Hello friends,
In the past few weeks, news broke that Group Publishing has been acquired by David C. Cook Publishing.
Once upon a time, Group was a powerhouse in the world of children, youth, and family ministry. They produced books and resources, magazines for both youth and adults, ran training events, hosted a national convention, and organized Group Workcamps. For decades, they helped shape the landscape of ministry with young people.
Over time, though, nearly all of those initiatives were sold, spun off, or discontinued. The publishing division, best known today for its Vacation Bible School materials, was the last piece of the original company. Its sale marks the end of an era.
Group began with Lutheran roots, but as it sought to reach a broader Christian audience, its theology shifted and leaned more evangelical. Now, with David C. Cook’s acquisition, it is likely to move even further toward the conservative end of the spectrum. That means the resources produced under the new ownership may be harder to adapt through our own theological lens.
This sale also reflects a larger trend. Over the past ten to twenty years, many of the organizations that once resourced and supported youth ministry have disappeared or changed dramatically:
- The Augsburg Youth and Family Institute became Vibrant Faith and moved away from its Lutheran roots.
- The Center for Youth Ministries at Wartburg Seminary closed.
- Many “Cert Schools” ended their training programs.
- While Luther Seminary still has a strong M.A. program in children, youth and family ministry, much of the other resources they offered have been diminished.
- Youth Encounter, Youth Leadership, and Youth Specialties are gone or fragmented.
- NOTE: In my first version of this post, I listed Augsburg Fortress as having stepped away from youth ministry resources. I was reminded that there are actually still a number of good resources that Augsburg Fortress still produces. And I’m grateful for that. I apologize for any misunderstanding I may have caused.
And that is only part of the list.
So where does that leave us? It reminds us that we are the resource now. We rely on each other for Bible studies, retreat outlines, devotions, and ideas for ministry. That is why the Network exists: to create a web of mutual support.
When I need something, I know I can ask this community. When you need something, I hope you feel the same. Through platforms like MartinsList.org, we can share what we have created, adapt it for our own contexts, and help lighten each other’s load. And there are other resources out there as well. Visit the Network web site to find them.
There are still some great providers out there, but fewer that reflect our theology and values. So my encouragement to you is this: stay connected. Share freely. Borrow and adapt. Use what others have created and contribute what you can. Participate. Find the providers that still reflect who our congregations are.
God has given us this Network so that we do not do ministry alone. Let us continue to be the Network together.
In Christ,
Todd
Executive Director, ELCA Youth Ministry Network
Pastor, Trinity Lutheran Church, Owatonna, Minnesota
Network is a Verb 