"Undesirable Clientele" and the Gospel

 There are times which we are faced to make a decision between right and wrong.  Often during those times, even though the choice is so stark, we place our own interests in the middle of that decision, and as a result, cloud our ability to make that decision.  I know I have been guilty of this many, many times throughout my life.  

On Monday, the Vestavia Hills City Council denied a business license to the Jimmy Hale Mission for a thrift store that would have provided discounted clothing and household items to those in need, and as a result continue to fund hands-on ministry which feeds the hungry, heals the sick, and many experience the love and grace of God.  (Click here for a link to the article from The Birmingham News, and please don't pay any attention to the comments section, as it usually is reserved for vitriolic and hyperbolic debate).

Granted, The News does not quote any particular council member, but says "Residents were concerned about the possibility of unsightly dumping bins and the possibility the store could attract an undesirable clientele."  Trash can become unsightly--fair enough--but last I checked Vestavia had garbage pick-up service.  

Undesirable clientele.  Some residents of Vestavia and 3 members of the city council (I applaud the one member who voted in favor of giving the ministry a business license) have dismissed those in another socio-economic class as undesirable.  

I realize that there are many in Vestavia which were on the other side of this issue, and I certainly don't want to implicate all those living in the suburbs as I know many persons in those, and other areas, who often put their own economic interests on hold to help those in need.  And while I do not know if the 4 members of the city council are persons of faith (though I would suspect they have some religious affiliation), I assure you this was not a "prayerful decision" (a phrase we often use in our Christian culture).  If prayer was involved at any point before or during this decision, I assure you the decision would have gone the other way.  

Some will revert to the old line "God helps those who help themselves."  I challenge all readers to try and find that phrase in the scriptures, because it is not.  

It doesn't take but a cursory glance at the Gospels (I hope we are reading them more intently than that, but for the benefit of the doubt) to see that Jesus cares about the poor.  If there is one group that Christ gives preference to, it is those we often label "undesirable clientele."  

I hope the United Methodist Churches in the Vestavia and surrounding area (such as Vestavia Hills UMC, St. Mark, and others) see this as an opportunity to expand their outreach ministries and open themselves even more to the movement of God.  

When we tell our neighbors in Christ that they are not welcome, we shut off the great potential for God's creativity to change our lives, and theirs; we shut off the movement of the story of the Gospel to interact with the story of our individual lives, and others.  

We are called to constantly look for Christ in our lives, throughout the world, and in the lives of others.  I assure you that if Christ lived and walked today, he wouldn't be wearing an Armani suit.  He would probably be wearing clothes from a Jimmy Hale Mission or Church of the Reconciler clothes drive.  

By: Matt Lacey On 1/25/2011
Topics: Missions and Advocacy

Comments

1. Paula Calhoun wrote on 1/25/2011 10:28:43 AM
Matt, Thank you for this word of truth and Gospel call--I always need to hear it again!
2. Kay Twilley wrote on 1/25/2011 10:32:07 AM
I live directly behind the sight of the proposed thrift store and I have absolutely NO PROBLEM with the thrift store locating there. In fact, I was looking forward to shopping there. I am a member of Vestavia Hills UMC and know some of the people opposed to this project. Needless to say, I was ashamed of the comments of some members of my congregation. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ and this is no way to show our concern for people that are not as fortunate as we are.
3. Keith Thompson wrote on 1/25/2011 10:32:42 AM
Well said! I applaud you and the News for highlighting this kind of segregationistic decision.
4. nancy simmer wrote on 1/25/2011 10:36:38 AM
Thank you for these words...what are we becoming as a society?? Are only the upper middle class with jobs, new cars and big houses acceptable and welcome in our communities/our nation?... We hear repeated so many times that we are a blessed nation because we are "One nation under God". I wonder to what nation these folks belong and pledge their allegience to. Which god(s) are they worshiping and praising in their prayers?
5. John Garvin wrote on 1/25/2011 10:42:26 AM
Matt, Thank you for this article. I needed it. Your points are very well stated and I believe they are very Bibilical. Thank you again. John
6. Mimmi Stanton wrote on 1/25/2011 10:44:02 AM
Thank You Matt for saying what so many of us are thinking... I have just finished reading the article in the News and had some of the same thoughts that you did..I just hope another site can be found.
7. Tim Lacey wrote on 1/25/2011 10:45:54 AM
I agree with you 100%. I was surprised at the decision. All they had to do was check with their neighbors in Hoover, who have a Salvation Army Thrift Store on Hwy.150. It seems it has not been a problem for them. Tell the folks at Jimmy Hale to try Homewood, and I'll go to bat for them.
8. Alex Oberneder wrote on 1/25/2011 11:02:30 AM
Amen Matt. I think the decision tells a lot about the mind-set of the Vestavia Hills city council and I believe this decision will come back and haunt them. "If you have done it unto the least one of these, you have done it unto me."
9. Rev. Dr. Kevin Higgs wrote on 1/25/2011 11:05:22 AM
Matt is right on target with his comments. I am thankful for the continuous support of Vestavia Hills UMC and Vestavia Hills Baptist church at Church of the Reconciler, where we serve the homeless as Christ was homeless. I know that the "better" folks in Vestavia Hills will make their voices heard on this issue.
10. Beth wrote on 1/25/2011 11:19:49 AM
Well said Matt! I'm proud of you! God Bless.
11. Mary Gleason wrote on 1/25/2011 11:20:10 AM
Matt, thanks for speaking up quickly for all of us. In Alabaster, it is often a matter of pride to be able to say , "I got it at the Thrift Store." Our children furnished their college dwellings, their clothes, good books, often neat surprises, there. Those Vestavia folks really misunderstand who the "clientele" will be, don't they ! What an ugly statement their denial of the project has turned into.
12. Gene Lacey wrote on 1/25/2011 11:26:18 AM
Thank you Matt for bringing this to our attention. We live in Alabaster and the Thrift Store has doubled in size over the past several years. Many people not just the undesirables shop there. This store is good for the whole community. Thanks again.
13. Amelia Sims wrote on 1/25/2011 12:04:36 PM
Well said, Matt. However, I do find it very telling that our own COKESBURY store is located right smack in the middle of Vestavia. I think if we are going to be pointing fingers we need to realize that some of those are going to be pointing to ourselves. Why isn't Cokesbury located say in West End? Downtown Birmingham? Even here in Irondale on the outskirts of Garden City?
14. Hal Noble wrote on 1/25/2011 12:05:50 PM
Thank you Matt for directing my attention to this article in the "Birmingham News." Once again, decisions such as this one provide opportunities for us to hear where are our people in their spiritual journeys and how vital it is for us to proclaim the Good News that Christ brings to all persons. We can now speak to the need of those elected to make decisions on behalf of ALL residents. We can also be counted as one voice who speak on behalf of those who have no voice. Count me in as one of the undesirables. I thank God for the teachings and examples passed on from one generation to the next impacting and changing the course of life for the Wesleys, the original Methodist movement and millions of others. I am so thankful for all the other comments posted. You have warmed my heart today. Hal
15. Gary R. Harris wrote on 1/25/2011 12:09:30 PM
Thank you Matt! Many of the world's undesirables turn out to be some of God's great blessings as we have found here at Langdale United Methodist Church. What a great way to make Jesus real!
16. Barbara Mosley wrote on 1/25/2011 12:50:22 PM
Thank you for this reminder of what we are called to do as Christians and as United Methodists.
17. John Alexander wrote on 1/25/2011 1:19:12 PM
Proverbs 31:8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
18. Paul Peeples wrote on 1/25/2011 3:59:09 PM
Thanks Matt for your great article. I appreciate the Biblical stand that you took. My brother-in-law's Sister, Jessie, was a founder of the Jimmie Hale Mission. Thrift stores are a great thing for many people. Ual
19. Pastor Jan MCCarver wrote on 1/25/2011 4:24:36 PM
Thank you Matt for your heart and courage. When I was At Blythe Memorial 6 church combined, all being small and rural, to have a thrift store. I had the PRIVILGE to be part of the organization, and work at the store. Those 4 voters havn't seen the utter devastation of poverty nor the pinacle of the joy of giving. I pray they see Christ and find sight. Praying for you and them
20. Donna McAnnally wrote on 1/25/2011 4:46:10 PM
Thank you Matt for your righteous anger. I pray for eyes to see, ears to hear, hearts to love, and courage to live the gospel more clearly.
21. Jimmy Gilson wrote on 1/25/2011 5:50:31 PM
As a member of the Valley City Counsel, I would support anything of this nature and would be outspoken for this to be a reality in Valley, Alabama. It is our responsibility to provide for those in need and to be a keeper of our brothers.
22. Mike Harper wrote on 1/25/2011 8:17:31 PM
Matt--you are precisely correct. The denial of the Thrift Store to the Jimmie Hale Mission is a scar on our city and an offense to many of us. "Undesirable clientele," of course, is code for those who are "not like us." It seems as if we have allowed classicism to become the new racism. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Perhaps we ask one of our churches to partner with Jimmie Hale and house their store. It might bring some of the folks into our churches that we seem so slow and unable to reach.
23. Mellie Parrish wrote on 1/25/2011 9:45:58 PM
Amen, Matt and thanks for speaking up.
24. Gates Lee wrote on 1/25/2011 10:16:58 PM
I find your sympathies misplaced here. You are "theologizing" a decision made by a city council that believes the Jimmie Hale Mission thrift store was not compatible with the other businesses in the area. I suppose all the good citizens who showed up to oppose this were wrong. I support Jimmie Hale and have for years. I agree with Vestavia however that the store should not be located where planned. Contrary to popular opinion on this site you do NOT know how Christ would have voted to balance the competing interest of well meaning citizens on both sides of the issue. Shame on you for your high minded sanctimony.
25. John Alexander wrote on 1/25/2011 11:52:49 PM
Thanks again for speaking out!
26. RG Lyons wrote on 1/26/2011 5:37:58 PM
Great word Matt. Thanks for your faithfulness to the message of Jesus.
27. sally wrote on 1/26/2011 6:36:29 PM
Although this is unfortunate, it d oes not surprise me. Your absolutely right in how Jesus would respond. Without going into great detail, myself and my family have been characterized in the 'Undesirable Catagory' by a certain member of UMC in Oak Mountain. It is completely wrong, and needless to say grossly judgemental. Also according to scripture, as you were quoting, God spues out luke warm 'christians'. It's a shame when people pretend to come-off as so Christ-like, however when it really comes down to it, they are nothing at all like Jesus.
28. Dave Barnhart wrote on 1/28/2011 1:30:31 PM
Amen, Matt! Classism always tries to hide behind the rhetorical smokescreen of economic policy. Christians who fail to connect what they hear on Sunday morning with real life desperately need Jesus.
29. R. T. Tidwell wrote on 1/28/2011 3:51:19 PM
You mentioned that you assume the 4 members of the City Council were "religious," and even assuming that they may be "professing" Christians, it doesn't mean that they actually "possess" what Jesus offers. Sadly, there are many church members who think and vote the world's way and have no idea of what Christ would do! God bless the ministry and deal with the Council members!
30. Larry Durham wrote on 1/30/2011 11:19:18 PM
Right on, Matt! Thanks. As a citizen of Vestavia Hills, I share the dismay expressed by 28 of your 29 respondents. To #24 and others who profess to be concerned about the character and appearance of our community, I would respectfully point out that directly across Highway 31 from the location of the proposed thrift store is an "antiques and interiors" mall (i.e., used stuff) in the former Ethan Allen store. It even has quite an array of "decor-debris" on its front and side porches visible from the highway. So much for the proposed thrift store's not being "compatibile with the other businesses in the area." Hypocrisy is neither a personal nor a civic virtue. Hopefully, this issue will be re-visited by the Vestavia Hills City Council. Keep up your good work, Matt!
31. Gloria Holt wrote on 1/31/2011 3:34:52 PM
Thank you Matt for putting many of our thoughts into words. Recalling Jesus words: "whatever you do to one of the least of these, you do to me" is the bottom line here.