September 2025
The LCMS Northern Illinois District (NID) hosted its 2nd annual Lay Leadership Summit on Saturday, August 23, 2025. With
the continued theme of “Together Towards Tomorrow,” the NID again brought together presenters on a variety of topics for lay leaders in all positions of church leadership with the intent to encourage them to learn, grow, and interact with others from all parts of the District.
The NID is comprised of nearly 200 congregations in the 24 northernmost counties of Illinois. These congregations vary immensely in size and scope; from urban to suburban and rural, from large multi-site parishes to the “little church down the road.” Despite the differences, each of these congregations have many things in common. One commonality is the dedication to Word and Sacrament ministry and sharing the love of Jesus with all. Another is the desire for training and equipping lay leaders in the congregation to better be able to serve those in individual congregations and those in the community around them.
The day’s events opened with registration and breakfast. This served as a wonderful time for fellowship, to meet new faces and reconnect with those you may have met at last year’s Summit. The LCMS Northern Illinois District President, Rev. Dr. Allan Buss, led attendees in worship, and Rev. Dr. Chad Lakies, Vice President of Ministry Engagement at Lutheran Hour Ministries, presented the keynote address. Attendees were able to break out into smaller groups for three individual workshop session times throughout the day. The day closed out by coming together in singing and a sending blessings. Several Recognized Services Organizations (RSOs) were also part of an “exhibitor fair” in the gymnasium for interaction and conversation throughout the day.
A few of the many topics covered at this year’s Summit included: Chairing a Congregation in Today’s World; Best Practices for Church Finances; Recruiting, Equipping, and Keeping Volunteers; Spiritual Conversations in Today’s World; Practicing Hospitality as a Congregations; Partnership Models – How We Do Ministry Together; and School Revitalization Primer. This year, there was a special track for Sunday School/Family Ministry, including topics such as: Faith-based Engaging Games for Sunday School; Sunday School Made Easy: Making the Most of Time, Effort, and Volunteers; and The Family That Prays Together.
Several attendees commented on their appreciation for this event and, specifically, about improvements that were made to the day, such as: longer registration time allowing for a more relaxed start to the day and additional fellowship opportunities, more workshop options at each time period, extended time in each workshop session to allow for a Q&A period, and a smoother flow for lunch service. This year, name tags were also color coded by region of the District and attendees were encouraged to sit with other geographically “close” to them at lunch, in order to further some of those conversations begun in workshop sessions and to further find the commonalities in their individual circumstances.
NIDnews.org was able to speak with several attendees about their experience at this 2nd annual Summit.
James Meinen (Immanuel, Batavia) served on the Lay Leadership Summit Committee for the second year. Even though he was
part of the planning process, he was able to gain some insight from the day. When asked about a takeaway or two, he responded, “While I wasn’t able to attend as many breakouts as last year (He was helping to direct foot traffic for much of the day!), after the keynote, I left reflecting on how to engage within the church as it is today and speak to more of what hasn’t changed in the church, instead of what has.”
Emily Pacyga is the Executive Director of Tabor, Chicago, and now also serves on the NID Board of Directors. As a second year attendee, she shared that she chose to attend the Lay Leadership Summit again this year in order to grow as a leader, connect with others in the church, and learn how to better serve her congregation and community.
Her feedback on the day included, “I loved seeing leaders come together to find community and support in the struggles our church is facing. We can lament together, but work together to find solutions. We’re not alone – and we’re stronger together… This Summit helps people to be in fellowship with their neighboring churches and hopefully equips and makes them feel like that have a voice in the Church-at-large.”
LeeAnn Acosta serves as Business Manager/Treasurer for the NID. She attended, in part, because she is on District staff, but she shared that she would have chosen to attend, despite her official role with the District. LeeAnn also was a presenter for a workshop session this year.
Her takeaway from the event is, “there are so many dedicated lay leaders who are striving to serve at the churches and are willing to learn from one another.” She also shared, “The Lay Leadership Summit is a way to equip and empower congregations to work together to spread the Gospel message. It is encouraging to one another, knowing that we are all in this together.”
Rev. Cory Estby was not able to attend the first Lay Leadership Summit in 2024, but he reflected on the reaction and
enthusiasm from several members from his congregation (Zion, Grant Park) upon their return home last year. This year, he served as a presenter, but also was able to be a participant for much of the day.
Pastor Estby shared, “Interaction on an individual, person-to-person level is always best! Listen to people’s stories. Share the Word of Jesus. It is an important message to know that ‘you are not alone’ in the midst of congregational woe and trouble. Yet, when one suffers, we all suffer. May our Lord turn that despair and mourning into joy.
“God works through means. Yes, of course, through the wonderfully received hearing of the Word and administration of the Sacraments. Also important is the mutual consolation and conversation among the redeemed. The Lay Leadership Summit provides the template for interaction among the laity and congregations to be intentional, purposeful, and Spirit-filled.”
James summed up the Summit well: in regard to how the Lay Leadership Summit furthers the work of the Kingdom of God, he shared, “I think it is equipping our leaders with tools to become stronger disciples. Through strengthening our leaders, we strengthen our congregations. While the committee, the NID, the keynote speaker, and breakout session leaders come together with a plan for this one-day event, God’s plan is much greater! What we didn’t plan for is how God will use all who attended in unparalleled ways.”
We pray for God’s continued blessing on the continued work of these many lay leaders in each of our congregations. We are grateful for the enthusiasm and mindset of those who attended – a willingness to come together to learn, converse, and take ideas back to better serve their congregation and their community, and ultimately, to serve the Lord.
Looking forward to next year’s Summit? Mark your calendars! The 3rd annual Lay Leadership Summit will be held August 22, 2026!
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