This is flippin’ brilliant.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend everyone!
(h/t: Paul Isakson)
Archive for May, 2008
I appreciate all the feedback on the strip club posts over the past couple of days. There has been some very helpful criticism and ideas expressed.
But I think when I asked the question, “Would you go to a church in a strip club,” I’m asking the wrong question (as new commenter Jamie helpfully pointed out in a follow-up email). Calling Breathe a “church” doesn’t really capture who or what we are.
This is something we’ve struggled with since we started talking. “Movement” seems too broad and pretentious. “Non-profit organization” isn’t accurate (although we are certainly experiencing success at not turning a profit). And “church” is far too narrowly defined in the minds of most individuals.
This something we’re going to continue struggling with and through. And we know that. But we’re not going to allow uncertainty about how to refer to ourselves interfere with our certainty about what we are called to do.
What are your thoughts? Any ideas for a descriptive title for us?
I wasn’t sure what to think. I stared at Cliff, wondering if perhaps this friendship of ours was a bad idea; hanging out with him was taking me to unfamiliar and uncomfortable places. Formerly this was figurative. But now, with this idea, it became quite literal.
He had just told me that he thought Breathe, our burgeoning movement, should meet in a strip club.
As I started contemplating the implications of that suggestion, I begin to recognize the brilliance of the idea. Admittedly, my mind went instantly to buzz that could be generated about a “church” meeting in a strip joint. But then, my mind moved to the bigger idea - the fact that our location would say more about us than any website, news story or flyer ever could. First, that we aren’t doing things the traditional way. Second, and most importantly, that we care about all people, even those typically ignored, degraded or judged.
I knew that the idea was going to be a stumbling block for many people. I knew that people wouldn’t get it. Or that people would get it, but disagree. But after two gatherings there, I have no doubt that we are in the right place.
In the comments of the last post, Sam’s Dad raised the point that Jesus would befriend strippers, but wouldn’t hang out with his disciples at a strip club. While I can neither deny nor confirm the scriptural foundation of that point, I will say that I have no idea how I would have befriended Sully, Shannon, Chuck or Dave had we not been gathering at their establishment. I have no idea how I would have grown comfortable discussing significant issues with them. I have no idea how I could bring up God with them.
But I do consider them friends (particularly Chuck the bouncer - that guy is one of the nicest people I have ever met in my entire life, which does make me question his bouncer-credentials). Serious issues have been discussed. They have heard (and actively listened to) God-things.
So my thoughts on the strip club: Breathe is where it is meant to be, doing work that it is meant to be doing. I am unconcerned with the “appropriateness” of our location. I am unconcerned about the roadblocks we will face. I am unconcerned about the less-than-attractive décor we have to battle every week.
I am concerned only with embodying the person of Jesus to Sully, Shannon, Chuck, Dave and all the other patrons who walk through the doors of Club Sensations seeking temporary satisfaction but end up encountering the Eternal.
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.
Sphere: Related Content
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.
—–
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?
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