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We actively encourage our lay members to be involved in the governance of the church. For some areas, specific expertise and/or related experience is needed. In other areas, a passion for the ministry is desired. See brief descriptions below. If you would like to talk with someone on a particular team, email Jennifer Davidson.
If you are interested in joining any of these groups, please complete an application and email it to nominations@sotv.org.
Leadership in the church is a ministry. When you are part of a team, welcome a new volunteer, or create a space for others to use their gifts, you are reflecting the love of Christ. You are participating in the mission of the Church; to make disciples, to build up the body, and to love people in practical, transformative ways. This leadership as a volunteer becomes ministry when it comes from a place of calling, compassion, and Christ-centered purpose.
Your leadership not only supports the ministry of the church, but you also help others show up, engage, and grow. Volunteer leadership matters. The work you do together can have lasting impact far beyond what you may ever see or know.
The information below is designed to inform and inspire you as you continue to lead or consider new leadership opportunities at SOTV. While you can find information, team expectations, and resources here, you can reach out to The Nominations Leadership Team with questions.
Dedicated members are elected to this chief governing body of the congregation. They have responsibility for the financial life and strategic direction of the church. The Council supports and helps direct SOTV Leadership Teams through active membership and participation by Council members.
Interested members of SOTV may apply through the Nominations Leadership Team. Members serve an initial three-year term and may continue for a second term. Church Council typically meets in person once a month, and regular meeting attendance and active participation in addressing church business is required. Regular availability to the congregation (through email, structured discussions, and informal conversations) is expected. Council members may also be connected to Leadership Team. Regular meeting attendance with the associated team based on the team schedule is expected. Attendance at congregational meetings is preferred. Council Officers lead the congregational meetings.
Shepherd of the Valley is a vibrant Christ-centered community. The work of the Church Council ensures that all activities in our four fundamental pillars of Worship, Learn, Care, and Connect are supported and conducted effectively, efficiently, and in accordance with the SOTV Mission, Vision, and Welcoming Statements.
The Benevolence Leadership Team partners with church leadership to allocate a portion of the congregation’s generous financial gifts to ministry partners—locally, nationally, and globally. These contributions extend the church’s impact by supporting organizations that reach more people or offer specialized expertise aligned with the church’s mission. When reviewing funding requests, the team evaluates whether the organization and its activities align with Shepherd of the Valley’s (SOTV) Mission, Vision, Values, and Welcome Statement. Through the generosity of this congregation, we can accomplish far more together in loving our neighbors and the world God has made.
If you are interested in serving on the Benevolence Leadership Team, please complete the application on the website. Direct your questions to Pastor Julie Wright at julie.wright@sotv.org.
In May 2023, SOTV adopted a Welcome Statement that affirms both our current values and our ongoing commitments. In response, this team explored how to support our commitment to racial justice through financial giving. One opportunity emerged through Freedom School, a summer reading and STEM program offered by Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota. Serving students in North Minneapolis and nearby communities—primarily African-American and other People of Color—Freedom School provides vital educational enrichment.
Through SOTV’s Local Hunger Fund, we provided a gift to Freedom School specifically for food—ensuring that children in the program were well-nourished during the summer and had extra food to take home.
That same summer, middle school youth at SOTV’s mini-camp explored systemic barriers to justice and learned about the transformative impact of Freedom School. As part of their experience, campers packed snack bags and decorated them with hand-drawn, encouraging artwork to uplift Freedom School students.
From one group of kids to another, this act of generosity and learning fostered deeper understanding and compassion.
Shepherd of the Valley’s mission is supported in perpetuity using earned income on Endowment Fund investments. You can designate your gifts to general mission, Christian education, or outreach ministries.
The Endowment Fund Leadership team needs members with skills or experience in managing financial assets such as retirement funds. In addition, the team needs members skilled in communication or marketing to help educate church members about how the Endowment Fund can be used as part of their legacy gift plans.
In the past 9 years, the funds has provided approximately $70,000 in grant funding. These grants have provided significant support to Christian Education through summer camp scholarships, capital funds for Camp Wapo, and funding for CYF staff education, and computer equipment. The fund also made major contributions to the LED Monument sign, welcome signage, and computer equipment for staff and worship. The fund has made major contributions to outreach through supporting the Tanzania ministry, the church block party, and the SOTV Food Shelf.
At the heart of our mission is a commitment to sharing God’s unconditional love with everyone. We strive to make worship and our programs accessible and welcoming to all, embracing people of every age, ethnicity, race, ability, faith background, gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
If you’re interested in making a meaningful difference, consider joining the Equity Leadership Team at Shepherd of the Valley. Whether you have a passion for advocacy, a desire to help shape inclusive programming, or simply want to learn more about equity in our community, there’s a place for you. Participation may include attending team meetings, volunteering at events, contributing to research projects, or sharing your unique perspective as we work together to break down barriers. Reach out to the church office or visit sotv.org for upcoming opportunities to connect and collaborate—the journey toward equity and belonging is one we travel together.
In 2025, we proudly partnered with the Children, Youth & Family (CYF) ministry to enhance accessibility and support for youth with disabilities during Vacation Bible School (VBS). The Equity Leadership Team conducted thorough research to identify organizations that could best meet our needs and ultimately connected the CYF team with Fraser. Fraser provided specialized training for our staff, empowering them to ensure VBS was a welcoming and successful experience for all youth.
The Finance Leadership Team provides the necessary oversight of the finances of the church. This team is led by the Treasurer in collaboration with the Finance Manager and Director of Operations. The Vice President of the council also serves on this team. The team provides the required review of monthly finance reports, account reconciliation, and information reporting to Council.
Internal control procedures, budget approvals, and overseeing audits are some of the additional responsibilities assigned to the Finance Leadership Team.
Reporting and information is shared between teams such as the HR and Stewardship Leadership Teams.
Volunteers interested in serving on this team should have current work experience directly related to finance management, accounting practices, and/or business management in a financial capacity.
The volunteer commitment to this team is a term of three years. Terms can be extended up to a maximum of two terms.
Regular attendance at meetings is required. The team meets monthly. In the months preparing for the annual budget, the team may be asked to meet more frequently.
The work of this team has a direct impact on sustaining the ministry of SOTV. The collaborative working relationship between volunteer leadership and staff is important to maintain and stay on top of the management of church finances.
This team serves as a professional resource to review ongoing topics associated with human resource management and employment law. This team is led by the Director of Operations. The President of the council also serves on this team. This group will provide advice to the leadership responsible for employment policy and practice to promote consistent and sound decision-making. The work of the team supports SOTV as a workplace that attracts and retains quality staff in positions integral to successfully living out the mission and vision of the church.
Volunteers interested in serving on this team should have current work experience in the fields of Human Resources or Business Management.
The volunteer commitment to this team is a term of three years. Terms can be extended up to a maximum of three terms. Term extension is available if a qualified successor is not identified.
Regular attendance at meetings is required. The team typically meets monthly September through May.
The work of this team directly supports the work of the Director of Operations and senior leadership responsible for employment practices and employee relations.
This team identifies and recruits volunteers to serve on Church Council, all Leadership Teams, and Call Committees for approval by Council and/or the Congregation and promotes the opportunities to govern and serve on Shepherd of the Valley's standing leadership teams. It ensures the application process is inclusive and equitable, every team is filled with qualified leaders, and vacancies are filled quickly.
If you have a gift for identifying talents in others, you can put that to good use on the Nominations Leadership Team. The team meets remotely once a month.
The Nominations Leadership Team's mission is simple yet vital: to ensure that all of Shepherd of the Valley's leadership teams truly represent who we are as a congregation. We make sure that our governing bodies are filled with diverse and skilled individuals who can make thoughtful decisions and guide our church toward a vibrant future.
This team serves to collaborate with the Facilities Manager and Director of Operations on projects tied to building and grounds improvement, enhancement, and build projects. On-going maintenance and repair of the property is managed by staff roles.
This team or members of the team may also collaborate and work alongside third-party vendors to support projects as deemed appropriate.
Initiatives of the Properties Leadership Team support the church Vision, Mission, align with the budget and required approvals, and comply with state and federal codes and laws.
The volunteer commitment to this team is a term of three years. Terms can be extended up to a maximum of three terms.
Regular attendance at meetings is required. The team meets quarterly, or as needed.
The work of this team has a direct impact through special projects to support our church home, including the building and grounds, making it a place of welcome for all.
This collaborative team serves as a professional resource to plan, guide, and support stewardship initiatives, annual programs, reporting, and congregational communication. This team works under the direction of and in collaboration with the Senior Pastor and designated staff. If appropriate, this team will work with the Finance Leadership Team and Council. Other roles, projects, and support tasks will be shared between team members based on skills and available timelines. This team may also collaborate and work alongside third-party resources to support stewardship ministry.
Stewardship initiatives support the church vision, mission, and values of Shepherd of the Valley. This team will support the congregation in stewardship initiatives by offering communication, education opportunities, and sharing stories.
The volunteer commitment to this team is a term of three years. Terms can be extended up to a maximum of three terms.
Regular attendance at meetings is required. The team meets monthly. In the months preparing for the annual stewardship program the team will be asked to meet bi-weekly or two times per month.
The work of this team has a direct impact on sustaining the ministry of SOTV. As we grow in faith and deepen our connection with God, we begin to sense God working through us. By educating the congregation and sharing stories of impact we can lift up stewardship as a lifestyle rooted in gratitude and purpose.