It’s pretty fun if you say it fast
Would you go to a church that met in a strip club?
Thanks for the input.
I recognize that there are a number of factors that would need to be considered when deciding whether or not to attend a church – their doctrine, their values, their theology, their flavor of communion cracker, etc. Let’s just assume for the sake of the blog post that this church’s stance on all those fell acceptably within your comfort zone.
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No worries, I’m not asking for money (yet). I’m looking for some advice. As I said in my last post, Breathe is alive and well. However, our current demographic makeup isn’t really a high-dollar-worth group. The expenses for Breathe are quite minimal, but they’re still there. And we need to figure out a way to generate some funds.
One way I’ve considered is doing some traditional fundraising with churches our committed group has had some connection with in the past. While I have no idea how successful this will be, I think it’s a solid place to start.
To explain what we’re doing with Breathe, we’re constructing a simple one sheet with both high-level philosophy and more detailed descriptions. I’ve never personally raised money with churches before and I’ve never really considered what churches would like to read or what would create a compelling case to inspire a parting with precious, limited dollars.
So I’ve written what you see below – which certainly falls in the high-level category.
What’s the purpose of Breathe?
If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.” – Genesis 11:6
In this verse, the almighty, omnipotent creator of the universe, affirms and confirms the ability of His creation; when we speak the same language and live with the same purpose, there is nothing we can’t accomplish.
It is with this foundation that we pursue the idea of Breathe. However, instead of building a structure that will do no more than glorify us, we seek to continue the movement started by Jesus, carried by millions, and which is, we believe, the hope of the world.
While we believe that we are innovating our approach for the current culture and time in which we find ourselves, we recognize and celebrate that we are simply fragile containers for the power of the message.
We are not the point.
The point is restoring God’s good creation.
And we hope to play our part in that effort.
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And here’s where I need your help. What do you think? Is it stupid to start with a verse that talks about the arrogance and foolishness of men? Is it compelling at all? Is it too churchy or not churchy enough?
I’m grateful for your help.
Last night, Sunday, May 4 at 5:00 p.m., a movement was launched. For the third time.
But, as the old familiar saying goes, third time’s a charm.
It’s about time – we’ve been chomping at the bit to get going, and admittedly, the previous two attempts have been nothing if not discouraging. First we experienced an owner who didn’t want us there. Our second try failed because we were unable to sell enough food. But those “failures” were preparation for where we are now – both literally and figuratively.
Literally, we are at Club Sensations, a strip club on the southeast side of Wichita, Kansas. For our thought process behind the location, you can visit the post at Breathe’s blog. Figuratively, we are stepping ever nearer to understanding the potential of what Breathe can and will become. Already, in the short five hours we spent at Club Sensations cleaning, dancing, singing, praying and sharing, we have seen the power of the idea of Breathe and effect of the message we are proclaiming.
So, thanks to the owners of Club Sensations. Thanks to our dancers from Care to Dance studio. Thanks to Blake and Liz for rocking the original music. Thanks to Cliff for brining it with his Windows Movie Maker and speaking skills. Thanks to Hayley for using her serious ambience-enhancement skills. Thanks to everyone who stepped into an uncomfortable and unfamiliar place and to those who thought they were in a familiar place and chose to stay even when things got “weird.”
Through the partnership of these people, we encountered the spirit of God in a place where He likely hasn’t been welcome before with people who are unlikely to choose to experience Him.
It was a good Sunday. And we’ve only just begun. We’ll be back there in two weeks – Sunday, May 18 at 5:00 p.m. – and we’d love to see you there.
Any questions? Comments? Critiques?
I just found this comment in my spam filter:
One afternoon, I was in the backyard hanging the laundry when an old, tired-looking dog wandered into the yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home. But when I walked into the house, he followed me, sauntered down the hall and fell asleep in a corner. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out. The next day he was back. He resumed his position in the hallway and slept for an hour.
This continued for several weeks. Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: “Every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap. ”
The next day he arrived with a different note pinned to his collar: “He lives in a home with ten children - he’s trying to catch up on his sleep.”I cried from laughter
Sorry, if not left a message on Rules.
If MelissaK is a real commenter, I apologize for deleting your comment and I’m glad you’re here. It appears you’ll “cry from laughter” at anything, and we need more people like you.
If you’re just a spamming robot, well, congrats on being creative – you’re one step closer to sentience!
I know that it’s technically “May Day,” but May is way too cool just to celebrate for a single day. May is by far the most wonderful month of the year. In this single month, I get to celebrate:
I could go on, but I think you can see why May is so amazing.
So Happy May everyone!
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” – Matt. 22:36-40
Isn’t it interesting that many Christians have part one down just fine, but struggle mightily with part two? And equally interesting, many anti-, pre- or non-Christians struggle with part one, but are often much more successful at part two.
Thankfully, we Christians have the grace and forgiveness of Jesus to cover us when we fail to live up to loving our neighbors.
I wonder though, once we have accepted that grace, aren’t we also covered if we struggle with loving God?
I’d like to think so. And I’d also like to think that this would have an impact on the way we share the gospel – starting with affirmation of action rather than condemnation of unbelief.
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