Author Brian Aaby

A Guaranteed Way To See Lives Changed

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Here’s the guarantee: Pray WITH Youth.

I have been very encouraged by the reaction to the release of Pray21! No, I don’t believe that this book is the guarantee to changed lives, but I do know that it serves as an excellent guide for Praying WITH Youth (which does change lives). Pray21 is a simple, less-than-a-month commitment between a teen and an adult mentor.

The guarantee is that Praying WITH Youth will change lives — the lives of both the teen and the mentor.

Take just a second to think of the effects it’ll have on a teen:

  • he/she will feel cared for and supported
  • he/she will discover gifts and abilities
  • he/she will learn from God’s word
  • he/she will have a sense of being a part of the greater body (not just youth group)
  • he/she will likely gain encouragement that is so desperately needed in his/her life

How about the effect it’ll have on the adults/church:

  • We will have a greater connection with the next generation
  • We will be reminded that teens are far more capable than what most think they are able to accomplish.
  • We will have a greater sense of our calling and influence
  • We will see that 1 Corinthians 12 is true (one body, many parts, all needed)
  • We will likely gain a lifelong friend

“Pray21 has made a bigger impact on our congregation than any other thing we’ve done together” Dave Lind, Senior Pastor, Calvary Bible Church, Rutland, VT

I know I want to see permanent changes in my own life and in the lives around me. Changes that lead me closer to the thoughts and actions of Jesus. Prayer is what will fuel these changes. Praying WITH a teen will change both of our lives!

So seriously, what would prevent you and your church from doing Pray21?

Grace,
Brian

More Lightbulb Moments Than Ever Before!

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20 years ago I started my youth ministry career as a 19 year-old naive Youth Pastor at a church plant that was crazy enough to risk on a young man who was only two years into  his relationship with Jesus. One of the primary reasons I was drawn to this thing we call youth ministry was the light bulb moments in the lives of others. I love that moment when you truly see someone else get it!

  • That moment when the Gospel truly takes root
  • The time a student begins to understand how loving others actually relates to loving God
  • That time a parent gets that you showing up to a game makes a difference in the life of his or her child
  • Those moments when they get your hilarious joke when speaking (be patient, eventually it will happen!)
  • Or that time when he finally understood that tripping the girls isn’t the best form of flirtation!

Light bulb moments are what drew me into youth ministry and light bulb moments are what keep me on the path!

For the last two years I have volunteered on the college-ministry team at my church. Like most non-college towns (we are 30-45 minutes away from any major college/university) we struggle to keep a critical mass of students. In many ways I would say that we have been in maintenance-mode, faithfully serving those who have come and gone, but if I’m being honest, I’ve been waiting to see the light bulbs!

EVERYTHING has changed in the last six weeks!

Six weeks ago we shut down what we were doing and invited students to own and operate the ministry with us (adult leaders). We became a ministry that I coined “Student Led, Adult Mentored Ministry.” (I wrote about SLAMM here).

6…5…4…3…2…

Six weeks ago we (mentors) took the students out for an activity to help them understand the root of influence. Five weeks ago we prayed, plotted and planned together. Four weeks ago the first student led our Sunday morning time. Three weeks ago that same student led. Two weeks ago another young man led, just as he did yesterday. Next week a brand new student will lead! Through each of these four weeks the person leading, on his own initiative, has sought the mentoring of one of us leaders. Through each of the six weeks the gal doing the administrative aspects has been consistently seeking wisdom from her adult mentor.

It’s working!

My favorite mental picture from yesterday was the moment when Gaelan (the young man leading our time) asked us all to turn to a passage of Scripture. Almost all of us in the room immediately turned to the passage (just as we did last week), but three of the gals to my right are international students who have just recently started attending the group. And just like last week they didn’t know where to find the specific book in the Bible (after our gathering last week I mentioned this in private to Christine, one of our college gals). Sure enough, this week, Christine noticed, got out of her seat and helped the gals get to the passage and then remained with them the rest of the gathering! Relationship started!

I witnessed the light bulb moment in Christine’s life.

I know it is a small thing, perhaps a silly thing in your mind, but it was one of those light bulbs that keep my student ministry path lit!

Peer-to-peer ministry works. Let’s trust. Let’s mentor and let’s watch the Holy Spirit work  in and through these wonderful ministers!

Grace,
Brian

Don’t be THAT church…

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Whether an introvert or an extrovert you will likely agree that ultimately you don’t like the longterm feeling of being alone. Even if you’re not energized by crowds of people, time with individuals, especially specific people, can renew your drive.

Is your church a church where renewal takes place? Are you part of a church where introverts and extroverts alike walk away liked? 

On a recent trip to the New England states I had the opportunity to speak a number of times to Youth Leaders in these great Northeast states. Though I love speaking with and to Youth Leaders my favorite speaking engagement was with the students, parents and leadership in Rutland, Vermont. Calvary Bible is a church that gets it, not THAT church that doesn’t.

My friend Rob Townshend, had me share with his flock about Mission51. They get it. But they get so much more. This church is going above and beyond and setting an example that I believe can serve as a wake up to anyone attending a church and a word of encouragement to all congregations.

CBC recently sent an invitation to all the Pastors and spouses of Bible-believing churches in Rutland County. The invitation was for a fancy-shmancy catered dinner they hosted at their church. All told, 17 couples attended this unity-inducing event. 17 couples received love, attention and thanks for loving and showing attention to the people of Rutland County. CBC paid the bill, the pastors were shown the love and Jesus received the glory!

Unfortunately a couple of the Pastors at this dinner serve at THAT church. THAT church that doesn’t seem to get it. In talking to Rob, he passed on to me what he (unfortunately) heard from a couple of the Pastors. This was a comment that both crushed me and awakened me:

“Thank you so much for this gift. You’ll likely be the only ones who recognize and honor us during Pastor Appreciation month.”

I pray that I am never part of THAT church. I was a Pastor for 16 years, I have felt alone as a Pastor but can’t imagine what it would be like in rural Vermont. In an area that feels very northwest like–unchurched, I have to believe the loneliness that many of these pastor must feel is sure to be overwhelming at times. I love what Calvary Bible Church did for these co-laborers. And I love that the leadership did this because this is what is modeled to them by their own church! They’re becoming a community that reflects Acts 2:42-47.

I am no longer serving as a vocational Pastor. I am a member, congregant and lay leader. I pray that our Pastors feel appreciated, loved and thanked. But not because it is October (and Pastors appreciation month), but because it is Biblical and truly true. I love my church, our congregants and leaders alike! My prayer is that we are becoming an Acts 2:42-47 community and that as a natural, spiritual progression, God will add DAILY to the numbers being saved!

I don’t want to be THAT church. As far as it depends upon me (and hopefully as far as it depends on the rest of Faith Church), I will make sure that our pastors are recognized, thanked and honored.

 

How about you?

Grace,
Brian

Tales From The Field: Student Stories

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This next spring Youthmark will be hosting our fifth season of “Mission51 Retreats.” Though we had been known for our Mission Ventures, the area of our ministry that has always scored the highest points has been our Mission51 Retreats and our curriculum.

Like our curriculum, each Mission51 Retreat has had a different theme and creative teaching/worship elements. This year we are making our biggest leap and risking in a brand new way and I’D LIKE YOUR HELP!

Can you do one (or more) of the following?

  1.  Tell a story of a student you know who is faithful to sharing Christ in his/her Mission51 Field (the 51 weeks outside of the mission)
  2.  Have a student write (email) in his/her story of building relationship/sharing Christ at a peer level at home.
  3.  Shoot (vide) a 1-2 minute (highest rez possible) of a teen sharing his or her story of being able to build relationship and share Jesus.*

Of course, you, as a youth leader, may have some stories of your own, I am really interested in hearing your stories of peer-level sharing (not just opportunities you had with teens).

Please send emails, videos and/or video links to info@youthmark.com.

-OR- simply comment here on the blog “I have one” and I’ll contact you (by commenting I, internally, have access to your email and can contact you).

We want to use these stories and videos as part of our Mission51 Retreat!

I can’t wait to reveal the theme and sneak in a few hints as to what will take place this year… stay tuned!

Grace,

Brian

*If doing video we need video permissions given, anyone 18 or older can say “I ______ give permission for Youthmark to use this video for promotion and training purposes”.  If student is under 18, get a video of his/her parent giving permission.

MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT: Pray21 The Re-Release!

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This is very, very exciting!

Youthmark has moved into the Publishing Realm!

Over the last few years I’ve been honored to be published by Spire-Resources, well, as of tonight, Youthmark officially moved into the publishing market with the official release of Pray21.

Chair drop (freebie) at the NYWC

Youthmark has given away close to 2000 copies of this book TONIGHT at the Youth Specialties National Youth Workers Convention (NYWC).

As I stated earlier, this is very exciting because this title fits EXACTLY in line with my blogpost about Trusting Teens. I believe this book will do much much in our endeavor to see students lead the cause of Christ. But here’s the equation I want to introduce:

WITH > FOR

That is, WITH is greater than for.

Praying WITH Youth will change your church. Your community. Our culture.

Students are ready to lead the cause of Christ. But they need the prayers, they need the encouragement. They need the mentoring of adults. They need to be trusted to lead and the humility to be led by a trusted mentor! Prayer will fuel this movement! Student Led, Adult Mentored Ministry!

It starts by getting congregations to believe in teens enough to pray not just for, but WITH students!

Check it out at Pray21.com and get your youth group, school or club involved. Pray WITH Youth!

Grace,
Brian

Dear Aaby: The Debut!

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I’ve been waiting for this day! The day of NAME-REDEMPTION!

“Hey Westminster,” “Flabby” or “Dear Abby” were the common dig-attempts.

For too many years I was made the victim by having the last name Aaby (let alone all the times I had to go first, for simply being first in the alphabet). Well, this morning I discovered that my post for the Dare 2 Share blog (Relational And Relentless) entitled “Dear Aaby” went live. I hope that it makes a regular appearance where students, youth leaders or parents can ask questions, specifically about evangelism related topics!

Check out it out here. And then after watching it (about 2 minutes) I’d love for you to come back here and comment any questions you’d like to see answered in the Dear Aaby series. Don’t hesitate to email a question as well (brian at youthmark dot com).

This debut episode tackles the question of how to take a common youth group game and use it for evangelistic purposes!  Watch now!

Let’s tackle the fears of sharing our faith and relationally live and share the Gospel!

Grace,
Brian

Comment or email: What question do you have about evangelism/sharing our faith?

Do You Trust Teens?

Brian Aaby 8 Comments

I don’t get it…

  • One scored six goals in a world cup game.
  • They’ve written world famous operas, inspired nations to battle victories and created the social networking phenomenon.
  • In athletics we’ve seen total dominance from some of them– a Heisman trophy winner, a Daytona 500 driver and one was arguably the best gymnast ever.

I’m talking about teens.

  • Educators push them to take AP Physics and Calculus.
  • They hold down jobs and we trust them to watch after our own children.
  • They create art, perform, bake, dance and defend our nation.

But in the church…

  • We ask them to listen to us (Sunday morning, mid-week and in small group).
  • We buy them endless amounts of pizza in the hopes they’ll come back.
  • We beg them to bring a friend to the camp that we planned for them.
  • We tell them to sit still while the Pastors and adults speak at them.
  • We tell them they are the next generation of leaders, but give them little to lead.

It’s time we (the church) take the governor off their accelerator!

Jesus gathered a group of ordinary young adults (most of them teens), mentored them and entrusted them to start the church.

Student Led, Adult Mentored (SLAM) Ministry.

This phrase causes angst among many. Some read student led and become anxious, they fear chaos will ensue. Others read it and are threatened “but how will I use my gifts?” Even teens may read it and have their doubts, “I’m too young, I don’t need more on my plate!”

But we’re only reading half of the phrase, we cannot forget the adult mentored part of the statement.

There’s nothing new under the sun. About a year ago I came up with this phrase ‘Student Led, Adult Mentored’ (SLAM) Ministry, but it is a concept that has been practiced for many many years. As already stated, it was what Jesus did, but it was also the way the very first youth ministry organization was started in 1881 (Christian Endeavor International) when a group of teens were challenged by an adult mentor (Francis Clark) to live daily for Christ and lead his cause!

Over the course of the next year with teens playing the key role, Youthmark, Christian Endeavor and a few others organizations and individuals are going to role out some game-changers in student ministry. We want to go back to the beginning where Jesus asked a group of teens if he could “teach them how to fish for souls?”

Students are ready, capable and already leading in so many other realms, it is time (again) for the church to give them room to operate and mentors to come alongside them!  

Grace,
Brian

Don’t wait, the first initiative is out for this movement. Go to Pray21.com and begin this thing with praying WITH teens!

Speaking of Love…

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A great moment of the day/week.

I’m speaking/participating in the Open Seattle event this weekend and just a couple hours ago experienced the very thing I wrote about for my post on the Dare 2 Share blog!

Me: Where should we go to lunch?

Friend: There’s a place just a mile away I loved back in the day!

Ten others joined in (all recruited because my friend spoke up about the place).

We talk about the things we love!

CHeck out my post at D2S here. Then talk about what you love. Talk boldly! Love loudly.

Grace,
Brian

 

Making Tents and How You Can Help!

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In prayer, by faith, we believe God is moving and using Youthmark and we’d love for you to consider this unique way of partnering (SPOILER ALERT: NO we’re not looking for you to write a support check)…

When we launched Youthmark in 2008 we had several people ask if they could support us (financially), but Elisabeth and I really wanted to explore what it would look like to do Youthmark as a ministry/business. Though Youthmark is certainly missional, we didn’t see ourselves as vocational missionaries. We simply asked for those making the offers to support other missions/ministries but implored them to pray for us!

Well, four plus years in and though we’re making changes, we’re still saying the same thing! We are moving toward producing other resources for the student ministry field. By faith we believe this is what God has called us to do, but it is risky to leave the “known” and explore the unknown.

As we continue to “make tents” (1 Cor. 18:1-3), we are confident that God will continue to provide for us. Besides creating resources, I believe there is one other arena that God will use to provide for us that also fits within my gift and passion set: Teaching. Training. Inspiring.

I love speaking, training and inspiring people for a life of mission here, there and anywhere. I believe it is my calling to train people (students, leaders, parents, etc.) in everyday opportunities we have to be used for the cause of Christ (Mission51).

If you are at a church, school or parachurch and looking for someone to come in speak and/or help create an event and experience where training and inspiration can be provided I’d love for you to consider partnering with me/us! I “play well with others” in that I can simply be a speaker/trainer for you, but I REALLY love the entire process where we dream, scheme, plot, plan and especially pray for the right direction for these events!

I said “us” above, because the under-discovered talent in the Aaby family is Elisabeth. She is such a gifted speaker, I’d love to see God use her to bless your ministries as well… Elisabeth is at her best speaking to women (youth, young adults, moms and at women Bible studies, etc.).

You can click here to see what sort of events I typically speak at and specifically what things have been on the calendar in 2012.

We prayerfully consider all opportunities and simply hope the asking party has done the same as they consider a budget for travel and honorarium. We want to work with our partners to develop a budget that honors God and each other!

Shoot me an email (brian at youthmark dot com), Tweet, Facebook message or even comment your interest and I’ll be happy to follow up with you. We can talk dates, times, desires, etc. as we begin the conversation!

We’d love your prayers as we make this transition in our lives and as God develops these new partnerships!

Grace,
Brian

Are You On the Satan List?

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

I’ve been writing for Dare 2 Share Ministries blog the last few months, it’s been a fun adventure and we’ve seen some great comments on the posts. You should go there today and check out any number of great posts from the other contributors.

Which list are you on?

The blog that most recently was published really was inspired by my son!

The creative little dude with a fresh ‘do surprised us by creating a Jesus list and Satan list… I just may reveal nationally which list you’re on, check out the blog post at D2S here.

Praise God for the grace he has given us! I pray that all will know the love of the Jesus and that he will use us, including my little dude, to share that great news with his friends! It’s never too early to share that news!

Grace,
Brian