The 171st Annual Convention was held November 21 and 22, 2008 at the Westin Hotel and Conference Center in Lombard. The theme was In Word and Action, and the convention program focused onhow we as members and congregations are engaging, or are challenged to engage, the Millennium Development Goals.

In his annual address, Bishop Jeffrey Lee talked about the challenges and opportunities in the momentous shift underway in church and society, what some are calling The Great Emergence: "This shift, this reformation we’re in poses great challenges, but also great opportunities. At each of these 500-year junctures, the church has gone through conflict and division, yes, but it has also experienced expanded mission and arguably a more diverse and vigorous faith.  I believe our diocese is uniquely gifted and situated to benefit from this re-formation, and be a model and resource to the wider church."