Tag: Resources
Musicians & Artists & Speakers, oh my!
It’s a phone call that comes in fairly often: “We’re planning a big event for our (fill in the blank…congregation…synod…conference…etc…) and we’re looking for a speaker and a musician. We want a (fill in the blank: (soloist…band…loud…acoustic…etc…). Does the Network have a listing, or a directory, or a recommendation or anything that can help us?” ...
So What Would Google Do?
I am more and more convinced that for the church in all its expressions (congregational… synodical…denominational…) is going to grow into the next era, we are going to need to learn to think very differently. The days of working to protect the institution, and to contain decision making, leadership and power, are pretty much gone. ...
Want to Be A Writer?
The Connect Journal is the publication of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Published 3 (or sometimes 4 if the budget is in an especially good mood) times a year, the journal attempts to put fresh thinking about children, youth and family ministry into people’s hands. ely While there folks who we ask to write articles ...
What’s Up With Our App?
Some of you may have noticed that the Network’s mobile app is having some issues. (I know this because you’ve e-mailed me) It’s pretty disappointing because of the time and energy that went into developing the app, and the important role it has played in our communications strategy. So what’s the problem? The short answer ...
Consider This Your ‘Ask’
I think there is sometimes some confusion about workshops at the Extravaganza. Occasionally I hear stories about folks who think “I would really love to do a workshop at the Extravaganza…but no one has ever asked me to.” I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Pretty much no one gets asked. Sure, ...
Trending
Over time, I’ve noticed that ministry with those in the first third of life seems to be kind of “trend driven.” There are new ministry concepts…thoughts and ideas that tend to bubble up. They become a big deal…they become mainstream…they fade…they are replaced… When I first started doing this work, congregational youth ministry was all ...
We Have a Plan…
Last week, the Network’s Board of Directors had a final, online discussion, and voted to approve the new strategic plan for the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. This vote comes after a year of development that included prayer and conversation, writing, editing, re-writing, more editing, release of drafts, feedback, rewriting, writing, and so on and so ...
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 ...
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! ...
Extravaganza + Academy Award = Awesome!
Q: “So what did you do at the Extravaganza this year?” A: “Learned a lot…experienced spiritual renewal…connected with peers…oh yeah, hung out with an academy award nominee.” I blogged a couple of months ago about the documentary called “Inocente,” which we will be screening on Sunday afternoon at the Extravaganza. It is the story of ...
Network is a Verb 