Tag: featured
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, ...
Rooted Together: Celebrating Our Partnership with Outdoor Ministry
Last week, I had the chance to spend a day with our friends in Lutheran Outdoor Ministries Network at their annual conference, and it was exactly the kind of experience that fills your tank in ways you didn’t know you needed. Being with camp directors, program staff and year round leaders who pour so much ...
What Does the Sale of Group Publishing Mean for You?
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 ...
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 ...
Serving the Network: The Work of the Board
Hello friends, Each year, the ELCA Youth Ministry Network invites nominations for individuals to serve on its Board of Directors. This important process is guided by the Nominating Committee, a small group of Network members entrusted with helping identify and recommend strong, faithful leaders who will shape the future of our ministry together. The Board ...
How Did the Gathering Expedition Come to Be?
How did the Gathering Expedition come to be? Ministry with young people continues to change, morph and innovate. Even the larger, “flagship” programs, like the ELCA Youth Gathering do the same. The Gathering has created “Expedition” experiences to accompany the gathering, and to deepen the ministry of the Gathering. There are lots of questions about where this ...
Charting Our Course: Introducing the Network’s Strategic Planning Process
Dear friends in ministry, One of the great joys of serving in my role is the opportunity to witness the passion, creativity, and deep faithfulness that each of you brings to your work with young people across the church. Whether you serve in a congregation, a synod, a camp, a school, a resource provider or ...
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. ...
Listening and Learning: What We Heard in the Extravaganza 2025 Evaluations
Extravaganza 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky, was a time of connection, inspiration, and growth for the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. With 547 participants joining both in-person and online, and a 41.2% response rate to the evaluation survey, we were able to gather valuable insights to help us celebrate what went well and understand where we can ...
Network is a Verb 