As ministry continues to evolve, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network is walking forward with intention. In response to feedback from our community and in the spirit of deep listening, we’ve launched a comprehensive strategic planning process to guide our future.
The Network’s board of directors has identified four focus areas for our plan: Membership the Extravaganza, resources, and affirmation, are at the heart of this work, each of these areas is supported by a dedicated team of passionate leaders from across the country. Their insights and energy are helping the Network adapt, grow, and thrive.
Here’s a look at where things stand.
1. Membership: Moving from Transaction to Transformation
The Membership team is reimagining what it means to “belong” to the Network. Our current membership structure includes around 1,588 members (both PLUS and Basic), yet many in our broader community remain uncertain about what Network membership entails. A surprising 14% of survey respondents weren’t even sure if they were members. That tells us it’s time for a change, not just in structure, but in language and vision.
This team is working to shift membership from a transactional model to one grounded in community, shared purpose, and belonging. We’re exploring more accessible membership options, including sliding-scale pricing, congregational or synodical memberships, and clearer communication about what members receive. Rural leaders and volunteers especially need to see themselves reflected in our offerings.
We’re also committed to telling the story of the Network more clearly, through real voices, real testimonies, and real transformation. As one participant put it, “The Network is more than a membership. It’s a lifeline.”
Next up: refining our language, researching alternative models, and building a growth and retention plan that reflects the diversity and vitality of those we serve.
2. Extravaganza: Honoring What Matters, Imagining What’s Next
For decades, the Extravaganza has been the centerpiece of the Network’s communal life. It’s our “family reunion,” our “classroom,” and our time to be renewed. But as the landscape of ministry shifts, particularly with the rise of volunteer leadership and the decline of other youth ministry trainings, it’s time to ask bold questions about the Extravaganza’s future.
The Extravaganza team is exploring how we can maintain what makes this event so beloved, especially peer connection, while making it more accessible and impactful. We’re looking closely at cost barriers, format changes, and audience focus. Should we move toward tiered pricing for professionals and volunteers? Can regional events supplement the national event without diluting its power? How do we serve leaders who are newer to ministry, or outside of traditional Lutheran spaces?
We’re also being honest about the “Gathering year bump.” When the Extravaganza is held in the same city as the ELCA Youth Gathering, attendance jumps significantly. But we’ve learned not to rely too heavily on this boost. Our goal is to ensure that the Extravaganza stands strong in every season, not just those aligned with other events.
The team will soon begin defining key audiences and drafting potential models that honor our past and build toward the future.
3. Resources: Equipping Leaders for Sustainable Ministry
Youth ministry today requires more than just great programming. It demands care for the whole leader: mind, body, and spirit. That’s why the Resources team is tackling both the how and the what of resource sharing.
At the center of this work is Martin’s List, a treasure trove of peer-created tools. But while it’s valued, it’s also underused, thanks to outdated design and a lack of visibility. Our goal is to rebuild Martin’s List into a more user-friendly, searchable platform that invites contribution and co-creation.
We’re also expanding our content categories to include wellness, mental health, time management, and boundary-setting; essentials for long-term, healthy ministry. And we’re acknowledging that not all the best resources live in our own backyard. Part of our strategy is to curate and recommend outstanding tools from other trusted organizations.
The team is kicking things off with a member poll to understand where people currently find their resources and what gaps remain. That feedback will shape our path forward.
4. Affirmation: Honoring the Sacred Call of Ministry
Perhaps no theme is more needed today than affirmation. In a season when many leaders feel tired, unseen, or unsupported, the Affirmation team is working to lift up and celebrate the people behind the ministry.
This work is about more than recognition; it’s about identity. How do we remind leaders that their call is sacred, that their presence matters, and that they are not alone? This team is dreaming of ways to make the invisible visible.
As one participant said when she received her 25 year “puck” at the E, “I served in ministry for 25 years and no one ever thanked me for the length of my service before.” That’s a wake-up call, and one we intend to answer with compassion and creativity.
Each of these teams will continue meeting regularly as we move toward February’s Extravaganza, where we’ll share updates and gather your feedback. Together, we’re writing the next chapter of the Network’s story; a story rooted in the Gospel and shaped by community.
We invite your prayers, your voice, and your ideas as we walk this path together.
Networked in Christ,
Rev. Todd Buegler
Executive Director; ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Pastor; Trinity Lutheran Church; Owatonna, Minnesota
To stay updated, visit elcaymnet.org or follow us on social media.
Network is a Verb 