Emergent, YS End Collaboration
January 27, 2005
BREAKING NEWS:
It was recently announced that Emergent and Youth Specialties, who have collaborated in putting on the annual Emergent Convention, will no longer be teamed together in this endeavor once this year's events (San Diego, Nashville) are held.
via Doug Pagitt
Youth Specialties announced today that they will no longer be co-hosting the Emergent Convention (nor the National Pastors Convention).
From their Press Release: “The emergentYS Convention began only two years ago as a partnership between Youth Specialties, Emergent, and Zondervan ChurchSource. This event was warmly received by people doing church ministry in new ways to meet the changing needs of our culture in a postmodern society. After much thought and prayer, Youth Specialties has decided stop producing these events. “It became clear that we needed to regain focus on what we exist for-and that is youth workers,” said president of YS, Mark Oestreicher. “This decision was not financially driven, and certainly not a matter of distancing ourselves from our fantastic partner organizations - this was purely driven by a recommitment to our organizational identity.”
To read the entire announcement Doug wrote regarding this: http://www.emergentconvention.com/planningblog/
SOOOOO, what do you think? Is this development a good thing? Will future Emergent gatherings/events go on to become even more helpful, supportive, and worthwhile?
Though it seems like it could be motivated by the urging of Muckity-Mucks, I think probably not. Here's why - YS is a for-profit entity, yes, but their identity has always been one that pushes the envelope, one that challenges the existing systems, and that rebels against the status quo in general. I have been on volunteer staff at convention for them (both YouthWorker's and Emergent) and I could see those who lead YS saying, "We've shown the importance of having this conversation, but it's time to refocus on Youth Ministry. This conversation isn't going away anytime soon, and there are many people who have much to contribute to it besides us" It doesn't appear as if the EmergentYS line is going to go away anytime soon either. I suspect that People with hearts for Youth Ministry want to re-focus their energy on Youth Ministry. But, hey, I could be wrong.
Posted by: Shane | January 27, 2005 at 01:33 PM
Helpful perspective, Shane. I'm tracking with you here. So, we might say then that YS served a critical role as a catalist-of-sorts for the emergent conversation, and now that such role is fulfilled, it's time to refocus?
Posted by: Chris | January 27, 2005 at 10:16 PM
I think so. As a matter of fact, you and I discussed this at some length at the very first Emergent convention (I was a volunteer staffer in the bookstore). They couldn't ignore what they thought to be an important conversation that would have effects on youth ministry, but they also probably shouldn't let it steer them off course which is to provide practical resourcing for youth pastors like me. This doesn't mean they are withdrawing from the conversation, I think it means they recognize they have done their part, and played their role, sort of like Paul and Apollos in the NT. Just my take. Blessigs!
Posted by: Shane | January 28, 2005 at 10:31 AM
{light bulb turns on} Oh, wow! I remember that conversation now. I'm sorry I didn't put 2 + 2 together, but glad you just did! I really enjoyed talking with you that day.
Will you by chance be at this year's event?
Posted by: Chris | January 28, 2005 at 12:44 PM
I will be in Nasville. As I was last year.
Posted by: Shane | January 28, 2005 at 03:15 PM