Tag Archives: urban

Breaking Down the Stereotypes

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I am very proud of my family. Why?

Debbie Birkey tutoring at Breakthrough Urban Ministries

Debbie Birkey tutoring at Breakthrough Urban Ministries

Yesterday, our local Oak Park paper, The Wednesday Journal, contained an article about my family’s involvement at Breakthrough Urban Ministries, in Chicago’s west side Garfield Park neighborhood [Link to Pouring Love, Breaking Through article].

The article was very well written by Abigail Cramton, who reported the topic with balance, intelligence and clarity. It featured many quotes by my wife, Deb, as well as Josh Hawkins photos of her and our son Noel tutoring some kids from the neighborhood. Kathryn, myself and our other sons are mentioned, as well as other friends (Cindy and Mo Russo) who also serve and volunteer in this ministry.

This kind of service is not a big deal for us Christians to be doing! Most of our neighbors would never do something like this… and they don’t. Yet, Christians do these things regularly and often, and are still too often perceived as being uncaring, separate, uninvolved, hate-filled and politically conservative. The same paper that featured this article often portrays us that way.

“Modeling and teaching service to others is one of our responsibilities as parents. The same way we are servant leaders to our kids, we want them to be servant leaders in their own worlds.” – Debbie Birkey

What I am most proud of is that we can be a part of breaking down the stereotypes that many in Oak Park have toward evangelical Christians who attend our church – Calvary Memorial. I think that this article more accurately and clearly communicates the worldview that we hold to and practice. I am all for breaking down and challenging those myths and barriers that many of our Oak Park neighbors have. I am for clearly presenting and modeling the teachings and example of Jesus by serving others, caring for the poor and oppressed, freeing slaves and prisoners, and declaring the good news that we can be reconciled with God.

Yes indeed, I am very proud of my family!

Arloa Sutter also commented on this article yesterday in her blog [Link to Blog Post].

Week Three

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MORNING
Week three is almost over. Today I need to finish up a scope document for our first client: Sunshine Gospel Ministries, as well as meet with Derek Taylor and Benjamin over lunch.

I remembered to bring in my tools today, so we can take down a workstation wall that will allow Benjamin and me to see each other from our desks. We are wanting to open things up more in our work area for easier communication and collaboration.

AFTERNOON
We had a good lunch break with Derek Taylor today. He came on over to the Headstand Media office and shared some good Maggiano’s Italian food! This reminded me that I did some illustrations for Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises some years ago for Maggiano’s. I’ve included a few of those sketches here.

One of the things we discussed over lunch was how to manage and keep really good web developers. Derek had some experience at one of his former jobs of losing key people because as the marketplace changed, and management didn’t really keep up with those changes. They would give key people minimal raises, then those people would find much better jobs elsewhere. Management would also go through phases of staffing up, and would pay new people more than the people who had been there and earned their stripes. This would tick off the people who had ben there and sacrificed already, and they would quit and move on. All of this kind of change is a huge disruption to a company, the momentum and the team building that you need to maintain in order to grow. I had some of my own experiences along these lines to share as well. It was good to know that we are not alone and that many companies are facing similar challenges in today’s changing marketplace.

EVENING
This evening is the Breakthrough Urban Ministries annual fund-raising benefit dinner, with guest speaker Tony Evans. I will be leaving the office early to get there on time, since Deb and I are table hosts. I am looking forward to having Michele Dillon join us, the Guyer’s, Miller’s (great news you guys!), Jeb, Kathryn and Noel, as well as seeing Arloa, Von & Vilma, Brenda, Keith, Donny and Mary, and many other friends who will be there.

Thanks to: Ken W., Chris A., Kyle W., and Derek T. – for visiting us this week!. To Taylor B, Noel B, Marshall B, Nicole H, Patrick F, Karen N, Laura and Debbie B for feedback on logo designs! To Russell K: thanks for calling me at my new office number!