A pastor’s role is to shepherd his or her flock, but who shepherds the shepherds?
While support is available for some at various denominational levels, independent churches often go it alone with only church boards to provide advice and counsel.
A vital element has been added to this mix. More than 50% of the pastors in town belong to Together in Christ Windsor (TICW), a unifying force for good that provides inclusive fellowship, a way to focus on common issues and a forum for considering how to be of service to the community at large.
Camaraderie and kinship is strong. “We’re an inter-church group, not an inter-faith group, that comes together to celebrate our uniqueness,” said Chris Blaustone, Pastor at River Fellowship. ”It’s not about my church versus your church. It is important for us to have relationships within the body of Christ. While we may have different beliefs and doctrines, TICW is a collective way to develop and implement benevolent projects and combine resources to address critical needs.”
TICW also helps promote joint activities for Christian youth and adults alike, such as coming together for combined non-doctrinal worship services held quarterly and to celebrate commonly observed religious holidays twice a year, such as Good Friday/Easter sunrise services and Christmas.
An inter-church youth event is held the fourth Friday of the month at different churches, bringing young people from each congregation to share in activities – a benefit for churches with just a few kids and teens. Windsor High School’s Love Outreach Christian Club on campus is also part of TICW’s network of support and encouragement.
These combined efforts strengthen each church and help break down social barriers and fears associated with mingling with other congregations. Fellowship contributes to an enhanced understanding and trust among those within the Windsor community of faith.
Pastor Brandon Philpott of NewSong Church said, “Our partner network churches are united around the simple idea that we are better together. When we co-shepherd and co-steward our opportunities and influence we are a greater example of the love of God. Then our contribution is rightly positioned to serve others and not ourselves. There is an undeniable and irresistible value added to our city when we work together in this effort. It changes the conversation and the community.”
According to Pastor Lance Wallace of First Baptist Church, “Friendship building, mutual support and transparency is huge. We check on each other and weigh in when incidents arise that may go beyond any one person’s experience. We respect and protect each other’s confidentiality and the privacy of our members. We choose to love, work, laugh and pray together. This is the relationship glue that binds us.”
Scott Tolson, pastor of the Vine Church said Pastor Mark Wilmarth has been the catalyst bringing Windsor pastors together. The history of pastoral fellowship meetings in town goes back many years. Wilmarth, teaching pastor at NewSong Church and former pastor of Sanctuary Covenant said, “In 2002, I contacted a couple of churches to see it there was interest in restarting regular meetings. There was, and we have been getting together every other Wednesday, as schedules permit.”
In addition to food distribution programs, participating TICW churches have coordinated spring and fall cleanup projects regionally and at Windsor’s Town Green, at the dog park and along creeks in response to input from town officials. It jointly sponsors City Kids North County, a program providing some 400 backpacks and school supplies for children in August, run in conjunction with the Redwood Gospel Mission.
In the past, non-partisan, pre-election services have been held to pray for the future of the nation. “Government-related politics typically divides rather than unites,” said Pastor Josh Ratiani at Shiloh Neighborhood Church. “Politics can exist within churches between those who are liberal versus conservatives. Our unity communicates that it’s not about holding power over people or building our respective ranks.”
Gary Quackenbush is a Windsor resident and writer with his own public relations consultancy. He is the founder of the Windsor Care Network and a former CEO of the Windsor Chamber of Commerce. He can be reached at [email protected].
