Category Home and Ministry

The Inconvenient Truth

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I am sitting down a for a brief break in the middle of a weekend camp at Warm Beach Camp and Conference Center.  This weekend I have had the honor of speaking to a combined group of Jr. and Sr. High students from North Creek Presbyterian Church (Mill Creek, WA).  What a fantastic group of teens.  It has been encouraging to see their receptive hearts.

The theme, An Inconvenient Truth, has been a fun one to build around.  We’re not looking at the carbon footprint we are leaving, we’re not even speaking about global warming, oil drilling or Al Gore!  We’re talking about the inconvenience of living out the Gospel.  Before I am condemned for saying such a thing, think about it, is the truth of Scripture easy to live out?  It’s not always convenient to share my faith, tame my tongue, love my neighbor, put others first, obey my parents, etc.  But I strive to be like my Lord, therefore this inconvenient truth is one that I desire to become more prevalent and more lived out in my life.

I have done two of my three talks, and tonight I am going to still do most of what I had planned, but am going to open it up a bit to have the students ask some of their “tough questions” about what is inconvenient about living out the truth in their life.  Pray that they are bold, pray that they are vulnerable and pray that the inconvenient questions reveal so REAL truth from His Word!

Grace,
Brian

Speaking In

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

A few years ago I was encouraged (and provided a scholarship) to attend a Jesus Focused Youth Ministry Forum.  This forum was hosted by Reach Out Youth Solutions, just outside Atlanta, GA.  Well, long story-short, three years later I have attended, helped lead a separate forum, been certified as a leader and this week, spoke at and was a leader for another forum.  While I really enjoyed the forum I thoroughly enjoyed all the “extras” that came with it this time.  Namely, the relationships.

Roger Palmer is the National Director the the JFYM forums.  Roger was my original small group leader at the forum I attended in Georgia.  At that forum and in the three or so I have been a part of since, we have grown in friendship and I am very thankful for his faithfulness to me (namely through prayer and encouragement). I was able to spend a solid four hours one-on-one with Roger on Wednesday of this week.  We had a “down day” in the middle of a busy week and he joined me in some of my network venturing.  This time with Roger was extremely rewarding to me.  I asked him questions about his ministry and family. He gave me some great insights and wisdom for my own marriage and family; it was truly a gleaning experience for me.

Barry St. Clair is the founder and president of Reach Out Youth Solutions.  Barry and I connected in GA as well.  However, in the last year, when God put it on my heart that I needed to be mentored, Barry was the name He gave me.  For the last 9 months I have been meeting (via phone) with Barry about once every couple months. He has given me many nuggets of wisdom.  However, this week was WAY different than those phone calls.  This was the personal foundation we needed.  Seeing him in his ministry setting and being able to immediately follow up and relate has been extremely rewarding.  On Wednesday morning I was able to bring Barry to my local network and he encouraged the five or six of us in attendance.  On top of that I was able to grab about an hour of one-on-one time with Barry talking about life and ministry.  I am thankful for his ability to speak into my life.

It was an extreme privilege to bring both Roger and Barry over to my house on Wednesday afternoon.  They got to spend about an hour with me and my family. I was so glad Elisabeth got to meet Barry and get better acquainted with Roger. Sharing life is so precious!

Great ministry friends like Chris Renzelman, Steve Bodwell, Tom Horton and Jess Champers were also involved in the leadership of JFYM this week; and having Brad Hostak, Eric Drumm and Jamie Jockwig (all friends) going through JFYM made it even more special.  I have much love and respect for each of these guys!

Grace,
Brian

 

Roger Palmer and Barry St. Clair hangin' at my house.

Roger, Barry and me at the house

 

Yes, we are grown men.

Yes, we are grown men.

Jesus Focused Youth Ministry

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Tomorrow and Friday I will be on the leadership team of a Jesus Focused Youth Ministry Forum.  This will be taking place at Highlands Community Church in Renton, but is for area youth leaders in the northwest region.  A few posts back I mentioned that I would have several speaking opportunities this week.  I failed to mention this one.  I will be speaking on “Building a Leadership Team.”  Please pray for me as I prepare for this message on top of the camp talks I am finishing the prep on today.  The “leadership team” is something I am passionate about and at times I felt I excelled at and at other times I felt I failed.  

Pray for the participants.  There are 7 sessions over a two day period, in addition to speaking I will have a small group of youth leaders as well.  Great opportunity to bless some fellow workers in the harvest field!  Appreciate your prayers!

Grace,
Brian

Back in the Saddle

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It had been a little over a month since I last had the opportunity to teach from the Word.   Just over a month ago I was able to preach at my old home-church of Boulevard Park (1 John). I’ve missed it, especially because even in the last three months of my tenure at BPPC I wasn’t really speaking at The Gathering (Sunday School) very much (giving others opportunity to grow in that ability) and my only opportunity was preaching once a month at church.  However, I am in the midst of a two week stretch now where I will be giving several messages.  

Yesterday (Sunday), I was able to speak at Highlands Community Church-Parent of Teens Classs.  What a fabulous class (about 80-100 I’d guess).  The group seemed hungry.  They are launching a series called Parent Fuel.  It is based on Barry St. Clair’s book with that title.  If you’d like to preview it click here.  It’s a great book.  However, today I was simply trying to lay a foundation of what I believe the Church (youth ministry)-parent relationship could/should look like.  Specifically we looked at Luke 2:41-52, and Jesus as a pre-teen.  I really appreciated the opportunity to speak to a great bunch of parents! 

This coming weekend I will be speaking at a camp for my friend Jimmy McPherson.  He is the Youth Pastor at North Creek Presbyterian Church.  I will be speaking to his combined Jr. High and Sr. High camp.  The theme for the weekend is “An Inconvenient Truth.”  Before you think Jimmy is asking me to preach a Green message, it isn’t about Gore’s book (or movie).  It is simply looking at the question, “what if we REALLY lived out the Gospel?”  Because our flesh (sin nature) is so evident in our lives, the Gospel sometimes (often) becomes inconvenient in our lives (and this is  BAD thing).  It would be easier (a lot) to just do what the flesh desires. Pray, that I don’t rely on my flesh even as I prepare these messages!  I’m looking forward to presenting God’s Word to a group of students and staff!  

I’d appreciate your prayers as I finish up the prep for these messages and look for opportunities to meet with other Youth Pastors to talk about Youthmark Mission Ventures in the midst of a very busy week.

Grace,
Brian

24

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

 

The title of the post may have some thinking about January, when the show, 24, comes back for season seven… Nope, sorry.

 

For others it may have you thinking about Ken Griffey Jr.  Who, as a Mariner, wore #24… Nope, sorry.

When I see the number 24 right now I am thinking about sore muscles, extra laundry and waking up with aching joints. My friend, John Scott, helped me obtain a 24 day pass to 24 Hour Fitness; and for the last week I have been frequenting the local muscle mutilating shop.  It’s been fun (in a weird way).  Mostly I’ve been playing basketball (a future post already floating in my mind about this), but I’ve also been doing the stair-master and some swimming.  

Now that school has started, my mission prospectus done, I’m beginning to get back into a state-of-routine (a new one, but still a sense of normalcy nonetheless).  I think it has been great to have that sense of routine and to include some physical fitness in the midst of that.  The soreness will soon be followed with stamina; agility and muscle gain will replace the current aches and pain. 

Sometimes the refining process isn’t the fun part, but we need it to get to where we should be. Spiritually we go through the same process as well.  The refinement may be taking place in your spiritual life and you may be feeling some aches and pain.  For me, I feel I am at a good place right now, but I also know that this is a result of some good training and some strong pains of the past. I have a sense of routine right now, spiritually,  and I know that the training is not done. Whereas, my 24 day pass to 24 Hour Fitness will expire soon, my 24 Hour Faith will not expire, Praise the Lord for his wonderful grace!

By the way, I’m not the only one getting fit in this family!

 

Halle working out!

Halle working out!

Audrey doing some stretching!

Audrey doing some stretching!

 

The William Workout (standing!)

The William Workout (standing)

Hope you are working out too!

Grace,
Brian

The Metaphorical Bike Ride

Brian Aaby 2 Comments

Growing up right next to the elementary school had its advantages and disadvantages.  I never got to ride the school bus (for some reason this felt like a disadvantage?), but I did get home in time to catch Tom and Jerry and other afternoon cartoons when they began at 3:00!  If I forgot something I could always run home and get it; but if a friend forgot something (like lunch) I, unfortunately was expected to run home and get one for them. My favorite advantage was being the first to see the “class list” the secretary would put up three to four days before school began!  

Two or three times per day my friends and I would check the front of the school to see if it was posted yet.  We would start the routine about five days before, just in case they put it up early. With each trip, the anticipation grew!  On average we would take four or five trips down before the list was posted, and probably another four trips down just to check it out again!

This week feels a little bit like yesteryear with my family and with Youthmark.  On Thursday, Audrey begins her four year-old preschool class.  She is very excited!  Next Monday, Elisabeth begins teaching Halle at Forest Trails Learning Center (or Aaby Family Academy?).  And on Wednesday, I will begin sharing with other youth pastors about a great opportunity to be part of Youthmark Mission Ventures!  This is the major project I have been working on for months.  I should be able to post more about it on Tuesday or Wednesday, but I am getting the final things worked out before it is released.  

Though I’m not on a bike, though I don’t live right next to the school; I do want to know who else is in my class?  Each of these youth leaders who will commit to being a part of YMV for 2009 will feel very much like a classmate.  One of the major elements of this program will be the networking and camaraderie among the youth leaders. I can’t wait for class to begin!

The anticipation is great and just like each year in elementary, the classmates all played a part in shaping how the year played out.  Would you please pray for me/us as we begin this journey?  I will share more about Youthmark Mission Ventures in the next few days, but your prayer base will help a lot!  Jump on the metaphorical bike with me, join me on the journey to see if the class list is up yet!

Grace,

Brian

Latest Prayer Requests

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

I am very thankful for those of you who continue to lift us (the Aabys) and Youthmark up in prayer.  We see the things on the horizon, but truly are propelled by the strength of your prayers.  Things are moving along nicely, this last week has been extremely productive. I look forward to seeing what happens next; could you lift up these important requests this week?

1. Wednesday I have an important meeting which pertains to a leadership training time.

2. Meetings over the next ten days with several key players in the mission project.

3. Finish production of the mission project literature/brochure.

On the family side: We certainly are looking forward to the beginning of the school year to settle into a routine and to see the churches we are looking at in “school year” mode.  Please pray for wisdom and direction for our family.

Thank you once again!

Grace,
Brian

Celebrating Communication

Brian Aaby 1 Comment

 

In the spring of 1994, I visited Colorado for the first time in my life.  I spent a couple days hanging out with Scott Stimer (who would later become my brother-in-law!).  I remember how impressed I was with the Stimer family and their communication.  They had a couple car phones (which was sort of rare back then).  It seemed like very hour or two they called each other just to “check in” and to let one another know of any plans any individual may have had.  
It’s nice to be on the same page with others.  I’m celebrating communication in my life right now.  As you see above, it was so nice for my girls to be able to “check in” with Mommy during our camping trip (though we had a ten foot zone in which calls could actually go through).  On top of the ability we have with cell phones (IM, email, texting, etc.), I’m thankful for face to face communication as well.  This weekend, I felt, was a great communication time for us as a couple.  
“Checking in” with one another should not be a difficult task, but for some reason we allow life to get in the way of relationship.  I hope you are checking in with those you love and care for!  This week alone I have three or four “checking in” appointments lined up.  
As we are instructed in Hebrews, “consider how you may spur (inspire, promote, urge) one another on toward love and good deeds.“
Grace,
Brian 

Doubly Blessed

Brian Aaby 3 Comments

Fortunately, Highlands Community Church had none of the “bloopers” you may have seen in my previous post.  This morning, we visited HCC for the second time (the other time was about a month ago).  We were very blessed by the teaching of Pastor Jim Amandus.  He is doing a short series in August on a few Psalms he feels define the crisis of our times.  Today was the Crisis of Conscience.  He taught on Psalm 51:10-19.  Great Stuff.  One of the points that stood out to me is the difficult ending in the last two verses.  The first 17 verses of Psalm 51 are deeply personal and intimate.  However, the last two verses seem to take on a different nature (speaking more corporately, terms like “Zion,” etc.).  This has been a part that many theologians have had a hard time describing.  I like Pastor Amandus’ take… he thinks the first 17 verses are intimate and personal as David repents from his sin.  He takes the time to make things right with God… then he ends with talking about his public reputation and the public result.  This is the opposite of how most of us go about our life!  When we sin, we (or at least I) am usually concerned about what others will think, not what about the Lord thinks!  This, I believe, is why we see so many pastors/leaders cover up their sin, and we see great crashes and ministry/marital failures.  What if we dealt with our sin the way David did–talk to the Lord, repent and then concentrate on rebuilding your reputation (not rebuild reputation and eventually bring it to God). Great point, one that I want to chew on for some time!  

The message isn’t posted yet, but should be soon, if you’re interested click here.

The second blessing is taking place right now!  I am listening to my good friend Andy Heider.  Andy was my prayer elder while I served at Boulevard Park.  Now I am hoping he’ll become my biggest prayer partner for Youthmark.  Anyway, Andy is one of the greatest “life” teachers one could ever have.  He is humble and his heart overflows Christ.  Andy would never claim to be a preacher, and that’s what I love most about this sermon so far… he isn’t preaching, he is sharing his heart, his passion, his love! Andy lives his life so consistently with the message he teaches.  I will chew on this as I examine my own life!

If you’d like to hear Andy’s message from this morning click here.

Response time (for any interested):  What was the message at your church today?  What are you chewing on as a result?

Grace,
Brian 

P.S. Pray for our girls in this “church search” time.  It is a tough thing to go to a different place each week.  Halle attended church with us (I think she was nervous to go into a new class), while Audrey mustered up just enough courage to attend her class… she liked it a lot.

Traffic Report

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Does your spiritual life look like this?

Does your spiritual life look like this?

Ever been stuck in traffic?  Of course you have! We turn on the radio to find out 405 North is backed up for NO REASON, and that I-5 south has a jack-knifed semi-truck taking up all 5 lanes!

The “birds eye view” of a helicopter or a traffic cam give motorists the information they need in order to avoid the potential dangers and back-ups ahead.  They help us to take different routes and guide us to better roads.

In life we often need the birds-eye view of another person.  A week or so ago I spoke about “balance” and the struggle I sometimes have with the advice of one person that contradicts that of another (or my own).  But this outside perspective is very needed!  It is much like the traffic advisory.

This morning I had a phone call from a long-distance mentor.  Barry St. Claire is an older name in Youth Ministry.  He has written much and is a godly man.  I enjoy hearing his perspective on life and ministry.   Several months ago I was feeling convicted and felt a mentor would be helpful through this process of moving from being a pastor to a small business owner.  Barry has done exactly the same (several years ago) and done so with keeping his Lord and his family as his first priorities (as I desire to do). I sent him an email (I had gotten to know him a big a couple years ago) asking him to mentor me (explaining the reasons why).  Because of his own busy life, he told me he would pray about it… Well, eight months, five phone conversations and several email exchanges later, apparently he is still praying because he hasn’t said “yes,” or “no” to mentoring me. So this “non-mentorship” is working out quite well (exactly what I had hoped for)!

So here is my birds-eye view traffic report…  Life is busy, it is hectic, there are a lot of jack-knifed people out there and a lot of life’s roads are moving slowly because of our sin (and other’s sin)!  I hope you have others in your life that are helping direct, giving outside perspective and I pray we all will have the wisdom to receive godly counsel and apply it. If you don’t have a mentor/discipler, perhaps today is the day to ask someone?

Grace,
Brian