Month July 2010

ColoRADo:10

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

The two weeks of speaking at Ponderosa Camp for “Summit” was absolutely great. Here are some pics that help tell the story.

What stands out the most?

The Holy Spirit.  Scores of students coming to Christ, new discover/friends in Everfound and great times with the guys.

Grace,
Brian

(Debut) Three-For-Thursday: Recent Discoveries

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The change of the blog-format means some changes to some of my “regular” features.  Today marks one of those changes.  For almost a year I had been running a “Top Five Tuesday” posting.

I may move back to that sometime.

I may not.

Replacing it for the time being is a new series, entitled, Three-For-Thursday. A “top” list in some ways, but we’ll see where this one goes.  For instance, today, I am giving you three recent discoveries in my life. I don’t see these as a ranking from least to greatest (or greatest to least), simply I see them as three things I have learned/discovered lately.

In thinking about the last few months there have been a few things that really stood out to me that I would consider “discoveries.”  I hope some of these may become “discoveries” for you as well.

  1. Christianaudio.com. If you are a person who finds it hard to sit down to read a book (or struggle to find time to read the stack of suggested books that have piled up in you mind), your problem may just be solved.  This website allows you to purchase (or get for free) you favorite (or soon-to-be favorite) books.  Quite simply, you get to listen to books through your iPod, MP3 player or through iTunes (and other players). Several years ago while hanging with best-bud, Jeramy, down in San Diego I had the opportunity to spend some time with one of his friends, Todd.  Todd worked with Jeramy on his high school volunteer team.  Todd is an entrepreneur and I quickly was drawn to his creative business savvy.  We flash forward about six years and I have had many interactions with Todd now.  Todd is one of the owners of christianaudio.com (a company he and a couple others started about five years ago). ONE huge benefit to christianaudio is that each month they do a freebie.  In June it was Forgotten God by Francis Chan and July it was an A.W. Tozer classic, The Pursuit of God. That’s right, FREE!  You can still get the Tozer book now!  And stay tuned, a new one is just a few days away!
  2. The Holy Spirit. Please understand that I didn’t “discover” the Holy Spirit recently.  However, I will say that having been “raised” in conservative circles since coming to faith in 1990, I have come to the conclusion that most well-meaning, conservative churches have been (subconsciously) teaching that the trinity consists of Father, Son and Holy Bible. Don’t get me wrong, I am a FIRM believer in the Word of God (and believer that believers need to invest in/draw from the Word).  However, I am keenly aware (and becoming even more aware) that the Holy Spirit is at work in my life.  As I mentioned above, the book Forgotten God did a lot to re-introduce me to the Spirit’s role in my life and the life of all believers.  Instead of being afraid, downplaying or denying the work of the Spirit (or excusing it as “Charismatic”), I am trusting (and seeing) that the Spirit is at work today, just as He was before creation, at the day of Pentecost and through the first 2000 years of the Church.  I would not consider myself a “Charismatic” or “Pentecostal” at all, however, I am tired of the labels, with that said, I would be honored to be called, “Spirit led!”
  3. Via Baci. This summer I had the fantastic opportunity to speak at two camps in Colorado.  Both times I was able to do so with friend, Mike Penberthy.  Mike played professional basketball in the NBA and overseas (Germany and Italy).  On this last trip we met up with a Youthmark client Tom Coffan for a lunch on our way down to Camp.  Tom, knowing the approximate area of where we’d be traveling back from the airport, pulled off the freeway and and stopped at a restaurant.  Little did he know that he actually discovered what Mike said was “the closest quality/taste to Italy that he has experienced in the U.S.”  We loved it so much that we prioritized a visit on our way up to the airport.  I HIGHLY recommend you stop at Via Baci (just south of Denver off Lincoln Ave. off I-25) if you are ever near Denver.  I had the pizza, and don’t know if I’ll ever be able to order anything other than the pizza after I experienced this!

Well, that was fun.  I hope you enjoyed a glimpse into my recent discoveries/rediscoveries!  Any thoughts/reactions/similar experiences for you?

Grace,

Brian

Student Ministry Stuff (SMS): Pied Piper (part 1)

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

The new SMS editorial has commenced.  Welcome.

My intention with this series of blog posts will be to give my thoughts on specific areas of student ministry.  Call it a rant, free advice or something that makes you think.  The series comes out of my weekly interactions with Youth Pastors and some of the thoughts that form as a result of my communication with the YP’s, parents, pastors and students.

So… here we go.

Let me start by saying this is not a rant against Youth Pastors… it is a warning to the Pied Piper Youth Pastor or to the church that allows for a Pied Piper Youth Pastor.  You potentially give Youth Ministry and the Church a bad name.

Wikipedia gives the background of the Pied Piper:

The Pied Piper of Hamelin is the subject of a legend concerning the departure or death of a great many children from the town of Hamelin (Hameln), Germany, in the Middle Ages. The earliest references describe a piper, dressed in pied (multicolored) clothing, leading the children away from the town never to return. In the 16th century the story was expanded into a full narrative, in which the piper is a rat-catcherhired by the town to lure rats away with his magic pipe. When the citizenry refuses to “pay the piper” for this service, he retaliates by turning his magic on their children, leading them away as he had the rats. This version of the story spread as a fairy tale.

Have You Seen a Pied Piper Youth Pastor?

You can recognize the  Pied Piper Youth Pastor as the guy/gal who leads his or her team to the water-park, mission trip or back to school shopping trip in the 15 passenger van with no other adult sponsor to be seen.  You’ll see him in the concert mosh-pit with the teens trying to hold onto his teen years or you’ll see her lead worship, do announcements and then lead the discussion in Sunday School because she has nobody else helping her.  They may get adult chaperones to an event or two, but an adult shepherd is nowhere to be found.

Let me first recognize that exceptions to this rule do exist, but the vast majority of Youth Directors/Leaders/Pastors who are alone in ministry are doing so by choice or by force.  They don’t know how to recruit, feel like nobody wants to help or have fallen into the trap of believing “I am paid to be with the teens, therefore I am the one who should influence these teens.”

Mr. or Miss “Pied Piper Pastor” please understand that Jesus trained, entrusted and expected others to carry out the mission with Him.  You should too.

You may have the most education, training, and experience.  You may even be the best speaker, worship leader and most creative thinker; but this does not mean that you should be the one doing it all.  In fact, you shouldn’t.

And to the church that allows for a Pied Piper Pastor.  Be warned: when he or she encounters the angry parent, pastor or board member, Pied Piper will likely leave.  Because he or she doesn’t feel loved, supported or that he or she is part of team, s/he may just pack up the suitcase and move on to the next place (which may or may not be a place of ministry).

Rather than a rant against and contributing to the problem, let me begin to unpack some practical suggestions for both the Pied Piper and the Church of the Pied Piper…

This week, we’ll start with the church, next week, we’ll examine it for the potential Pied Piper.

To The Church:

  1. Create an environment of prayer, support and encouragement for the Youth Pastor and the Youth Ministry. Is there a faithful elder or two, several parents and “at large” congregants who are not necessarily involved with the Students who will commit themselves to prayer for not just the Youth, but for the Youth Pastor?  What would it look like for these individuals to unite for corporate prayer the way some churches do for the overseas missionaries.  The Youth Pastor is a trainer for our “at home” missionaries.
  2. Invest more than your dollars in the program, give the program/pastor the “platform.” What would it look like to start your service every week, or at least once a month with a “Youth Ministry Moment?”  Give the Youth Pastor, an adult leader and a student 2-3 minutes to share what has happened, what will happen or a key story/testimony.  This will help the congregation see that youth ministry is not just an entertainment based program, but one that is shepherding the flock of the best missionaries we ought to be supporting (because 80% of those who call themselves Christians came to Christ at the age of 18 or under).
  3. Create a philosophy of Youth Ministry that is Youth Pastor proof. Don’t hire a Youth Pastor and allow him/her to create the philosophy of youth ministry, rather hire someone that will “season” it with their personality flavor. Expanding that analogy… you go to a restaurant of your choosing because it is an Italian, Mexican or Chinese place… the establishment is what it is and you chose it based on what you know you’ll get when you go. Could you imagine going to Outback and all of a sudden their menu had only sushi?  What happened to the Outback 9 oz. Special of steak, potato, bread and salad?  Outback Ownership has chosen to be a steakhouse.  They may change their spices, but the core of the restaurant stays the same.  As we look at Student Ministry, the church should decide upon and create the philosophy of ministry.  Build this philosophy around solid team leadership (require an adult staff of volunteers), relationaly based ministry with Bible teaching, practical application and discipleship (where disciples become disciplemakers) at the core.  Allow the Youth Pastor to season it through methodology, but not to create/change the philosophy.*

This is just scratching the surface of this deep subject.  But let me say, I believe the “blame” could certainly be placed on the Pied Piper, but I believe more often than not, the Pied Piper is actually created by the church, not the personality of the Youth Pastor.  If the church creates an environment of love and support (namely through prayer), gives the ministry attention (not just financial support) and has a clear objective with accountability in place, the Youth Pastor will have no choice but to be part of that environment and not rebel against it by becoming the Lone Ranger (aka Pied Piper).

Next week I’ll take on the Pied Piper Youth Pastor…

Grace,
Brian

*To church leaders, and/or Youth Pastors looking to create a philosophy of youth ministry, don’t hesitate to contact me at brian(at)youthmark(dot)com.

100five50 Update

Brian Aaby Leave a comment

Even though I was out of town all last week speaking at a camp (the same camp that was my downfall three weeks ag0), I was able to be more disciplined and abel to work out.

My c0-speaker, Mike Penberthy, texted me on Sunday and said, “I’ve been working out since the last camp, any chance we can keep it going this next week?”  Upon arrival we went to the fitness center we had seen about seven or eight minutes away from the camp.  We negotiated a “one week” membership  and we were set… now all we needed was the discipline to take advantage of our payment.

Workouts: I was able to work out a total of 5 times this last week, 5 rides  (four on a machine) for a total of 48.5 miles.

Food/Carbs: Being at a camp makes it tough, however, I concentrated on fruits, vegetables and proteins.  The few times I went out to eat (you can only take so much camp food), I did splurge more on the carbs, but overall, I felt good about the diet this last week.

Weight: I weighed in at about 219 late last night (I forgot to look this morning).

Excited to be home this week and see what it looks like to get several Lake Young’s Reservoir rides in (as I did last nigh… it was wonderful)!

Grace,
Brian

The New Look!

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

Welcome to the new look for brianaaby.com! (still under construction over the weekend)

As I stated last week, I am a fan of change, therefore this may happen from time to time.  What does the new look mean?  Well, beside a makeover, it means some new content as well.  The categories will expand a little bit as I am planning on implementing a few new ones.  For instance, I am going to add a category for those of you serving in Youth Ministry.  Sort of a Student Ministry editorial piece of sorts.  One might see it as an opinion, whereas others may see it as a written advice section.

What stays?: Contests will still take place from time to time… in fact I’ll try to do a contest at least once every two weeks.  I’ll keep posting stuff about my family.  I’ll continue posting Youthmark related stuff, however, I’ll also do other Youthmark blogging here.

What goes?: Just the old picture.

What changes?: Top 5 Tuesday is going to be changed at least for the time-being to Top Three Thursday.

What’s been added?: I plan on adding some more links, the Student Ministry editorial and perhaps a few other categories. In addition, I’d like to enhance the “Faith Foundations” category by doing these more often. I feel we learn so much from one another when we share about the things we do to pursue Jesus.

That’s it for now… I hope you enjoy the new look!

Grace,

Brian

Getting There… and the 100five50

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

Apologies for those who may look forward to surfing the net and finding a new post on this site… I have been pretty swamped these last 10 days and am preparing for some overhaul to the ol’ site.

I normally posted the update on Monday, but haven’t had web access the last couple days that was solid enough to do anything besides some facebook updates while speaking at a camp.  However, the last week was a recovery week on the 100five50.  I got back in the groove and back on the bike!

Physical:  I rode my bike six of the 7 days last week for a total of 62 miles.

Carbs/Eating: Certainly got back in the groove with the carb-count.

Weight: Was sitting at 220 pounds on Sunday late afternoon… did this Sunday instead of Monday because I figured there would not be a scale at the camp I was speaking at.

Overall a great week.

Looking forward to some changes on this site and some new features.

Grace,
Brian

Fake Christianity?

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I just read one of our Youthmark blogs that really struck a nerve; one that a couple weeks ago was struck over and over again in Colorado when I was speaking at Ponderosa Camp.

Here is an awesome post about what God is doing through a number of folk in Petersburg, Alaska.

Did you go there and read it?

Some who are reading this may even feel that tug on your heart.  Have you trusted in Jesus as your Lord and Savior?

If you are a believer, do you understand that you are on mission as well?  Are you telling others about your relationships with Jesus?

Don’t stop with the E. Boulder blog, go to youthmark.com and click on missions and then mission team blogs, read them all, you’ll be so encouraged!

Grace,

Brian