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Congregational Development

We have 3 areas of focus:

  • New Church Starts and Redevelopment
  • Healthy Churches and Discipleship
  • Vital Congregations Change Communities
     

Programs:

  • Conference Academy (Hispanic/Latino) for Faith Community Development
  • Institute for Congregational Development
  • Turnaround Church Coaching
     

Training Events

  • Church Planters' Bootcamp
  • Revitalization Workshops
  • Lay Missioners Training
  • Natural Church Development (NCD) 
     

Mission Field Demographics

The Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment offers mission field demographic data through MissionInsite. MissionInsite is a powerful tool that provides church leaders with essential demographic, economic, and religious data about their communities. This up-to-date data is accessible to all members of the Northern Illinois Conference.

Download "How to Register"

Log on to MissionInsite 

Contact:

Rev. Christian Coon

Director of Congregational Development

872-810-0862

ccoon@umcnic.org

News & Announcements

Reading The Bible

Conference-Wide Bible in a Year Reading

The Northern Illinois Conference Committee on Discipleship and Spiritual Formation is launching a conference-wide initiative for 2026 inviting individuals and congregations to read the e…

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From the Bishop: Keep Practicing Hope

"I believe hope is a practice of God’s creative freedom at play in human creativity and freedom," says Bishop Dan Schwerin. "God’s word is always breaking in for good. We as the church ma…

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Erie UMC Sews Comfort for Foster Children

Erie UMC volunteers recently sewed 165 cheerful pillowcases for children in foster care, partnering with Raising Hope and My GEAR Outreach. The effort blended creativity, compassion, a…

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In Sympathy: Mr. Vi Tran

Mr. Vi Tran, spouse of Rev. Brian Gilbert of the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 37.

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