Rostered Ministers and Synod Authorized Ministers throughout the Northern Illinois Synod are invited to join us for the 2026 Professional Leaders Conference (PLC), September 28–30, at Lutherdale in Elkhorn, Wisconsin. 

Registration Cost  

Registration is $130, which includes lunch on Monday and Tuesday. Your registration fee also covers the guest speaker, site costs, and other things we need to have an enriching event. 

Retired rostered ministers are welcome to enjoy registration at a discounted rate of $65. This is a ticket option on the registration page.

Registration cut-off is September 14, 2026.  

If you cannot pay via credit card, please call the synod office, 309-794-4004, to discuss your options. 

Scroll down for more information on this year's schedule, speaker and housing information.  

Speaker

2026 PLC Schedule

Monday, September 28

  • 9:30 a.m. Registration at Hope Center Lobby
  • 10:30 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
  • 11:15 a.m. Introductions and Announcements in the Chapel
  • 12:00 p.m. Noon Meal in the Dining Hall (Bishop dines with those new to synod in the Hill/Engh room in the Dining Hall. Interim Ministers will dine together in the Dining Hall.)
  • 1:00 p.m. Presentation I  in the Hope Center
    • The Shema and the Science of Remembering: What happens when you view these foundational verses from Deuteronomy 6 through the lens of research on human memory? You’ll see ways to support families and people of all ages to keep these words using strategies that have been known for millennia. 
  • 2:45 p.m. Guided Ministry Conversations on intergenerational ministry in the Dining Hall
  • 3:30 p.m. Break
  • 3:45 p.m. Guided Ministry Conversations in the Dining Hall
  • 4:30 p.m. Break
  • 5:00 p.m. Dinner together at local restaurants

Tuesday, September 29

  • 8:00 a.m. Breakfast in the Dining Hall (For those staying overnight at camp)
  • 9 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
  • 10:00 a.m. Break
  • 10:15 a.m. Presentation II in the Hope Center
    • Seven Generations on Sunday: Intergenerational ministry is emerging as a robust field of theological reflection, research, and practice. After establishing some foundational definitions of intergenerationality and characteristics of the different generations, we’ll explore how a deeper understanding of intergenerational ministry can support your ministry in forming disciples and nurturing vibrant faith communities across generations. 
  • 12:00 p.m. Noon Meal in Dining Hall (Bishop dines with retired rostered ministers in the Hill/Engh room in the Dining Hall)
  • 1:00 p.m. Bishop’s Time in the Chapel
  • 2:30 p.m. Free Time Group activities available
  • 5:30 p.m. Dinner together at local restaurants

Wednesday, September 30

  • 8:00 a.m. Breakfast Dining Hall (For those staying overnight at camp)
  • 9:00 a.m. Presentation III in the Hope Center
    • Adding to Your Ministry Toolkit: Neuroscience Edition: We’ve got Jesus in our hearts—but how about in our brains? When we can understand the ways that brain development is a part of faith formation, we’re better equipped to welcome children, youth, and families with ministries that meet the needs of their rapidly developing brains. 
  • 10:00 a.m. Break
  • 10:45 a.m. Worship in the Chapel
  • 12:15 p.m. End of Event

Other Planned Aspects of PLC

The Professional Leaders Conference Planning Subcommittee has been working behind the scenes to plan an excellent time of learning, fellowship, and renewal. 

  • Bishop's Time. Bishop Fidlar will have some time Tuesday afternoon to update us about synod ministries and respond to your questions.
  • Worship. Each day, we will worship in the Lutherdale Chapel. Each service will be a unique experience which may include communion, preaching, or both.
  • Guided Ministry Conversations. On Monday afternoon, we will network and share resources with each other. One of the sessions will be round table discussions led by the Rundmans, and the other session will be about ministry topics that you request at registration.
  • Sabbath Time. Tuesday afternoon will be sabbath time for reconnecting with God, colleagues, and with yourself. Sign ups for afternoon activities will be available on-site.
  • Dinners. We will gather at local restaurants for dinners on Monday and Tuesday. This will be another time to meet rostered ministers and church leaders from across the synod. 

Sabbath Time

During our free time on Tuesday, we will have some organized, hosted options.  

  • Golf at Evergreen Golf Course 
  • Pontoon Boat Ride in East Troy
  • Kayaking on Lake Beulah
  • Nature Walk in Kettle Moraine State Forest
  • Crafting in Hope Lobby 
  • Board Games in Hope Kitchenette and Dining Hall 

If you would like to sign up early for a Sabbath Time activity, especially if you are interested in Golfing or Kayaking, please fill out this form: Sabbath Time at PLC 2026

Sign-ups for Sabbath Time activities will be available onsite in the Hope Lobby. Of course, participants are also welcome to organize other activities or spend time on their own.  

Dinner Groups

On Monday and Tuesday, participants will go out to local restaurants for dinner. There will be a different selection of restaurants each night. 

Monday 

Tuesday 

Most restaurants have their menus available online. There will be paper sign-ups for dinners on-site. 

PLC Guests

Dr. Dawn Rundman - Keynote Speaker

Dawn Rundman is director of congregational development and marketing at Augsburg Fortress Publishers, where she has developed more than 20,000 pages of faith formation curriculum and five Bibles for kids and youth. With a Ph.D. in developmental psychology, Dawn writes, teaches, and speaks about how an understanding of brain development can guide the early faith formation experiences we create for young children in our church communities.

 

Rev. Jonathan Rundman - Musician

Jonathan Rundman is a Minneapolis-based musician and songwriter who has built a singular career, nurtured a remarkably diverse audience, and generated wide critical acclaim. Born and raised in the isolated Finnish-American communities of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Rundman reveals his influences through his surprising versatility as an instrumentalist and composer.

Housing Information

You have four options for overnight accommodations - two on campus and two at nearby hotels. At Lutherdale:  

  • The Hope Center has hotel-like accommodations with private baths. $218 for two nights, plus breakfast, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings. There are no rooms available for Sunday night.
  • The Watson Center has camp-like accommodations with shared bathrooms. $105 for two nights, linens, and breakfast on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings; $150 for Sunday - Tuesday, plus breakfast all three mornings.
  • Please note that this year, all housing onsite is a separate registration.

To register to stay onsite at Lutherdale, please click here.

 We also have two hotel blocks: 

  • Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 200 W. O'Connor Drive, Elkhorn, WI 53121.  Holiday Inn Website
    • If calling, ask for a room in the Northern Illinois Synod Block or use the Group Code: NIS
    • Sunday Night Rate: $99 plus taxes and fees
    • Monday and Tuesday Rate: $109/night plus taxes and fees
    • Hotel Block cutoff date: September 6, 2026
  • Hampton Inn, 40 W Hidden Trail, Elkhorn, WI 53121, Hampton Inn Website