Most people in Elan have faith in the Church. Many believe that without faith and its clear separation of right and wrong, there is no section of humanity that can survive. To return to the scrounging and warring of the before times, however muddled that history is, would be utterly disastrous, and that threat of degeneracy looms as a dark fear in the preachers and Shepherds and servants of the Church. That is why God’s work is so important - without it, society would crumble to dust. At least, that is what members of the Church believe.
Regardless of Low or High denominations, most members of the Church believe that they are caretakers of the people. They are guardians of what is right, what is just, and what is true. They seek to share their message and invite others into their fold. Like shepherds to a flock, as that is how the ordained ministers of the Church got their name, they encourage the growth and development of their people in a multitude of ways. Some reach out to provide counsel to lost souls, where others might aid their neighbors in settling their differences. Indeed, the width and breadth of ministry varies with what the Shepherds and other servants of the Church hold most dear. One minister may put the protection of his people as most important, brandishing weapons to ensure they are safe from the beasts of the wilderness. Another may preach peace and temperance, above and in the face of violence and cruelty. Still another may hold the soul of each person to be the most important and devote all their time to spiritual guidance. Their demeanor, denomination, and niche vary greatly, leading to a great diversity in ministries.
The trek west is paramount to the Church. New people settling in new communities means that those communities must be ministered to and led to a closer relationship with God, whose presence in these new settlements is of the utmost importance. Without Them, who knows what horrors may arise in the hearts of those who do not follow Their teachings?
There is one main Shepherd of Hargrove who helps to organize, assist, and guide the other Church members and affiliates who enter the settlement. They may be from one denomination or another, but their mission is to establish the Church regardless of High or Low. Therefore, this Shepherd supports and represents both branches of the church while being only registered to work with one As there is sure to be a mix of members, followers and other Shepherds, the head Shepherd must administer the services of both churches and must respect the beliefs of both sides.