2025 CRE+ Zoom Workshops

 

We have had so many workshop requests that some will be offered throughout the year! CRE+ Workshops will be offered online throughout 2025 in May, August, and October on weeknights at 6:30 p.m. Most workshops will be recorded. 

 

Reaching your Congregation and Community Digitally 
Rev. Mack Patrick, Assistant to the Bishop 
Date: Tuesday, May 13, 6:30 pm 

  • Discipleship theme: Inviting 
  • Intended audience: Everyone
  • Living in a tech forward society encourages us to do ministry in an ever-evolving digital landscape. From websites to social media, online presence matters as you reach not only your congregation but your wider community. Bring your questions and wonderings as we explore some best practices as it relates to our online presence.  

 

Journey to RIC: Biblical Interpretation and Welcome Statement 
Reconciling in Christ Task Force 
Date: Tuesday, May 20, 6:30 pm 

  • Discipleship theme: Inviting
  • Intended audience: Everyone
  • Have you ever wondered what the Bible says or does not say about inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community? Join members of the Reconciling in Christ Task Force as we break down some misconceptions, share some resources, and answer questions. The second half of the workshop will be a conversation around the proposed RIC Welcome Statement that will be brough forth at the 2025 NIS Synod Assembly.  

 

Is Offering a Contemporary Worship Service the Right Move for your Congregation? 
Mr. Steve Witwicki, Light of Christ, Algonquin 
Date: Tuesday, May 27, 6:30 pm 

  • Discipleship theme: Worshiping 
  • Intended audience: Everyone
  • Average weekly worship attendance in the ELCA is declining at an alarming rate. Could offering contemporary worship help stem the tide and attract new believers? Maybe. Is it a way to help grow disciples? It could be. But, first we need to examine what this might involve and whether or not it makes sense for your congregation to consider offering it. Do we have the resources we need to sustain it? Do we have the creative talent to keep it alive? Are we willing to engage and train our participants to help promote it? 

Safe Church Policies 
Deacon Laura Gorton and Rev. Chrissy Salser, Congregational Life Committee 
Date: Tuesday, August 5, 6:30 pm 

  • Discipleship theme: Encouraging
  • Intended audience: Congregation leaders
  • In this workshop, we will explore many topics surrounding crafting or updating a safe church policy for your congregation.  We'll examine why it's a good practice to have one, what should be included in a policy, and share some helpful tips to remember as you work on your own policy.  There will also be resources available following the workshop to help you get started.  This workshop would be helpful for volunteers and paid staff members that work with children, youth, and vulnerable adults, council leadership, and rostered ministers. 

 

Preparing your Congregation for a Natural Disaster 
Mr. Brett Monnard, Salem, Moline 
Date: Tuesday, August 12, 6:30 pm 

  • Discipleship theme: Serving
  • Intended audience: Everyone
  • God asks us to care for our neighbors, and one of the ways we can do this is by ensuring our churches are prepared for disasters.  For our churches to do the outreach work that we are called to in times of community need, we need to make sure that we've done what we can to prepare our congregations and facilities first.  This session will introduce the topic of disaster preparedness for churches and offer guidance for initial steps in increasing your congregation and building's resilience in the face of both natural and man-made disasters.  

 

Right Sizing Ministry for Mission 
Rev. Jennifer Beamsley, Assistant to the Bishop, and Rev. Ben Ingelson, Resurrection, Channahon 
Date: Tuesday, August 19, 6:30 pm 

  • Discipleship theme: Praying
    Intended audience: Congregational Leaders staff, both lay and rostered
  • In this hands-on workshop, we’ll help church leaders re-evaluate and adapt their ministry to better align with God’s calling for the year ahead. Too often, we add new programs and events without taking a step back to ask: What does God actually want for this ministry? Together, we’ll explore how to prayerfully assess what’s truly serving God’s mission, let go of what no longer fits, and adapt to where God is leading. 

 

The What, Why, and How of Sabbaticals 
Ms. Marianne Barstow, Ministry Support Committee 
Date: Tuesday, August 26, 6:30 pm 

  • Discipleship theme: Encouraging
  • Intended audience: Lay congregation leaders and rostered ministers
  • Sabbaticals encourage well-cared-for pastors and other leaders of the church. During the sabbatical, the leader can reconnect with God through education, diverse worship styles, and their prayer life. A cared-for leader is encouraging to members of their congregation and communities. We anticipate Zooming in the author of a book encouraging sabbaticals. We will also highlight some suggestions for creating a sabbatical policy within congregations and information available through the ELCA and NI Synod websites. 

Portico Benefits Update for 2026 
Ms. Jennifer Prinz, Portico Benefits 
Date: Thursday, October 9th, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Discipleship theme: Serving
  • Intended audience: Lay congregation staff and rostered ministers
  • There are many decisions that will be made by the ELCA Church Council and Churchwide Assembly that will help shape how benefits will look in 2026. Participants will leave this workshop with a better understanding of their benefit options going into Annual Enrollment for 2026. 

 

A New Synod Constitution for 2026 - The Changes and their Impact 
Rev. Julie Monnard and Ms. Denise Norman, Synod Constitution Review Committee 
Date: Tuesday, October 14, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Discipleship theme: Studying
  • Intended audience: Everyone
  • A new draft of the synod constitution is being prepared for a September 2025 Synod Council approval. Before this comes before the Synod Assembly in 2026, take a look at the document and discuss how the suggested changes help us to better support the ministry of Northern Illinois Synod. Proposed changes impact Synod Assembly, Committees, and Conferences. 

 

Answers to Common Questions About Minister Taxation 
Ted Batson, Partner, CapinCrouse LLP, Ms. Lori Whalen, Assistant to the Bishop and Ms. Joan Brooks, CPA 
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Discipleship theme: Giving
  • Intended audience: Church bookkeepers and treasurers, as well as ministers
  • We will cover the basics associated with items usually included in minister compensation, including parsonage, housing allowance and self-employment tax. Join us as we help to unravel some of the mysteries surrounding this important topic. We will also provide some general synod finance updates during our time together. 

 

Ministry with Migrants and Refugees in 2025 
Ms. Mary Campbell and Mr. Raed AbuJries, ELCA Ammparo 
Date: Tuesday, October 28th, 6:30 p.m. 

  • Discipleship theme: Serving
  • Intended audience: Everyone
  • In this workshop, participants will be introduced to ELCA AMMPARO and how their congregation can be part of the national network of congregations accompanying migrants in their communities. Participants will also be introduced to the global migration work being supported by the ELCA with companion churches in the world.  

2024 CRE+ Zoom Workshops

April 4, 2024 at 6:30 p.m.
Constitutions for Congregations: Your Governing Documents
Denise Norman, Synod Constitution Review Committee
Constitution out of date and got you down?  Come learn how to start the process, what tools are available to you, and how we can help.  Like any other project, it's important to do your research first. So, let us help!
To access the recording, click here.

Thursday, May 2nd at 6:30 p.m.
Neighborhood Demographic Tool for your Church
Rev. Josh Ebener, NIS Director of Evangelical Mission
This year our synod has invested in MapDash for Faith Communities with FaithX, which is an interactive online, map-based platform for demographics, trends, and analytics. This tool allows us to generate a report with over 40 key demographic factors in a designated radius around a church. Come and learn about this valuable tool, which is available to all of our NIS congregations and will assist us in better understanding and walking with our surrounding communities.
To access the recording, click here.

Thursday, May 23rd at 6:30 p.m.
Parliamentarian Help: How to run a Congregational Meeting
Rev. Andrew Kayes, Synod Assembly Parliamentarian
Robert’s Rules is an essential tool for larger meetings, yet it can be difficult to learn. This workshop is designed for congregation council presidents, secretaries, and other lay leaders. In addition to teaching Robert’s Rules basics, Pastor Andrew will cover how to run an efficient and engaging meeting.
To access the recording, click here.

Thursday, September 5th at 6:30 p.m.
Treasurer’s Workshop
Lori Whalen, Assistant to the Bishop, and Ms. Joan Brooks, CPA
Designed primarily for treasurers, bookkeepers and finance committee members, this workshop will explore what it means to be called by God into the ministry of budgets and finance in this time and place. We will help you unpack some of the more unique aspects of church accounting and answer some of your most pressing questions.
To access the recording, click here.
To access the resources from the workshop, click here. 

Thursday, October 22nd at 6:30 p.m.
Compensation Guidelines
Rev. Jennifer Beamsley, Assistant to the Bishop, and Rev. Andrew Kayes, Compensation Guidelines Working Group Chair
Now that the 2025 Compensation Guidelines have been approved by our Synod Assembly, it is time to use them in preparing a compensation package for your rostered minister for your next year's budget. This workshop will give an overview of the changes to the compensation guidelines for 2025, show how to apply these guidelines to your context, and answer any questions you might have.
To access the recording, click here.