3rd Tuesday Conversation

3TC provides opportunities to: take a break from the daily routine of ministry and grow in our vocation, learn from colleagues and experts in the field, and participate in conversation with peers who can reflect on ministry, based on the content discussed 3rd Tuesday Conversations are open to all.

Episode 81: Churchwide Has a Fever.... and the Only Prescription is More Youth and Young Adults!

Alex is freshly back from churchwide assembly and the panel is ready to talk about it AND what his experiences will mean for youth and young adults moving forward.   Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.   To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, visit our website today!

08-19
37:30

Episode 79: Ministry with Parents with Rev. Janelle Rozek Hooper

This month, a conversation with Pastor Janelle Rozek Hooper, recorded at the Extravaganza earlier this year. She serves as the program manager for Ministry with Children for the ELCA AND directs the new grant and research initiative discussed in this episode. She shares with us some helpful insight about parents and faith in new research that was recently released. The Curious Christian Children: Reimagining Kids in Worship initiative will provide space for the best learning and integration of resources and research to help children and young people feel nurtured and supported within a worship community. The program is funded through Lilly Endowment's Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, a national initiative designed to help Christian congregations more fully and intentionally engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices. To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, visit our website today! Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.

06-17
34:00

Episode 74: All Things New

Our panel discusses the new year and resolutions, then dive into a conversation about the kinds of things we need to consider when beginning a new ministry. We think everyone will benefit from hearing these ideas, even if you've been in your ministry for years. To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website at www.elcaymnet.org today! Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

01-21
38:45

Episode 84: Advent or Pre-Christmas

The gang discusses Advent giving it the space it deserves to be perfect for family formation and fun. Also Jess has a collection of Advent Wreaths?! Happy Advent! To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website. Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

11-18
36:14

Episode 83: Preparing Hearts and Minds in Posture of Accompaniment

Guest - Dr. Neil Christians, Middle School Ministry Director at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, MN shares his experience and wisdom of preparing adult leaders and students for service trips with intentionality. He talks about the pitfalls when you don't prepare them in posture of accompaniment and the small wins of when they live into accompaniment more fully. To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today. Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

10-21
32:58

Episode 82: What to Expect When You're Expecting a Service Trip

3TC talked with Meggie Cross of Idaho Servant Adventures about the ins and outs of planning and leading a Servant Event Trip and what she hoped for from leaders and youth, before, during and after a trip. To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network or to become a Network+ member, visit our website today! Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

09-16
32:40

Episode 80: Jesus Follower or Fan of Jesus?

Our 3TC hosts discuss what does it mean in our ministry to be fan or follower of Jesus. Our theology informs the ministry we lead and help to create. Join the conversation! Learn more about the Network by visiting our website today. Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.

07-15
34:48

Episode 78: Confirmation not Graduation

In this month's conversation, the team talks about confirmation ministry. We've all thought about it, and maybe we've even said, 'It needs to be confirmation not graduation from church!' We think this could be a great starting point for a conversation by all of our listeners and the Network. So let's have a discussion in the Network Facebook Group after you listen. What do YOU think confirmation could or should look like today? Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com   To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today at https://www.elcaymnet.org/

05-20
39:00

Episode 77: Is AI Okay for Ministry?

In this month's episode, we are releasing a recording that was created in Louisville, KY during the ELCA Youth Ministry Extravaganza. Pastor Michael Jannette is one of our Lutheran experts on AI and the use of technology and his response to how to use AI in ministry may surprise you. Join the panel for a FUN and laughter filled episode to find out if AI is okay for ministry! To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today. Be sure to like, subscribe and share with your friends! Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com 

04-15
32:55

Episode 76: Mission Trips for the Win

Have you taken a group on a mission trip? Are you thinking about it? In this month's episode, the panel discusses their experiences and offers some ideas for how to make these trips "stick" for participants and for your congregation at home. To learn more about 3TC and the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today. Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.  

03-18
39:43

Episode 75: A Conversation with Jennifer Knapp

Welcome to the first in our series of live recordings from Extravaganza 2025 in Louisville, Kentucky! This month, a special extended conversation with musical guest Jennifer Knapp. An in depth conversation about where she's been and what she is doing now, including creativity and how to foster the creative in your youth. We think you will love this conversation, so please like, share, subscribe and help us reach more people with a great message. You can find Jennifer on YouTube and Instagram or via her website. As always, to learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today. Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.

02-18
51:19

Episode 73: Meet Joe Davis.

What's your favorite Christmas gift? We sit down with Joe Davis and talk about the gifts we get, but more importantly, the ones we are born with and cultivate.   Accomplished poet, speaker and educator, Joe Davis, joins the panel in an electric discussion on supporting artistic youth. Joe recalls how adult mentors made a difference in his life as a young artist, and how that support continues to impact his life and art today. Joe encourages all of us to boldly share our gifts and talents with the world.    Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com. To learn more about the Network, please visit our website at https://www.elcaymnet.org/ today!

12-17
38:59

Episode 72: Having hard conversations in the midst of a charged political environment

A major national election is a good time to remember who is at the center of our faith and how that shapes the conversations we have with others. In this episode, the panel writes letters to themselves as preparation for having hard conversations in charged political environment.   Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.

11-19
38:59

Episode 71 Reforming Worship: Worship for all ages

Episode 71 Reforming Worship: Worship for all ages Deacon Jessica Noonan shares her experience of creating worship for all ages in an experiment one summer testing out the idea of interactive worship - worship designed for all ages. The panel share their experiences and hopeful suggestions for creating new worship styles that include all ages. Music provide by and licensed via www.pond5.com. To learn more about the Network, to catch up on back episodes, or to register for the Extravaganza, please visit our website at www.elcaymnet.org.

10-15
31:58

The Gathering is Over... Now What?

Welcome back! 3TC has a new team of hosts and we are kicking off the new season with a special guest. Deacon Jessica Liles is the new director for the ELCA Youth Gathering and she has some ideas about how to keep the excitement going and a few tips one preparing for the next event to be held in Minneapolis, MN in 2027. To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, or to listen to previous episodes, please visit https://www.elcaymnet.org/ today! Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

09-17
33:48

Episode 69: The End of an Era

The 3TC team has an announcement. Also, special guest appearance by the one and only, Todd Buegler.   Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today!

05-21
28:39

Episode 68: Leading a Group at the Gathering

The 3TC team talks about what it takes to lead a successful, meaningful trip to the ELCA Youth Gathering, including a few tips about getting the most out of the amazing city of New Orleans.   To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network or to join the Network, please visit us online at https://www.elcaymnet.org/ today! Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.

04-16
35:54

Episode 67: What If We Started to Collaborate?

The 3TC team sits down with their friend Kevin from Colorado for a conversation about what would happen if we stopped trying to be all things to all people and instead leaned into collaboration with other churches to meet the needs of the people in our congregations.   Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

03-19
40:06

Episode 66: It's All About Connection

Inspired by a quote from Simon Sinek's podcast episode, "How To Be a Friend," the 3TC team talks about the value and importance of authentic connection and how we, as leaders, can allow the need for connection to shape our ministries.  To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, visit our website today!   Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

02-20
27:38

Episode 65: The One Where We Talk About Campus Ministry with Rev. Kim Adams

The 3TC team talks with Rev. Kim Adams who serves as co-chaplain at Concordia Moorhead and North Dakota State University to learn about the current state of campus ministry, the hope in the current population of students and how it all relates to CYF ministry in congregations.   Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

01-16
41:01

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