Congregational Services

These ongoing ministries of the Northern Illinois District provide resources for congregations and help meet the needs of individuals, giving living witness to our faith. To request more information, contact the individuals listed.

Academy for Church Workers - Continuing education programs designed especially for church workers in the Northern Illinois District under the auspices of Concordia- University Chicago. It is jointly sponsored by Concordia University and the churches and schools of the Northern Illinois District. Continuing Education Units are awarded     to participants through Concordia’s University College. Dr. Richard Gotsch, director.  For a current schedule, please e-mail or Click here.

Campus Ministry - Bible studies, hospitality and leadership training are provided       for college students at Northern Illinois University. Rev. Marty Marks, campus pastor, please e-mail or go to their website.

Cross Cultural Conversations - Outreach to international students at University of Illinois-Chicago; Northern Illinois University-DeKalb; and Northwestern-Evanston; please e-mail Rev. Dr. Don Gourlay or visit their national website.

Congregational Leadership Development - A variety of workshops are available from trained district staff to help develop lay and professional leaders for healthy congregational ministries. Offerings include: Leadership: The Plus Factor; Natural Church Development; Staff Team Building; Healthy Congregation Workshops; Your Congregation’s Future; and Youth Ministry Consultation. Click here for more information.

Endowments - Grants for ministry are available to district congregations from   several Northern Illinois District endowment funds. For specific guidelines (mission starts and urban outreach) and application information please contact district Administrative Services, please send an email or Click here for the Urban Endowment information and Here for the NID Endowment information.

Genealogy - The district receives many calls requesting access to the records for the congregations within our district that have closed. All records, with the exception of limited information for St. Matthew, Chicago and Trinity, Glencoe have been forwarded to the Concordia Historical Institute, in St. Louis. You can contact their website for further information. You may also email questions of our district archivist, Mr. John Hallman.

Lutheran Child and Family Services - Click Here to visit their website.

Lutheran Church Charities - Supporting Lutheran human care ministries in Northern Illinois by connecting resources and people to needs and ministries. Click Here to visit their website.

Lutheran Church Extension Fund - Resources and financial services for congregations, church workers and investors, please e-mail Sue Green or Larry Ulrich or visit their website.

Lutheran Life Communities -Visit their website.

Mission and Ministry Board - A variety of resources for congregations are coordinated through the Ministry Teams of the district’s Mission and Ministry Board.  Please send an e-mail for information on the following:
     Singles
     Parish Education
     Stewardship
     Youth - NIDyouthministry@aol.com

National Lutheran School Accreditation - Information on the process for obtaining accreditation for Lutheran schools is available from the NID education office, please   e-mail Reed Sander.

Parish Nurses - The Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod the only denomination to recognize the Parish Nurse as a professional church worker! Click here to read more about the program.

Urban Linkage - Congregations and individuals link with Chicago churches to share cross cultural ministry experiences and the exchange of information, resources and expertise. Rev. Don Becker, coordinator. Click here for suggestions on how to get started or contact Rev. Becker by e-mail.

Voice of Care - This new mission society is building support ministries for         families and persons with developmental disabilities under the leadership of            Rev. Donald Kretzschmar, please e-mail  or visit their website.

Voice of Hope - This mission society is building support ministries for persons who are incarcerated and their families under the leadership of Deaconess Lori Wilbert. If you would like to support this ministry click here. If you have a question about this ministry or to schedule her to speak for your group please email Lori Wilbert or visit the website.

Wheatridge Ministries - Wheat Ridge Ministries is recognized throughout the world   as an independent Lutheran charitable organization that seeds new ministries of health and hope in the name of the healing Christ. Currently, more than 100 ministries are receiving assistance through Wheat Ridge funding. In addition to funding grants, Wheat Ridge also connects and equips people, congregations and organizations with health and hope ministries. For more information visit their website.