This is my headshot when I was 18 -->

It was my dream to be an actor. Hence, my second email address: "actoralexander@hotmail"

(my first email was "sgt_coolguy@yahoo", but I trust you not to judge, neither the 'coolguy' nor the Yahoo usage)

I wonder, what was your big idea when you were leaving high school? What was the path going to look like? How far away from that path are you today? 

I left high school, moved to downtown Toronto and handed this beauty photo out to agency after agency, begging for a chance to audition for something. 

Today, 16 years later, I had my first audition!!  (you kind of have to laugh at that). 

See, there were opportunities back then. I had some extras gigs, performed on stage for a few weeks - alongside my momma and stepdad, which was a highlight of my life, btw - and had a role in an indie feature film. Check IMDB, it's for real. 

Then, the next step changed.

It wasn't about stepping into the next Agency hoping for representation, but it was about stepping into Youth Work and Pastoral Ministry. Who knew!? 

Who knew that I had such compassion for the underestimated? The tweens, teens, and young adults, looking for a place to belong and do what they're made for? 

Who knew I would be able to use the acting skills I had worked on to help in my weekly opportunities to speak with these groups from the stage? 

Who knew that public speaking would become such a love of mine through that process? 

Who knew that I still cared enough about acting at 34 years old to say 'yes' to agent representation?

NOBODY KNEW! 

Not me, you, my wife, nobody. Goodness, I'd venture to say even God has a bucket of popcorn while watching this one play out, wondering how it's gonna end! 

Today, though, I get to tell a new story.

We are swinging back around to that bit in chapter 4, dipping my toe back into the acting pool because its still what I'm made for. Or at the very least, I have to know if I can do this. I'm certain I won't become famous, rich, or win awards from acting. But I'm trying it out and that is the victory in this part of the journey. 

So, what are you trying out today? Is there some idea you've been sitting on for a while (even almost two decades!) but haven't stepped into yet? Just try it out. Try it out with the expectation you will fail - or better yet, with the understanding that merely trying is the measure of success. 

The audition was weird. It was exactly what you think an audition for a commercial would be like. I had two lines, I had to repeat them 30 times in different ways, there were 4 other guys dressed just like me in the waiting room, there were people singing in one room, yelling in another. I don't know what's next on this journey, but I'm stepping down this path to find out. 

Go ahead, try it. 

What I mean by that isn't "tell a story with lots of details and you've got a great story."

No. No no no no,

no.

In fact the opposite is more often true.

So, choose the best bits then tell us about those details. The relevant details are up for grabs and the storyteller has the opportunity to choose only what matters most with the responsibility to tell about the best parts. 

It's Monday. When you see people for the first time in a few days you will likely get the chance to recount your weekend to them. They ask because on some level they want you to tell them a story. Tell them a good story. Whether you believe it or not you have one in there. Pick out a couple of good moments and tell us what fascinated you in that.

We are desperate for a good story. Today, tell us a better story than you normally would. 

No, you didn't just spend your weekend around the house doing nothing.

You watched 6 episodes of a show on Netflix? Why? What show? What does it make you feel/think about? "I actually spent about 6 hours on Sunday morning watching Fargo. I thought it would only be one episode but the way it leaves me hanging at the end of each episode I just couldn't stop! It has this amazing ability to make me totally creeped out and smiling at the same time, which then kinda creeps me out about myself. I'm almost as amazed by the show as I am by my reaction to it. Have you ever felt that? It was a good weekend."

You did not just spend time with family relaxing.

You went to your sister-in-law's cottage for a couple of nights? Is it on a lake? Is it a rustic cabin or a second house? Does everyone get along when your families are together? "We drove up late Friday, just knackered. But it was well worth the drive because we spent basically all day Saturday on the lake. In fact, my youngest son had one of those breakthrough moments - like I could see the memory becoming lodged in his brain longterm - after about an hour of trying he got up on waterskis for his first time! About 8 seconds later he went down hard, but then came out of the water pumping his fist and shouting to the heavens. It was a good weekend."

There is no way you just  went out with some friends on Saturday night.

Something else was going on there.

Where did you go for dinner? Were they longtime friends? How was the food?  "We were going to go to a movie but we ended up just talking at the restaurant for 3 hours instead. You know those conversations that seem to just grow as you're in them? We've known these people for years but we started talking about real life pains never discussed and then some laugh-til-we're-crying moments. My friend told me a story about when he accidentally stole a pack of condoms from the drug store and then chose to go back and confess...at 32 years old! I can't remember the last time I laughed that hard. It was a good weekend."

There was something more going on, and you get to interpret what it was.

As the storyteller you have the privilege of telling us whatever details delighted you most.

So, whether you're recounting your weekend, updating your current life situation to a friend, making small talk, or trying to tell the story of your brand or product: pick out the most delightful details and tell us the best bits. 

Your answer to this question will help clarify:

Is there movement in your life? 

"No" - I feel stuck. I do the same thing every day and I don't really know why. I mean, sure each day looks a little different and any given weekend I might hang out with different people or go on some kind of adventure; but, it all feels the same, none of it is moving me towards anything new. Everyone else seems to be trying new things, taking leaps of faith, moving away, moving out, moving on, but not me. I'm still here, and even if I were to move I don't know where I would go, so why bother talking about it?

"Yes!" - I know tomorrow I'll wake up in the same home with the same people around me, and I'll go into the same rhythm of work; but it all feels like it's different than yesterday. My relationships are changing, we talk about things that matter, we have exciting conversations, we meet new people and go to new places together. When I look at what other people are doing I find myself cheering them on or being inspired by them to step into my plans for growth. I know what it's like to be stuck, so now when I have an idea I move on it. I'm changing each day in some small way. 

If there is no movement, you will feel stuck, stagnant, unimpressed and uninterested in the world around you. This simply is not where we as human beings are supposed to live our lives. 

If there is movement, you won't necessarily have a skip in your step but you live with an energy and awareness that today doesn't have to be like yesterday. This kind of attitude leads to creative new opportunities for work, relationships, and experiences. This is what we're made for, a life of movement. 

So, how can you begin to create movement in your life? 

- Try a screen-free day, see where you end up, and what you end up doing. 

- Track your thoughts/experiences over the month, (a fancy way to say 'journal') so you can actually see movement where you thought there wasn't movement before

- Invite friends over to your home for a meal this week. Though the prep for this may stress you out, they will leave you with new thoughts and ideas to move ahead with. 

It's not difficult, trust me. Movement is a major difference-maker that merely requires saying yes to the right things and no to the wrong things. 

Get moving. 

Someone is going to criticize you. 

Everybody knows you're not exactly as you seem or say you are. 

And it probably doesn't take a Sherlock Holmes type of arrogant diatribe to unearth what you've buried. 

It's alright. You're alright. We can in fact help each other more than hurt each other through these experiences as long as everyone is able to recognize WE'RE ALL NEW AT THIS.

I'm 34 years old and I certainly have not figured out how to live this life to the fullest.  I still stay up too late and want to sleep in every day, I crave attention, acceptance, and praise from people I know and people I don't know or care about, I'm trying to care more about people, I compare myself to just about every person I see in some small way, I'm a husband of 13 years, a dad to three kids and I have a part-time job while trying to step into building a business and doing what I'm made for. And the scariest part about my life is that I'm totally new at this. 

Won't somebody please help me. 

We need each other. We need to learn from each other. We desperately need to not base our lives off some subtle tendency to compete in every little way. Whether you're parenting small kids - or big kids for that matter - or you're starting a business or getting married or buying a house or creating art or feeding others or any number of other noble efforts you might be up to today, you're new at it, and so are we. 

So stop comparing your life to the snapshot you see of others while thinking they have reached some pinnacle that you never will. They're new at this too.

Give yourself a healthy dose of grace and get to doing what YOU are supposed to be doing.

Lean in to your family, your home, your job, your self-betterment and if you get lost somewhere along the way ask for help. We expect you to, because we know you're new at this. 

Take a breath and remind yourself, 'this is my first time living through this very day. It's never been done before and (thankfully?) it'll never happen again.'

You're a newbie at today. So am I. Look around you, those people are new at this too. 

So instead of building stronger defenses against critique, invite the wisdom. We have a lot to learn from each other. It won't all be helpful but much of it will be if we're willing to listen and learn.

And my friend, instead of competing and comparing, next time you catch yourself wanting the life of somebody else because of its perceived perfection, remind yourself they are new at this and need as much help as anyone else. 

Congratulations! It's your first day. Have fun with it.

I’m the Young Adults Champion with The Meeting House.  

But, what does that mean?!  

At 16, I began volunteering in the Jr.High ministry, as a new Christian. I stayed with Jr.High as my passion for that age group only grew stronger over the next 15 years there. Yet, somewhere along the way, as I watched Jr.Highers grow up and lose interest in the church community, my focus shifted from Jr.Highers to the 22 year olds showing up each week to volunteer as leaders for them. I wondered why they were here, what’s keeping them involved, how can we help them on their journey so they are better empowered to help others? 

Which brings us to today. 

I’ve been called a lot of things in my life, but never have I been called, “Champion”. 

No podium has had me standing on top of it, no trophy has been raised above my head, and no red ribbon has been pinned on my cardigan (I imagine champions wear cardigans for some reason).  

Today, though I begin a new chapter as the Young Adults Champion for The Meeting House. This doesn’t make me the best of all the Young Adults, it doesn’t mean that I won some competition, it means that I’m going to advocate for a generational ministry focus for the next year. I’m going to champion the cause, as it were - to shine the spotlight on this ministry and these people. In fact, it’s quite the opposite of standing on a podium or lifting a trophy, to champion this means that I must lower myself in order to lift others up and hear their voices. And I’m so flipping excited to get started!  

The role has me on a one-year contract in which I am tasked with researching Young Adult and Millennial culture (specifically throughout The Meeting House context, but spreading out wider as necessary), in order to set the church up to build some sort of Young Adults ministry in the most effective way possible.

In short, listen, dream, develop.  

The stats will tell you that young adults are the largest population of a generation yet in our history, and that they have the lowest church attendance on record as well. Some people look at this as a problem to address, some people even talk about Emerging Adults as a problem to be addressed. They see the problem and try and try and try to fix it quickly. 

The approach of this new role though, is choosing to take time to listen, to engage in conversation, and to try to build something new rather than continue patching holes in a collapsing house. The main reason I’m jumping into this role, is because of the trust and respect this demonstrates from The Meeting House towards this generation.  

TMH is willing to invest time, energy, and money to listen for a year, and then move forward. These people are not a problem to be solved, this is not about getting them back into the church to fill seats and pay the bills, this is about listening to a generation of young people who see God at work in our world differently than the generations before and investing the time to understand how, why, and what we can do to move forward together as a truly integrated, intergenerational community of faith. 

They are motivated dreamers who move through this world with a hopeful abandon of the way it’s always been done. They need people to willingly come alongside them and help discover and do what they’re made for so they can help others do the same.  

This role will work alongside my role at LAUNCH, I’ll be running with two part-time jobs - one research and conversation based, the other teaching and coaching based - both focusing on Youth and Young Adults and how they can use what they have to change our world in the way of Jesus. 

This means I’m going to be reading a lot, asking a ton of questions, and testing different approaches. I’m going to try to be a safe place to share how the church has hurt, how the church has helped, and how we can hope together for something better.  

So, if you’ve got any thoughts, articles, stories, experiences you think might be helpful - email, message, call, send it my way!  

Moving forward with an active patience,  

Alex 

I'm learning that the more we focus on one very specific option being our calling in life, the more difficult it will be to find that option. You will get frustrated, likely be searching for it until you die feeling like you may have missed your calling. 

What if we began to think of calling as something we can take steps towards? A friend, calling out, enticing you to come towards them. 

Picture yourself blindfolded in the middle of a soccer pitch.

You are there with a friend you trust, and you give her 60 seconds to go and stand somewhere on the pitch. Then, she yells your name.

The sound comes from behind you, you turn around and listen again as she calls out. You turn a little to the right and begin walking forward. After twelve steps she calls again and you adjust, angling slightly to the left while continuing to move closer. Suddenly, she says your name again but she's not yelling, she is within 10 feet and one small turn to the right.

You've found her. 

This might just be how your calling works. 

You are here. 

Something stirs within you calling you somewhere else. 

Only, you're not sure where or to what.

You ask some friends, they clarify. You get a career coach, he directs. You apply for a job or two, they filter for you. And just like that, you took steps towards figuring out that you were being called from shift work at Starbucks towards being a public school Librarian this whole time.

Most of us don't move towards a calling because we are afraid of making a mistake along the way.  

You believe if you take a shot at your calling but go slightly to the left you might end up going to school to be an engineer instead of a hairdresser. So you don't move at all. But if calling is about direction, if calling is about something you're being drawn to, then pursuing your calling isn't something you get one shot at but it's a lifestyle of listening, learning, and moving.

I bet you could get a pretty good grasp on which way you should be moving, today. 

Draw a basic compass, like this: 

Then, in the four quadrants, write out four possible options for what you could do for the next 10 years. (Teacher, Coach, Actor, Insurance Broker, Store Manager, Farmer, Father, Social Worker, etc.)

Now, draw a circle in the middle - that's you.

Close your eyes, and imagine your name being called.

Which direction to you first turn? 

Start there. Start moving. 

Every day, every conversation, every meal, every game you play, each picture you post, they all require you to say yes to something and no to something else. 

I love it when people say yes, because that means you are opening a door to a new experience. But I also love it (maybe more) when people say no, because that can mean you know what you want and [this thing] is not it.

Today,

Let's talk about NO. 

The bad, the worst, and the best.

The bad side of no is when we are apathetic or entitled. 

It is said because you 'don't care'. You become so cynical that you turn away, even when facing a good opportunity to help. You are able, you have disposable time, money, energy, and your opinion matters to fix the problem but you decide to disengage. You are frustrated with the situation (work, church, marriage) but you do nothing about it.

This begins with a quiet 'no' and grows into active disengagement. You think they should have offered you a bigger raise, you are mad they didn't ask for your ideas, he left the dishes in the sink again, so you say 'no', I can't stay here, I won't discuss the issue, I'm done trying to help, and I might even try to convince others to come with me. (misery does love company).

The worst side of no is from a place of comparison. 

It is said because you are afraid of what others will think of you. It is said out of fear, worry, or anxiety. You might fail. You see the opportunity in front of you and turn away from it because you think you're not good enough to do the thing being asked of you. 

This is saying 'no' to selling your art. Saying 'no' to talking to the other parents at church or school drop off. This is saying 'no' to going back to school, taking a new job, or committing to a relationship...because you don't think you're [talented, cool, smart, sharp, worth] enough. 

This 'no' is from a lack of trust, or a false sense of what's in your hand. We say no because we think we wont be able to live up the expectations of others, and we feel like we don't have what it takes.

In How to be Here Rob Bell says, "We rob ourselves of immeasurable joy when we compare what we do know about ourselves with what we don't know about someone else."

The best no is said with confidence. 

This is not based on insecurities or disillusionment but because the thing you're facing is simply not what you're made for. You say 'no' to that fast food, another night of binge-watching Netflix, or spending another moment in an place or relationship that is destructive. You are starting to get an idea of what you ARE made for in this life, so you begin to say 'no' to anything distracting you from that.

The joy of no is being liberated to do what you are made for.

You are made to be a great father and husband so you put your dang phone down when your kids are at your feet or wife is with you! (this one is for me, folks). 

You are made to share what you have so you change your shopping habits and donate consistently to a great cause.

You are made to be a person of peace, love, and hope, so you resist any system that spreads a message of violence, hate, and fear. 

The best 'no' is about no longer doing something because it is what you ought to do. 

Henri Nouwen writes in his Genesee Diary, "As long as I am constantly concerned about what I 'ought' to say, think, do, or feel, I am still the victim of my surroundings and am not liberated. I am compelled to act in certain ways to live up to my self-created image. But when I can accept my identity from God and allow him to be the center of my life, I am liberated from compulsion and can move without restraints."

Last post I mentioned that a few years ago I said 'no' to something, in order to say yes to something else. I was a Youth Pastor for 10 years in a fantastic church. Yet, something was awakening within me revealing that this was not the best path for our family anymore. As Karen and I talked about it, she was recognizing the same thing and we decided to say 'no' to staying there any longer. The beauty of it all is that when we say 'no' we are also saying 'yes' to something else.

When we say no in confidence we are saying yes to opening a new door. 

Creating something beautiful (be it a piece of art, or a life) is all about subtraction. Anybody can vomit thoughts onto a page, or throw paint on the canvas, but the art is in knowing what to remove to let the best stand out.

I'm still learning this. As you might be able to tell from the length of this post.

I wonder, what beautiful adventure awaits you, if you find the confidence to say 'no'? 

Every day, every conversation, every meal, every game you play, each picture you post, they all require you to say yes to something and no to something else. 

I love it when people say yes, because that means you are opening a door to a new experience. But I also love it (maybe more) when people say no, because that can mean you know what you want and [this thing] is not it.

Today,

Let's talk about YES. 

The bad, the worst, and the best. 

The bad side of yes is when we are afraid of what others will think of us if we don't say yes.

So you accept the job you're not made for, you hang out with those people that aren't life-giving, you stay in that relationship that's not healthy, all because if you say no 'they' might think poorly of you. 

The worst side of yes is when we are comfortable with the easy decision, the way it's always been done.

So we keep saying yes to a destructive rhythm of life (and lack of good sleep), we keep eating food that is poorly made and mindlessly consumed, we keep engaging with our addictions instead of asking for help to get out, we we keep watching the Bachelor, or the Walking Dead, or any other show on TV consistently getting worse in quality - unlike Survivor which is only getting better in it's 34th season! (personal bias acknowledged)

The best side of yes is when it is not based on the mass, fictitious opinion of 'them' but the trusted, caring advice from your few. (Side note, if you don't have these 'few', find a tribe soon). 

Shauna Niequist, in Present Over Perfect spoke about how the worst yes almost drove her crazy. But the best yes allows us to be fully present. 

Saying Yes means not hiding. It means being seen in all your imperfections and insecurities. Saying yes is doing scary things without a guarantee that they'll go perfectly. Saying yes is telling the truth. Even when it's weird or sad or impossibly messy. Saying yes is inviting chaos. And also possibility. Saying yes is building a new future. Regardless of the past. Saying yes is jumping anyway. 

When it's right, "YES" can open a door to a new experience that could change everything.

It could be choosing to commit to that new job that will likely be a career in what I'm passionate about and will help this world.

Today, it could be engaging in conversation with someone you typically avoid. Maybe it's walking by (or scrolling past) someone in need and stopping to share what you have.

For parents, on a nice day it could change everything if you choose to go for a walk to the park with your kids instead of having a nap while they watch tv after school (maybe they'll let you just sit on the bench there watching them...heck, ask them to put on a show for you).

The best yes opens up possibility for something new to happen.

A couple of years ago, we chose to say no to the comfortable routine we were in. I went from being a Youth Pastor in a great church for 10 years to...nothing. I had no job lined up, no income, but one thing I had wanted to do for a long time was to go back to school and get my Masters. This seemed like the right time - though, is it ever really the right time to get a Masters degree, man that's a lot of work. I said yes. I jumped in, and I kept saying yes.

This past semester I had the opportunity of doing school full-time and finishing my degree, but doing so would mean I would have to say 'no' to other things (more on that next time). I couldn't see the benefits yet, I still don't know what a Masters in Theological Studies will 'do for me', but I opened the door in front of me and now I'm done. We walked through that door and it feels like it's time to say yes to something else.

The joy of yes is seeing what adventure the next chapter holds. 

For more about my journey into that semester, listen to episode 30 of the Made For This podcast.

The best yes is not a choice made not because of what others will think. The best yes is a choice made to help lift others up - even if step one of that goal is going to school for a few years. 

I wonder, what opportunities are in front of you today that are just begging you to say yes?!

Next: we'll talk about the joy of saying no.  

I prepare workshops and deliver them to young leaders to inspire them to impact their world. You, well, you read my stories, you encourage me in this work, some of you may even share money with me for my missionary salary. You do your work, which may or may not have anything to do with influencing young leaders, but inspiring young leaders is something you believe in - you just don't have the opportunities to do so.

Enter, teamwork, stage left. 

I do my part, you do your part.

We're all part of one big story, helping each other do what we're made for.

I am made to use my voice, and inspire young people. I believe, whatever job you have, you are at some level made to share what you have with others.

Some of the best descriptions of how a team works is from the book of 1 Corinthians 12, as Paul writes to this community of churches about being a body.

17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. 19 If they were all one part, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

We are one body. 

If I am an eye, I need the ears. If I am the hand, I need the foot, and the fingers, and the armpit, and wrist, and brain, and eyes, and spine, and the extra skin on the end of the elbow, in order to do my job well. But you also need me if we are going to accomplish anything of significance and influence. 

I work on a team of very different people. There are 8 of us on the team currently serving to our strengths. We have a highly organized and detailed people, and some more free-thinking and open schedule people. We have inspiring storytellers and thoughtful caregivers. On this small team it is impossible to do all we do without these different skills and characteristics. 

"Can the eye say to the ear, I don't need you?"
Think about it:
Young Leaders need inspiration to do what they're made for.
LAUNCH inspires young leaders to impact their world.
As you read this blog, and subscribe to my email update about LAUNCH, and share what you have through donations, you encourage me! 
You are helping us do the work of inspiring young people.
So, you are a part of the LAUNCH team.
Ultimately, you are inspiring young people to impact their world. 

If I am the mouth, and you are the hand, I am telling you, I need you!
 

In LAUNCH's TEAMWORK workshop (typically delivered in partnership with our Online Assessment Tool) we lead young leaders on a journey over 45 minutes: we help them see the value of others on a team and the value of the individual on the team. You need what they have and they need what you have. That is teamwork.

It's a beautiful act of community, I can't do what I do, unless you do what you do.
Today, I want to do my part, but I need what you have.

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Interested in being a part of this team?

Click here to subscribe to my monthly e-update, or to donate to the ministry.

I choose to stand as close as I can to the line of really enjoying other people, or wanting to put on Harry Potter’s invisibility cloak and never be seen again. 

It doesn’t even depend on the day, it depends on the minute, the situation, or well, the people. 

Do you do well ‘with’ people? Like, at school, or in your job, or when you’re home with the kids most of the day, do you look forward to being with people, doing things with people? Or are you in absolute bliss when you’re on you’re own? 

I sway between the two.

As a part of LAUNCH, I’m with a great team of Youth Workers that each have their area of expertise. But I’m also out there on my own quite a bit. 

Like, when we’re figuring out how to expand the reach of our Leadership Ministry, we need to work together as a team. We need to listen to, learn from, and laugh with each other.

But when I’m out speaking to a crowd, it had better be on my own.

I’ve done the shared stage thing a few times, and it’s ok, but there’s nothing quite like having full ownership of the room and guiding the crowd through the talk exactly as you hoped.

(This also leaves you being the only one to blame when it bombs…and, well, that’s not the most fun). 

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This month, I’ll be leading a workshop on Teamwork to a group of young leaders out in BC. Which is significant because I’ll be in Toronto, leading the workshop and assessment debrief over Skype - a FIRST for us! As part of the process for these Young Leaders, they take our LAUNCHTools Teamwork Assessment, a 360 degree survey about how one reacts in different ‘teamwork' atmospheres and situations. It’s super enlightening stuff. 

I’ve filled out a billion of these personality and leadership-style surveys, but these ones seem to be unique in their analysis; and more than that, in how they bring others into the assessment to take the survey on your behalf. The results are all mashed together and give you a great report about how self-aware you are of your own skills and character or teamwork style.

Here’s the thing,

Sometimes, all I want to do is be in a room with people, bouncing ideas off one another and coming up with the next world-changing movement! Other times, I might be in that room with people and there’s nothing I want more than for them all to disappear and leave me alone with a whiteboard and a fistful of markers with some Bon Jovi playing in the background to keep my body moving while I write all my ideas out. Whoa-oh, Livin’ on a Prayer!

Yet, I know I couldn’t do the ‘alone’ thing forever.

It works best when I Can be alone, but know that I'm part of a team.

People, somewhere, that I can call on for help and support. And I bet that’s how most of us really are. Regardless of how you perform at your best, whether that’s with a team or on your own, you need to know that at any given moment you can be just you, or you can be part of this team, listening to, learning from, and laughing with others to create something amazing. 

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A few weeks ago I was super discouraged, by support-raising, school assignments, Donald Trump, how my kids were acting, you know the place right? So, I called someone on my support team, one of our financial supporters. We went out for coffee, and after about 65 mins together I felt ready to tackle all these issues! (Except for Trump, not going near that).

This is what I mean. When so much of your day is spent alone, in your own head, maybe you need a team to help get you out of that head. This is team work. Not just a group of 5 people creating a fun video to get a new idea across to the board, but individuals knowing they’re work is part of something bigger. 

I hope you have a team in your work or your home or your church that encourages you. 

I hope you’re part of a team of people somewhere that you know you can trust and will always lift you up to feel better than when you came to them. 

I also hope you have space in your daily rhythm to be alone and to work out what only you and God can work out together. 

Today, as I sit here alone writing this, I’m swaying towards the line of wanting to be with people. Thankfully, even though I don’t know where you are right now, or when you’re reading this, I know that there are people with me, constantly, supporting the work I’m doing with Young Leaders and wanting to be involved in the journey.

Thank you for taking your time to be a part of this team, or, as i’ve affectionately come to refer to it, this Tribe.  

We have over 60 passionate staff with an additional 750 committed volunteers. We serve about 3000 young people who are involved in one of our 35 programs. Our work is focused on community youth across the GTA ages 10-25.

Globally, YFC International has 4500 paid staff with another 30,000 volunteers. Together we serve in over 100 nations of the world working with some 10 million young people.

- youthunlimitedgta.com

Sometimes, I can feel like my work with LAUNCH doesn't fit in with the rest of the programs.

Let me explain:

My friend Bianca, for instance, is working with teens living on the streets of Toronto and helping restore their lives relationally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. Light Patrol is doing amazing stuff in the darkest places each week. 

My friend Ben is in the head office overseeing all communication through the organization and making sure all these programs are on point and clear about their purpose for people who want to get involved as a participant, volunteer, staff, or supporter. 

Another friend, Marianne is empowering young girls each year as she leads an incredible conference, and connects with parents helping them understand the difficulties of youth culture today. 

And, my friend Jesse is working with young people to help change the community of Willowdale, many of which are living far below the poverty line. 

Among these heroes (and many others working tirelessly to see transformed youth transform our city) I can find myself feeling like designing a leadership workshop just doesn't fit in. 

And yet, there are many people that are part of my tribe, supporting the work I'm doing here because they know the powerful truth that I'm being reminded of: the work we do through LAUNCH is inspiring young people around this community to impact their world in a way only they are created for.

Just like Jesse, Marianne, Ben, and Bianca, these young leaders I interact with through workshop experiences may find a spark lit within them and move forward to shape the world in a way I never could. 

To inspire someone or to be inspired by someone to action is one of the most powerful movements of the human condition. Thank you for continuing to inspire me to inspire others, who will surely inspire others. 

Thankfully, it all matters in this work with Youth, we all have a role to play. I wonder what yours is?

Sharing Creates a Bond from Alex Street on Vimeo.

Sharing Creates a Bond

by Alex Street

My kids were playing with a toy the other day. Well, I should say my youngest daughter was playing with it and when my son walked in the room he then wanted to play with it as well. 

It was blue Play Doh, and when he moved in to play as well my youngest daughter covered it up and pulled it away from him. His first reaction was, “You have to share with me.” And well, she did. 

As children we’re taught to share. 

But as we grow up we learn to give. 

Giving is different than sharing. Giving helps, but sharing will change the world. 

I asked a group of teenagers a few weeks ago what the difference is between giving and sharing and they agreed with one girl’s response, “Giving can be done from a distance, but sharing creates a bond.”

Sharing creates a bond. 

We constantly asked to give, told to give, we feel guilty if we don’t give enough or if we find out someone else gave more. We’re even encouraged to be a joyful giver. And yes, do that, let go of what you have, give it away. When you do, there is a cost - it will cost you as much as you gave. 

And maybe that’s why its so difficult to share, because we know that sharing costs more than just the thing, it costs something relationally. 

I think we teach our kids to share, because its less about the object, we are far more interested in helping them build friendships. The object being shared is a route to build a friendship between these kids. Sharing creates a bond. 

It works the same way for adult humans too, when we share what we have we create a bond between people. Sharing is warm, it’s tender, it’s messy, it’s saying I have one slice of pie and I’m going to give you a fork so you can dig in.

Last Christmas my house church did a secret santa gift exchange. Ya know, those things where you end up with the cookie jar with the reindeer wearing sunglasses that you swear you gave to someone else the year before? 

Except for ours, the max dollar amount was $0.00. The gift had to be an experience, it had to be about sharing something. It was the most difficult Christmas shopping I’ve ever done, taking an inventory of what I could possibly share with someone. It forced me to think beyond what item I can purchase within a budget and consider what I’m good at, what can I offer, what could be valuable? 

And what came out was the idea of time. 

A non-renewable resource. 

We all found ways to share time with another person.   

The result, stronger bonds between friends. 

This, of course, is the story of Christmas. 

This is the miracle of it all, that one person would choose to share their time and energy with another. 

This is the Jesus story, that God entered in. 

God wasn’t interested in just giving life and sustainability to this planet, but God wanted to share in this experience, or rather, let us know that God is sharing in all of this with us. 

With the birth of Jesus we get this incredible hope that all of this is connected, that what I do affects what you do, that the best way to break apart this beautiful story is to start believing that we’re disconnected somehow. 

Whether it’s because of where you’re from, or what you believe, or how you talk, or what you own, the point is that sharing helps us break down all those boundaries and find a common hope in this world. 

The miracle is that God chooses to share with us. God chose to create a bond. What an example to follow. 

This season, choose to find value in the meal together. Choose to invite people over. Choose to spend time making something for another person. 

Share from what you have, because sharing creates a bond.  

And if you really want to not share your play doh, just eat it, i’ve recently learned it won’t make you sick. 

Merry Christmas!  

The most adventurous moments in life when we face a decision that could change everything.

I recently began reading a series of books to my kids called Then It Happened. They are full of short stories, each with a pivotal moment when 'it' happens and things really get interesting. Like when the branch began to crack under his weight while fishing above a rushing river.

These moments happen to us - caused by something else. 

Or they happen with us - caused by our own initiative.

Either way, they are not to be resisted but embraced and sought after. 

Today you have the ability to change your life or the life of another. What a beautiful, scary, and empowering truth that is.

Have you thought of your most recent turning point?

Was it sparked by another person? Did you receive some exceptionally good or bad news? Did you make an intentional decision to act on something? 

Maybe you feel stuck in your own journey and the thought of a turning point decision is exciting but you don't know where to begin. I want to encourage you today to help create a life-changing moment in someone else's story. Imagine someone else telling their story, saying, "then it happened...(You) came along". 

Share What You Have from Alex Street on Vimeo.

I was sitting across the table from a teenager not long ago, let's call him 'Jake'. He was telling me about his life recently and the fact that he is consistently prioritizing people over schoolwork. He said he enjoyed listening to people's stories and helping them in whatever way he could.

It was a pleasant surprise to Jake that some people were coming to him to ask for advice after hearing more about his life and some things he was going through in the moment. He said to me,

"Because I shared with them, they wanted to share something with me."

And isn't that what moves us into a better future?

I believe it will be helpful for us to see value not so much in 'giving' but rather in 'sharing' what we have. Sharing builds connections, it creates a bond, and it's what we're taught to do since we were toddlers. Sharing just might be the answer to mend the brokenness in this world. 

So, share what you have, because it might just be the thing we need. 

At the end of October, some of the LAUNCH team members spent two days at a Catholic Renewal Centre (a fascinating experience in itself) so we could REFINE and CREATE our Workshops. For myself, after 6 months of support-raising and learning a new organization and meeting new people and dabbling in speaking on behalf of LAUNCH, this was the moment I knew I am exactly where I am meant to be. 

Workshops are opportunities in which we facilitate a conversation with a group of young people together in a room, from 10-100 people, these are amazing opportunities to inspire young leaders to impact their world. And, this is why I was brought on the team, I love youth ministry and I love speaking to groups. I am a "Leadership Facilitator" (that's what it says on my business card anyway). Yet, I have been wondering, what am I going to be facilitating, exactly?!

Now I know. 

We began the day breaking down the existing workshops and throwing away any that we didn't feel fit into the vision going forward.

Starting with about 12 topics that had been developed and delivered to a variety of groups of the past 8 years, we held them up against our vision statement which states, 

LAUNCH - a program of Youth Unlimited (Toronto YFC) - comes alongside young Christians, inspiring them to walk long-term in their God-given potential by equipping them to grow spiritually, in character and in leadership.

INSPIRE & EQUIP -- SPIRITUALLY, CHARACTER, LEADERSHIP

From this, we know that each workshop needs to INSPIRE and EQUIP. Those are the measurable outcomes. "Did this inspire you? Did this equip you?"

We want to do this through three streams of workshops aimed at Leadership, Spiritual, and Character growth.  And we're going to have 4-5 workshops available for each. Awesome. 

So, after moving over some of the existing workshops that made it through this filter, we came up with new topics we deemed important - with help from our research work.

And here (drum roll, please) are the workshops we're moving ahead with; 

*Titles pending*

INSPIRE AND EQUIP

LEADERSHIP

Leading Like Jesus   |   Inspiring Change   |   Why Bother Growing?   |   Learning From Failure   | How to Have Spiritual Conversations with Your Friends

SPIRITUAL

Hearing God   |   Spiritual Gifts   |   Nurturing Your Soul   |  Rooted Identity

CHARACTER

Courageous Decision Making   |   Team Work   |   Pain to Purpose   |   What Are You Known For? 

I don't know about you, but with each one of these workshops I picture different people that need to be a part of this conversation! 

But here comes the fun part - my job now is to go and CREATE! I just get to rework old content and create new content for all 13 of these workshops...Oh, glory!  Creating content for the purpose of magnified impact, let's dance. 

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If you are interested in having LAUNCH come and speak with your group, visit 321launch.ca or email me at astreet@yugta.ca for more info. 

"EXCITED ABOUT MY FUTURE"

WHAT!?  Pardon me?  I did what now?  My words affected you how? 

You, young teenage boy, wondering what your purpose is in this world and comparing yourself to everyone you see, thinking you're not as smart or talented or attractive, or that you are the only person on the planet that won't find that 'thing' you're made for.

You, young teenage boy who has new dreams and passions every day, and more potential than a box of fireworks to light up this world, and an insatiable desire to have a significant impact on this world.

You, teenager that has been largely underestimated in your life. 

You are now excited about your future. Because of this 30 minute talk. 

Thank you, God.

That you choose to use the weak (me) to lead the strong (others). 

That you develop ideas in my head that are not meant to be kept locked up but to be shared so they may impact others. 

That you put me in situations with rooms full of firecrackers, and your words are like a fire shut up in my bones (Jeremiah 20), I cannot keep them in and as they come out they seem to light the spark that has potential to set a community ablaze with passion and excitement to change the way things are. 

If I could shake hands with Shane again I would say, "thank you, because your words made me excited about MY future."

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I wonder who has said something that inspired you to be excited about your future? Who lit the spark in your life at just the right time? Let them know, if you haven't. Tell them, it could make all the difference. 

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The above opportunity was through an experience as a LAUNCH Workshop Facilitator. For more information about my work with LAUNCH, click here. 

LAUNCH comes alongside young Christians, inspiring them to walk long-term in their God-given potential by equipping them to grow spiritually, in character and in leadership.

We are built for routine and rhythm.

Each day we are at the mercy of the rhythm of the day - sunrise, sunset.

Each breath you take is part of the rhythm of your life - inhale, exhale.

Rhythm, and routine - action, rest. Some of us build such a routine into our lives there is no room for something new. In fact, we freak out when something new is added to the routine, like a line of ants marching to the hill we move around the 'thing' and keep the line going. 

Maybe that disruption in your life is there so you can discover something new today. 

On the other hand, some of us have very little routine and struggle to find rhythm. We are out of sorts and keep looking for something to spark a fire within.

For us, it's a good time to do start things we keep talking about doing 'some day'; this could be anything from reading a book, to traveling the world, to visiting your grandma. 

Doing something new often begins with an old idea.

Today, you can force inspiration and creativity to ignite in your life by doing something fresh and new.

Take a different route home.

Turn your phone off once you get home.

Cook dinner from a recipe book.

Go for a walk at lunchtime.

Turn the radio off in the car.

Turn the radio on in the car.

Wake up 10 minutes earlier tomorrow.

God is still creating, he is making all things new, and you are invited into that process! 

Do something new, invite the disruption, let's see what happens. 

What's your new thing?
Comment below, or on our Facebook page and let us know!

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This post was first sent out to subscribers of the Made For This email list. 

To receive posts like this and be encouraged to be Fully Alive, join the Made For This Tribe. Fill out the form below to get started. 

I didn’t touch her foot.  

I’ve told people for 15 years that I did. But I didn’t.  

No Doubt was my favorite band through most of High School. To the point where I went all hipster and bought all their oldest stuff (before “Tragic Kingdom” there were other albums!). I would press play on my CD player first thing when I woke up and it would ring out as the soundtrack to my morning. Spiderwebs while stumbling to the toilet, Just a Girl while showering, Sunday Morning during breakfast, and Don’t Speak while brushing my teeth - which seems fitting. Don't Speak also soothed my aching soul any time I had feelings for a girl that didn’t feel the same towards me, which was often. If CDs could wear out, this would have had a groove in it at track 10 for sure.  

I scored tickets to see Gwen Stefani (whom I also had an insatiable crush on) and the boys at the Guvernment club in Toronto and nothing else mattered for 2 months while I held onto those concert passes waiting for the fateful day when she would sing to me and I would propose marriage to become the future Mr.Stefani.  

The place was packed. Hundreds of people crammed onto the floor like sweaty sardines, just as salty and slimy. I screamed when they came on stage, I sang along to all my favorites - especially the old stuff that only a select few of us in the room knew existed, or so I keep telling myself - and I skanked like a Ska-king!* 

Then, it happened.

She looked at me.  

"Hey Alex! Let's run away together!"

"Yes Please!"

During Don’t Speak she looked down in the crowd at the glistening faces swaying back and forth and locked eyes with this spiky-haired-120-pound-punk. She looked deep into my soul as I took her on a journey through our future together, traveling the world, having horn-playing babies, and setting our home-phone voicemail message to say, “Sorry Alex and Gwen aren't home right now, we’re walking in the spiderwebs, but please leave a message at the tone!” What felt like an entire lifetime only lasted for half a second, and she was on to the next hopeless romantic.   

I told some people about that.  

I told more people that I actually touched her. But I didn’t.  

I told it enough that I started to believe it myself. But I didn’t.  

I just thought that was more tangible and realistic and believable and enviable and impressive than trying to convince people that we shared a moment of eye-contact, or simply that I was at the show.   

I should tell you, I did TRY to touch her. I went right up to the front and reached over the gate while she was crouching down spitting out her song to the crowd with a microphone in the way…but I didn’t.  

Seriously, this is a pretty big confession. I’ve straight up lied about this, even to my wife. I texted her before posting this to tell her about the 15-year ruse, she’s ok with it.  

I wonder how many of us are going through life making up stories like this.  

How many of us are making up stories of our experiences with God, just so others will think God is more real.

Or we want them to think we have actually been closer to God than they have. Or worse, we have talked about it for so long we have actually convinced ourselves of something that hasn’t happened.  

There’s a story in the book of Exodus about Moses, he straight up has the audacity to ask God to see His face. He wants to see this glory he’s heard so much about. God responds with a bit of a compromise, "I’ll tell you what, I’ll walk behind you and then you can look as I’m walking away.” It’s as if God is doing everything He can to reveal Himself in ways we can actually comprehend and understand as humans, but we keep asking to see the ‘real thing’. He is showing up all through our day, in the things we touch, and taste, and smell, and most importantly, in the people around us. His compromise is this, if you want to see me, look at the people and listen to the world around you. 

We are desperately trying to lock eyes with God, if only for a second, or trying to get close enough to touch His foot so we know He is real. But what if that’s not the point? What if I missed the best part of that concert (the music and the people I was with) because I was so focused on the goddess dancing in her red boots under the lights?  

Some Christians get so caught up trying to get the attention of the lead singer on stage that they miss their friend falling down next to them from dehydration.  

John, the author of a few books in the Bible talks about love and God. In fact he claims that God IS love. This one fact changes everything.

God is love.  

Wherever you have seen love shared between people in this world, this is where you will find God. He goes on to say just that, “No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.” (1 John 4:12).  

I think God does look out and see me, and sometimes our eyes connect.  But I know God sees me each day when my friends let me know they see me.  I experience the love of God through the love of others.  Conversely, I show the love of God by showing love to others. 

God is love.  

God is meant to be experienced through our love for one another.  

I’d like to stop trying to convince others of God existence, and His love pouring out from some heavenly place of glory.  I’d like to stop thinking of God as a celebrity that I’m trying to touch, so I can tell others that I did.  I just want to be a part of something bigger than myself, with other people, loving in extraordinary ways.  

The point of the concert is to listen to the music filling the place, and dance with the people around me.  

I want to pay full attention to the complexity and rhythm of the God's music in this world. I want to sing and dance with the people around me. Then I will have no doubt that the lead singer is just as real and good as everyone says she is.  

Even if I didn't touch her foot. 

*’skanking’ is a dance move, reserved for Ska concerts.  

**Ska is the greatest genre of music ever created; a (dead?) genre which includes the talented stylings of The Specials, Reel Big Fish, RX Bandits, Five Iron Frenzy, Less Than Jake, and of course No Doubt.  

How many come to mind right away?  3...6...14?  

You probably first thought of the uniform you put on everyday for work now (if you have one), or maybe the job you had in college as a barista, or your high school part-time job where you tried so hard to make pleated brown slacks look cool.

Maybe you didn't think of your job at all, but the sports teams you've played on: your first t-ball team, your church slo-pitch league, or that time you joined a bowling league and got your name embroidered into a navy blue polo by someone named Earl. 

The first uniforms that I thought of were my white shirt and clip on tie (with pictures of fruit on it) from a grocery-clerk job, my orange short-sleeved cotton button-up with short apron for serving at Swiss Chalet, and my heavy steel-toe boots and wool socks for the lumber yard. I thought of a shirt, or a whole outfit that had the name of a company or a team on it that I had to wear while I was playing out a specific role. 

I LOVE UNIFORMS, BECAUSE UNIFORMS REMIND US OF OUR PURPOSE. 

Last week I was working for the day with a friend opening pools. I showed up with my grubby pants and my dirty t-shirt. Then, he gave me a shirt with the company logo on it and all of a sudden I felt like I wasn't just jumping in for the day, but I represented his company.  

There is something about the clothes we put on each day that remind us what we're a part of and what we're supposed to be doing with that day. And I'm not just talking about the people that are putting on a company shirt, or brown shorts, or a badge and holster, or a green apron. I believe that each day we can clarify our purpose for the day based on what clothes we put on.  I mean, we could just hang around naked all day, but...(honestly I couldn't think of an end to this thought that would suit the conversation. Your call)

Since you get to choose what you put on for the day, make sure you choose with intention!

A Youth Pastor putting on a collared shirt because he's going to the seniors luncheon, or a t-shirt and shorts because he's going to watch high school football.

A Mom staying in PJs because she's having a snuggly day at home with the kids again, or putting on fitness clothes because they could go for a walk today and play at the park.

A corporate employee wearing a suit & tie/heels and jewelry because that's what is expected of you, or going to the office lookin' fancy because you are fancy. You put those on because in some way, when you look confident you become confident.

A Nurse that's stuck to scrubs, but thankfully you can choose your shoes. And you are gonna choose the best shoes that keep your legs moving so you can keep moving with energy through the day, even if they are CROCS!

A student taking a bag with her, the bag of books and notes and a computer that represents all the hard work you're putting into this. You carry that bag because you're grateful for the chance of learning new things. 

A Teacher in an outfit each day that makes sure you fit into the 'lame grown-up' box for the kids separating yourself from them a bit, but then has just enough current style to the ensemble that makes them wonder if you might actually be a human being outside of school hours!

An Artist that puts on the shirt with paint all over it, he has an expectation that by the end of the day if there isn't more paint on that shirt he wasn't trying hard enough. 

My brother is on film sets all day, he has a clipboard to keep the crew tight to the script. 

My dad went to photoshoots with his patented beige camera vest. 

WHATEVER YOU PUT ON FOR THE DAY, PUT IT ON WITH AN UNDERSTANDING OF YOUR PURPOSE FOR THIS DAY;

IT MATTERS WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOU ARE A PART OF, AND WHAT YOU'RE MADE FOR.

My office hours are usually spent at home. If I wake up, throw on my comfy pants, and don't change for the day there is a significant difference in the amount of focus I bring to the work I'm doing that morning. If I get dressed, clean up, shower, and then settle in my office space, I have invited my whole body into the process of creating something for the day.  

WHEN I AM INTENTIONAL ABOUT MY OUTFIT, I BECOME INTENTIONAL ABOUT MY PURPOSE FOR THE DAY. 

I heard about a pastor who works mostly at his church through any given day. He gets up early, goes through his routine for getting ready, puts on some biz/caj outfit and heads out. When he gets home at 5pm he walks in the door, puts down his phone, goes into his bedroom to change his shirt and wash his face before he says hi to his wife and kids. When he puts on the new shirt, he is saying to himself and everyone else, I'm here now.

I love the different uniforms I've worn over the years. They represent different times, places, and purposes of my life. 

Today, though I don't have to put on my clip-on fruit-tie to work, I recognize the need to get dressed in whatever I'm wearing for the day with the same purpose as that ridiculous tie gave me in stocking shelves at a local grocery store; I'm here, and I'm part of something bigger than myself, and I'm doing what I'm made to do.