Why is No One Talking About This?
A few months ago, I came across a powerpoint slide that Beth Lewis, CEO of Augsburg Fortress Publishers had used as a presentation to a group of pastors at a conference in Florida. (Thanks to Beth Lewis for the slide!) When I saw the numbers, in all honesty, it took my breath away. The slide ...
The App is Back! (Again)
Earlier this week, the Network’s app went back online and fully functional! Whew… Some of you have tracked the saga for the last six months. But in a nutshell: The company that we worked with to develop the app, iGivings, which focuses on mobile apps for congregations, went through an organizational crisis. In short, ...
New Network Board Members Appointed
Sue Megrund and Tom Schwolert have been appointed to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Their three year terms will begin at the conclusion of the Network’s Extravaganza, January 30-February 3, 2014. Sue Megrund is the co-founder of Interserve Ministries, an organization based in Minneapolis that works with ...
Living for 5:00pm
For the past 4-5 weeks, my internal mantra has been “I’m living for 5:00pm on Sunday, October 27th.” 5:00pm yesterday represented the end of a season. At 4:30pm, our final service of Affirmation of Baptism was complete. By 5:00pm, most of the photos with kids and parents would be done, and I’d be on my ...
Young People and Social Media
Hat tip to Walt Mueller at the Center for Parent/Youth Understanding for posting this. Originally, it comes from http://www.rightmixmarketing.com:
5 Ways to Save Money at the Extravaganza
This is the time of year that people are making decision about whether they will be joining their community at Extravaganza. I hear from people all the time about what an important time it is for them. The personal spiritual renewal, the quality continuing education and the networking and connections that are made are invaluable. ...
“Pastrix”
I will select very carefully who I recommend reads this book. I’ll do so for two reasons: The language Nadia uses in her book is going to cause problems for some people. She is raw, she is honest, she is herself. And she can express herself with colorful metaphors better than any other pastor I’ve met. For those who ...
Regional Facilitator Selection Is On!
Every year, 3 of the ELCA regions are up to select (or reappoint) their Regional Facilitator. This year, Regions 1, 4 and 5 are due up to select their RF. We have modified the selection process for RF’s this year as well. Our new process isn’t powered by election, but by a matching of skill ...
Leadership Happens
Someone recently made a comment to me about the leadership structure of the Network that piqued my curiosity. Someone wondered how leadership was developed within the Network, and if the Network’s leadership structure was ‘insular.’ It’s a great question, and one that we need to regularly be taking a look at. So I decided to ...
Waiting…
As I write this, we are waiting for word on the condition of my Father-in-law. This morning, he suffered a second, significant stroke, the first having come in May. My wife is with him and her Mom and brothers and sisters at Mayo Clinic. The doctors have said that for the next 24-48 hours, we ...
Network is a Verb 