Skip to Main Content

Vital Partnership Workshop

Location: First United Methodist Church, 503 N. Lily Creek Rd., Freeport, IL.

Vital Partnerships 2022

March 19

Registration fee: $20 - lunch box provided

Download Flyer

Speaker: Dirk Elliott

Churches come in all forms of health: some are healthy and growing, others are maintaining the status quo, and some are declining. But they all have one thing in common – they want to be fruitful and healthy. One way this can happen is through partnerships or mergers. Attend this workshop and explore new ways your church might become healthier through a merger.

Pic Elliott Dirk

Dirk Elliott

Speaker Bio: Dirk Elliott is Director of Congregational Vibrancy and Leadership Development for the Michigan Conference.  Dirk has been a congregational developer for 21 years after serving 18 years in pastoral ministry. He serves on the Path 1 Strategy Team, the New Church Start division of the United Methodist Church. Dirk authored "Vital Merger: A New Church Approach that Joins Church Families Together to Change Lives and Communities."

Sponsored by the Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment

Watch below the inspiring story of the merger of two churches in Elgin, Wesley UMC and Epworth UMC, to form Journey of Hope.


News & Announcements

Eugenevioletfabiola

Council of Bishops Gather Leaders to Envision UMC's Future

This October, the United Methodist Council of Bishops will host leaders from the episcopal areas around the world in Calgary, Canada, for "Emboldened by the Spirit: Im…

Finance Report

Balanced Budget Approved; Apportionment Receipts Rising

The 2027 apportioned budget for the Northern Illinois Conference will be $5,647,000, which is an increase of $539,000 over the 2026 approved budget. Apportionment receipt…

Sign Holders

Almost 200 March for Justice for Immigrants

About 150 Northern Illinois United Methodists marched to demonstrate their support of justice for immigrants on June 15, near the Schaumburg Renaissance Convention Center.

Bishopsaddresssq

Episcopal Address: How Refuge is a Practice of Hope

Hope is like a refuge, Bishop Dan Schwerin said in his episcopal address on June 15. He was not talking about escape but the biological idea of refugia, a pocket of safety th…

Print