Quilt Presentation Celebrates Diversity and Creativity
At the 2025 Northern Illinois Annual Conference, the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force unveiled the Arts & Culture Quilt—a powerful symbol of unity, justice, and cultural pride.…
Mark Manzi, NIC Co-Lay Leader
The first question may be “What is a disciple?” The Rev. Junius Dotson, General Secretary of Discipleship Ministries for The United Methodist Church, says that a disciple is a person who Knows Christ, Grows in Christ, Serves Christ, and Shares Christ! Dotson says that we must be disciples to make disciples. Making disciples is the WHY of The United Methodist Church. He says we must move away from “fixing” churches toward making and growing disciples.
The first of the three Annual Conference Shepherding Team (ACST) goals approved at Annual Conference this year was “To Grow and Reach Disciples of Jesus Christ.” WHY is this goal so important?
Are you a disciple? A first step may be to think of yourself as a disciple. Take a look at yourself. Do you worship almost every Sunday, participate in a small group, live a welcoming and invitational lifestyle, and serve your neighbors? If so, you are a disciple! Of course, now comes the challenging part (or perhaps not so challenging). How will you live as a disciple? As we grow into the thought and practice of a disciple, we will be more prepared to help those in our churches become disciples. As we all become stronger disciples, we will be ready to “Go and Make Disciples for the Transformation of the World”!
Consider registering for Discipleship Systems Training being held in September. Click here to learn more.
At the 2025 Northern Illinois Annual Conference, the NIC Anti-Racism Task Force unveiled the Arts & Culture Quilt—a powerful symbol of unity, justice, and cultural pride.…
Members of the Northern Illinois Annual Conference approved the 2026 conference budget and a simplified apportionment formula during their Jun…
The Northern Illinois Conference recognized five churches with One Matters Awards. The United Methodist Church’s Discipleship Ministries created this award in 2015 to encourage congregations that…
As we continue to look for ways to support international students, the Immigration Team of the NIC Conference Commission on Religion and Race has been presented with an urgent need.