Creatively connecting over the summer
During the summer, many churches in Northern Illinois face declining attendance as families focus on vacations and outdoor activities. However, churches have found creative ways to engage…
The Discipleship Task Force's NIC Book Club was created to encourage conference-wide book discussions to nurture our spirit in growing as disciples of Jesus Christ. Suggested readings will be offered. Participants are welcome to read and reflect individually or join a group discussion. Group discussions will be held in-person and via Zoom when appropriate.
Fall 2024 Study: Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots
“Radicle Methodism: Back to our Roots,” a four-part, in-depth history course for anyone interested in examining Methodism from the earliest days to the present. It is a free online course from the General Commission on Archives and History.
“First, the word ‘radicle’ in the course title is not a typo, but rather a word referring to the foundational part of the plant,” explains Dr. Ashley Boggan D., General Commission on Archives and History general secretary and course developer. “In the four modules, we take a look at the denomination’s heritage that is rooted in John Wesley, journeying across centuries to follow the radicle of Methodism as it spread and its leaves and branches emerged.”
The resource materials, including videos, discussion questions, suggested readings, a leader guide and more, may be accessed on UM History Hub (free registration is needed). The Rev. Chris Heckert, senior pastor at Haddonfield United Methodist Church, joins Boggan as a co-presenter of the course. You may preview “Radicle Methodism” in the introduction video.
The UMC is at a crucial turning point,” Boggan observes. “The goal of this course is to remind everyone what it means to be Wesleyan, to be Methodist, and to be United Methodist and how we move forward as a connected people.”
Three class options will be available. Stay tuned for more details.
Winter 2023
The NIC Book Club study on Living Our Beliefs, the United Methodist Way by retired Bishop Kenneth Carder and the renewed interest of living out our faith as followers of Jesus Christ and as United Methodists has led us the Discipleship Task Force to offer more opportunities for learning.
Presentation on "Multiplying Love" by Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote
Presentation and Q&A with Wesleyan Scholar, Rev. Dr. Paul Chilcote, on “Multiplying Love” which comes from his recently released book, Multiplying Love: A Vision of United Methodist Life Together.
Click here to watch the recording and learn more
Fall 2023 Study - Living Our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way By Kenneth L. Carder
Faithful Christian discipleship requires a foundation in the core belief and practices of the Christian tradition. Wesley's sermons and writing provide this stepping off point. Living Our Beliefs offers a basic explanation of the beliefs and practices of The United Methodist Church as defined in Part II of The Book of Discipline. Readers uncover a deeper understanding and experience of Christian faith as they live the United Methodist way.
Rev. G. Morris Jarkloh, Jr, pastor of West Ridge UMC in the Lake North District is a member of the Discipleship Task Force and chairs the NIC Book Club. Rev. Jarkloh says, “I am super excited to inform you about this year's Book Club. We will be reading the book titled Living our Beliefs: The United Methodist Way which commences in September. I look forward to seeing all of you, clergy and laity, as we together deepen our faith with God.”
There are several versions of this book available online. We recommend the Second Edition; however, any version will work. Books can be purchased online at Cokesbury, Amazon, and other online booksellers. Your local library may have hard copies or an ebook via hoopla.
Winter 2022/2023 Study - Soul Reset: Breakdown, Breakthrough, and the Journey to Wholeness by Junius Dotson
Rev Dotson spoke at one of our Laity Convocations and also led the Bible Study for our Annual Conference. Here Junius Dotson tells his story, and here is how this study works for congregations.
Soul Reset is a call for the church and all of Jesus’ disciples to reset and reorder their lives around spiritual practices, to learn to walk through our difficult seasons with our souls connected to the source of Living Water so that we don’t burn out or break down. And if we do burn out or break down, we learn to lift one another up and point one another back to Jesus.
Lent 2022 Book Choice - Kneeling with Giants by Gary Neal Hansen
What kind of experience do you have in your prayer life? Is it full of joy or does it fall flat? Gary Neal Hansen, author of our first selection for the NIC Book Club, suggests if your experience is the latter, conceivably you haven’t found a prayer method that you really connect with. In his book, Kneeling with Giants, he offers a wide range of approaches to prayer that are all classics. What better time than Lent to search out a deeper relationship with the God who so loved the world…?