The Sherman Church is more than warm handshakes, more than genuine concern felt not only in prayers shared in worship but during times of fellowship and fun. This is a congregation of people who care for one another and the community. The church has had centuries of connection to the town, and members still are actively involved in a wide range of volunteer service. Despite recent years of struggle through pandemic and a conflicted pastorate, the church is poised and excited about a new sense of purpose and vision with Christ’s loving care.

This is a small, rural church, yet they have a history of worldwide mission support. They have been a major contributor to a school in Tanzania, making more than one trip to build a water system and provide school uniforms. The church supports two missionary families, one in Colombia and one on campus through CRU. A Sherman family experiencing a sudden hardship may apply to Community Relief through the town Social Services Department and the Sherman Church to have their bill paid. The church budget includes a tithe for missions, and a Mission Moment spotlights a different outreach each month with a special collection.

Founded in 1744, The Sherman Church was part of the beginning of congregationalism in New England. It is evangelical in theology, and a part of the Conservative Congregational Christian Conference, a growing, gospel-centered denomination. As the only Protestant church in town, it draws its members from a wide variety of faiths, bound together by their love for Christ and commitment to the local church family.

An interim pastor is guiding them through this transition time. The Mission Statement that has endured for decades is “Becoming Like Christ and Making Him Known.” Core values are identified as Worship, Bible, Fellowship, Mission, and Generosity & Service. Recently the church adopted a Vision Statement, and from that is beginning to set goals and strategies to move forward in reaching out to the area with the Gospel.

The church is governed by a Church Council of committee chairs and officers, acting as a board of directors. Church members meet twice a year to elect committee members and approve the budget and in special meetings to approve large projects. The church is blessed with a church building that includes a sanctuary, fellowship hall with classrooms, and a separate church office building onsite, housing secretary and pastor office and conference table for meetings. There is adequate property for parking and a large field for activities. The church is off the main highway. Four blocks away on the main road is a four-bedroom, 2,100-square-foot parsonage with a barn/garage and large yard.

All the property is debt-free. In fact, the church is blessed with a substantial and growing endowment that allows for growing ministry potential without financial burden. Investments have been so well managed that despite drawing for capital needs and to supplement the operating budget, the portfolio has grown more than 75% in the past decade. As the church looks to a new vision and has a growing passion for outreach, God has allowed investments to be a foundation for the future.