Category: The Church
Give Good Data Now = Get Good Data Later
Most ELCA congregations work on their budgets in the fall. Program budgets…salaries…benefits…all get worked out in the fall. So we’ve got a “great deal” for you. Invest a little bit of time right now…probably no more than 5-15 minutes, and you’ll be better equipped for these important conversations in the fall. Your friends and colleagues ...
The Hope I Have for the Church
Special guest blog by: Rev. Paul Amlin Today is Paul Amlin’s last day in his role as Program Director for Youth Ministry in our ELCA Churchwide Offices. Over the last four years, Paul has worked tirelessly to support adults working with youth, and leadership development for young people. Paul begins a new call March 1 ...
Finishing Well
I was shocked, but not surprised, when the news of the closing of Youth Encounter was released a couple of weeks ago. Youth Encounter is an organization with a rich history in the Lutheran church, and its closing is an event of seismic proportions in the world of ministry with young people. I can only ...
Youth Encounter Closes its Doors
From the Youth Encounter web site: Posted on February 29, 2016 by Meg Sawyer After 51 years of successful and fruitful ministry, Youth Encounter is shutting down operations and closing its doors at the end of April. Youth Encounter will finish its current event season on April 3, 2016 and then host two Feed the ...
10 Tips for a Great ELCA Youth Gathering
In just a few weeks, in journeys that make the Exodus out of Egypt pale in logistical comparison, 30,000 people are going to load buses, planes and vans and head to Detroit for the ELCA Youth Gathering. It’s going to be 5 days (plus travel, plus side trips) of amazing opportunities for all involved to ...
Why You Should Watch the Live Stream from Detroit (and ideas for doing so)
Guest blog post by Rev. Paul Amlin, Program Director for Youth Ministry; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Chicago, Illinois I was texting back and forth with a seminary friend this morning and the topic of the ELCA Youth Gathering, Detroit, and how the Gathering will address issues like the Charleston killings and racism during our ...
Innovation Grants for Youth and Young Adult Ministry
If you’ve been following social media for youth and young adult ministries in the ELCA you’ve been seeing a lot about an informational webinar about something called “innovation grants” for youth and young adult ministry. The webinar will be recorded and you can watch it later if you’re not available to follow live. What I really want you to ...
Children’s Ministry: A Note from Rev. Stephen Bouman
Special Guest Blog: We invited Rev. Stephen Bouman, the Executive Director of Evangelical Outreach and Congregational and Synodical Mission in the ELCA offices in Chicago to address the needs of children within the church, and to talk about a new position being created at the churchwide offices. Thank you Stephen for sharing with the Network! When ...
ELCA is Seeking a Director for the Youth Gathering
Heidi Hagstrom has announced her intent to leave her position as the Director of the ELCA Youth Gathering following the 2015 event next summer. Heidi has been studying in the M.Div program at Wartburg Seminary in Dubuque and intends to pursue rostered ministry as an ordained pastor within the ELCA. The ELCA has posted the ...
An Invitation to Sign an Open Letter to the ELCA…
Dear Network friends, The Network’s Board of Directors has drafted the following letter, to be sent to Rev. Stephen Bouman, Executive Director of Congregational and Synodical Mission at the ELCA. It requests that staffing in the area of children’s ministry at the churchwide offices be considered. The Network Board invites you to co-sign the letter. ...
Network is a Verb 