Professional Leaders Conference

Professional Leaders Conference 2009

September 28-30, 2009

Bishop Lane Retreat Center, Rockford, IL

The NIS Professional Leaders Conference is the key yearly opportunity for leaders to experience collegiality and connect with what is going on in our Synod. All NIS professional leaders (rostered leaders, seminary students, and paid professional congregational leaders) and their spouses are encouraged to come and share in this opportunity.

Bishop Lane Retreat Center, located at 7708 East McGregor Road in Rockford, is hidden away in the midst of 90 beautifully wooded acres and landscaped yard. It’s not unusual to see deer and other wildlife as you enjoy a walk along the lovely pond or through the quiet woods and the outdoor Stations of the Cross. Find out more at http://blrc.dpsrfd.org.

For those that prefer hotel accomodations, a block of 20 rooms have been set aside at the Radisson Hotel, 220 South Bell School Rd., Rockford, IL Phone number is 815-226-2100. The block of rooms are held for September 28 & 29 with check out on September 30 at a rate of $99.00 per night. PLC participants should call the Radisson before September 14, 2009, and say they are with the Northern Illinois Synod to get the special rate. The block of rooms will be held until September 14, 2009. After that, the hotel cannot guarantee availability (although it probably won't be a problem). The Radisson Hotel is located about 1/3 mile west of the I-90/39 & State Street interchange. Travel time from the Radisson Hotel to Bishop Lane Retreat Center is approximately 20 - 25 minutes.

Free-time activities include: Monday - golf (rain day Tues.), Andersen Japanese Gardens, Rockford (rain day Tues., Adults $7, Seniors $6) Tuesday - Klehm Aboretum and Nursery, Rockford (Adults $6, Seniors $3), Katie’s Cup & Coffee Bar and Just Goods tour in Rockford (Tour Katie’s Cup and its condominiums, sponsored by Zion Development Corp and Rockford Area Lutheran Ministries, and visit Just Goods a fair trade shop). Monday and Tuesday - Hike at Bishop Lane, Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center (Oregon), or Byron Forest Preserve, or walk the labyrinth at LOMC.

The Presenters

The Schedule

Registration Brochure

Save the dates for the 2010 PLC with Susan Briehl September 27-29, 2010

The Presenters

Richard H. Bliese Bliese joined the Luther Seminary faculty as academic dean and associate professor of mission in July 2003. He was elected president of Luther Seminary in 2005. Previously, Bliese served as the director of graduate studies and Augustana Heritage associate professor of global mission and evangelism at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC). He is an experienced pastor, missionary, teacher, administrator and scholar who has served in America, Germany, Zaire and Rwanda. He is also particularly experienced in missiology, the study of the mission of the church. In addition to his distinguished teaching and pastoral career, Bliese has led mission and evangelism seminars and workshops as an independent consultant, administrated the Hein-Fry Lecture Series, and served as president of the Center for World Christian Interaction. He has also published articles throughout the world and co-edited The Dictionary of Mission: Theology, History, Perspectives (1997). Recently he has co-edited a book with Craig Van Gelder called The Evangelizing Church (2005).

David Cherwein, music director of the National Lutheran Choir, is a nationally known conductor, composer and organist. Recognized for his contributions to the field of church music and liturgy, he serves as editor of the National Lutheran Choir Series of choral music. He is a founding member of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians and also serves as Cantor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. David holds the Doctor of Musical Arts in organ performance and the Master of Arts in Theory and Composition from the University of Minnesota. In the Fall of 2000, he was honored as a “Distinguished Alumnus” by Augsburg College, Minneapolis, where he studied choral music education and organ performance as an undergraduate. David also spent two years at the Berlin Church Music School studying conducting, composition and organ. David Cherwien is the 2007 winner of the Raabe Prize for Excellence in Sacred Composition for his piece “The Souls of the Righteous.”

Registration Information

Download the Event Brochure

~~Register online~~

The Conference Fees

Registration is not finalized until payment is received. If registering online, please send check ASAP. Refunds are not be available after Sept. 15.

Limited rooms with private bathrooms are available at Bishop Lane and Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Center in Oregon. Those willing to share a room will pay a reduced fee.

The Rockford Radisson Hotel also has a block of rooms available to PLC participants at your own expense.

Registration for residents (program, meals, & housing)