To be honest, I'm a little dissappointed. I have always enjoyed the keynote speakers and, honestly, have never found them to be all that controversial. The truth is, when I think of Mike Yaconelli, I think of honesty - regardless of whether it landed him in hot water or was a wise "business" move - my sense is he wouldn't have cared. It's too bad that YS is moving away from their roots....especially for cash. In the past I have come to hear something on the cutting edge, to be challenged to think in new ways about Jesus and Youth Ministry, and to leave with new stuff to chew on. Why pay hundreds for the same old? The last post even brought up the fact that mainline denominations are declining; that in itself tells me that we need to think in new ways, try new things, and integrate our faith into the reality of our lives without compromising the gospel. I hope that this years NYWC is more than just articulating what I already know. Why offer the same safe stuff as OC and NYMC?

I've been attending YS Conferences for almost each of my 10 years of student ministry and I have been very grateful for their work. Honestly, last year's conference in Pittsburgh was probably my favorite because I did find it interesting and helpful. I am happy to not being able to attend this year but only because my wife is expecting but Lord willing, I would have attended anyway. There's so much to gain from a variety of things like the seminars and there's a lot of solid thought behind YS. While I find agreement in Kendra's comments, this may be a good year to change things up in a non-controversial way. But let's be honest, whenever Christians get together, they always a find a controversy ;-)

just to clarify a bit: andrew marin was not the cause of these changes. we love andy, and he'll be at the conventions again this year (however, as part of our shift to make the convention more helpful to everyone who attends, andy will be presenting "labs", and will likely be a part of some of the "fishbowl" discussions, where discussion and interaction will be centerpieces of what takes place). likewise, the changes we're making were not born primarily out of pressure, or of financial outcomes. these changes are our attempt to have this event continue to change and grow to meet the needs of the real youth workers who attend. no backing off on our part: we see this as a move forward.

No offense to Kenda Creasy Dean, but how does she take risks in her ministry? She lives in a huge house on the Princeton Seminary campus, she has tenure, and the stances she takes (i.e. being more "progressive" on the homosexuality issue) carry absolutely zero risk for her professionally. Second, how would YS continuing a more progressive turn be an investment in its future? Mainline denominations are in decline, and as far as I can tell there is no evidence that there has been a resurgence of progressive Christianity, even in the current political climate. It seems to me that YS should promote youth ministry that equips youth pastors to be more faithful witnesses to the gospel and not worry about having panelists who sole purpose is to stir people's pots. An example of such a person is former YS panelist Tony Jones, a man who has a knack for making people upset, and starting more arguments than conversations.

I've lead seminars at two YS conferences and am published with YS. This change/transition will be interesting. I think YS does help stir conversation that a lot of evangelicalism refuses to be open to until it refuses to go away. I've appreciated YS's courage to follow Jesus when some evangelicals would rather not take such risks and then complain about it. Last year's event didn't actually sound risky and that people were offended is somewhat baffling to me. Evangelicals have often been 10 years behind the conversation... YS made them much close to what people are actually talking about outside our subculture. The only thing that remotely bugged me about the YS conference is that so many youth leaders act like teens when they attend... which is kinda ironic really. This new format sounds like it can be just as controversial... evangelicals don't have a good track record with ecumenism, even for the sake of truth and love... I hope I am wrong.