posted August 2, 2006
It's no surprise that Club Fathom has made the news for its irresponsible stewardship of Chattanooga's youth. The surprise is that is has taken so long for it to happen, and the shame is that it took a bench-clearing brawl that closed down Chattanooga's downtown streets for hours on a Saturday night.
As a frequent patron of many downtown area businesses and a near-constant weekend night patron of the restaurants, bars and clubs in the same area as Club Fathom, I have seen more degenerate, illegal, offensive and downright embarrassing behavior from the patrons of this so-called church than from all the drunken revelers, homeless people and bus-stop patrons combined.
After hearing the owner of this so-called church on the radio yesterday, an out-of-towner would think that all the complaints were a result of his Sunday morning homeless breakfast. However, I've never encountered a problem from homeless people in this area, as I don't find their mere presence offensive.
What I do find offensive is this so-called church, collecting exhorbitant cash cover charges from its patrons (or their parents, more correctly), takes no responsibility for the behavior of those underage patrons. He invites children to come to his nightclub, allows them to attend events there visibly drunk and drug addled, allows them to smoke cigarettes and clove cigarettes within inches of the front door, allows them to plop their drunk rears down in the patio seats of nearby establishments and curse violently, spit at paying customers when asked to leave and verbally abuse passersby.
While avoiding the taxes that nearby law-abiding businesses have to pay in favor of more profitable "church" and "non-profit" tax provisions, this club degrades the entire downtown environment. It harms the profitability of nearby tax-paying businesses and endangers the actual safety and well-being of the often teenaged employees at those businesses.
All the while, the two-faced, profiteering owner of this nightclub passes himself off as a Christian ministry spreading the word of God. For shame. Just because he doesn't SELL alcohol, he claims he's doing the Lord's work, all the while providing a haven for children to engage in drug use, alcohol abuse and tobacco use. He's farming the next generation of addicts, all for filthy profit.
The street brawl that spread from Club Fathom is not a surprise to anyone who has been near there on a weekend evening. The club owner is trying to pass it off as an "urban youth" problem because he rented his club out to a community group. However, the real problem is the usual crowd of unsupervised, unruly, unlawful children who are there every weekend, week after week.
Parents need to take a stand and let this nightclub in church clothing know that just calling it a "Christian" club does not allow the owners to abdicate their responsibilty to the children they invite to the club and profit from so handsomely. Parents, keep your children safe and away from Club Fathom, and keep your money in your pocket, or donate it to a real church, not a boozy, smoky, druggy nightclub.
City Council members, protect legitimate businesses and stand up for children by closing down this cesspool. Keep downtown safe for locals, tourists and our teens and children.
Dana L. Chadwell
dlloft@hotmail.com
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For months I have been trying to tell people the negative impact the youth club in the downtown area (Club Fathom) is having on our preteens and teenagers. On any given Friday or Saturday night you can go downtown and see these unchaperoned teens and preteens roaming around by themselves or with friends. Our downtown has changed dramatically, and is a safer place to be. However, it is still downtown and not a place for young teens at night. Why isn’t this club sanctioned to comply with the curfew laws of Chattanooga?
This club has become a hangout for many teens 13 and up. This is not a place for younger teens to hang out. Several times the Chattanooga Police Department has been called. During a one-month span (March–April 2006) they had 10 calls to their address. Most of the calls were for theft, disorder and on a few occasions an unconscious individual. They may not sell alcohol at this establishment, however, alcohol and drugs are finding their way in. I find it hard to believe that this club was founded as a Christian outreach to Chattanooga’s youth by the bands they book and the behavior they allow to take place.
I understand that many parents do not know what is occurring at this Christian club, but I believe it is time parents know what environment they are allowing their children to be in at night. I am glad to see that Club Fathom is now in the spotlight and hopefully changes are going to take effect. It is our responsibility to the children of Chattanooga to protect them and keep them safe. Let’s hold Club Fathom responsible for the activities of their patrons that are happening inside and outside their club.
Mrs. Susan White Hoff
Hixson
SusanWHoff@aol.com
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After reading the comments from Dana L. Chadwell I think it’s time for Christians in our community to take a stand and come out in support of Pastor Tim Reid and Club Fathom. Tim is undertaking something that our churches obviously aren’t doing a very good job at by ministering to youth, homeless, and others who may not fit into our traditional church environment.
To quote Dana Chadwell “I have seen more degenerate, illegal, offensive and downright embarrassing behavior from the patrons of this so-called church than from all the drunken revelers, homeless people and bus-stop patrons combined.” That’s fantastic news for Pastor Tim because it means he is attracting the type of crowd that desperately needs to hear about Christ. I am growing very weary of hearing Fathom described as a “so-called” church because it doesn’t fit the traditional mold. Church isn’t about meeting in a building on Sunday mornings in our finest clothes and singing the latest century-old hymns. The church is any group of believers who are attempting to share the truth of who Christ is and what He has done for this world. (Just to set the record straight Mosaic is the name of the church that meets at the location and Club Fathom is their outreach ministry).
Pastor Tim has a different way of doing ministry, but that is no reason to describe him as “two-faced, profiteering, farming the next generation of addicts, and doing it all for filthy profit” as stated by Dana.
It seems that one of the complaints is that the crowd that Fathom attracts is preventing patrons of nearby establishments from enjoying their beer and burgers by smoking on the sidewalk, which Fathom has no control over. A church has just as much right to make a profit and support its ministries as any business does. As a self-described patron of restaurants, bars and clubs, Dana should be well aware that cover charges are quite customary for concerts and other events. Contrary to popular belief by some, a church does not have to exist in poverty in order to legitimately do God’s work.
Chattanooga churches need to minister to the youth and homeless and I applaud Pastor Tim for his vision of ministry. I’m sure there are problems that need to be worked out, but dragging a pastor’s name through the mud isn’t the way to do it - even if you don’t agree with his methods. I do agree with Dana on one point: “However, the real problem is the usual crowd of unsupervised, unruly, unlawful children who are there every weekend, week after week.”
It would seem to me that parents need to supervise their own children, but until they do I guess it is up to people like Tim Reid to try and help do their jobs for them. I’ll be praying for him.
Scott Pollard
Soddy-Daisy
scott@rodrun.org
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I’m writing in response to Dana L. Chadwell's comments regarding Club Fathom.
She made so many accusations that I don’t really know where to start, so I think what I’ll do is explain my personal experiences of and feelings regarding Club Fathom.
I’ve been a Christian for about 10 years and in that time, I’ve gone to many shows at Club Fathom. I heard Tim Reid, the club's manager, talk about the outreach from the pulpit of his church, River of Life, before Fathom was even opened. He spoke with great compassion about his desire to provide a warm and accepting atmosphere where teenagers and children could come to feel welcomed and understood and where they could be exposed to the love of Christ.
I’ve been to more shows at Club Fathom than I can count and not once have I ever seen drugs or alcohol in evidence. I’ve attended Tim’s church, called Mosaic, on and off over the past few months and have found him to be a compassionate, caring and deeply moving speaker, who speaks love to every person there.
Here’s the problem… Imagine for a moment that at some music shows, kids ARE bringing in drugs or alcohol (unbeknownst to the management). What can Club Fathom do about it? Is this church (or any other) going to strip search teenagers before they enter the establishment? Would you expect any establishment which caters to teenagers to search them before they enter, be it a bowling alley, amusement park or roller skating rink… of course not. So why do you expect a church to do so?
Club Fathom is a huge club, which is one of the reasons it’s so much fun to go to. It has Christian artwork spread out all over the place and has multiple rooms for multiple purposes. Do you expect every teenager who enters Fathom to have a personal escort who follows them around, observing everything they do?
The Fathom is a Christian environment, which is full of the art, word and life of Jesus Christ. I’ve seen it. I’ve felt it and I think that Club Fathom doesn’t deserve all of this mealy-mouthed sniping. What would you have Club Fathom do to prevent teenagers, or anyone else, from smoking cigarettes “inches from their front door.” What law are the teenagers breaking? If they weren’t smoking cigarettes there, wouldn’t they be smoking them somewhere else? It seems to me that if you want to complain about teenagers being drunk and smoking cigarettes on the sidewalk or any other public place, your complaint should more accurately be made to the police department. Dana is actually trying to say that Club Fathom and their management is somehow responsible for what teenagers do on public property, which is just mean. She’s also implying that somehow the things she’s seen happening OUTSIDE Club Fathom actually happened inside, for which she provided no evidence.
Club Fathom provides a Christ-centered environment where children can go and be exposed to people with caring hearts, people who have spent years studying the word of God, and who with all of their hearts would like to see these children saved and free of the burdens of depression, anger, addiction and histories of abuse.
If it weren’t for Club Fathom, where would these children be? They wouldn’t be in any other “church”? There must be a thousand churches in Chattanooga. Why is it then that we’re overrun by the homeless and why the S curves in Hixson Pike are dotted with memorials to children who lost their lives running the streets in cars? Where would you have them be, if not at Fathom? Would you rather have them out driving their cars drinking on the road next to you? Do you want them drunk, running the red light you’re about to drive through? Would you rather have them roaming your neighborhood?
I think they key point which you missed and which was evident throughout your writing is that you’ve seen these things taking place OUTSIDE of Club Fathom. Club Fathom doesn’t sell, nor do they allow alcohol. Club Fathom doesn’t allow smoking. Club Fathom provides to these children an open heart, open arms and an ear to listen to those most disturbed who have the heart to reach out for help. I’ve seen it, I understand it and I applaud it.
Have you ever seen drunk teenagers or drugs INSIDE Fathom? From the content of your comments, I would guess not. Let me be the first to apologize to you, Dana, for your having had this ministry foul up your perfect life by making you walk around these kids. It’s terrible that these kids are disrupting the flow of commerce downtown. God forbid someone downtown should lose a dollar to keep kids off the streets at night.
One thing I’ve learned beyond a shadow of a doubt is that this town is full of Pharisees and I defy anyone in this town who calls themselves a Christian to go to a service on Sunday at Fathom (10:30 a.m.), spend time with Tim, talk to the kids that go there and say that this isn’t a ministry which helps people.
Out of the thousand churches in this town, which of them has the ability to attract kids of any stripe? Many churches in this town are stagnant, dry deserts, devoid of the Holy Spirit, full of gossip, hypocrisy and prideful adherence to “religious” dogma. Oftentimes they care more about their attendance and offering plate than the human beings who live in our town. Rather than reach out, they’re constantly reaching in and finding nothing but the choir to whom they constantly preach.
If those churches had a heart and mind to serve these children, they would have already done so. Instead, they sit back from the sidelines undermining a ministry which they’re jealous of and refuse to understand. They don’t understand because they don’t know, or have forgotten what it’s like, to be a lost teenager, whose mother and father provided little upbringing other than a television set and a microwave oven, or, worse yet, physical and emotional abuse. If Club Fathom keeps one child off the street, out of prison, out of the cemetery, or provides solace and comfort to one suffering girl or boy or prevents one alcohol-induced accident from taking innocent lives, then I don’t care how many cigarettes they smoke in front of it.
Most churches have the same faces coming Sunday after Sunday and do little to help the homeless, teenagers or anyone else. Club Fathom reaches out to the masses of our lost children by playing music which attracts them and by providing an attitude that doesn’t tell them they’re ugly or worthless for doing the same things that most of us did as kids.
That doesn’t mean that Club Fathom is condoning bad habits, it means that Tim Reid understands that it’s not his job to change people. It’s not his job, nor his duty to control what people do “inches from the door.” It is his job to be a strong, righteous man, who stands up for God's word and who lives by example, which he does well. Tim Reid is a strong Christian, husband and father who lives a clean life. If change is to come to these children, it will be from their being exposed to the word and spirit of God and a meaningful example, not because Tim Reid gives them a good spanking. If you take Fathom out of downtown, what ministry will take its place? I’ll answer that for you… none will.
Anyone who has ever tried to talk to a teenager and force them to behave in this or that way must know that it doesn’t work. Tim has done the only thing that he or any other Christian could do who wants to reach out to lost children… he’s said “come in, you’re welcome.”
I’ve known of the staff of Fathom to actually search people who were suspect. I’ve known of them to forcibly remove people who were intoxicated. What else would you have them do? Have you some suggestions, or only complaints?
If Fathom is forced out of business, life might get a little bit easier for people trying to walk on the sidewalk outside it on certain days, but the real outcome will be that many, many teenagers will be forced to find other places to go, where there is no authority or supervision at all. Fathom provides a framework with hard rules, which are rigidly enforced. You’re hoping to take this framework away from our children because you don’t want to have to smell cigarette smoke? Because you feel “inconvenienced”?
If Fathom is closed down, you will not only be closing down a church, which has brought great joy to many people, but you will be forcing hundreds of teenagers back onto the streets of Chattanooga at night, where they will be doing (whatever they’re going to do) in their cars, driving next to you and your family, with absolutely no supervision whatsoever. Is this what you want?
If, thanks to your letter, Fathom is closed down, and four teenagers who would have otherwise been at a Fathom show, under the supervision of this “church” go out drinking and driving one night in the future (after Fathom is gone) and t-bone a minivan with a mom and two kids in it, killing mom, the kids and the teenagers, how would you feel to know that?
At least you wouldn’t have had to smell their cigarette smoke. God forbid…
Fil Manley
filmanley@gmail.com
* * *
I’m responding to the inaccurate and slanderous remarks made by Dana Chadwell. It is obvious that she has not researched her information yet chooses to lash out at a valuable ministry in our city, Club Fathom.
Club Fathom has many facets:
It is the meeting place for several churches of different beliefs, meeting on different days and different times. What a blessing for these churches to have a home in downtown Chattanooga. Some churches worship there exclusively and some churches have small group meetings there for their college-age students.
It is a venue for local bands, Christian and non-Christian.
It is a venue for visiting Christian bands.
It is an art studio.
It is a venue for community activities and gatherings.
I pastor one of the churches that worship in Club Fathom. We meet on Saturday afternoons and truly appreciate and value the wonderful opportunity to worship God at this location.
I know Charlie, the pastor of a group that worships on Sunday afternoon, and Tim, the pastor of a group that worships on Sunday morning and evening. I invite you to participate at any of the worship services for a real blessing.
Club Fathom has a unique ministry of offering a venue for local bands. Club Fathom does not promote or allow smoking or alcoholic beverages. The only other locations for these bands to play are at local bars. Club Fathom does not bill itself as a “Christian” club. It never has. So parents, don’t dump your “children” off at the door to be babysat thinking that you’ve got a night off of responsibility. Responsible parents know what band is playing and if it is an event that they feel would be comfortable letting their youth participate in. If you don’t value non-Christian bands then don’t take your youth there on those nights. That’s pretty obvious. Be a parent.
Club Fathom opens its doors to local community activities and gatherings. There are not many facilities in the downtown area that offer this opportunity to local community social events. Unfortunately, it is at these events that occasional problems have erupted. But the solution is not shut the place down and condemn the ministry because of some isolated incidents. Address the real issues that created the altercations. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.
I applaud the owners of Club Fathom for going out on the edge by providing opportunities for innovative churches and opportunities for unique ministry. Most churches play it safe and stay far away from unconventional and controversial avenues of ministry, but that’s not the way the Jesus I know lived His life.
Thank you, Club Fathom, for being my church home.
Linda Sines
linda@instantred.com
* * *
It's refreshing to see some "real" Christians speak out these days. These other folks parading themselves around as Christians then doing un-Christian things when they think no one importatn is watching are quite disturbing, even for a devil like me. Heck! I was even referred to as being "vulgar" in a recent e-mail. So, nope, I'm no "Christian" and don't profess to be one.
However, if I were a Christian, I'd imagine myself to be all inclusive and not biased and exclusive. I think even their Christ would have a hard time recognizing some of these folks today parading themselves around as Christians. I imagine their Christ would be more like Mr. Tim Reid and would not be afraid to step into the mouth of the lion if need be. In fact, the few times I've stepped into the mouth of the lion myself, I discovered him to be quite toothless, and his roar was but a sore throat from having screamed out in pain for so long.
I also think Councilman Rico was out of line, both with his assumptions against fm 94 and his gang gestures, as quoted from the Times Free Press. That was quite unnecessary, childish and not something one would expect from an individual whose responsibility is to represent and attempt to bring together all the people in the community. Yes, I voted for him. I have no regrets on that end.
To the parents, talk to your young people. Tell them not to play into the hands of stereotypes many are eager to use against them. Then further use that as an excuse to exclude them. Many of us old enough to have survived it are beginning to see, once again, disturbing patterns not seen in over fifty years. And those of us old enough to remember already know how it will all turn out.
To Mr. Reid, for sure, your heart is in the right place and so is your faith intact. And this coming from a "vulgar" lil devil who doesn't always use correct grammar and/or punctuation. Now let the insulting, threatening e-mails begin. They always do when one gets too close to the truth.
Brenda Washington
washington8213@bellsouth.net
* * *
Obviously most of you have never "hung out" very many weekends. I used to try to promote Fathom long ago, when it began. It was a great place for kids to go on the weekends. Yes, I was with my child. Many, many weekend nights.
Never have I seen anyone ministering to anyone on the weekend nights. You pay, you play.
Numerous times have I and the local music community tried to let Fathom know they need to get adults in the place for supervision. Not the teens they have on hand volunteering. The response was mostly "oh well."
They had begun searching people. Do you think I want a teenager searching my teen? No. I and my teen now go only once in a blue moon to support the local bands. Thankfully those times the Red Room isn't open.
Why has no one mentioned this room? I can tell you. You would be shocked at the actions of the teens in this area. It is a DJ / Dance area, away from the main "concert hall." No one supervises this area, then again the only supervisors are other teens. If someone is going to have a club they should supervision available.
This was suppose to be a place to drop off your teen. I am not going to blame Fathom for all the bad seeds they have hang there, but don't let half of them act like animals while they are there.
The last time I was there, a few weeks ago, to pick up my child with three other friends of hers, the last band was playing, it was around 11:30 p.m. I went into the venue and was told I had to pay $5 to get my daughter if I was going in. I pointed out the last band was playing, didn't matter. If I was going any farther, I had to pay. This is a teen telling me this. The only reason I did finally pay is because I knew part of the money would go to the bands playing.
Now, let me address the Power 94 scenario. It may have been an outside sponsorship for the Fathom night. I know on the night the child at Kaos on Brainerd Rd was shot, it was also an outside sponsorship of Power94. I know the same night at Kaos, the person in charge, whom works part time and full time at two separate places, was running for the nearest back door to clear out before the major chaos ensued. I wonder if this was the same planner of this event at Fathom? It would be nice to know. I believe this person’s full time position may be in a "teen" related field.
Well, I could go on and on, since myself, unlike apparently most of you, haven't been to many weekend night shows. Kudos for going on the Sunday services.
P. Sanders
Chattanooga
msand28350@aol.com
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