NIC’s Lobby Day uses lessons of the past to change the present
Early in the morning of 18 April 2024, 22 members of the Northern Illinois Conference Anti-Racism Task Force, many of whom had participated in last year’s Civil…
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The Northern Illinois Conference of The United Methodist Church includes more than 330 churches and new faith communities spanning the upper one-third of the state of Illinois in five regional districts. Our episcopal leader is Bishop Dan Schwerin.
The mission of The United Methodist Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Congregations provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs. (United Methodist Book of Discipline, para. 120).
Our Mission (Why)
The purpose of the annual conference is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world by equipping its local churches for ministry and by providing a connection for ministry beyond the local church; all to the glory of God. (Par. 601)
Our Priorities (What)
1. Equip both Leaders and Churches:
2. Resource struggling churches.
3. Rethink how to be vital churches.
4. Cultivate trust within the conference.
Our Vision (Where)
Making and supporting vital Christians in vital congregations that engage with their communities and the world for peace, justice and mercy.
Our Core Values (How)
In responding together to God’s call for our Annual Conference, we desire a culture that values:
Download our Mission, Values, Vision, and Priorities graphic.
Our Goals
Structure
In 2017, the Northern Illinois Annual Conference approved a restructuring plan, which creates a central, diverse Shepherding Team and District Shepherding teams to focus on four core areas in an effort to streamline the work of the conference. Those four areas are Congregational Life, Clergy Life, Missional Life, and Connectional Resources.
Who to call
Our Conference staff is located at 303 E. Wacker Dr., Suite 2020, Chicago, IL 60601. Have a question and are unsure who to contact? Click here for a staff directory.
Annual Conference meeting
Each year in June, the clergy and lay members of the Northern Illinois Conference meet to conduct business, elect leaders, and celebrate our ministries.
What is an Annual Conference?
In The United Methodist Church, the annual conference serves as the “basic unit” of the church. The United States has 63 annual conferences, supervised by 50 bishops. There are 59 annual conferences in Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, which are supervised by 18 bishops. In the U.S., an annual conference may cover an entire state, only part of the state, or even parts of two or more states. Find more about The United Methodist Church at www.umc.org.
History
In 2014, the Northern Illinois Conference celebrated its 175th anniversary and our beginnings to the first conference session held August 26, 1840, in Mt. Morris, Illinois. Click here to read a two-part article on our past.
Questions about What we Believe and more?
Visit Ask UMC.
Cross and Flame Logo
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Permission to use the Cross and Flame must be obtained from the General Council on Finance and Administration of The United Methodist Church: Legal Department GCFA Post Office Box 340029 Nashville, TN 37203-0029 Phone: 615.369.2334 Fax: 866.246.2516
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