Navigating Through Change
by Kelly Sherman-Conroy “The only thing that is constant is change.” This is a quote from a Greek philosopher. I don’t think I need to quote a Greek philosopher for any of us to know that this is true. God never intended for creation to stay stagnant. Every part of creation is always in constant change, and although we may try to resist it, change … Continue reading Navigating Through Change
Keys to the Church
by Rev. Kelly Chatman I was 5 years old when my parents moved our family from the segregated South to the industrial North. We were a part of what is known as the great migration of Black families starting new lives during the industrial boom in the U.S. Like many Black families, new life in the North was filled with new adjustments. The neighborhood we … Continue reading Keys to the Church
Holding Loosely
by Todd Buegler “Noah did this; he did all that God commanded him.” – Genesis 6:22 It wasn’t in Noah’s plans. The scriptures tell us that Noah was 600 years old when the earth was overcome by the waters of the flood. While we don’t know for certain, it probably never occurred to him that he and his family would be the ones saved from destruction, … Continue reading Holding Loosely
The Technological Revolution of Right Now
by Leigh Finke We are, at this very moment in time, living in the midst of a technological revolution. The third great revolution of the human species, after the agricultural and industrial revolutions. Such a claim might seem a bit surprising for some, equally mundane to others. In part, that’s because it is difficult to step back from our own point of view when it … Continue reading The Technological Revolution of Right Now
Technology and the Power to Reshape
by Rev. Angela Denker I’ve always been a big fan of integrating technology into my ministry. During my pastoral internship in Las Vegas, our church livestreamed all five worship services, and pastors were expected to use images and slides for all their sermons. Later in ministry, in my third call, my responsibilities included recording a weekly podcast and developing creative, technology-centered sermon series and worship … Continue reading Technology and the Power to Reshape
Ministry in a Digital World
by Leigh Finke Digital ministry has been a challenge churches have faced for two decades. And it’s been a challenge that, if we are honest, many of us have struggled with. Christianity is an incarnational religion, after all, and digital incarnation just doesn’t feel quite right. We want to be in the same space. Two or more gathered, you know. In Person. That’s part of … Continue reading Ministry in a Digital World
Apps You Can’t Live Without
We asked everyone on the ELCA Youth Ministry Network Facebook Group: What apps (mobile or desktop) do you consider essential for your ministry? What could you not get along without? Here’s what you said! Adobe Spark Amazon Among Us Band Bible Gateway Our Bible The Bible App Canva Constant Contact Dropbox Facebook Facebook Messenger Google Calendar Google Docs Google Drive Google Forms GroupMe Gmail Heads … Continue reading Apps You Can’t Live Without
Litany for Grief and Loss for Children, Youth and Families
by Meta Herrick Carlson and Liv Enstad. Creating the Space In Person: The invitation should include clear expectations about physical distance, masks, and COVID-19 safety. Offer students a candle or a stone as they enter the space. The candle is a sign of the light of Christ that shines in them, and the stone is a symbol of heavy things they carry with them these … Continue reading Litany for Grief and Loss for Children, Youth and Families
Ministry in the Time of a Pandemic
by Anna Madsen. The joke about, and in, my family is that we are the Vortex of Chaos. Clearly, and utterly unrelatedly, it would make an awesome name for a band. But that notwithstanding (even though so very true), we really are the Original Vortex of Chaos. Just in the last few weeks, for example, I’ve had to: wrestle the Minnesota DMV to the ground … Continue reading Ministry in the Time of a Pandemic
Mental Health Support for Youth
by Catherine Anderson “We’re supposed to teach youth about Jesus. In reality, we’re just trying to get kids through the day.” A couple years ago I started hearing comments like this more and more frequently from youth ministry leaders in my synod. You’ve probably felt it too. Anxiety, depression, suicide and other complex mental health conditions are deeply impacting ministry with young people and their … Continue reading Mental Health Support for Youth
Connect Journal 