The Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) is an organization of high-school age young people who are members of the ELCA. There are nearly 100,000 ELCA youth across the United States and the Caribbean.
The LYO is a place where the voices of young people are lifted up in the church. This ministry happens through young people discussing and advocating issues of importance to them concerning faith, youth ministry, the ELCA, local communities, and the world.
The LYO Board is made up of 15 youth and 10 adults from our synod. They plan and coordinate the synod’s Jr. and Sr. High Youth Gatherings and raise up the voice of youth on a synod level. Youth who serve on the LYO board are in grades 9-12 and are elected at the Sr. High Youth Gathering. Each conference has an adult representative on the LYO board that is elected or appointed by the conference. A synod youth ministry coordinator advises the LYO board.
LYO Board Elections
Your new SW MN Synod Lutheran Youth Organization (LYO) Board will be elected at the Senior High Youth Gathering. This is an amazing opportunity for youth to serve their church, synod and community while growing in faith and leadership skills. Please encourage youth from your congregation to run for this board. It is a rewarding leadership and faith building experience.
Youth from your congregations in grades 9-11 are eligible to run for one-year LYO board terms—thirteen seats are up for election. The elected youth will choose their own officers during LYO training in June. After the gathering, the current 2023-24 LYO board will appoint 2 additional board members to increase diversity on the board.
Serving on the LYO board involves a time commitment of attending LYO training in the summer, 2 weekend meetings/retreats, and planning/leading the Jr. and Sr. High Gathering.
Forms received by the online deadline (March 6th at Noon) will be distributed to gathering participants to aid in the election process. Â (Students may still fill out an application in person, due by March 8th at 10 PM) All youth who run for the LYO board will need to fill out an online application (electronic form only).
Upcoming Youth Gatherings
Keep our youth connected
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