The PD Initiative takes quality training in children, youth & family ministry, and makes it available both online, and in live trainings in every synod of the church. And because of a dynamic partnership with the churchwide offices of the ELCA, this training is available at no cost.
Category: Practice Discipleship Initiative
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Because Everybody Needs a Plan
If you ask anyone who has been doing ministry with children, youth and families in ELCA congregations for awhile, they will be able to tell you that there has been a significant change in the culture of our community over the last 20 years. Children, youth and family ministers share resources, give mutual support and ...
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What’s the Plan with Practice Discipleship?
The Practice Discipleship (PD) Initiative has been one of the most powerful and influential faith formation ministries to take hold in the ELCA in the last 30 years. This is not exaggeration, nor is it hyperbole. It’s just real. Literally tens of thousands of people have participated in training and education for leadership in congregational faith formation ...
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Being Made New
There is change happening in the church. Maybe it’s a new awareness…perhaps it’s a new reformation…I’m not sure what to call it. But something is different. There are new conversations taking place. There are new questions being asked. When I enter into conversations with those who do ministry alongside young people and their families, the ...
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Introducing: The Network App!
We’re really excited about this! Today, the Network introduces our new mobile app! For both the Android and Apple (iOS) platforms, this app is awesome! Features include! A “live” events calendar Direct feed of the Network blog A directory of Network leadership A media library Network News A “prayer wall.” Post prayer requests, and respond! ...
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Network Board Gathers Today
Today, members of the Network’s Board of Directors are traveling to Denver, Colorado for their annual fall meeting. The vision, direction and policies of the Network are overseen by this Board. Seven individuals are called to serve in this role, and meet for prayer, discernment, visioning and policy setting three times a year. The Network ...
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The 800 Pound Gorilla
I was talking with a friend who serves in a different congregation in a different state earlier in the week. He said that he was looking forward to the next couple of weeks with a sense of dread. “Why is that?” I asked. “Because it’s all going to be about the ELCA Youth Gathering. The ...
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It’s Not About Us
There is a new webinar that has been added to the catalog of webinars that are a part of the “Practice Discipleship Project” done cooperatively by the Network and the ELCA Youth Gathering. I’m really excited about the webinar. It is titled “Compassionate Justice and Service Learning.” I’d like to give you the description, and ...
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I Didn’t Know That Was On There!
I hear it actually all of the time. Somebody will send me a question about a ministry topic, or perhaps about a resource, and I’ll drop back a quick note to them and say “you should check out _______________’s talk from the Extravaganza a couple of years ago…there was some stuff said there that I ...
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The Whole is Greater than the Sum of the Parts
There are moments when you suddenly realize that you are in the middle of an organizational “sweet spot.” Things click. Visions are realized. Goals are achieved. And you look around and say to yourself “I can’t believe that I’m here, in this spot at this time. I will always remember this time.” I’ve experienced that ...
Network is a Verb 