Goodwin believes in the importance of centering inclusion in the framework of organizations, particularly churches, and points out that churches and organizations that prioritize hiring diverse leaders, including pastors of color, women, and those under the age of 30, have seen growth and increased engagement.
Goodwin also expresses his focus on partnerships as a key strategy for growth, describing how he built new collaborations that initially seemed unusual for a faith-based organization, such as joining chambers of commerce. Through these partnerships, faith organizations gained a voice in their communities and contributed to transformative initiatives.
Goodwin emphasizes the need for organizations, including churches, to adapt and build community beyond their physical spaces, given the changing expectations of accessibility and personal preference. In addition, Goodwin underscores the significance of cross-pollination and interdependence, with the example of Hartford's small business owners and churches working together towards a common goal.
Goodwin also discusses the importance of trusting and pushing boundaries to achieve success. He shares an example of reaching out to the US Department of Health and Human Services, which seemed unlikely at first and resulted in productive collaborations for suicide prevention, mental health training, and community outreach during the COVID-19 pandemic.
