A couple weeks ago the Chattanoogan.com ran an article about Tim Reid and his downtown ministry to teenagers. Reid is the pastor of Mosaic, an interdenominational church that sponsors the Club Fathom Christian night club. I went there one time with a friend to see a band. I remember it being dark, loud and insanely crowded; that and never wanting to go back.
“Sometimes it gets rough,†Pastor Reid said. “I understand these are not all good, wholesome people . . . so we just try to love them through it.â€
Club Fathom’s unusual approach has allowed it to reach groups that more conventional religious outreach efforts miss, Pastor Reid said.
“Traditional churches are asleep on Friday and Saturday nights,†he said. “Somebody needs to be awake . . . and so God placed us there right in the middle of Chattanooga . . . We’re right in the middle of Party Central.â€
Sometimes, Club Fathom customers bring weapons or drugs or alcohol along with them when they arrive. Sometimes, after they leave, they get into fights with customers of the other nightspots in the area or run into trouble with the police. Sometimes, their troubles make headlines and the club gets blistered with bad publicity.
But sometimes, come Sunday morning, they show up to worship at Mosaic, his church.
Mosaic takes its name from the art form: broken pieces of glass that seem to have little value at first glance, but “when you bring them all together they make a beautiful picture.â€
About 100 worshippers attend Mosaic’s Sunday morning and Sunday evening services, Pastor Reid said. Some of them are dressed in their Sunday best; others wear barely-there miniskirts or other inappropriate clothing.
All are welcome.
“I’m not worried about their mini-skirts, or their smoking,†he said. “My focus is to bring them to Christ. Once that happens, the rest will follow.â€
Reading through the article I thought that whatever else I may think of the approach or theology associated with Mosaic and Club Fathom, Pastor Reid’s motivation is strikingly similar to that of Jesus’ own motivation; namely, to touch the untouchables, to reach the unreachables with the truth of the gospel. Not too much later in my reflections, however, the depth of my hypocrisy dawned on me—my own thoughts and instinctive responses bear a striking similarity to Jesus’ own critics. Let that last sentence really sink in so that we can all share in the discomfort together.
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Considering that the Fathom is within the area of responsibility at work, I have an insight on his “ministry”.
Time after time I have responded to the Fathom, and I have made many many arrests. This is not to say that Mr. Reid is to blame. After all he is ministering to these children. But, he can not wash his hands of the responsibility of an atmosphere that he has created.
At 3am, 200-300 kids are forced out of the venue, and the doors are locked behind them. 300 kids are now sitting in a parking lot, and there is no authority or guidance from the Fathom. They provide no security (Until recently when the city forced them to).
I have responded to stabbings, numerous assaults, and many drug arrests as well as rape.
Although I commend Mr. Reid for his goals, it is far from what I consider well thought out or safe. You simply cannot gather troubled or untroubled teenagers to minister to, and then put them together without rules or authority. He is breeding violence, crime, and fostering an appearance of evil.
Am I saying that all these kids are criminals? No. I am saying that kids get into trouble with others. They are influenced by peer pressure. Authority must be present or disaster will be bred.
Secondly. (yes I am still venting) due to the fact that the club is non-profit, they do not have to abide by the rules of “teen” clubs. The most important law for “teen” clubs is the fact that no one over 18 can enter. This law is to protect your sons and daughters from predators. I constantly have seen 40-50 year old men sitting inside the club, watching 15 year old girls dance with each other.
All in all the club is a great idea.. but a free for all Sodom and Gomorrah is not what I believe to be a Christian atmosphere or an example of Christian ministry to our city.
ok… I have a lot of frustration that I just vented. This is most likely resulted from holding onto a 15 year old’s hand as she describes her rapist, applying pressure to a broken nose of a 14 year old boy and explaining to a medic where another boy was stabbed…
Others may also have insight on their experience… but as for now, my children will not be attending. I would love for my daughter to be in a ministering atmosphere,… however if there is no authority to protect her physically, and no rules to prohibit a 40 year old from speaking and mentally influencing my daughter, then I don’t believe that I am a responsible parent for letting her go.
Urban Young life many years ago had the Metro going strong downtown many years ago. It appealled to the high-school, college set and was well intended before land values downtown forced it out of existence.
In all of the years it opporated I cannot remember one evening that anyone was hurt, let alone felt unsafe.
@Rob:[quote post="748"]whatever else I may think of the approach or theology associated with Mosaic and Club Fathom[/quote]
No doubt there are issues with the way the ministry is conducted, which is why I qualified it with the above. From what you’ve shared it does sound like some changes are in order. However, the point that I hope is not lost is that we are often like the priest and the Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan: seeking complacency and comfort by protecting ourselves from the needs of others. For all the controversy, I still applaud Reid for being willing to get his hands dirty.
@stelmodad: With the riverfront development and increased downtown housing, we may eventually see Fathom razed and condos go up (though I think that the block with Jax Liquor would go first).
[quote comment="7473"] the point that I hope is not lost is that we are often like the priest and the Levite in the Parable of the Good Samaritan: seeking complacency and comfort by protecting ourselves from the needs of others. For all the controversy, I still applaud Reid for being willing to get his hands dirty.
[/quote]
This is true..i also do applaud him.. maybe he just needs organizaiton and help from other churches?… with all the bad publicity i bet it is hard to find support.
Sounds a lot like Andy Bagby.
“Pastor Reid’s motivation is strikingly similar to that of Jesus’ own motivation; namely, to touch the untouchables, to reach the unreachables with the truth of the gospel.”
Excuse me for sounding cynical, but there are only two ways we can tell what a person’s true motivations are. One way is to get inside their head and read their mind. The other is by their actions. You simply cannot rely on the words that come out of a person’s mouth alone as proof of noble motives. Tim Reid is nothing like Jesus. True, He wants people to come as they are, but they never left the same way they came.
Mr. Reid has done nothing to help the situation caused by his business – and it is a business which uses the “nonprofit ministry” designation to skirt the responsibilities that come with owning a teen hangout. I know people who have dealt with him and he’s been less-than-upright in his dealings with people, and he ran away from some of them as well, not wanting to take responsibility for his mistakes. Typical.
I heard on the news that they have now applied for a liquor license. So much for the “ministry” aspect. I wonder if it will still be considered a “nonprofit”.
Maria, thanks for taking the time to comment. Before I respond, I must quote myself (again) with the part that you left out when you quoted me in your comment (emphasis added).[quote post="748"]Reading through the article I thought that whatever else I may think of the approach or theology associated with Mosaic and Club Fathom, . . .[/quote]
Then in the comments I said:
[quote post="748"]No doubt there are issues with the way the ministry is conducted[/quote]
I do agree (as several have pointed out) that there are things that could be changed with Club Fathom to make it safer. However, I think people are missing the point that Club Fathom–together with the Mosaic church–is a ministry to non-Christians. The problem, however, is that most churches aren’t missional or locally missions minded anymore. They are just safe places for “good” people to worship together. Frankly, if a church doesn’t have non-Christians in it asking questions and wrestling with the Truth, then the people are not being completely faithful to the Gospel. And don’t think for a moment that I am not pointing the finger at myself, either, or why would I have said that “my own thoughts and instinctive responses bear a striking similarity to Jesus’ own critics?”
[quote post="748"]Tim Reid is nothing like Jesus. True, He wants people to come as they are, but they never left the same way they came.[/quote]
So how many people would you typically expect to be saved at a properly run Christian night club? As I alluded to above, I think that you have to look beyond the club to the church, unless of course you think (which it sounds like you’re saying) that the church is really a front for the club.
One problem that I see among North American Evangelicals is that the missions methodology is oftentimes attack, attack, attack. Whatever happened to relational ministry? We say come as you are, but what we really want is people to come under our terms or not to come at all. What can you really expect of people who don’t know any better? Yet I bet that many people who end up at Mosaic probably would not be welcome at a lot of churches. Just think of what would happen if someone rolled into your church on Sunday morning smelling like Saturday night.
[quote post="748"]I know people who have dealt with him and he’s been less-than-upright in his dealings with people, and he ran away from some of them as well, not wanting to take responsibility for his mistakes. Typical.[/quote]
I can’t comment on heresay, but it does sound typical of most everyone I know (including myself).
[quote post="748"]I heard on the news that they have now applied for a liquor license. [/quote]
Now this would be an interesting development. I searched all of the local news sites–Chattanoogan.com, WDEF.com, WRCB.com, NewsChannel9.com–but could not find anything about this. Was it just in the last day or so?
Scott, one week ago Friday, I believe on either Channel 9 or Channel 12, I saw the story where they were going to apply for a liquor license, but I can’t find it on any of those sites either. I’m positive that’s what they said because they used it as a teaser during a break and my husband was talking to me when the news continued and I told him what they were going to talk about, and he got the kids (three noisy girls) quiet so at least one of us could hear it – lol!
Regardless of whether I misheard something or if there was some misinformation, I still have not changed my mind about “Pastor” Tim Reid. IMO, whether it’s a club that bills itself as “church” serving as a “Christian” teen hangout or a radio station that plays only contemporary Christian music, this would be filed under “entertainment” and not practical “ministry” and they should not reap the benefits of being a “nonprofit”. Jesus never sung for his supper or did The Old Soft Shoe in order to convert someone. Evangelism is about the difference between life and death.
It is my belief that the church is for the equipping of the saints – a place where Christians go to grow and learn more about God’s word and fellowship with other Christians to be strengthened and encouraged in their faith. Sure, churches like the one I go to support missions and do local charity. And you should invite people to come to church. However, the way you change hearts in a community is for people to see Christians at their jobs living uncompromising lives in front of their co-workers, reaching out to the poor, giving food to the hungry, and helping those in need. For a pastor to give an evangelistic message every time he steps up to the pulpit would be neglecting the needs of the body.
As far as people coming as they are, I’m sure most churches would welcome someone who is destitute and not sparkling clean. I had to laugh at this because this subject is so timely. My kids and I recently read “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” by Barbara Robinson. I don’t know if you’ve ever read it, but I highly recommend you read it to a child this season for a very “real” Christmas story.
Anyway, IMO, ministry is not giving kids a place to hang out (and spend money) until 3 a.m. If you want them to go to church, you personally seek out one person and show them the love of Christ and be a witness.
Besides, Club Fathom is not a hangout for the homeless or destitute youth in crisis. It’s not a place where they can get a blanket or a free meal. As far as I know, it’s not a place where they can get good counsel on life’s issues or even help with homework. It’s a place where youth go to be seen by their peers, and while they’re there they buy sodas and snacks for a hefty price. (Tell me again how this is a “nonprofit”?)
Sure, sometimes the music is from a “Christian” band, and a few may show up for….uh…..”church” the next day, but, like Rob said above, it’s also a magnet for those that would take advantage of the majority who are, no doubt, really good kids. I fail to see how this provides any type of ministry, but I can see how it can line the pockets of people who pose as Christians just to get their hands on the hard-earned dollars of good people. And with all the tax breaks and benefits of a “nonprofit”. Imagine that.
You sound like a really caring individual that loves the Lord and really wants to do the right thing. However, I believe you’re giving Mosaic Church a little too much credit. Sure, Ted Reid lets anyone in his establishment and Church – come as you are, so to speak, but that doesn’t excuse his behavior. A ministry is only as good and legitimate as it’s leader. You can’t have a man who deals dishonestly with people as the head of a ministry and expect it to produce good fruit.
At any rate, there are legitimate ministries in town where they truly accept people as they are and get their hands dirty helping those in need. The first that comes to my mind is AAA Women’s Services (I volunteered with them for a couple of years before we had kids). Inner City Ministries is another. The Community Kitchen is another. The Bethlehem Center is yet another.
Maria, I do not have a lot of time to respond right now, since I am at work. However, I think that this discussion is about to go even more off topic. As relevant as it is to the issue at hand, the purpose of the church could turn into a bigger, and perhaps more passionate, debate.
My post has little to do with Tim Reid and more to do with my own heart. You said that I am giving him too much credit, but from my point of view the strong opinions that you and others have about Club Fathom are allowing you to read too much into what I wrote. From what I can tell based on articles and word of mouth, Reid is simply an Arminian with a passion for the lost . . . who (I think we agree on this) is not as reflective about things as we’d like him to be. What I need to do is visit Mosaic sometime to get a better perspective. All of that is to say that the purpose of my post was not to pass judgement on Club Fathom/Mosaic/Reid, but rather to use it as an example to show that it has taken us 2,000 years to come full circle.
Scott, I have a real problem with a nonprofit that sells things for profit – whether that’s a teen club selling chips and sodas, or a radio station selling advertising and having share-a-thons and using manipulative tactics to get donations, all while performing no real practical ministry and, in fact, using shady business practices, lies and deceit. My strong opinions are borne out of close-up and personal experience with said radio station, and I can tell you it was two years of hell for my family followed by nearly a year of harassment.
IMO, Mr. Reid is no different from the owners of said station – plenty of lip service and pretty quotes in public, but when it gets right down to it there’s no substance or proof of a transformed life at all. As for being an “Arminian with a passion for the lost”, from his actions, I would say that’s debatable. However, that’s just my opinion, whatever it’s worth.
I realize your motivation for the post in the first place was not meant to be a debate on Tim Reid or Club Fathom. But, it seems to me the controversey surrounding this “ministry” has little to do with people who are “untouchables” and a lot more to do with the way he himself conducts his business affairs and his life in front of a watching world. I’ve been to Club Fathom when my husband worked for the above-mentioned station. I saw not one person in that place that was dirty or poor looking. I saw a lot of kids buying food and drinks. Believe me, they wouldn’t let someone have it for free. Trust me.
I would be extremely careful about going to Club Fathom and especially careful about getting mixed up with it. You can go into a den of snakes with lofty intentions of turning it into something worthwhile, but the snakes will drag you down every time. I’m speaking from our experience as well as the experience of many others who were touched by the same poison.
If you truly want to minister to “untouchables” go to the mission or the Community Kitchen. There are plenty of chances to help the neediest segments of society there. Go to TC Thompson’s and rock some AIDS or crack babies in the NICU. Buy a homeless man a burger. Let the way you conduct your life be blameless before men. Don’t just talk about it. Do it.
Please come worship with us one Sunday.
10:30AM or 6PM
http://www.mosaicchattanooga.com
http://www.clubfathom.com
Hope I can meet all of you sometime in 2007, thank you for all your helpful advice.
Tim Reid
I am jumping in a few months too late here, but I would like to say that I am not a kid (46), not an addict, not homeless, not homosexual, not unwashed or impaired. But I do not fit well in mainstream churches or in evengelical ones. I do not belong with the Salvation Army or in line at the soup kitchen. Because I am a square peg that just won’t squeeze into those darn round holes I was churchless for over 10 years.
Spouse and I became interested in Mosaic when he played at Fathom. We liked the space so well that we decided to check out the church. We did, and we like it.
We are not the oldest people (at 46 & 48), but we are probably in the upper 10% of age. There are lots of young adults, I guess the average age (leaving out the small children) is about 26. Could even be younger. So, even though we are 20 years or so older than average,no one looks at you as if they think you really don’t belong there. Last year we visited churches. Lots of them. This year we found one.
Before you decide it isn’t really church, or that Tim Reid isn’t really a minister, you should visit Mosaic. It might not be your cup of tea, but it is certainly tea.
Suzanne Carty
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[...] A month ago I posted an entry about a controversial teenage night club that is run by a non-profit ministry. Well, actually, the post had less to do with the club per say and more to do with our personal reactions. However, the comments revealed that some people did not see it that way: “Um, no . . . um, that’s not what I said . . . excuse me . . . that’s not my point at all . . . yes, yes, I’m sorry; that sounds like it was a horrible experience . . . yes . . . well, no, I have to confess I hesitate passing judgement on the man’s motivations as well, but I’m more hesitant to pass judgement on his eternal status . . .” [...]
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