About Us
Good Shepherd's mission is to share the real peace and lasting hope found in God's Word. We are a place for all people where faith grows, grace abounds, and lives are strengthened by the love of Christ.
Faith-Focused – We center our lives on faith in Jesus Christ, knowing that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone. (Ephesians 2:8–9)
OUR VALUES
Mission-Minded – We are eager to share God’s Word—and with it, the true peace and lasting hope found in Jesus. (Matthew 28:19–20)
Grace-Lived Lives – As a church family, we strive to be warm, welcoming, and kind, showing the same grace God shows us. (Ephesians 4:32)
Excellence – We aim to do all things well—not for our own glory, but to honor God in everything we do. (1 Corinthians 10:31)
Confidence – In every season—good or bad—we trust that God is our refuge and strength, working all things for our eternal good. (Psalm 46:1–2)
MEET OUR PASTOR
Pastor Eli Steinbrenner grew up in Hartford, Wisconsin. He graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Arts in 2020 and earned a Master of Divinity from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2024. Pastor Steinbrenner received his first call to serve at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church during its Mission Enhancement initiative. He is married to Rachel, who grew up on the West Coast and also graduated from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Education. Together, they are grateful to be part of the community and are happy to call Plymouth home!
WHAT WE BELIEVE
At Good Shepherd, we believe and confess that Jesus Christ is both true God and true man — the Savior, who atoned for the sins of the world through his death on the cross and triumphed over sin and death by his resurrection from the grave. (John 1:1, Philippians 2:6-8, 1 John 4:10, Romans 6:9)
We believe that the Bible is the inspired, inerrant Word of God and the sole authority for faith. Through it, we come to know God, grow in our understanding, and base all our other beliefs upon. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 2:8-9, John 16:13, Romans 10:17)
We joyfully share God’s Word, knowing that through it — by the power of the Holy Spirit — God works repentance and creates saving faith in the hearts of people. We believe that we are saved by grace alone, through faith in Jesus Christ alone, as revealed in Scripture alone. (Romans 3:28, Romans 10:9, Romans 10:17, John 5:39)
WHAT IS A LUTHERAN?
About 500 years ago, many false teachings had snuck into the Christian church and taken it far from what the Bible actually says. A German pastor and professor named Martin Luther helped people return to the truth of Scripture. That movement became known as the Reformation. Through Luther and others, God brought His church back to a clearer understanding of the gospel and a renewed life of faith in Christ.
The teachings of the Lutheran Church aren’t new ideas or inventions — they come straight from the Bible. That means Lutheran beliefs aren’t based on tradition or opinion, but on the same words God gave through the prophets in the Old Testament and the apostles in the New Testament. And at the heart of it all is Jesus Christ.
The Lutheran Church continues to teach the same message the early Christians believed and shared — the good news of forgiveness, life, and salvation through Jesus alone.
WHAT IS A SACRAMENT?
A Sacrament is a sacred act that Jesus Christ gave for the sake of his Church in which an earthly element is used together with God’s Word as a means of offering, giving, and sealing to us the forgiveness of sins, new life, and salvation.
WHAT IS THE LORD'S SUPPER?
The Sacrament in which the true body and true blood of Jesus are given to us together with the bread and wine for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:26-28,
1 Corinthians 11:23-25)
WHY DO WE PRACTICE CLOSE COMMUNION?
Jesus desires full unity in doctrine and practice. He calls us to be one in faith and teaching. (Matthew 28:20, John 17:20)
The Lord’s Supper is a proclamation of the Gospel. When we partake of the Lord’s Supper, we publicly confess our faith and what we believe. To proclaim the Gospel together, we must be united in what we believe. (1 Corinthians 11:26)
Receiving the Lord’s Supper improperly brings judgment. There are clear warnings against the unworthy reception of the Lord’s Supper in Scripture. It is the pastor’s responsibility to administer this sacrament properly. To do so, he must know what those communing believe. We take this warning very seriously and seek to protect all from receiving it in an unworthy manner. (1 Corinthians 11:27-31)
The Lord’s Supper is BOTH personal and communal. Holy Communion is not just between you and Jesus, but also a shared confession of faith with fellow believers. A full readiness to partake of the Lord’s Supper includes a self-examination – recognition of sin, repentance, and a desire for forgiveness – as well as a clear understanding that we receive Christ’s true body and true blood. (1 Corinthians 10:16-17)
We ask those not in doctrinal unity with us to refrain, out of love and respect. This is not a judgment of your faith or concern over your relationship with Jesus, but rather an effort to follow Christ’s institution faithfully. We want you to partake of the Lord’s Supper with us, but we want you to come fully aware and fully prepared.
WHAT IS BAPTISM?
The Sacrament in which water is used in the name of the Triune God to bring us into the family of God. (Acts 2:38, Titus 3:5)
For more about what Good Shepherd and the Wisconsin Evangelical Synod believes, follow the link below.
