Shepherd's Heart 7/10/25
I am honored to be sharing a new opportunity with you all today. I was on staff at Good Shepherd for fifteen years, and during my time, I felt a deep call to attend seminary. At the time, I had an undeniable longing to go deeper in my faith and understanding. I remember preparing large group teachings for Club 45, our 4th and 5th graders, and finding myself falling down research rabbit holes—reading, studying, and still yearning to know more. There was something in me that couldn’t settle for surface answers. I wanted to understand the heart of God in a richer, more grounded way.
Seven years later, I sit on the other side of that seminary journey filled with gratitude—for the learning I encountered, the questions I got to wrestle with, and the many moments where the Spirit met me through study. And now, I carry that same desire into a new season: to make that kind of learning and formation accessible to others in our church community—especially for those who may never find themselves in a seminary classroom, but still feel the pull to go deeper.
Wouldn’t you know that God was stirring something similar in Pastor Tara Beth’s heart too? And so, with prayer and shared vision, a team was formed. Together, we are thrilled to introduce a new initiative: Good Shepherd Theology Cohorts.
Listening to the Longing
One of the quiet gifts of serving in ministry is the privilege of listening—really listening—to the spiritual hunger that surfaces in prayer requests, hallway conversations, small group moments, and one-on-one chats. Over time, I’ve heard a recurring theme, voiced in many different ways:
“I love Jesus, but I want to understand my faith more deeply.”
“I’ve been following God for years, but I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.”
“I want to know what I believe — and why it matters.”
These aren’t casual questions. They’re sacred nudges — gentle invitations from the Holy Spirit to go deeper.
If you’ve ever felt that kind of holy curiosity, I want you to know:
You’re not alone.
And more than that — you’re invited.
What Is the Theology Cohort?
At its core, theology simply means “the study of God.” But this isn’t about earning degrees or memorizing doctrine. When approached with humility and hunger, theology becomes a sacred conversation — one that forms us, deepens our faith, and sharpens our understanding of who God is and how He’s working in the world.
The Good Shepherd Theology Cohort is a learning experience offered in three 8-week sessions throughout the year. It’s designed to help you build a theological foundation that is both rooted in Scripture and alive in practice. Whether you’re new to theology or have been walking with God for decades, this is a space to grow deeper.
Here’s what the journey includes:
1. Teaching (Head + Heart)
Topics include Biblical foundations, key theological themes, church history, practical theology, and more. The format is both informative and relational — combining lecture-style teaching with real-time conversation.
2. Personal Study (Reflection + Practice)
Between sessions, you’ll be invited into meaningful reading and reflection. These aren’t assignments — they’re opportunities to slow down, engage the material, and let it take root in your life.
3. Attuning to the Spirit (Listening + Silence)
Each session includes space for spiritual practices — guided and personal prayer, silence, and discernment. Our goal isn’t just information, but transformation. We want to grow in intimacy with the God we’re studying.
4. Communal Conversation (Growth + Grace)
Theology isn’t a solo journey. Conversation allows space for shared learning, hard questions, and honest reflection — in a community marked by trust and grace.
Why Now?
We live in a fast-paced world filled with noise, quick opinions, and surface-level answers. But the way of Jesus is deeper.
He didn’t say, “Come check in on Sundays.”
He said, “Follow Me.”
And following means learning — about who He is, what He’s done, and how we’re called to respond.
This cohort is one pathway toward deeper discipleship. It’s not for the perfect or put-together — it’s for the curious, the hungry, the brave.
So if you’ve been searching for a next step in your faith, I hope you’ll consider joining us. Not to have all the answers, but to lean into the mystery and majesty of a God who longs to be known.
Come ready to learn.
Come ready to listen.
Come ready to grow.
Learn more about the cohorts and sign-up today. Limited availability. In the meantime, I invite you to pray. Ask the Spirit: Is this the season to go deeper?
With love and hope,
Bethany Hammer
Seven years later, I sit on the other side of that seminary journey filled with gratitude—for the learning I encountered, the questions I got to wrestle with, and the many moments where the Spirit met me through study. And now, I carry that same desire into a new season: to make that kind of learning and formation accessible to others in our church community—especially for those who may never find themselves in a seminary classroom, but still feel the pull to go deeper.
Wouldn’t you know that God was stirring something similar in Pastor Tara Beth’s heart too? And so, with prayer and shared vision, a team was formed. Together, we are thrilled to introduce a new initiative: Good Shepherd Theology Cohorts.
Listening to the Longing
One of the quiet gifts of serving in ministry is the privilege of listening—really listening—to the spiritual hunger that surfaces in prayer requests, hallway conversations, small group moments, and one-on-one chats. Over time, I’ve heard a recurring theme, voiced in many different ways:
“I love Jesus, but I want to understand my faith more deeply.”
“I’ve been following God for years, but I still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface.”
“I want to know what I believe — and why it matters.”
These aren’t casual questions. They’re sacred nudges — gentle invitations from the Holy Spirit to go deeper.
If you’ve ever felt that kind of holy curiosity, I want you to know:
You’re not alone.
And more than that — you’re invited.
What Is the Theology Cohort?
At its core, theology simply means “the study of God.” But this isn’t about earning degrees or memorizing doctrine. When approached with humility and hunger, theology becomes a sacred conversation — one that forms us, deepens our faith, and sharpens our understanding of who God is and how He’s working in the world.
The Good Shepherd Theology Cohort is a learning experience offered in three 8-week sessions throughout the year. It’s designed to help you build a theological foundation that is both rooted in Scripture and alive in practice. Whether you’re new to theology or have been walking with God for decades, this is a space to grow deeper.
Here’s what the journey includes:
1. Teaching (Head + Heart)
Topics include Biblical foundations, key theological themes, church history, practical theology, and more. The format is both informative and relational — combining lecture-style teaching with real-time conversation.
2. Personal Study (Reflection + Practice)
Between sessions, you’ll be invited into meaningful reading and reflection. These aren’t assignments — they’re opportunities to slow down, engage the material, and let it take root in your life.
3. Attuning to the Spirit (Listening + Silence)
Each session includes space for spiritual practices — guided and personal prayer, silence, and discernment. Our goal isn’t just information, but transformation. We want to grow in intimacy with the God we’re studying.
4. Communal Conversation (Growth + Grace)
Theology isn’t a solo journey. Conversation allows space for shared learning, hard questions, and honest reflection — in a community marked by trust and grace.
Why Now?
We live in a fast-paced world filled with noise, quick opinions, and surface-level answers. But the way of Jesus is deeper.
He didn’t say, “Come check in on Sundays.”
He said, “Follow Me.”
And following means learning — about who He is, what He’s done, and how we’re called to respond.
This cohort is one pathway toward deeper discipleship. It’s not for the perfect or put-together — it’s for the curious, the hungry, the brave.
So if you’ve been searching for a next step in your faith, I hope you’ll consider joining us. Not to have all the answers, but to lean into the mystery and majesty of a God who longs to be known.
Come ready to learn.
Come ready to listen.
Come ready to grow.
Learn more about the cohorts and sign-up today. Limited availability. In the meantime, I invite you to pray. Ask the Spirit: Is this the season to go deeper?
With love and hope,
Bethany Hammer