3rd Tuesday Conversation

What is it like being a faith leader in 2026? With so much that divides us, political issues, and more, how do we maintain our role as a leader of faith for young people? How do we listen to and be present with children and youth as they navigate a time of great division? All this and more in episode 90! To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today. Be sure to LIKE and SUBSCRIBE to the Podcast so you don't miss an episode. And be sure to SHARE 3TC with your friends and colleagues. Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com #ELCA #ELCAYMNET #YOUTHMINISTRY #FAITH #CHURCH #MINISTRY

In this month's episode, Alex and Veronica talk about war and how war can weigh on those around us, especially young people. What does it mean to be aware and to be able to talk to them about their feelings and uncertainty? To learn more about The ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today. Music for the Podcast is provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.

In this month's episode recorded live at the 2026 ELCA Youth Ministry Network Extravaganza, Jess, Alex, and Veronica chat with one of the speakers and intensive care course facilitators, Dr. Dee Stokes. We think you will enjoy this lively conversation that may just change how you think about  culture! Cultural Intelligence (CQ) is the ability to interact and work effectively in intercultural settings or contexts. These may include family structures, organizations, congregations, regions of the country, ethnicities, etc. Many times, church leaders do not understand the culture(s) within their own church, much less the surrounding community. To learn more about Dr. Stokes, you can visit her website here. You can find her on Facebook here. Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

The 3TC team took to the main stage at the E in St Louis and had a conversation with The Reverend Joseph Yoo and Anna Skates. What will you bring home from the E? And if you were not at the E, what does ministry look like today? Rev. Joseph Yoo  Episcopal Priest Joseph Yoo is an Episcopal priest and reluctant adult. He serves as the vicar of Mosaic Episcopal Church in a suburb of Houston, TX, where he’s trying to help build a community of authentic faith, humble questions, and good neighbors. He blogs at josephyoo.com, and is the author of When the Saints Go Flying In. Joseph believes people come before institutions and that grace trumps theology—every time. He’s passionate about creating space for those who’ve felt on the outside of faith, especially those hurt or burned out by the church. His approach to ministry leans on vulnerability, humor, and not pretending to have it all figured out. He lives with his wife Rahel, their son Nathanael, and a sense of disbelief that anyone trusts him with a microphone. He tries to stay out of trouble, but trouble keeps finding him—usually right after he’s said something into that microphone.You can follow his work at JosephYoo.com or at @JOSEPH.YOO. Anna Skates  Advocate Anna Skates is a children and family advocate working to help the world see children as full people. A former children’s librarian, children's pastor, and entrepreneur, Anna blends heartfelt advocacy with playful creativity—whether she’s leading kid book clubs, hosting events and workshops, or filming content that helps kids feel seen, heard, and valued. Her mission in life is to shift the social narrative, encouraging adults to listen more deeply, see more clearly, and reimagine what it means to care for children well. Her work champions storytelling, emotional growth, and creating spaces where kids can truly be themselves. She currently lives in Franklin, TN with her husband, two stepkids, and cat, Pixel. You can follow her work on Instagram @anna_skates or at annaskates.co.     Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com.

Our panel welcomes Dawn Trautman of Big Picture Big Purpose to this month's recording. Dawn wrote and article for the Connect Journal about loneliness and the epidemic facing our young people. In this fast moving and fun interview, Dawn and the team share ideas and ways to respond to the loneliness epidemic as church people. We think you'll learn a lot in this month's episode! 3TC Team: Veronica Britto  is a volunteer lay ministry worker at her urban congregation in Philadelphia, where she has been a member since the late 1980s. Pastor Alex LaChapelle serves at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, as well as the Sacred Space Campus Ministry at Northern Michigan University. Deacon Jessica Noonan serves as the Associate Director at LEADconnects in Houston, Texas. Pastor Paul Amlin serves as pastor at Lutheran Church of the Resurrection in Cocoa Beach, Florida.   To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network, please visit our website today.   Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com

As the Christmas lights go up, it is easy to be caught up in the season. This is an overstimulating time. How do you set boundaries for yourself and your ministries to not burnout and collapse in the new year? Music provided by and licensed via www.pond5.com. To learn more about the ELCA Youth Ministry Network and to access resources for ministry, please visit our website today.

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

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

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

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!

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.