—OTNI
from all servant leaders for the
upcoming month.

THE NIGHT
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S SEPTEMBER 13, 2015

The day that VOUS Church
SANDCASTLE KINGS: MEETING officially launched weekly
JESUS IN A SPIRITUALLY Sunday services. Launch Day
BANKRUPT WORLD happened at Jose De Diego Middle
Pastor Rich’s first book in School. In those early days,
which he uses four powerful we hosted 11:00am and
stories from the seventh 6:00pm services.
chapter of Luke to explain
why spiritual fulfillment SERVANT LEADER
cannot be found in ourselves, RELEASE FORM
in other people, in material
things, or even in religion. A document that all servant
Are we building our lives on leaders must sign for liability
lasting foundations, or are we release before being allowed
just building sandcastles and to serve.
calling ourselves kings?
SERVANT LEADER SPOTLIGHT
SCHEDULING DAY A moment of honor for a single
Once a month, all team leaders servant leader highlighting what
schedule servant leaders for they add to the team. Servant
the month ahead. Scheduling Day Leader Spotlights could be a
happens two Mondays before the shoutout, a moment onstage, or
upcoming month. a video created for and played
during a specific event.

SEASONAL MODEL
STAFF MEETING
From our inception, VOUS Church
has embraced a seasonal model. VOUS Staff gathers at HQ every
Our calendar is divided into Monday afternoon for a 90
three seasons consisting of min meeting to celebrate the
three months: January-March weekend, review and update
(SZN 1), May-July (SZN 2), and team for upcoming events, and
September-November (SZN 3). cultivate a leadership culture.
Each season is divided by an
Off-Month. As mentioned above,
the three Off-Months are April,
August, and December. Our
seasonal model creates rhythm
for our church, determining
when certain key events occur,
when recurring events pause
or resume, and when seasonal
design, environments, and stage
design looks change.

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T TRACK DIRECTORS
Each track in VOUS College
has an overseeing Track
TEAM LEADER Director. Track Directors are
Every team has one to selected from within the staff
two leaders. They oversee department that corresponds to
recruitment, development, a given track.
structure, scheduling and
the health of the team. Every
team lead is expected to live
according to VOUS Church
V
standards as well as participate
in and attend Crew, Sunday VOUS BUDDIES
services, Team Night, and VOUS Buddies is a team within
Saturday Team Leader Meetings. VOUS Kids Department that
focuses on providing an
inclusive environment and one-
TEAM RALLY on-one support for children
All servant leaders meet in with special needs.
auditorium 35 minutes before
morning or night block services VOUSCHURCH.COM/ONLINE
and take 6 minutes to share
information, be encouraged, and This is VOUS Online’s one-stop
pray together. shop for all things online—
joining our virtual connect
corner, attending the Growth
THANK YOU CARDS Track, applying for a Watch
Every week each staff member Party, or simply getting
takes the time to write a connected.
few thank you cards to
servant leaders. VOUS COLLEGE
Southeastern University
TRACKS (Lakeland, FL) partners
In addition to academic courses with VOUS Church to host
within VOUS College, all an instructional site on
students choose an area of the church campus and offer
focus, which is referred to students affordable degree
as a “Track.” This immersive programs. Students receive
training goes beyond curriculum hands-on experience in ministry
to develop talent, leadership, and an accredited degree.
character and community.
Students receive practicum
credit toward their
degree program.

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VOUS COLLEGE 1 YEAR Merchandise created by the VOUS

LEADERSHIP PROGRAM team and distributed for free
or sold at the Resource Corner
The VOUS College Leadership at VOUS events throughout
Program is a one-year post- the year.
college program for young
professionals who want to
be trained in ministry and VOUSTERN
developed as leaders. It is Our term for a summer intern.
a fully-immersive experience VOUSterns serve for eight weeks
including leadership classes during the summer, following
and practical experiences a specific track within one of
at VOUS. our five staff departments—
Creative, Kids, Operations,
VOUS ONLINE Production, or Worship.

VOUS Online is VOUS’s online

church community. Consisting of VOUSTERNSHIP
Sunday streams through Zoom, VOUSternship is a two-month
YouTube, and Facebook and our summer program for hands-
online community via Crews, on ministerial experience.
Watch Parties, and team. VOUSterns. recieve an intro
to theology, VOUS Conference
VOUS COLLEGE team experience, and focused
ORIENTATION DAYS leadership training in a
track program.
Before VOUS college semesters
begin, there is an orientation
for new students and their
families. VOUS College staff W
review the VOUS church values,
VOUS College handbook and cast WATCH PARTY
vision for the
upcoming semester. Watch Parties are the best way
to experience Church Online.
They exist to bring friends
VOUS COLLEGE near and far to watch and
PREVIEW DAYS discuss the Sunday sermon, build
Preview Days are events the community, and make friendships
VOUS College team puts together that last a lifetime. They are
to give prospective students hosted via ZOOM, Facebook, or
a glimpse of the VOUS College in person.
experience. Prospective
students are invited to spend WHITE TENT
half the day with our College
team and shadow classes. At all VOUS locations, white
tents are the symbol for
Connect Corners.
VOUS MERCH

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