Cultivating Connections
& Community at Good Shepherd.
The Good Shepherd community serves the emotional and spiritual needs of its members in personal times of challenge and joy, and everything in between. We provide an environment of belonging and community within a large congregation while intentionally creating pathways for members to have closer connections to others and God.
Creating transformative relationships with God and each other is a key part of our church’s vision. A core shared value at Good Shepherd is gathering and we are called by the Holy Spirit to gather, meeting the members’ desire to belong. God created us to be in community, and we are striving to make Good Shepherd the place where members find welcome and a sense of community in multiple ways.
What has been accomplished so far?
During the strategic planning process, the Internal Community/Belonging pillar team identified strategies for creating and implementing a richer community of belonging at Good Shepherd. This has become an even more important aspect of the church since COVID, which created separation and distance for many members.
Practicing intentional welcome
Teaching and reminding the entire congregation of the importance of intentionally welcoming people they meet at Sunday services or other church gatherings.
Building Relationships Among Members
Efforts have been made to help members establish new, comfortable ways in which to meet other members to strengthen the sense of belonging and build relationships. The team has received feedback that members have connected with one another in new ways and built relationships.
From Baptism to Belonging: Bridging Gaps with New Families
A new opportunity was identified for connecting with families of the newly baptized. A program was created to ensure connection with families between baptism and the time their child reaches church school age.
Collaboration Across Committees
Community connection and belonging is not the purview of one committee or a couple of individuals. Therefore, the pillar team for Internal Community/Belonging engaged with other committees including:
- Children, Youth and Family
- Worship, Music, and Arts
- Hospitality
- Communications
- Facilities
- Finance
- Generosity
The committees discussed opportunities for belonging and determined how each committee could incorporate and promote it through their activities.
Connections via digital activities
Good Shepherd’s current digital/online worship format has been mainly focused on sharing the Good News and not on building relationships. Several ideas for creating connections in the digital space were brainstormed, including using online methods to make connections throughout the week that build on the Sunday sermon and/or scripture readings. Additionally, there was discussion about creating a dedicated “welcome/introduction” time before the service for those worshipping online to highlight Good Shepherd, its activities, and to invite virtual worshippers into the community.
Fostering Community Connections
Connection points through outreach activities were also discussed, with a special focus on the Holy COW ministry. During the past summer this ministry allowed congregation members to gather and connect with one another as well as to welcome others throughout the community. The events sponsored by the Holy COW brought people together for good food, faith building, and a chance to enjoy fun activities in nature at a local park or on the church lawn.
What remains to be accomplished?
Much progress was made on the Internal Community/Belonging pillar, but there is more to be done to enhance the Good Shepherd sense of community and belonging. The strategic plan team suggested that moving forward the work be picked up by various committees.
Areas identified for further development were:
A digital welcome strategy, which could be led by the theologian-in-residence at Good Shepherd, who has a passion for technology.
The need for a new discipleship/community committee to be responsible for helping connect members with one another through already existing activities and new ones they create.
Lead Pastor’s Role in Internal Community/Belonging
It is clear from the work this committee started that there are many ways to create connection and belonging at Good Shepherd, and it is also clear they have made a great start at moving opportunities forward. Continuing to build on their work is important to expanding the sense of welcome and belonging many in the congregation already feel and expressed as their reason for becoming and staying members at Good Shepherd. The lead pastor should be supportive of committees working on creating connection but will also need to connect with and welcome members and newcomers alike. Making an effort to learn names and stories of members will be essential to creating a sense of welcome, community, and belonging.