About Rev. Dr. Lisa Maxine Goods
Rev. Dr. Lisa Maxine Goods currently serves as Sr. Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH. Having previously served as Senior Pastor and Teacher of
Kenwood United Church of Christ in Chicago, IL, Dr. Goods has the distinction of being the first female pastor in both of these church's 100 plus year history.
Rev. Lisa, as she is affectionately called, is the daughter of Cassandra Jones and the late Richard Goods, Sr. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she is a graduate of the Pittsburgh Public Schools. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Finance from Penn State University’s prestigious Smeal College of Business. At Penn State she was Director of the United Soul Ensemble the school’s Gospel Choir, Vice President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., President of the National Association of Black Accountants and awarded the Malcolm X/Fannie Lou Hammer outstanding student leadership award.
After college Rev. Goods enjoyed a highly successful career in sales and management for over 26 years.
Rev. Goods accepted her call to ministry in 2003 and attended McCormick Theological Seminary, where she received her Master of Divinity Degree in 2009. At McCormick, she was the winner of the Jesse Hasley Imagination in preaching award in 2007 and the highest preaching honor, the James Taylor Preaching Award in 2008 and 2009. Her sermon “Ending the Identity Crisis” was selected by The African American Pulpit for publication in their Top Seminarians edition in 2006.
She was ordained into the Christian Ministry by the United Church of Christ in February of 2011. Presently Rev. Lisa is pursuing a PhD In African American Preaching and Sacred Rhetoric at Christian Theological Seminary under the mentorship of Dr. Frank Anthony Thomas. Rev. Goods served Covenant United Church of Christ in South Holland, Illinois as Associate Pastor of Outreach and Communications for over 11 years. During this time, Rev. Goods established a ministry for Single Parents, a Prayer Ministry, served as editor of the church’s newsletter and implemented the church’s social media presence and mobile app. She also worked extensively in youth ministry and served as Pastoral Liaison for health and wellness and singles. In 2014, Rev. Goods also began serving as Director of Community Life at Chicago Theological Seminary, where she was responsible for overseeing worship and facilitating the spiritual, professional and community formation of the campus. In May, 2020 Rev. Lisa earned her Doctorate of Ministry Degree from Chicago Theological Seminary. From 2019-2020 she completed a one-year chaplain residency at ChristianCare Health System in Newark, Delaware, providing pastoral care and counseling to acute care, trauma, and addiction patients including caring for COVID19 patients and staff.
A lover of music, Rev. Goods sang with the Chicago Community Chorus and served as the choir’s Marketing Manager. She loves to teach bible study, has a passion for women and youth and is a writer. She is the mother of one son, Julian James Goods. Most of all she loves God and has a heart for the people of God.
VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Chicago Community Chorus, Chicago, IL
2015 - 2019 Marketing Manager
Chicago Metropolitan Association United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL
2012 - 2013 Church and Ministry Committee/Church Standing Sub-Committee
Chicago Metropolitan Association United Church of Christ, Chicago, IL
2012 - 2013 Chairperson of Communications Committee
ORGANIZATIONAL AFFILIATIONS
American Baptist Churches, USA
United Church of Christ
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Xi Nu Omega Graduate Chapter
McCormick Theological Seminary Alumni Association
Penn State Alumni Association