Skip to Main Content

Vital Partnerships Spring 2024

Location: Hope UMC in Joliet (2506 Caton Farm Road, Joliet)

Vital Partnerships Google Banner

MARCH 2
9 A.M. - 3 P.M.

LOCATION: Joliet: Hope UMC 
2506 Caton Farm Road, Joliet

SPEAKER: DIRK ELLIOTT

Cost: $20
(boxed lunch provided)

Online Registration 

Download the Flyer

Churches come in all forms of vitality: some are healthy and growing, others are maintaining the status quo, and some are declining. But they all have one thing in common: they want to be fruitful and healthy. One way this can happen is through partnerships or mergers. Attend this workshop and explore new ways your church might become healthier through a merger.


Dirk Elliott

Dirk Elliott

DIRK ELLIOTT

Speaker Bio: Dirk Elliott is the retired Director of Congregational Vibrancy and Leadership Development for the Michigan Conference.  Dirk has been a congregational developer for 21 years after serving 18 years in pastoral ministry. He serves on the Path 1 Strategy Team, the New Church Start division of the United Methodist Church. Dirk authored "Vital Merger: A New Church Approach that Joins Church Families Together to Change Lives and Communities."

Sponsored by the Office of Congregational Development and Redevelopment


News & Announcements

Flowers Sympathy625x400 2a417 Copy

In Sympathy: Sigfried Schwirblat

Rev. Sigfried Schwirblat, a local pastor in the Northern Illinois Conference, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024.

Ac 2025 Logo Horizonal Cmyk

Plans Are Shaping Up for 2025 Annual Conference

The Northern Illinois Conference’s 186th session, themed “Grace is Sufficient,” will take place June 9-11. Bishop Dan Schwerin, inspired by the transformative power of grace, e…

Steps Freely 10151 Cmyk

Stronger Together: Practical Steps Toward Observing a Year of Grace

Rev. Fabiola Grandon-Mayer provides practical ways to live a year in grace, inviting individuals and congregations to embrace God’s unmerited favor as a fou…

Hands Together Smiling Team Community Young Adult Adobestock 433760081

NIC Grants Boost Church Ministries to Communities

The Northern Illinois Conference provides grants to empower churches to expand ministries, address community needs, and strengthen their mission to make disciples and serve oth…

Print