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, and 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. Click to take learn more and take the assessment.

Candidate Resources

• Important Dates to Remember 2019-2020
• Candidacy Summit (Jan. 11-12, 2020). Registration www.eiseverywhere.com/2020niccansumm

Distance Learning

At the September 2010 meeting of the Northern Illinois Conference Board of Ordained Ministry, the policy from the University Senate on Distance Learning was adopted:

"In order to facilitate an education that is both technologically astute and relationally adept, the University Senate maintains the standard that two-thirds of theological education towards ordination shall occur on campus or in residence, and no more than one-third may occur by means of distance or online learning.  This standard applies to United Methodist and non-United Methodist seminaries.

The University Senate understands "on campus" or "in residence" to mean a course that includes a significant component of in-person dialogue and conversation occurring on campus either at a school's primary location or at an approved extension location.  "Hybrid courses," which combine online and on-campus instruction, are considered distance learning or online education for the purposes of this standard."

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 Assistant to the Bishop, Rev. Arlene Christopherson, at achristo@umcnic.org.

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

Download information for those considering transitioning out of ministry here.

Boundary Training Resources

• Instructional Videos

Other Resources

• Accountable reimbursement policies
• Explanation of Compensation Form – both with Housing Allowance and Parsonage 
• Clergy Compensation Form - Without a Parsonage
• Clergy Compensation Form - With a Parsonage
• Local Pastors Manual
• Same-Gender Wedding Guidelines

Contacts

Lameise Turner, Benefits Administrator, Email: lturner@umcnic.org

Wespath: www.wespath.org

Executive Team:

Chair:  Mark Meyers, Email: RevMarkMeyers@gmail.com

Vice-Chair: Allyson Talbert Email: talbertac@gmail.com 

Secretary: Wesley Dickson, Email: nicboomsecretary@gmail.com

Treasurer: Hwa Young (Hannah) Chong, Email: hychong@glenviewumc.com

Recruitment Team  

Caleb Hong, Email:  pastorcalebhong@gmail.com

Candidacy Team      

Laura Dean Friedrich, Email: Ldfriedrich16@gmail.com

Deacons’ Registrar: Lynn Mikels l.mikels@fumcah.com

Elders’ Registrar: Mary Gay McKinney

Fruitfulness Team  

Adonna Davis Reid, Email: Adonnadreid@gmail.com

Conference Relations: Pam Rossmiller, Email: Pam.rossmiller@gmail.com

Order of Elders: Paul Lee, Email: umc.paul@gmail.com

Order of Deacons: Adrienne Stricker, Email: adrienne.stricker@gmail.com 

Fellowship of Local Pastors: Sharon Engert, Email: Safe331@comcast.net

Leadership Development Team

Allyson Talbert Email: talbertac@gmail.com ​​​​​​​

Cabinet Liaison 

Jeffry Bross, Email: jbross@umcnic.org