Just as last year, the conference finance and administration office is offering a host of webinars to help churches with finance and administration. Topics include 2027 budget information, property insurance and safety, benefits, charge conference forms, statistical reporting, and leadership information.
Read MoreVacation Bible school has long been a summer tradition in United Methodist churches, bringing children together for Bible stories, music, crafts, games, and fellowship. But this year, several NIC congregations stretched the traditional VBS model, moving beyond a children’s program held at church toward summer faith formation that builds community, empowers young people, serves neighbors, and creates relationships beyond the church walls. They moved into community spaces, invited new partners, engaged multiple generations, and created experiences that connected faith with service and relationships.
Read MoreThe fire that damaged Christ United Methodist Church in Rockford also shattered a beloved stained-glass window, but its broken pieces have found new life as more than 100 pendants and worry stones. What began as an experiment became a story of resurrection, remembrance and hope, giving members a tangible way to carry the window’s memory and meaning with them. As the congregation returns to its restored campus and prepares to install a new stained-glass window, the fragments remind us that, like Christ’s resurrection, new life and beauty can emerge from what is broken.
Read MoreRev. Christian Coon, NIC's director of congregational development, has been attending worship at churches all over our conference for two years. He's found it an eye-opening experience to be a visitor again and offers some observations on how to help newcomers feel welcome.
Read MoreAt this year’s Annual Conference (June 14-16), members passed legislation that directed a task force to conduct feasibility studies to evaluate the current outdoor and retreat ministry and explore steps toward strengthening it. Read about next steps.
Read MoreRev. Christian Coon, the NIC director of congregational development, once thought there might be some yet-to-be-discovered magic program or resource that is going to help the church turn its fortunes around. "I have to be reminded time and again, however, that we already have historical traditions that are sometimes underutilized or forgotten; practices hiding in plain sight," he says. Here are some suggestions.
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