On a beautiful fall day in Hartford, a first took place.  Men gathered from around New England and New York for the start-up of what promises to be the beginning of many other times for learning, sharing and praying.  Shepherds from Boston, New York City, Rhode Island, and Connecticut came together.  We even allowed a leadership team member from Massachusetts to sneak in.  By day's end, all were committed to keeping the connections and gathering again in the not-too-distant future.

The workshop took I Peter 5:1-4 as its theme.  After a time of worship - singing and prayers - Wyndham Shaw began our time with a speech on "Working Together To Build and Decide."  He shared about a philosophical change involving viewing ourselves as church builders and not just church leaders.  He emphasized the need for all gifted leaders in God's body to step up - deacons, teachers, elders and evangelists.  Every action by shepherds must answer the question, "Will this build God's church?"

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