Standing Together: Churches Across NIC Turn Faith into Action
More than 18 United Methodist churches across the Northern Illinois Conference turned faith into action on Sept. 13, gathering for prayer, vigils, rallies, marches…
Welcome to our Charge/Church Conference support page
On this page, you will find all the information you need for a successful Charge/Church Conference.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE CHARGE/CHURCH CONFERENCE:
-
2026 Charge/Church Conference Agenda (Doc)(PDF)
-
Download the Bishop’s Video Message (English), (Spanish)
-
2026 Charge/Church Conference Forms - see details below
-
2027 Clergy Compensation Form(s) - see details below
2026 CHARGE/CHURCH CONFERENCE (CC) FORMS
WHERE:
All Charge/Church Conference forms are found in the People Portal.
People Portal Login
Click here for detailed People Portal instructions.
WHO:
Access to CC forms is limited to the following church leaders:
- Clergy
- Church Office Administrator
- SPRC Chair
- Finance Chair
- Financial Secretary
- Church Treasurer
- Membership Secretary
- Trustees Chair
- Lay Servant, Lay Speaker, and Lay Minister
Use the CC Forms Checklist to determine the leaders responsible for completing and saving the CC forms.
WHEN:
Completed & Saved: All Charge/Church Conference forms, except for the Minutes, must be completed and saved at least 7 days before the conference date. Saved forms can still be amended.
Final Submit: All Charge/Church Conference forms, including the Minutes, must be FINALLY SUBMITTED within 7 days after the conference date. Once all required CC forms have been completed and saved, the Officially Submit button will appear at the bottom of the page. When all of the CC forms are completed, the pastor or church administrator will electronically sign and submit the forms. This will make all of the forms unchangeable and saved in their final state.
HOW:
After logging into the People Portal, click the 2026 Charge/Church Conference Forms link located in the black box on your screen. You will only see this link if you are listed as one of the above leadership positions in our database. Contact your District Administrative Assistant if are completing a form and do not see this link.
- Most of the 2026 CC Forms have been pre-populated with last year's responses for your convenience. (Unless you are a new church or have a new church name since last year.)
- Please review and update the 2026 answers as needed, then save the completed forms.
- You may also view the 2025 CC forms for reference. Just click on the 2025 Charge/Church Conference Forms link in the black box of your People Portal.
- All of the forms that apply to your church are mandatory. (ie: Report of Additional Appointed Clergy is not required if you only have one appointed pastor)
- Once saved, forms are available online for District Superintendent review.
- Print copies of all forms for your records and for sharing.
2027 CLERGY COMPENSATION FORMS
(Clergy Compensation Form Instructions as a pdf))
WHERE:
All Clergy Compensation forms are found in the People Portal.
People Portal Login
Click here for detailed People Portal instructions.
WHO:
Clergy complete their own 2027 Compensation Form, with consultation with the SPRC. Only clergy have access to their Clergy Compensation form.
WHEN:
Clergy Submit for Approval: Clergy must complete and Submit their 2027 compensation form for Approval at least 7 days before the conference date.
DS Approval: Within 7 days after the compensation package has been approved by the CC, the District Superintendent will review and approve the clergy's 2027 Clergy Compensation Form in the Compensation (Conference) link of their People Portal.
HOW:
After logging into the People Portal, click the Compensation link located in the black box on your screen.
- Click your name (you)
- Click green “Create a new compensation” button
- Complete the Compensation form from top to bottom. This is a dynamic form which will open/close and calculate fields, depending on what is entered at the top sections of the form. When completed, click SAVE. You may re-enter the form at any time.
- Manage compensation splits if you serve more than one church.
- Done? Submit for approval.
For questions and support, please reach out to Rev. Cheryl Weaver, Conference Benefits Officer, via email or 608-478-4609.
Resources and Forms
- Trainings
- 2026 Church Conference Report Training: Sept. 29, 7 p.m., via Zoom - Watch the 2025 recording
- 2025 Clergy Compensation Form Training: Recorded Aug. 20, 11 a.m. - Watch the recording
- 2027 Benefits Enrollment Webinar: Sept. 23, 11:30 a.m., via Zoom
- 2027 Benefits Conversation Webinar: Oct. 13, 7 p.m., via Zoom
- Clergy Compensation, Housing and Benefits Resources
- Equitable compensation for 2027 (doc. 680.02)
- Clergy Compensation Form Instructions
- 2027 Health Insurance Plan for clergy rates table (Medical, Dental and Vision)
- 2027 Benefit Updates and Church Benefits billing information
- Brochures from Wespath on How to Choose a Healthflex Plan (English, Spanish, Korean)
- NIC Housing Covenant (passed at 2024 Annual Conference)
- Housing Allowance Explained
- Other Resources
- 2026 Checklist & Report Instructions
- Fund Balance Reports Instructions. Due Feb. 28, 2027
- Mission Links Form (formerly Rainbow Covenant)
- 2026 Number of AC Lay Members per Church (for nominations report, updated 9/25/25)
- Northern Illinois Conference Who We Are Brochure