Allentown Homeless Be Shelterless This Winter?

Rev. Richard Baumann is resigning from Allentown's St. Paul's Lutheran Church over differences with the congregation. He indicated they had differences over the way he did his "community-based ministry". No doubt the biggest bugaboo was his staunch support of the church's homeless shelter during the winter months called 'Safe Haven'. Critics didn't like the way it was run.

One thing can be said however. No one was turned away. That may not be the case this winter if 'Safe Haven' no longer exist. You see there are those who believe either you run things the right way or not at all. Here's the problem with that. "Not at all" is not an acceptable option for the 275 homeless who had no place other to go in the cold last winter (2013-2014).

Doing things the "right way" could end up costing as much as five times more then Rev. Baumann did it for. Critics may complain about overcrowding, having to sleep on floors or having little to no supervision, but hell at least they were indoors. Something that won't happen for these 275+ homeless if "doing things the right way" can't get the funding they estimated will be needed.

So the question boils down to this that only the homeless should answer. Would they rather have what some call a crappy place to sleep indoors. Or few to none, if sponsors can't find the needed funding? This could leave many more of them to fend for themselves then last year.

Under Rev Baumann's ministry St. Paul's adapted to the needs of the poor and minorities in center city Allentown. St. Paul's is the last of the grand a glorious churches that were among several in downtown Allentown in it's better days. It didn't shutdown shop or move to the suburbs like several other churches which abandoned downtown Allentown seeking a more lucrative congregation.

I'm not sure what direction this church intends to go, but with the news of Rev. Richard Baumann resignation it doesn't bode well for Allentown's most vulnerable. I certainly have no way of knowing if this is their intent but perhaps the congregation wants to gentrify itself with a bit of the new promised wealth the NIZ is expected to bring downtown, eh? Time will tell. We shall see.. shalln't we?

Kind of a no brainer question...
What would Jesus want them to do?

Red Sovine- "If Jesus Came To Your House"



UPDATED
(10/07/2014)
WFMZ is reporting, "A homeless shelter that can accommodate at least 50 people will open in the middle of Allentown on Nov. 1"