Resources

TOOLS

Martin’s List – Martin’s List is a treasure chest of youth ministry goodies. Martin’s List allows youth leaders from all across the country to share curriculum, games, Bible studies, documents, and knowledge with one another. To access this database, you must be a member of the ELCA Youth Ministry Network. Martin’s List is just one of the many perks of membership!

3DM – Discipleship and mission strategies.

Coalition of Immoklaee Workers – An organization of justice for Florida’s Farmworkers.

ELCA World Hunger – It takes more than meals to feed the world.

Faith & Leadership – Where Christian leaders reflect, connect, and learn.

First Third Institute – A team of ELCA youth leaders paired with Luther Seminary.

Flannel Stories – A nonprofit organization that creates short Christian videos; distributor of the NOOMA series.

Godly Play Foundation – The Godly Play approach teaches classical Christian language in a way that enhances the child’s authentic experience of God so it can contribute to the creative life of the child and the world.

The John Templeton Foundation – A place for conversation between science and theology.

Lifelong Faith Associates – Committed to helping congregations develop lifelong faith formation for all ages and generations.

Living Lutheran – Lively engagement in faith and life.

Old Lutheran – The Center for Lutheran Pride (but not too proud).

PollEverywhere – Poll through text messaging and display live results on a screen.

Sparkhouse – Started with a simple mission: spark new life in Christian communities. They develop resources through imagination and collaboration to fulfill their mission.

Teampedia – An encyclopedia full of team building initiatives and ideas.

The Text This Week – To help leaders prepare their messages.

Training Wheels – A creative resource for building teams.

Ultimate Camp Resource – An extensive collection of games, skits, art projects, and songs.

Vibrant Faith Ministries – Christian Faith, Education and Devotions

WordPress – A free and easy-to-use blogging service that also works as a website. FBSynod.com is proudly built on WordPress.

Working Preacher – Tips on preaching, comments on lectionary.

Youth Worker’s Idea Station – A collection of everything youth ministry by the Zockoll Brothers. The site is a tad dated, but full of useful goods.

DO YOU HAVE A MINISTRY TOOL THAT YOU WANT TO LET THE REST OF THE WORLD KNOW ABOUT? SHARE IT WITH US THROUGH THE CONTACT PAGE, AND WE’LL REVIEW IT FOR THIS LIST.

Disclaimer: These websites have all been recommended to FBSynod.com by youth leaders in and out of the synod. We are thankful for these tools and glad to pass them along to you, but please be aware that we cannot and have not looked at every aspect of each site’s content – after all, we’re only human. Therefore, the Florida-Bahamas Synod nor the ELCA cannot officially endorse the above resources. Please use each resource at your own discretion. Thanks for understanding.

SUMMER CAMPS & MISSION TRIPS

Novus Way Camps NovusWay Conferences oversee four very different Lutheran outdoor ministries.

Luther Springs is located outside of Gainesville in Hawthorne, Florida,
Lutheranch is in Tallapoosa, Georgia,
Lutheridge is in Asheville, North Carolina,
And Lutherock is in Newland, North Carolina.

Each camp has its own unique offerings. They provide year-round programming and retreat space, including summer camp opportunities. You can learn more about what each site provides by visiting NovusWay.com. For information about Luther Springs and retreat availability, contact Sarah Anderson by email (sarah@novusway.com) or by calling 352.546.5554.

Can’t make it to camp this summer? Or maybe you need some help with carrying out your congregation’s Vacation Bible School? Consider hosting a week of day camp with a Lutheroad Day Camp Team. Also, they offer a variety of mission trip experiences!

Many youth groups in the Florida-Bahamas Synod have utilized YouthWorks when discerning to go on a mission trip. They have camps all across the country. Be sure to check out their website at YouthWorks.com.

TEAMeffort mission trips are a lot like YouthWorks. While they offer camp in many different states and countries, they were founded in Tampa Bay and are now housed outside of Jacksonville. Check out TEAMeffort.org to learn more.

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

If summer is around the corner, it must mean that Vacation Bible School planning season is in full swing! As youth workers, we understand that VBS can get pretty pricy. So, be sure to check with your CYMC to see if there are congregations willing to partner up and share the cost of supplies and curriculum. Sharing supplies and costs takes a lot of coordinating and pre-planning of dates, but it’s a great way to connect with others, swap ideas, and be good stewards of gifts.