Annual Conference 2008 presented a time to review the seeds of Harvest 2020, planted at last year’s conference, to see how far we have come and to set direction for the future of this movement in the Northern Illinois Conference. Many speakers shared ideas about Harvest 2020…

Rev. Michael Stoner, co-chair of the NIC Harvest 2020 leadership team told the Annual Conference, “Real love requires real expense, real effort, real energy to help us fill empty plates, empty pews, and empty programs.”

Roger Curless, conference lay leader said, “Harvest 2020 is the product of an evolving story He told the Annual Conference that the foundation for Harvest 2020 was set back in 2003, in the search for a new Bishop. “We wanted a vision casting Bishop to put in front of us a pathway for growth and exciting ministry,” said Curless. Bishop Hee-Soo Jung arrived leading us in conversations about “abundance vs. scarcity, social holiness, NCD, small group training. Over 4,000 people have participated in various learning and training events. What all of this says is: We are ready!”

“We have learned that persons are hungry to be involved, and that people really want their congregations to grow and that they want to be involved in new ministries in their communities.” Curless said.

“Harvest 2020 has put some structure to our forward moving efforts. There may be some who want to hold back, who want to ask more questions, those who may want us to be cautious because we can only do so many things at one time, who want us to move slowly and be careful. But let us not be people holding on where we have been when our communities when our world needs us, so that all can experience what is means to have that passion for Jesus Christ.

Looking at new directions creates a mixture of excitement and anxiety. This planting is going to have be done by us. God has called on us and this is our time. You cannot plant standing still in one spot.”

Judy Pohlman, Elgin District Lay Leader who is part of the prayer team of the Harvest 2020 leadership team, said “God sparked a spirit within us about Harvest 2020.” She talked about fear that comes with stepping into new role but told the Annual Conference, “When we open our hearts to Jesus – he never comes alone, he brings his family with him. Harvest 2020 is a ‘God-sized’ movement – it is calling us to respond to the spirit. I believe God has kissed each one of us and said “you’re it”. Something major is going to happen and we can be a part of it. We are moving forward Northern Illinois Conference, and open our hearts even wider.”

Jim Miller, chair on the DeKalb District strategy team and NCD trainer who heads up the Harvest 2020 Communications efforts told the Annual Conference, “ Harvest 2020 is a rallying point. Our bishop is teaching us how to remove all of our obstacles away from God’s work.”

Rev. Christopher Coon, Senior Pastor from Christ Deerfield talked about Harvest 2020 at work in his district. He said, “District Strategy teams have been praying, researching, exploring places and ways to make new faith communities. One area we have been exploring is close to my own area- Highwood, particularly for a Hispanic community. This is hard work, this is energy consuming work but it is critical work for transforming the world.

“I asked myself, ‘What would it mean for an almost entirely white, middle class church to reach out to a nearby Hispanic community? Hospitality and friendly waves are easy to make from the back row but are we being asked to be do something more?”

Robert Sathuri, Senior Pastor of Polo UMC and Chair of the NIC Program Council shared this insight, “Ministry does not happen in a vacuum – but it take place in relationships, weaving together our talents, our energy, our passion together for God. The seed has an ability to germinate on its own, irrespective of who planted it. But someone must plant, and water … will you do it?”

Finally, Rev. Cecelia Harris, Senior Pastor of St. Matthew UMC in Chicago and co-chair of the Harvest 2020 Leadership Team invited everyone at annual conference to engage in small group dialogue to answer these questions, questions which congregations might also want to explore:

What excites you about the Harvest 2020 movement?

What questions do you and your congregations have?

What is your commitment to Harvest 2020?