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The Value of Pastoral Renewal Leave

Rev. Matthew Smith recently returned from a renewal leave. He explains that it is more than a vacation; it is a time to deepen one's relationship with God.

2026: A Year of Ministry Anniversaries

2026 is a year of significant ministry anniversaries in The United Methodist Church, for full clergy rights for women (70 years), UM Volunteers in Mission (50 years), the Northern Illinois Conference's decision to become a Reconciling Conference (40 years), and the establishment of the order of deacons (30 years). Northern Illinois Conference celebrated these on June 15.

Teens through Adults Ignited for Ministry

About 80 people attended Ignite, North Central Jurisdiction's March 13-15 event to help those hearing a call to ministry discover opportunities and consider where God is leading them.

Ministry Takes Wisdom, Courage, Imagination, Bishop Urges Lay and Clergy

Recalling the words of the hymn “God of Grace and God of Glory,” Bishop Dan Schwerin admonished in his sermon at the Celebration of Ministry on June 6 that imagination takes courage, and wisdom should precede courage. “We who are in Christ, have cause for hope,” Bishop Schwerin preached. “But let's be clear: it takes courage to imagine.”

Bishop's Column: Hearing the call

When I think of being called into ministry, I think of my father. Oh, he wasn’t a pastor. He was a mechanic who quit school in the eighth grade and was mostly a “home” Baptist. That means he did not go to church very much. He was “spiritual” but not “religious” long before those were sociological categories.

DYK - October is Pastor Appreciation Month

Perhaps this year is the right year to observe "Clergy Appreciation Month."Who doesn't appreciate a word of encouragement, an acknowledgment that life has been hard, or a congregational "hip-hip hurray."