Location: Kingswood UMC, Buffalo Grove, IL

Online Registration

Cost $15

Registration and Welcome - 8:30 - 9:00 AM

Worship and Mindfulness Workshop - 9:00 - 9:35 AM

• Felcia Patton - Music Minister for Kingswood UMC in Buffalo Grove, IL
• Rev. Dr. Hwa-Young Chong  - Lead Pastor at Community UMC in Naperville, IL

Ministry Tracks - 9:35 AM - 12:30 PM

Pick 1 workshop (Workshops will run simultaneously)

• Creating an Intentional Discipleship System
  Rev. Caleb Hong - Lead pastor of Faith UMC of Orland Park
  What is the mission of your local church... really?  And how clear is this mission to visitors, church members, church leaders, even church staff?  The purpose of an Intentional Discipleship System (IDS) is to ensure that the mission of the church is clear to all and the church's culture is centered around honoring Jesus' command to make disciples of Jesus Christ.
• Creating Momentum Through Effective Leadership Structures
  Rev. Jaye Johnson - Director of Congregational Excellence for the Iowa Annual Conference
  The traditional organizational structure of our churches with an Ad Board, Trustees, SPPRC, Finance committee, and a plethora of other committees can hinder missional alignment, slow down decision making, and work against creating momentum for change. This alternative structure makes spiritual leaders who disciple others, help a church’s mission focus, streamline decision-making, and free people from committee meetings so that more people can use their time in hands-on ministry. While many conferences use similar models, through a series of trials and some reasonably significant errors, Iowa has adopted the process to make it their own. This session will discuss the theory behind one board, outline the practical steps, and discuss both the positive aspects of the model and the challenge a church might expect if they choose to transition. We will also briefly discuss the difference between a simplified traditional structure and an actual single board. We will discuss the challenges a congregation will likely face and what churches need from conference and district leaders to make a single board effective. 

Questions? Contact Ellen Feliciano   felinet@ameritech.net

Online Registration

Download the flyer

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Meet our Leaders

Felicia Patton has been singing in gospel choirs for most of her life. After high school, she became a featured local soloist in the Chicago area, obtaining two graduate degrees from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. Felicia’s voice has taken her around the continental United States singing gospel, soul, funk, jazz, and blues. She has been the lead singer of Chicago Soul Revue for more than eight years, as well as continuing her solo work in many different genres of music. Felicia also gives vocal, guitar, and piano lessons through Muzicnet School of Music and serves as Music Minister for Kingswood United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Hannah Hwa-Young Chong is Lead Pastor at Community United Methodist Church in Naperville, Illinois. She was born and grew up in a Methodist and Zen Buddhist home in Seoul, South Korea. She always loved going to church and eventually answered the call to ministry in the United Methodist Church. She's grateful how the Zen influence has enriched her Christian faith throughout her life. Hwa-Young received a Pastor Study Grant from Louisville Institute in 2021, which allowed her to visit Taiwan to study mindfulness practices in Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism in Asia.  Hwa-Young recently helped the outreach ministry team at Community UMC launch a program called Seven Days of Mindfulness. This program is for all who seek more peace and less stress in life and is especially designed for those who are new to the Christian faith.  The meditation guide for "Seven Days of Mindfulness" can be downloaded here.

Rev. Caleb Hong has served as the lead pastor of Faith UMC of Orland Park since 2010.  Before Faith, he served churches in Delaware, Georgia, and Illinois.  He loves to play sports, cook food, and watch the Cooking Channel.  He dreams of dunking a basketball in heaven.  He is married to Rev. Sarah Hong, who serves Minooka United Methodist Church.

Rev. Dr. Jaye Johnson is the Director of Congregational Excellence for the Iowa Annual Conference. He works with the bishop and district superintendents as a cabinet member and is responsible for preparing churches to multiply. Jaye helps pastors, congregations, and communities live boldly into the future God dreams for them by being a coach, consultant, resource, and encourager for gatherings of all sizes. Jaye also serves as an Affiliate Professor of Church Leadership at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary.