What is Servant Leadership?

How is it practiced? Who can lead? Where is it found?  Servant Leadership is not leadership reserved for the board room, but a way in which we can all lead in the many spheres of our life. This conversation will be valuable for people of all ages, vocations, and occupations. Our guest speaker is Tom Thibodeau, a distinguished professor at Viterbo University who created the first Master of Arts in Servant Leadership. He is a beloved professor, storyteller, and community member who has helped make Servant Leadership a community initiative in the LaCrosse area.

About Tom

Tom Thibodeau is a husband, father, grandfather, teacher, and an active community member from Wisconsin Rapids who has done nothing since coming to Viterbo in 1984 but inspire students and change the world. Through the years his infectious enthusiasm, compassion, and commitment to leadership and service have also inspired countless colleagues and community members. He is the founder of the Master of Arts in Servant Leadership, the first master’s degree of its kind in the nation, and also a founding member of hospitality and fellowship resource Place of Grace, in La Crosse. Thibodeau is a popular professor, talented public speaker, and an extremely active community member who lives the Viterbo values. He regularly leads The Ethical Life seminars, often team teaching with Rick Kyte, and also offers a Serving the Common Good seminar focused on homelessness.

Good Shepherd Theologian-in-Residence Ryan Panzer sat down with Pastor Chris Enstad and Director of Spiritual Programming Sarah Iverson to extend the conversation on prayer and why it can sometimes be difficult even in a life of faith.

Conversation SundaysVocation or Occupation? 

Our culture is more focused than ever before on jobs and occupations. There’s a growing sense that our happiness, even our self-worth, depends on finding a purposeful, impactful, and fulfilling career. In today’s culture, you’re not just expected to do a job, you’re expected to find a job that makes a difference – that is, if you want to be happy or fulfilled.

Following up from the conversation that began on Conversation Sunday about this topic, Theologian-in-Residence Ryan Panzer and Director of Spiritual Development Sarah Iverson sit down to discuss the contrast between vocation and occupation. 

On the precipice of a new chapter in life, three High School seniors sit down with Sarah Iverson to discuss how they've experienced authentic community in their life. From camps to teams and more - listen as they reflect on what it's looked like. 

Pastor Chris Enstad sits down with Sara McCormack for a conversation on how she has found community within Good Shepherd over the years. Sara currently serves as the President of the Good Shepherd Church Board. In the conversation, Sara shares how the pandemic has changed how small groups and communities are able to gather, but how that has also opened up new opportunities for connection. 

For the second episode of Good Shepherd's Lenten Podcast, we sit down with Esther & Dean Nelson. For over thirty years they have been a vital part of the Good Shepherd Community. Learn about the unexpected way they first were welcomed in to the community and how they found ways to love and serve in many different ways big and small over the years. 

The first episode of Good Shepherd's "Created for Community" Lenten Podcast features our host Sarah Iverson sitting down for a conversation with Jen and Eric Holmer about their experiences of community. Both Jen and Eric were members of the Greek system at the University of Illinois and had formative experiences within their Greek chapters. They share what they've learned about how healthy community is cultivated and sustained - even in unexpected places like a fraternity or sorority. 

Pastor Dara Schuller-Hanson

Hear God’s words of welcome today, People of Good Shepherd, you are God’s beloved children and with you, with all of you, God is well pleased.  Hold on to your identity as beloved children of God and then use that identity to shine with the light of Jesus Christ.

If we welcome as God welcomed us, who knows where God might lead us into the world where that message is needed most.

Originally recorded on September 15, 1985 

Mark 7:31-37

Pastor Clem Peterson preaches at the Good Shepherd Madison campus on his last Sunday as lead Pastor. 

Action Required

The story of the Good Samaritan teaches us how to love others, no matter who they are.

Pastor Joe Brosious preaches from the Good Shepherd Madison Campus on Sunday, July 14th 2019.