Justified.
“I’m justified, right?” It’s the most pressing question that comes from the deepest sense of longing for acceptance. We seek to be justified among our peers, to be “on the same level.” We self-justify. We justify our beliefs. We justify our actions. We justify our attitudes. We even justify our styles and choices. We justify our lack of acceptance and peace by casting the blame on others. Finally, we all justify our sins:
“My sins aren’t as bad as theirs.” We might confess our sins, but then we turn around and we find someone who we think has sinned more. That’s how we satisfy our deep longing for acceptance. We put a band-aid on our conscience and tell ourselves I’m not as bad as someone else.
But what we’re really doing when we self-justify is casting away the only Person who can justify us. Jesus justifies us. Jesus justifies me.
He justifies me from the outside. Nothing necessary on my part, which makes me absolutely free.
The 2024 Lutheran Youth Association Convention will explore the freedom that comes from being justified outside of ourselves.
The setting of Chicago will form the backdrop to these topics and will allow us the opportunity to explore, and even serve, the city.
Early Registration
$300
Until June 1
- Subsidized cost by the ELS Board for Youth Outreach
- Includes Lodging, Food, Activities, Sectionals, Keynotes, Conference Materials, T-Shirt, etc.
(Activities and Sectionals will have limited capacity: register early to ensure your top picks.) - Cost is for youth participants* & adult chaperones**
* Open to confirmed youth (exceptions can be made for groups bringing those in confirmation).
* Every church needs to send at least one youth leader/chaperone of the same gender as the students (consider paying their way as a church). If your church is unable to send a youth leader/chaperone, consider partnering with another congregation.
Late Registration
$350
After June 1 until July 1
- Includes Lodging, Food, Activities, Sectionals, Keynotes, Conference Materials, T-Shirt, etc.
(Activities and Sectionals will have limited capacity: register early to ensure your top picks.) - Cost is for youth participants* & adult chaperones**
* Open to confirmed youth (exceptions can be made for groups bringing those in confirmation).
* Every church needs to send at least one youth leader/chaperone of the same gender as the students (consider paying their way as a church). If your church is unable to send a youth leader/chaperone, consider partnering with another congregation.
Highlights of the 2024 LYA Youth Convention include…
Morning & Evening Chapel Services and Sunday Divine Service
Daily services in the beautiful Chapel of our Lord at Concordia University Chicago. Sunday Divine Service (holy communion celebrated) at CUC presided over by St. Timothy Lutheran Church (ELS), Lombard, IL, and her pastor.
Two “Justified” Keynotes
We will have two Keynote Presentations this year on the huge topic what it means to be “Justified.” Rev. David Locklair and Prof. Pete Bloedel will be speakers.
Excursions
Choose one of two excursions: 1) Explore downtown Chicago, or 2) the Museum of Science and Industry.
Downtown Chicago will requires lots of walking (about a mile walk to the train station, plus exploring downtown). Those who chose to explore downtown, will take the Green Line to downtown Chicago together as a large group. The Museum of Science and Industry, while expansive, is more contained. Direct transportation will be provided via bus.
Sectionals & Panel Discussion
Sectionals taught by ELS clergy and Board for Youth Outreach members and “MasterClasses” covering a wide range of subjects, taught by Bethany Professors.
Vendor and advertising opportunities for LYA.
We are currently seeking conference vendors, advertisers, and sponsors. We’ll have a space reserved for tables so you can display your resources, ministry or other information to hundreds of youth and youth leaders. Additional print advertising opportunities are available in the LYA Conference Lanyard booklet. Cost for a table is $10, and cost for a table + ad space is $75. Friday of LYA will be the best day for tables, but they can be left set up all weekend. (Vendors who attend are responsible for paying the cost of registration, prorated for their length of stay to cover meals and lodging and any speakers). Email Rev. Jeff Hendrix to learn more.
We look forward to seeing you at the ELS Youth Convention from Thursday, July 25 – Sunday, July 28, 2024!
