I knew I wouldn’t get everything done, but did have quite the list of stuff I wanted to accomplish… throw in church, some family time, a little yard work and a bit of down time and the tasks did seem to grow larger.  Here were the goals and how I fared.

• Finish the rough draft of the book,  Anywhere (Mission Prep Workbook for 2011)… NOT FINISHED, great progress, still needs a couple days.
• De-summer the back yard (pack up kiddie pool, take down shade/shelter, etc)… FINISHED!
• Finish the new office organizing… FINISHED (this one took way longer than I had hoped, but it feels great to have it done!
• Clean Gutters… Didn’t even attempt.
• Watch Husky Game… FINISHED, let’s just hope this was a blip on the radar.
• Ride bike at least 2 out of the 3 days… FINISHED, rode on both Saturday and Sunday.
• Closet re-organizing (get rid of clothes I will no longer wear)… Didn’t even attempt.
• Clean/organize the garage enough that my 4Runner can get re-acquainted with the indoor feeling… Sort of FINISHED?  I did the work, the problem is recycle doesn’t come until next week, so all the boxes that need to get broken down are actually what is preventing the 4Runner from going in.

So, when all is said and done, there were eight tasks listed, the goal was 50%.  I’ll give myself a solid 56% (4.5 out of 8), since the 4Runner is not actually in the garage yet.

You’re welcome, I know you were dying to know how I did.

Grace,
Brian

• Finish the rough draft of the book,  Anywhere (Mission Prep Workbook for 2011)
• De-summer the back yard (pack up kiddie pool, take down shade/shelter, etc)
• Finish the new office organizing
• Clean Gutters
• Watch Husky Game
• Ride bike at least 2 out of the 3 days
• Closet re-organizing (get rid of clothes I will no longer wear)
• Clean/organize the garage enough that my 4Runner can get re-acquainted with the indoor feeling.

Update to come late Monday night or early Tuesday (after the weekend)…

Grace,

Brian

We’re up-up and away… The beginning of the school year for Elisabeth means some new freedoms (both girls in school all day) and some new challenges (namely, Will being a tw0-year-old boy who loves to get into EVERYTHING).  For me, the end of the 2010 Youthmark Mission Ventures and some downtime/vacation time in August followed by the quick-turnaround to focus on the next year YMV’s has made me look forward to this new routine.

Today, I look at three returning routines in our life and why they make the “Three-For-Thursday.”

1. Young Life and the new “Big Monday”: A couple years ago, after I resigned as a Youth Pastor and went full-time with Youthmark I began volunteering with Young Life.  In just a couple weeks we’re launching “Big Monday.”  Our club, followed by hang-time at DQ, followed by Campaigners (small groups) will make for a full Monday (BIG Monday), but it is an exciting time.  I am stoked to be with Non-Christian and Unchurched teens.  High School students are so full-of-life, yet find themselves searching for anything to fill-their-life.  Building relationships, being creative with our programs and digging deeper into the life of Christ will be the purpose for Big Monday.  Let’s go BIG!
2. Sundays/Church Life: For about 20 months the Aaby family has called “Faith” home.  Our new church in Kent has really been a great place to land after 16 years of being a Youth Pastor. Not being a vocational pastor, and being able to choose the church (rather than being chosen by a church in a sense) was very meaningful to me/us.  We love our church home and I love being there.  Though we were there most Sundays this summer, the sense of routine of heading into the fall seems to excite me.  Will does great in his 2-year-old setting.  The girls love the Children’s ministry, Elisabeth is getting more involved with the Women’s ministry and I find myself drawn to several key relationships at the church.  I believe the 2010/2011 year is going to bring greater clarity as to the places we will serve.  As the church is changing (which I believe a church should always be changing), I find myself getting more and more excited.  I want to see something at our church that cannot be explained by any man or woman–only by the work of a wonderful triune God!
3. Youth Pastor Networks: I love the people I get to work with.  Sure, Buzz and Kirk (and other volunteers) are great to work with at Youthmark, but I’m talking about my Youth Leader family.  On a weekly basis I meet with many youth leaders.  I have some that are routine (weekly with one network, and monthly with another), but I have many others that I meet with from time to time.  On top of this, there are some that I gather to meet with so that I can share with them the vision of Youthmark and why they may want to join us for a YMV.  As I move into the fall, I’m  very excited about the opportunity to renew these relationships and meet many new leaders who are committed to seeing the Gospel spread through teens!

Let the comfort of returning routines breed new life (and change) in each of us!

Grace,
Brian

The longer you stay in youth ministry the more phone calls like this you will receive.  Now that I’ve been in the field for nearly 20 years, I get these types of calls/texts/emails weekly.

So, I thought I’d give you three of my favorite “connections” that you could think about using if you find you have a need.  Call it a free plug for them, but, I’d rather call it a wise move for you.

It was extremely difficult to narrow the list to just three, so I decided to make my list specific to the unique needs we have at Youthmark (so these could be good for others who have a business, or be a great connection for those ministry).

1. Graphic Design: We use a couple different graphic designers at Youthmark.  One is more connected through the publishing ventures with Spire; I really like this one too, however, I am especially thrilled whenever I get to work with Peter Beringer and PeterB Designs (peterbdesigns.com).  Peter is based in Colorado Springs and is a gifted designer.  If you’re looking for new logos, icons, a t-shirt design, book or album cover, or something as simple as new business cards, you ought to get in touch with PeterB Designs.  For those familiar with Youthmark’s merch, the very popular “Live and Love Loudly” and “Mission51” designs came from PeterB Designs.  Contact information is on the website (as well as samples of his work).  Peter is a great friend, he served with me in youth ministry for years and will give you very competitive (read: more than fair) rates.
2. Apparel: The two most common calls I get from Youth Pastors when it comes to referrals are: “Do you know of any churches hiring” and “do you have a t-shirt guy?”  We can deal with the first question in an SMS blog-post later, but I am proud to say that I do have a great t-shirt guy.  For the last couple years I have been contracting with Norwest Graphics (norwestgraphics.com).  They are based in South Seattle (but can ship, so no matter where you are you’ll get a good deal).  Kevin Padon is the owner; I would suggest that if you’re looking to do a shirt, sweatshirt or something else with him that you mention I suggested you contact him… I think it will lead to a good quote!  It is “who you know” in some industries.  They can do a design for you or you can submit your own artwork.  Again, those familiar with Youthmark apparel, the quality hooded sweatshirts and t-shirts have come from our connection with Norwest.
3. Audio/Visual: This has become a pretty big area of need for me since starting Youthmark and I have NO expertise in this area.  Besides knowing the minimum about a sound board and how to plug a computer into a video projector I walked into the event side of Youthmark pretty blindly.  Fortunately, I have a friend in Impulse Audio (which also does video).  David May is the owner of this business and he works so well with his clients.  Dave has gotten me really great deals on my video projector and several small components needed for our business.  If you have sound or video needs for your small business, non-profit or church, Impulse Audio Inc. should be a place you check out. Contact: David at dave[at]impulseaudiovideo[dot]com; 206.650.0075.

It’s been a pleasure to work with each of these three businesses as they have played a critical role in the success of Youthmark thus far.  I hope they can help you in your business, personal life and/or ministries!

Grace,
Brian

Buzz is a big baseball fan too, added bonus for me!

Just over two years ago (July 2008), the Aaby family did something crazy,  I resigned my position as an Associate/Youth Pastor so that we could start Youthmark and I could become President of the organization.  Some would see it as crazy, I use the word loosely, because it never felt crazy, it felt, faith-filled. Over the last two years we have seen the Lord provide in only the way that He could.

About this time last year we were able to add some help for Youthmark by contracting with Kirk Petersen.  Kirk is a long time friend and ministry partner (he was a Youth Pastor for about 15 years).  He served Youthmark faithfully this last year and it looks like we’ll continue this relationship for another year as he serves as our Director for the Oregon and SW Washington region.  You can read the introduction of Kirk from my post from last July here.

Well, here we are in August of 2010, it’s time to bring on another team member.  Buzz Huget has joined the Youthmark crew.  His title: Director; Field and Follow Through. It seemed everything started to come together last spring while I was on a scout trip for the 2010 YMV’s to Colorado and Arizona. Knowing that the most natural “next” position for Youthmark would be a person who could oversee our receiving communities (the places our mission trips go to), I invited Buzz to come on the trip.  While we were driving the long distances between rural communities and major airports we dreamed of what could be.  Buzz watched me in action with the rural Pastors, and then, very naturally, he stepped in and by the time our scout trip was over I was able to really just watch him in action.  He’s a natural fit.  A man of God who loves to listen.  He hopes for those who may have forgotten how to hope for him/herself (or his/her ministry).  He prays with passion (and expectantly).  Buzz will serve the receiving (what we are now calling “host”, a term Buzz already coined) Pastors/Communities well.

Buzz and Pastor John from Pine, AZ (March 2010)

A little background… Buzz and I met while I was serving as an Associate Pastor (Youth) at Boulevard Park Church (South Seattle).  He is an elder there.  He began attending a service I had started on Sunday evenings. This service, entitled, merge, became somewhat of a church plant within a church.  After about a year, I started throwing ideas off of Buzz and we began dreaming and praying together for our merge services.  Buzz came on board as sort of a co-pastor of that service and we served as we watched the Lord grow that service from about 40 the first week to 150+ at our last service.  Since I resigned at Boulevard Park, he has continued and started a couple different men’s ministries initiatives.  Buzz may not have “missed” his calling as a Pastor (as I have joked with him in the past), but I do believe he is functioning as a Pastor in many ways.  Now he’ll get to do that with Youthmark as well.

His primary responsibility will be to shepherd our relationships with our Host Communities (Pastors and key leaders).  He’ll do the scouting and initial contacts (freeing me up to not travel as much!), while at the same time he’ll get to know our sending leaders so that we create the best partnerships between Youthmark and both the sending/host communities.  Having Buzz on the team will also give us a better opportunity to follow-up with teams who have just served and get us valuable feedback as we move forward.  In addition Buzz will participate in the Spring Retreats, some writing projects and a few other tasks!

Can’t wait to see how the Lord uses Buzz.  He is supported by his wife, Lisa, their four adult daughters (and families) and their teen grandson, whom they are raising as a son.  I’m so excited to have not just Buzz, but this loving and supportive family on the extended team!

Welcome Buzz!

Grace,
Brian

When I heard Chan had a new book out, Forgotten God and the even better news that I could receive if for free in July through christianaudio.com I jumped at the opportunity to get it.  As I posted in a recent “Three For Thursday” post, I have recently re-discovered the Holy Spirit.  I am very thankful for God using this book to minister to me about His Spirit.  

Well, as is the way of the Spirit, I have been asked to preach this Sunday.  And when I asked our Pastor if I could choose anything (which I was leaning toward something along the line of the Holy Spirit) or if he wanted to give me the subject of Scripture passage, he said, “How ’bout you do something on the role and ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer?”

Hmmm, must be a Spirit thing?

I love it.  

So, your prayers are greatly appreciated as I begin my abbreviated prep-work (was just asked last night and then we confirmed after prayer around noon today).  And if you don’t have a place of worship we’d love to have you at Faith in Kent this Sunday at either the 9:00 or 10:45 AM service!

In all my years of being a Pastor and all the adult and/or youth sermons I have given, I believe this is a first for me (preaching on the Holy Spirit)… I am so open to what He has for me to say so that I can speak of/about/for Him!  

Trusting that this Sunday will very much be a Spirit Thing!

Grace,
Brian

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

Started with a great breakfast at our favorite breakfast place, “67″ at the Edgewater Hotel.  Elisabeth’s folks are in town and we thoroughly enjoy doing the Edgewater with them.  Over the years of going to 67 we have gotten to know one of the servers fairly well, her name is Marlane, she is from Haiti.  We were able to ask her today about the Earthquake.  Please pray for her, she lost a niece and a nephew (one a child of her brother, the other a child of her sister).  Very tough.  We had wondered about Marlane, after the quake, but this was our first opportunity to see her.

After breakfast we went over to the house of some friends of ours.  They live right on a lake.  We spent most of the afternoon relaxing lakeside and under the deck enjoying some great time talking, munching on some snacks and watching the kids throw rocks in the lake.

Late this afternoon I was able to take a 13 mile bike ride.  The ride was fantastic, it was full of time praising God and asking for His provision as I/we move forward.  I found that most of my thoughts were about this last year and seeing all the hard things about the Youthmark year as real learning experiences.  It really created some cool (and new/creative) thoughts about this next year.  I am prayerful and hopeful for what He has in store.

Amazing what one day of great weather can do for the soul!

Hope your Saturday was as a blessing as well!

Grace,
Brian

• Pray for the many youth groups Youthmark has the opportunity to train for Mission51–being a missionary always, all ways a missionary!  We have completed three of our six retreats, over the next three weeks we conduct our northwest/local retreats!  The travel season was great, but it sure is nice to be home!
• Pray for my neighbors.  We have several in our neighborhood who we have started to build relationship with.  Pray that we’d be an encouragement to those who know Jesus and build relationship with those who do not.  What an honor it will be to share Jesus with these friends-to-be.
• Pray for discernment.  I am in the midst of creating/outlining/designing/etc. a ministry/business plan.  I need to know where I am aiming in order to hit it.
• Pray for the lost.  Do you have non-Christian friends, relatives, co-workers, etc.? Pray for them.  Prayer=Care.  The more prayer usually means the more care.  As you care for these folk, I pray you’ll begin to share the Great news with your mouth.  It doesn’t take much to start a spiritual conversation.  Not in a cheesy, “your yard sure looks beautiful, but do you know what needs some work?–Your heart” type of a way.  Genuinely loving and listening will provide entry points!  Go for it!  I am praying for this for you!

Grace,
Brian

June 28… a significant day, not only the day that I started my blog, but also the day that I started my spiritual journey with Jesus (way back in 1990)! Now, not even two years into my blog, I am up to 500 posts!  It’s been a fun journey and sorry to announce that this will be my last post as well.

April Fools’!  Since I didn’t get you on April 1, I thought I’d try the 18th.

In all seriousness, it has been a fun discipline to maintain this blog. I hope you will continue to be a faithful, semi-faithful or occasional drop-by reader.

In case you were wondering, here are the stats up to 500 posts:

The total views, as of 4.17.10 was 40,518 (I guess my mom has come by nearly 40,000 times, thanks Mom!)

I have received 752 comments… that means I average over 1 comment per post… man, it doesn’t seem like that, I’d like to hear back from you more!

The busiest day was Tuesday, January 5, 2010.  For whatever reason, 288 people wanted to see this. Which, in case you were wondering, hasn’t been totally fulfilled (there’s still time)!

500 down, at least another 500 to go, right?  We’ll see.

Grace,
Brian