Dear friends in ministry,
One of the great joys of serving in my role is the opportunity to witness the passion, creativity, and deep faithfulness that each of you brings to your work with young people across the church. Whether you serve in a congregation, a synod, a camp, a school, a resource provider or another ministry setting, you are a vital part of the community that we call the Network.
Today, I’m excited to introduce the next step in the journey we’re taking together: a new season of strategic planning for the Network.
Why now? Because our mission, to provide renewal, education and connection for adults who serve children and youth in ELCA congregations, is as urgent and meaningful as ever. The world has changed rapidly over the past few years, and so has ministry. We want to be responsive. We want to be bold. And we want to make sure that our work as a Network continues to meet your needs and helps you thrive in your vocation.
We’re launching a strategic planning process with four key areas of focus. Each of these areas reflects something we’ve heard from you, our community, as a hope, a dream, or a challenge. And we want you to help shape what comes next.
Our Four Focus Areas:
1. Growing Membership and Engagement
We want to widen the circle. The Network is strongest when more people are part of it—sharing ideas, offering support, building relationships. How can we better invite new members in? How do we connect more deeply with those already here? And how can we make membership feel valuable and life-giving for everyone?
2. Increasing Access to Resources
You’ve told us you need support that’s practical, theological, and accessible. That means both solid curriculum and trusted colleagues. We’re committed to expanding our resource offerings—not just adding more content, but curating what’s helpful, sharing it in user-friendly ways, and making sure it’s available to everyone who needs it.
3. Deepening Our Commitment to the Extravaganza
The Extravaganza has long been the beating heart of the Network. It’s where we gather, grow, and are renewed. We want to continue to invest in it—not just as an annual event, but as a space where ministry leaders are reminded they are not alone. How can we make it even more impactful? More inclusive? More energizing?
4. Affirming Our Members and Their Callings
Let’s be honest—this work can be hard. It can be isolating. It’s not always understood or appreciated. But it matters deeply. We want to find meaningful, consistent ways to affirm our members, celebrate your ministry, and help you remember why you were called to this in the first place.
Join the Journey
This isn’t just a board, or a staff-led process. We’re building four planning teams—one for each of these key initiatives—and we’re inviting Network members like you to be a part of them. Each team will explore its focus area, listen to voices from across the Network, and develop ideas and strategies that will shape the future of our shared work.
You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need a certain job title. You just need a heart for this work, a willingness to dream, and a desire to make a difference.
If you’re interested in joining a team—or if you just want to learn more about the process—you’ll find all the information you need at www.elcaymnet.org/plan. There, you can read more about each of the initiatives and fill out a short form to express your interest in getting involved.
The Network has always been about relationships. This planning process is no different. It’s about listening, discerning, and building something together. I’m excited to see what our community, with the blessing of the Holy Spirit, can create. I’m confident that the Network’s best days are ahead of us. I hope you’ll be part of it.
With gratitude and hope for the future,
Todd Buegler
Executive Director
ELCA Youth Ministry Network
todd@elcaymnet.org
elcaymnet.org
Network is a Verb 