The church and society are in a time of exponential change. We need leaders, as never before, with convicted moral and spiritual courage, excellence in preparation and training, and a compelling sense of mission or call.

You are invited to consider becoming part of a generation of Christian leaders who commit boldly to Jesus Christ and are characterized by intellectual excellence, moral integrity, spiritual courage, holiness of heart and life, and a sense of vocational fulfillment.

Explore your calling

• "Is God Calling You?" (Resource provided by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry)
• Watch Bishop Sally Dyck share her call story

Spiritual Gifts Assessment

The Spiritual Gifts Assessment helps individuals identify their God-given gifts for living faithfully as Christian disciples day by day and find meaningful ways to use their gifts in connection with others through the community of faith.  Learn more and take the assessment.

Distance Learning

 The United Methodist policy on distance learning is determined by the denomination's University Senate.  The University Senate approved the following policy on June 17, 2024:

"The University Senate follows the ATS description of distance learning, which states that distance education 'refers to any course where at least half of the instruction occurs when the instructor and the students are not in the same physical location. . . .'

"The only distance education courses allowed to count toward a degree for a candidate seeking ordination in The United Methodist Church shall be offered by one of the 13 official United Methodist schools of theology (BOD, ¶ 1416.3). All United Methodist schools of theology may offer an online education for candidates. Candidates may complete up to 100% of their theological education online at one of the 13 official United Methodist schools of theology. In all cases, candidates are bound by the requirements for online education as determined by the board of ministry in their annual conference."

Read the complete policy (scroll down on the page).

Seeking to transfer to the Northern Illinois Conference?

If you are an ordained clergy either from another United Methodist Conference or from another denomination and are seeking transfer to Northern Illinois Conference please contact Rev. Danita Anderson, assistant to the bishop. 

Pastoral Transition Materials

• Contribution Election (UMPIP)
• Ethics of Our Life Together (pdf)
• Social Media Guidelines
• Suggestions for Churches with a Single Pastor
• Suggestions for Churches with a Young Pastor
• Suggestions for Churches with a Clergywoman
• The First 90 Days
• Why Women are Clergy
• Transition Resource
• Parsonage guidelines

Voluntary Transition Program

• Information for those considering transitioning out of ministry

Boundary Training Resources

• Instructional Videos

Other Resources

• Accountable reimbursement policies
• Explanation of Compensation Form (with housing allowance or parsonage) 
• Clergy Compensation Form (without a parsonage)
• Clergy Compensation Form (with a parsonage)
• Local Pastors Manual
• Mentor Training 
• Resource list from the NIC Board of Ordained Ministry
• Same-Gender Wedding Guidelines

Contacts

Medical and Retirement Benefits

• Sheryl Hatcher, Conference Benefits Officer
• Lameise Turner, Benefits Administrator
• Wespath (medical insurance and retirement agency)

Board of Ordained Ministry Executive Team (2024-2025)

• Chair:  Norval Brown
• Vice-Chair: Caleb Hong     
• Secretary: Tiffany Garcea    
• Treasurer: Sejoon Jang

Recruitment Team  

• Beverly Dukes

Candidacy Team      

• Scott Himel    
• Deacons’ Registrar: Kimberly Davis    
• Elders’ Registrar: Mary Gay McKinney
• Candidates' Conferences: Kathy Brock  

Fruitfulness Team  

• Conference Relations: Luis Reyes     
• Order of Elders: Paul Lee   
• Order of Deacons: Sherry Steele    
• Fellowship of Local Pastors: Sharon Engert

   

Leadership Development Team

• Leader:  Caleb Hong  
• Cabinet Liaison: Brian Gilbert