The Todd Blog

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?

What do you think?

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 have a guitar. It’s a pretty nice guitar, an Ovation, and I think it sounds pretty. Unfortunately, it only sounds pretty when I actually pick it up and play, which, unfortunately, occurs less and less frequently. So it sits in my office, looking beautiful, but not serving any purpose.

This past Sunday night, Cliff and I launched Breathe, an organization designed to unlock and unleash the latent awesomeness inside each individual. We had a solid turnout, excellent entertainment (thanks Eric and Robert!) and some tasty fries. I think that people were genuinely touched and moved by what they experienced Sunday night.

But Cliff and I weren’t.

If anything, we were both frustrated by what happened — or more accurately what didn’t happen.

Cliff has his reasons for frustration, but I have my own, mostly fueled by my own personal failure with this Breath vision. The amount of effort I’ve put into launching this thing is laughable; the fact that I call myself a visionary or leader for this thing is laughable. Based on my behavior, I have displayed no leadership, creative direction or a dedication to what Breathe is trying to accomplish.

I’m no more a leader than I am a guitarist.

I’ve been invited into an incredible vision. Unfortunately it’s only incredible if I actually pick it up and play. Something I haven’t yet done.

My prayer is that as Breathe moves forward, I don’t allow the vision to sit, looking pretty, but making not a sound.

Any failings you want to confess? Confession loves company, after all.