More reports are released every week about the influence social media has on our impressions and decision making. Our online communications tools can be used constructively or destructively. I recently attended a workshop on framing the church’s story, where we were reminded that social media is a powerful tool with which we can champion our faith story, capture hearts and empower lives.
Read MoreAs fall settles in, Sunday School and youth ministries ramp up. At the same time, news stories of child abuse in the church remind us that we all need to provide safe space for our children, youth and vulnerable adults. This fall is a good time to refresh Safe Sanctuaries policies and practices in every local church.
Read MoreFor years the Northern Illinois Conference has had a tradition of encouraging local churches to dream beyond their current ministries by offering small grants for new and creative experiments. With the transition to the Annual Conference Shepherding Team in 2017, we have been realigning the Program Ministries of the conference to address today’s realities. This fall we are excited to launch a newly organized granting structure to help our congregations experiment with ministries that are risk-taking and adventurous.
Read MoreEvery year during annual conference, some great questions are raised as we review the conference budget. From administrative costs to congregational care to programming, we want you to know your apportionment dollars are making a difference.
Read MoreThe theme for this year is “Navigating Uncharted Waters” and while we talk, pray, and learn with one another about all the uncertainties in our world and for our denomination, there is one thing that is certain – we will be prepared for the session, thanks to the many, many hours of volunteer and staff time that goes into making our annual conference a hospitable, comfortable, well run event.
Read MoreIn the spring of 1968 after many years of prayer, exploration, negotiation, and planning, several branches of our Wesleyan family merged. The Methodist Church and Evangelical United Brethren became a new denomination - The United Methodist Church. The uniting conference was held that spring in Dallas and the first meeting of this new denomination’s “Council of Bishops” took place in November 1968 in Chicago.
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