General Principles Regarding Shepherding

• We must all shepherd all the people and must intentionally move one another toward Christ-likeness.

• The role of a shepherd is to gather, know, feed, lead, and protect. Covenant’s shepherding model aims to increase our understanding of these functions and enable us all to shepherd more fruitfully.

• Covenant’s shepherding model should provide equitable coverage, appropriate accountability, and effective training for shepherding the entire congregation.

• Covenant’s primary shepherds are our elders, both teaching and ruling.

• Covenant’s shepherding model is built upon our strong Sunday School framework. We enroll 100% of our members in a Sunday School Community to ensure they are being shepherded in a biblical manner.

• Christ has commissioned each Christian to make disciples and teach them the truth of the Gospel. Our shepherding model promotes discipleship relationships throughout the church.

Key Elements of Shepherding Model

• Shepherding Committee. The Shepherding Committee works closely with staff to oversee all of our shepherding efforts.  This committee also assigns officers and Women’s Shepherding Team members where needed and provides accountability and consistency across all Sunday School Communities.

• Women’s Shepherding Team (WST). This team of women comes alongside our elders to help shepherd the women at Covenant more effectively.

• Sunday School Shepherding Teams. Each Sunday School Community will have a shepherding team consisting of a pastor, shepherding elders, and WST.

SHEPHERDING MODEL