Our Teams

The Board of Ministry of the Illinois Great Rivers Conference is sub-divided into several "working" teams to carry out the Disciplinary functions of the Board. Four of the more important teams doing the work of the Board are listed below. A complete listing of the board members and their individual team assignments can be downloaded here.

	Board of Ordained Ministry Chair Sheryl Palmer, Board Chair Sheryl@champaignfaith.org 217-359-3631 -- church 217-355-8247 -- home
	Conference Relations Team Paul Dinges, Team Leader pdinges@sugarcreek.org 217-697-4652 -- church 217-697-8132 -- home
	Mentor Coordination and Training Zachary Waldis, Team Leader zwaldo86@gmail.com 309-385-4487 -- church 618-558-2376 -- home
	Assessment of Ministerial Recruitment Thomas Goodell, Team Leader tomsherrygoodell@gmail.com 618-283-3684 -- church 618-842-7608 -- home
	Residence in Ministry (RIM) Julia Melgreen, Team Co-Leader juliamelgreen@yahoo.com 217-356-9078 -- church 217-356-5365 -- home
	Casey Taylor, Team Co-Leader pastorcaseytaylor@gmail.com 217-328-1445 -- church 217-367-1046 -- home
	Ministerial Effectiveness Review Team Vince Rohn, Team Leader rohn7@hotmail.com 309-342-3197 -- church 217-553-1858 -- home
	Continuing Formation Team Beth Fender, Team Leader bfender@igrc.org 217-529-2611 -- office 217-728-4943 -- home

Team Descriptions

The Conference Relations Team maintains accountability and ethical standards with all Conference members (635.2r, 605.6) and when necessary, examines and makes recommendations to BOM on special ministries for which members seek appointments** (635.2s) They also make recommendations in Conference Relationship, interviewing persons when deemed necessary.

The Mentor Team works closely with the Discernment Coordinator in the recruitment and training of mentors for candidates during candidacy and as clergy members for local pastors and provisional members (349). It oversees the structure and administration of the Candidacy Summit event.

The Assessment Team tracks candidates for Ordained Ministry, keeping in contact with them throughout their seminary career. They work closely with seminaries and universities to target and recruit future ministry leaders.

The Residence in Ministry Team works with newly-graduated seminary students who have just been Commissioned as they transition from the academic from the academic setting into the ministry setting of the local church. The team also works with each Clergy Person as they prepare for their Ordination interviews.

The Ministerial Effectiveness Review Team (MERT) is charged with providing candidates written guidelines (635.2h) and establish the criteria of the disciplinary and annual conference requirements for the local pastor, associate members, provisional membership and full membership (635.2g,i), interview and examine all candidates as to their fitness and giftedness for ministry, and they work with the Cabinet as they develop standards for clergy effectiveness in cooperation with the Cabinet (636.2q, 604.4, 350).

The Continuing Formation Team assesses the needs, develops and promotes continuing education and formation opportunities for ordained ministers, associate members and local pastors (634.2n-p,u, 334.2b). They promote, implement, and supervise certification programs for lay and clergy (634.1c, 634.2t, 351). They also administer MEF Continuing Education Standards and grants and organize the annual New Pastor Orientation.