Good Shepherd Lutheran Church - Madison & Verona Good Shepherd Lutheran Church

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 Sundays
Vocation 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. 

Created for Community Episode Four: Authentic Community Guests: Anna Knueve, Kirstin Poppen & Kylie Magnus 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. 

Created for Community Episode Three: Deep Community over Decades Guest: Sara McCormack 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. 

Created for Community Episode Two: When Invitation Comes Knocking Guests: Esther & Dean Nelson 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.