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Welcome!
A Note from Fr. Austin
“Good Shepherd exists because we believe Jesus really is who He says He is—the Good Shepherd, the light of the world, the One in whom all things are made whole. He brings healing to what’s broken, peace where there’s chaos, justice where there’s been harm, and renewal in places that seem beyond repair. That’s not just wishful thinking—it’s the steady hope by which we’re learning to live.
We don’t have it all together. But we’re trying to be a community that listens to His voice, receives His grace, and lives out His story in the real stuff of everyday life. We want our worship, our relationships, and our rhythms to reflect something deeper than cultural noise or religious performance—something rooted in Jesus, who meets us in mercy and calls us into a better way.
So if you’re carrying questions, wounds, weariness, or wonder—if you’re looking for a place to belong, to wrestle with faith, or to rest in something deeper than the news cycle or your own strength—you’re not alone. There’s space here for you here. I hope we’ll get to meet you soon.”
New to Good Shepherd?
JOIN US ON SUNDAYS AT 10 AM
7501 Old Harding Pike, Nashville, TN 37221
We know visiting a new church can be awkward, even a little intimidating. So let’s start here: you don’t need to have everything figured out to walk through our doors. Whether you're new to church entirely, returning after a long time away, or looking for a church that feels like home, you're welcome at Good Shepherd. We're a community that’s learning to follow Jesus together—week by week, prayer by prayer, mess and all.
We meet inside Bellevue United Methodist. Please enter on the left side of the building beneath the white steeple. Look for our signs!
What to Expect
SERVICES
Our services are liturgical in nature—usually around 80 minutes—guided by the Book of Common Prayer and shaped by the rhythms of Scripture, prayer, and sacrament. This pattern of worship isn’t just about tradition for tradition’s sake; it’s a well-worn path that Christians have walked for centuries, helping us to enter God’s story with our whole selves.
Each Sunday, we move through two central movements: (1) First, we hear readings from the Holy Scriptures—usually from the Old Testament, Psalms, New Testament, and a Gospel—followed by a sermon that seeks to open the Scriptures and speak into the world we’re actually living in. (2) Second, we come to the table. The bread and wine are blessed by the priest, and then we receive the Body and Blood of Christ as our weekly celebration of Jesus’ death and resurrection—a visible sign of grace, and a shared act of communion with God and one another.
The service is participatory and biblically rich, with spoken prayers, sung responses, and moments of silence woven throughout. You can expect open worship—space to engage, to listen, to kneel, to reflect. There are even quiet corners set aside for personal prayer during the service if you need them. Our music draws from a wide stream—ancient hymns and contemporary songs, psalms and simple refrains—all aimed at helping us lift our hearts to God. Whether you're deeply familiar with Anglican worship or stepping into it for the first time, the liturgy is designed to carry you. It forms us even as we follow it.
EUCHARIST
The Eucharist—sometimes called Communion, the Lord’s Supper, or the Mass—is not a private ceremony or the possession of any one tradition. It is the meal Jesus gave to His Church, a sacred mystery in which we are invited to share in His life, death, and resurrection. Here, around the table, heaven and earth meet—and we are drawn into the grace and generosity of God.
When you come forward, you’re not coming to Good Shepherd’s table, or even an “Anglican” table—you’re coming to the Lord’s table. It is Jesus who invites, Jesus who feeds, Jesus who nourishes. If you are baptized, no matter your church background or tradition, you are invited to receive the Eucharist. Again, you do not need to be Anglican or a member of Good Shepherd to take part.
If, for any reason, you’re not receiving Communion today—whether you’re still exploring faith, not yet baptized, or simply unsure—you are still invited to come forward and simply cross your arms over your chest in a cross-like fashion (X) to receive a blessing. If more comfortable, you may also remain in your seat. Either way, we honor your presence and your journey. We seek to be a place where no one is pressured and everyone is welcome.
KIDS
Kids are part of the church too, not an add-on. We love having them with us. We offer nursery care for the little ones (ages 0–3) during the whole service. Older kids (3–12) start in worship with their families, then head to a kids’ space during the sermon for age-appropriate formation (using the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd). They return to the service for Communion. If you’d rather keep your kids with you the whole time, great. Wiggles and whispers are welcome here. There’s also a family quiet room just outside the sanctuary if you need a breather. For more information about our child and youth formation please click the button below.
Want to Get Connect?
The life of the Church is more than a Sunday gathering—it’s an ongoing rhythm of prayer, service, and shared life. One of the best ways to stay connected is by filling out the digitial Connection Card below or by signing up for the weekly newsletter (here). It’s where you’ll hear about things like seasonal retreats, service projects, special services, discover more about our liturigical practices and other ways we’re learning to follow Jesus together. We’d love for you to be part of it. We’d love to connect with you and get to know you better. Take a moment to fill out our digital connection card and connected.
Give Us a Follow!
You can also find us on Instagram and Facebook for a glimpse into the daily life of our parish. It’s not just updates—it’s a window into the community, and a reminder that the story God is writing through His Church continues all week long.