Category: The Church
Walking With, Not For: Introducing the Network’s Accompaniment Project
Over the last few years, one of the conversations that has come up again and again in youth ministry circles is about how we approach mission and service. Many of us grew up with a model that was driven by helping, rescuing or fixing. We went somewhere, did something for someone else, took a photo, ...
Charting a New Path: Strategic Planning Updates from the Network
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 ...
Why Tenx10 Matters For Us
One of the joys of being part of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network is that we get to share tools that help leaders do their work with young people. We do that through the Extravaganza, Oasis webinars, the 3rdTuesday Conversation podcast, MartinsList, the Connect Journal, and more. But sometimes the best thing we can do ...
The ELCA needs your input on the welfare of children & youth
Dear Friends, On March 21, 2025, the ELCA released a draft social message on child protection and maltreatment. This draft social message is in response to a request from the 2022 ELCA Churchwide Assembly and addresses the church’s calling to protect and nurture children and youth, both within the church and within society more broadly. ...
Why It’s Important that the ELCA Youth Gathering Go to Minneapolis in 2027
Today, at the closing worship service of the ELCA Youth Gathering in New Orleans, it was announced that the ELCA Youth Gathering will go to the city of Minneapolis in 2027. I’ve been to enough youth gatherings to know that when the next Gathering city is announced at a closing worship, there is always a mixed reaction ...
Peder Eide: A Life of Love and Grace
Dear friends, Our friend, Peder Eide, died yesterday. Peder had been battling colon cancer since last summer. And after a long struggle, yesterday, Peder experienced the promises of God fulfilled. Peder was a regular music leader at youth gatherings and events all over the country. He sang in congregations and at music festivals. He provided ...
Salary Survey 2024: Your Data Matters
Hey there everyone! The Network is rolling out our annual salary survey for the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, and we need your input. This is more than just a formality; it’s a crucial step towards understanding where we stand as a community and how we can grow together. Taking this survey matters: In a field ...
Unleash Your Resourcefulness: The MartinsList Upload Challenge!
We have exciting news for all you resourceful people out there. As we march towards the end of the year, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how we can contribute to our community’s growth. That’s why we are excited to announce the MartinsList Upload Challenge! What’s the Challenge? The concept is simple yet impactful. ...
New ELCA Recommendations on How and How Long We Keep Our Data
Hello friends, Last week, a Network member posted in our Facebook group that they had noticed new recommendations from the ELCA about how long congregations retain registration data about events with children and youth. These recommendations had been updated in May of 2021. You can see the document that lists these recommendations here. The new ...
As We Watch War Unfold
Like many of you, I’ve been watching the updates coming in from Ukraine. And like many of you, my heart has broken, seeing the conflict develop, people fleeing, the sights of bombs going off and images of families being separated. This is horrible. It’s terrible. On so many different levels, it’s just so very wrong. ...
Network is a Verb 