Rev. Christian Coon challenges a familiar Wesleyan phrase by urging churches to make their mission more local and personal. Instead of starting with the world, he encourages congregations to see their immediate communities, their streets, neighborhoods, and towns, as their parish. This shift, he suggests, leads to deeper relationships, more meaningful ministry, and a renewed commitment to social holiness
Read MoreThe Prairie Central District Shepherding Team is bringing Rev. Jim Ozier back to Northern Illinois for Culture Shift: Cultivating Healthy Congregations, a one-day experience focused on helping pastors and lay leaders assess, shift, and shape their church culture toward vitality and growth. The event is open to church leaders from any district.
Read MoreOur church buildings have a lot of doors. To a first-time visitor, this can be a little intimidating.
Read MoreRev. Christian Coon reflects on witnessing a young man in a Chicago train station pause to clean up his spilled coffee—an ordinary but inspiring act of care in a messy world. He connects this small gesture to the call of faith: continuing to serve, heal, and bring hope even when society feels broken or efforts seem small. Like that man with his napkins, Christians are invited to do their part each day to make the world more hopeful and grace-filled.
Read MoreRev. Lindsey Joyce shares that the NIC Office of Congregational Development will explore expanding cooperative parish ministry across the conference. Drawing from her experience co-founding the Northside Co-op, she highlights the transformative power of collaborative ministry to stabilize churches, spark innovation, and trust the Holy Spirit’s movement. She invites others to join in this work of connection, revival, and courageous reimagining.
Read MoreThe Northern Illinois Conference is pleased to welcome Rev. Lindsey Joyce as cooperative parish strategist in the conference’s Congregational Development office.
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