Ministers

CHICAGO, Illinois—Two hundred eighteen people attended the Church Forward regional conference in Chicago, April 1-3, at the Renaissance Hotel in Northbrook.

Dan Rogers, superintendent of U.S. ministers, opened the conference by reviewing the necessity of developing a good vision for each individual congregation. He explained that vision is sought from God, refined and clarified by the leadership team, and communicated to the congregation. Vision is not static, and we must continue to refine it as time goes by.

WORSHIP LEADERS: Lillian and Stephen Hill of the Kankakee Valley Church in Manteno, Illinois.

A good vision statement helps us decide if a particular ministry is suitable for our congregation. It gives us the ability to say no to ministries that do not fit the vision God has given us.

Many approach this from the wrong direction, looking at available funds and then trying to decide what to do with them. If the vision is good and clearly defined, people will decide it’s really worth doing and support it.

Ron Kelly, church controller, confirmed his retirement plans and introduced Mathew Morgan, who will assume his duties July 22. Kelly said that our financial and advisory committees are responsible for budgeting and adequately funding local ministries as we move along on the journey.

From left: Katherine Hill, Jessica Schind-ler, Nancy Akers, Jacob Schindler and Daniel Hill. [Photos by Doug Johannsen]

Ted Johnston, Generations ministry co-director, said not to dumb down ministry to children. Children’s ability to comprehend spiritual matters is quite good. He urged us to make resourcing our children’s ministry a high priority.

Rogers and Johnston provided many opportunities during their sessions for small groups to discuss and work through some of these methods.

President Joseph Tkach spoke about learning to discern the difference between baggage and treasure.

From left (back row): Dan Rogers, Joseph Tkach, Cliff Parks, Kenny Schabow, James Shunkwiler, Bob Schippits, Nate Denn, Chris Schindler, John Stonecypher and George Denn. Front row: Cheryl Parks, Brenda Hill and Brandon Caruso.

Quoting from Philippians 3:12-13, he told us the best way to deal with the past is to not let it control our lives. Lugging around baggage from the past (the past cannot be changed no matter how much we may think about it) can hinder or completely stop progress. Past memories, good or bad, can keep us in an emotional prison.

In his concluding message on Sunday, President Tkach used the story of the Samaritan woman at the well to show us that once a person has tasted of Jesus, they can’t help but want to share him with others.