B.U.I.L.D.

Breakthrough Urban Institute of Leadership Development

Most of us, if we are honest, are all too aware of the gap between what we believe as Christians regarding the good news of God’s kingdom and the challenging issues that are so obvious in our inner cities. Often the solutions highlighted in the media – a new government initiative, more money, a new policy, do little or nothing to address the underlying causes. At the heart of our faith is the knowledge that transformation, both at an individual and community level, is possible. Many of us long to make a difference, to put our faith into action, to be part of the solution.The future of successful urban mission will depend upon the development of leaders who are skilled at communicating cross-culturally, who understand and welcome diversity, who can articulate urban challenges effectively and who operate within a clearly defined urban theology. Those who come into the city from the outside may bring earnest, well intended and willing hearts, but without proper training, efforts to minister in the city within a different culture may be ineffective and even counter-productive. Those who have spent their entire lives living and working in the city can also benefit from taking a fresh look at their unique experiences, finding words to express their thoughts and feelings, and developing their ability to raise the consciousness of others.

The BUILD training will rely heavily upon the open and honest relationships built within a small group of learners, a “Beloved Community” who come from a variety of backgrounds, and can challenge and stretch one another’s perspectives. By reflecting upon readings and shared experiences participants will guide one another toward a greater awareness and understanding of urban concerns in order to carry out effective ministry in the city.

During the bus boycott of the Civil Rights movement Dr. Martin Luther King urged the church people in the movement to keep in mind that the boycott and its achievements did not in themselves represent the goal. "The end is reconciliation, the end is redemption," he said, "The end is the creation of the beloved community." The goal of this training program is to move forward that movement of the creation of a beloved community through the development of environments of openness and trust in which we can vulnerably discuss sensitive issues, grow in our sensitivity toward one another  and work together to bring justice, new life and joy to the city. BUILD exists to equip, train and mobilize Christians into action to see the transformation of our city.

Who should apply? People who want to:

·      People who want to grow and to be stretched and challenged in their faith.

·      People who want to learn to express their faith in practical ways in the city.

·      People who want to become aware of unique challenges faced by urban dwellers.

·      People who want to develop a deeper love for the city and people of different cultures.

·      People who are willing and able to commit two hours per week for the group meetings and one to two additional reading hours for twelve weeks.

BUILD Objectives: Participants will…

·      Be transformed from consumers to servants, from fear to a quiet strength and confidence.

·      Learn about historical and modern day experiences of racism and discrimination in the city.

·      Become aware of strategies currently used to foster urban transformation and particularly the unique strategy of Breakthrough Urban Ministries.

·      Become confident to engage in ministry with the poor, marginalized, broken and hurting.

·      Share God’s indignation about injustice and have the courage to take a stand and make a difference.

·      Have a vision for how to live purposefully in a hurting world, using their skills, passions and gifts to move from vision to action. 

·      Gain a biblical foundation for understanding God’s heart for the city and the implications of the gospel.

Required Readings

Anderson, Elijah, Code of the Street, (W. W. Norton & Company, NY, 1999). Chapters one through six

Bishop, Anne, “How to be an Ally: Becoming an Ally to Oppressed People”, http://www.daa.org.uk/ally.htmFlower, Joe, “Bethel New Life, Chicago: A case study of community transformation” http://www.well.com/~bbear/bethel.htmlFuder, John, A Heart For The City, (Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1999) Chapter 20, “Restoring the Dignity of the Homeless”, by Arloa Sutter

Greenway, Roger S., Discipling the City, (Baker, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992). Chapter 8, pp 111-123, “Authentic Strategies for Urban Ministry” by Robert Linthicum

Hilfiker, David, Poverty in Urban America: A Study on the Formation of the Inner-City African American Ghetto, (printed with Author’s permission).

Lupton, Robert, Theirs Is The Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban AmericaLupton, Robert, “Gentrification”, Urban PerspectivesOkholm, Dennis L., The Gospel In Black and White, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL,1997. “The Responsibility of Evangelical Intellectuals in the Age of White Supremacy”, by Eugene Rivers

Karp, Sarah, “’Crack Babies’: Black Children Defy Stereotypes, Face Bias”, The Chicago Reporter, February/March, 2001, http://www.chicagoreporter.com/2001/3-2001/baby/baby1.htm

Kozul, Jonathon, “Still Separate, Still Unequal: America’s Educational Apartheid, Harper Magazine, Harper's Magazine v.311, n.1864, September 1, 2005, http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2005/American-Apartheid-Education1sep05.htm

Young, Denise, “Pondering Power: What Is Power and How Does It Work” http://www.vrri.org/rhb0999.htm  Expectations:

1.  Assigned Reading - You will be expected to read all of the assigned readings before each group meeting. 

2.  Group Participation - You will be expected to come to each meeting prepared to discuss the assigned reading and participate by expressing your opinions and asking pertinent questions.

 Recommendations:

1. Journaling or Blogging - Many participants find it helpful to write regularly about their experiences in the city and in the course. Writing can help us become conscious of our thoughts and feelings and enhance our ability to share with the others in the group when we get together. It is also a good reminder for us later of how far we have traveled on the journey toward greater awareness.

2. Media Watch - As we progress through the course we will become more aware of social issues and their impact on urban communities. As you find them please bring to the group newspaper, magazine or periodical clippings or internet sites that can help facilitate discussion.

3. Movies - We recommend participants view some or all of the following movies:

·      Rosewood

·      The Murder of Emmett Till

·      A Woman Called Moses

·      Crash

·      My Family

·      The Corner

·      Finding Forrester

·      Akeelah and the Bee

-- SCHEDULE --

Week One  (Joshua Center, 3330 W. Carroll)                              

Introductions and overview, Sharing our personal ancestry stories                                Video: “Chicago’s Neighborhoods: Design and Diversity” 

Week Two (Joshua Center, 3330 W. Carroll)                          

The History of Urban Poverty, Community Building Exercise                               

Reading Assignment: Hilfiker, David, Poverty in Urban America 

Week Three (Joshua Center, 3330 W. Carroll)                              

Power and Privilege, Privilege Exercise                              

Reading Assignment:                                          

1. “Pondering Power: What Is Power and How Does It Work”                                                     http://www.vrri.org/rhb0999.htm

2. Kozul, Jonathon, “Still Separate, Still Unequal: America’s Educational Apartheid, Harper Magazine, Harper's Magazine v.311, n.1864, September 1, 2005, http://www.mindfully.org/Reform/2005/American-Apartheid-Education1sep05.htm                                    3. Anderson, Elijah, Code of the Street, Introduction and Chapter 1, pp. 15-65

Week Four (Joshua Center, 3330 W. Carroll)

Personal Experiences of Race and Class            

Reading Assignment:

1. Lupton, Robert, “Gentrification”, Urban Perspectives

2. Lupton, Robert, Theirs Is The Kingdom, Preface-p16.

3. Bishop, Anne, “How to be an Ally: Becoming an Ally to Oppressed People”, http://www.daa.org.uk/ally.htm 

Week Five (CURE - Chicago Urban Reconciliation Enterprise, 2117 S. St. Louis)

Tom Lach, Russ Knight, Peter Sjoblom, Derrick Rollerson

Reading Assignment:

1. Okholm, Dennis L., The Gospel In Black and White, Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL,1997. “The Responsibility of Evangelical Intellectuals in the Age of White Supremacy”, by Eugene Rivers

2. Anderson, Elijah, Code of the Street, chapter 2

3. Lupton, Robert, Theirs Is The Kingdom, chapter 2

 Week Six      Mary Nelson, Bethel New Life  - Asset Based Community Development                              4950 W. Thomas (one block west and one block south of Cicero and Division, parking at 1140 W. Lamon, just off division)

                              Reading Assignment:

1. Flower, Joe, “Bethel New Life, Chicago: A case study of community transformation” - http://www.well.com/~bbear/bethel.html

2. Anderson, Elijah, Code of the Street, chapter 3

3. Lupton, Robert, Theirs Is The Kingdom: Celebrating the Gospel in Urban America, chapter 3

Week Seven      11th District Police Station - Officer Pete             Issues of Discrimination in the Criminal Justice System

            Reading Assignment:

                                          1. Anderson, Elijah, Code of the Street, chapter 4

                                          2. Lupton, Robert, Theirs Is The Kingdom, chapter 4

 Week Eight       The Role of the Urban Church – Rev. Marshall Hatch (not yet confirmed)

            Reading Assignment:

1. Greenway, Roger S., Discipling the City, (Baker, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1992). Chapter 8, pp 111-123, “Authentic Strategies for Urban Ministry” by Robert Linthicum                  2. Anderson, Elijah, Code of the Street, chapter 5

3. Fuder, John, A Heart For The City, (Moody Press, Chicago, IL, 1999) Chapter 20, “Restoring the Dignity of the Homeless”, by Arloa Sutter     

Week Nine      Lawndale Christian Health Center – Bruce Miller/Wayne Gordon            3860 W. Ogden            Reading Assignment:

         1. Anderson, Elijah, Code of the Street, chapter 6

2. Lupton, Robert, Theirs Is The Kingdom, chapter 5-6

         3. Karp, Sarah, “’Crack Babies’: Black Children Defy Stereotypes, Face Bias”, The Chicago Reporter, February/March, 2001, http://www.chicagoreporter.com/2001/3-2001/baby/baby1.htm

 Week Ten            Overview, Wrap Up, Reflection, Evaluation, Party