Good buzz about the online training project. The e-news put the word out this wee and we got great feedback, good questions and lots of enthusiasm. Also thankful for that!
Network Blog
What's new in the world of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, with random other ministry thoughts scattered throughout.
All Good
Todd Buegler - Wednesday, September 03, 2008
It appears that everything is working properly! I'm thankful for that!
Linked to New Orleans
Todd Buegler - Monday, September 01, 2008
The Lutheran church has always had, I thought, a kind of a strange link to the city of New Orleans. When I started in ministry 21 years ago, the old ALC (pre-merger) was just a few years from their most recent national youth gathering in New Orleans. Just a few years later, we were there ourselves for an ELCA Youth Gathering. The Extravaganza has been there, and our sisters and brothers in the Missouri Synod have been to New Orleans for youth gatherings at least twice. Since Katrina, countless ELCA groups have been to New Orleans to assist in clean up and rebuilding, and of course, in 2009 the both the Extravaganza and the Youth Gathering will be back there.
That's why I've paid special attention to the news in the last 48 hours. I know that city. I've been to the spots where the national reporters are reporting from.
Many of us will be in New Orleans next summer for the gathering, and to serve. We've had in our mind what it's going to be like, and the kind of work that will need to be done. But we forget: nature is still at work.
Gustav is, as I write this, spinning through New Orleans and the gulf coast region.
And we, as a community, are connected.
Please pray. For the city...for the people...please pray.
That's why I've paid special attention to the news in the last 48 hours. I know that city. I've been to the spots where the national reporters are reporting from.
Many of us will be in New Orleans next summer for the gathering, and to serve. We've had in our mind what it's going to be like, and the kind of work that will need to be done. But we forget: nature is still at work.
Gustav is, as I write this, spinning through New Orleans and the gulf coast region.
And we, as a community, are connected.
Please pray. For the city...for the people...please pray.
"The Web Site" and "Toxicity"
Todd Buegler - Friday, August 29, 2008
The Web Site
Well, the Network web site project is mostly done. We think most of the bugs are taken care of. A couple of people have reported some trouble logging in, but that may be a product of the security settings in their browser. We added tonight the "lost your password?" link on the main page and worked on a few other minor details. I'm not yet completely confident that the online "store" is working completely, we did test it twice today and it worked fine. But I'm waiting for someone else to register for the E or to renew/join so I can see if it will work.Toxicity
I have a friend who works in a neighboring congregation. On Tuesday, his sr pastor called him at home in the evening and asked him to come in for a meeting. At that meeting, he was told that his position was being eliminated because of budget problems. My friend wasn't completely surprised; there had been signs of financial trouble. He is a good man, and he was a gifted youth minister.
And I understand that this happens to people every single day. Lots of people get laid off. But this is somewhat different. In the 21 years that I have served in this community, there has been significant turnover. Probably 7-8 youth ministers, and another 8-10 pastors.
There are root causes for everything, and I can't pretend to know what is going on internally in that place. But I do know that there is a level of toxicity there. There is conflict. There is a breakdown in communication between the members and the leadership. What happens in congregations that allows a spirit of divisiveness to become dominant?
- So now, in a community with a very young demographic, there is a congregation with no staff person assigned to youth ministry.
- So now, there is a good man who is job hunting. I fear that the scorch marks that surround his psyche might keep him away from the congregation. While he would serve well wherever he goes, I grieve for the congregation that he doesn't serve in if he chooses to leave congregational youth and family ministry.
- So now there are young people in a congregation and the primary leadership has been let go. Not that it's dependent on one staff person. It's not. Volunteers can probably pick up some of the slack. However, what kind of a message does this send to the congregation...to the community.
Sometimes I wish we could publish a list: "Congregations that are unhealthy and you should stay away from." Probably not wise. But is there something we can do to support these individuals? To help congregations grow? Is there a way we can walk alongside people in this process? I'd love to hear your suggestions.
I ask you to pray for this congregation. Pray for this man. Pray for their young people. And please pray for all congregations who are in conflict. Pray for a Spirit of grace to be unleashed. Pray for a Spirit of forgiveness and tolerance to become dominant. Pray for peace in communities.
Thank you!
Shakin' out the bugs...
Todd Buegler - Thursday, August 28, 2008
We've got the online commerce section up and running. Now you can renew...you can register for the Extravaganza, that's all set.
We've also go the "update your details" stuff working. So yes, you can now go in and set your own password.
It's coming together! Thanks for your patience!
Todd.
Web site problem with the "update your details" page
Todd Buegler - Thursday, August 28, 2008
We just discovered a problem with the "update your details" page. We'll try to get that figured out in the next 24-48 hours.
"It's Alive!"
Todd Buegler - Thursday, August 28, 2008
The new site is up and running! And so far this morning something like 40 Network members have logged in, so we know that the new log in protocol is working. We're pretty excited about that!
There is still an issue with the online payment gateway, but we should get that resolved this afternoon after a phone conversation with the web software developer.
There are a couple of other minor things to get worked out, but overall, we're pleased with the transition. If you are surfing the site and discover a glitch, please e-mail Todd@elcaymnet.org as soon as possible so we can get it resolved. We don't expect the transition to be absolutely seamless, but we're trying to iron out the bugs as quickly as possible.
Really exciting stuff about online training is bubbling up...more about that later.
Todd.
We're Getting Close
Todd Buegler - Friday, August 15, 2008
We are on track for a new website release at the end of August. Sections that are complete include:
All of Extravaganza
Join the Network (New memberships and Renewals)
Membership and renewal forms
Extravaganza and membership payments
Under Resources, Forums, Discoiunts and the Tech Geek Blog
All of About Us except for the Leadership section
Stuff we still need to do is:
The Resources home page
The Connect Journal Stuff
The Salary Survey page
Placement info
Congregations willing to host
Position Descriptions
That's it, as far as I know. It should be do-able.
Keep the process in your prayers!
Todd.
All of Extravaganza
Join the Network (New memberships and Renewals)
Membership and renewal forms
Extravaganza and membership payments
Under Resources, Forums, Discoiunts and the Tech Geek Blog
All of About Us except for the Leadership section
Stuff we still need to do is:
The Resources home page
The Connect Journal Stuff
The Salary Survey page
Placement info
Congregations willing to host
Position Descriptions
That's it, as far as I know. It should be do-able.
Keep the process in your prayers!
Todd.
We're getting there!
Todd Buegler - Saturday, August 09, 2008
We got the Extravaganza section up and running on the new site tonight! That's huge. Next comes the "Resources" section. There are still a couple of unaswered questions I have, like how to click on a pdf and have it open in a web page instead of forcing the file to be downloaded. But there is an answer, I just need to keep digging through the info to find it.
We're also getting set to go public with the online training information.
It's all kind of fun!
Todd.
Welcome to the new web site!
Todd Buegler - Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Welcome!
We are excited to be launching this new web site. To be brutally honest, it wasn't completely our fault. Our former web provider "sold out" to a different company, who decided not to continue to maintain a different format web site then we had been using...so we had to make a switch, and do it soon.
So look around...not everything from the old is here...but we're getting close. And we should have it all up and running soon. Thanks for your patience.
In the meantime, I'll use this blog to keep people updated on what is happening and how up to date we may (or may not) be. We'll also post up quick updates on developments within the Network.
So thanks again for checking this out!
Networked in Christ,
Todd.
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