Posted on 04/25/2005 7:59:46 AM PDT by NotchJohnson
Cites concerns about Roman Catholics, other faiths
KEN GARFIELD Staff Writer
One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.
Central Church of God explained its decision in a letter March 1 from minister of evangelism Shannon Burton to Loaves & Fishes in Charlotte: "As a Christian church, we feel it is our responsibility to follow closely the (principles) and commands of Scripture. To do this best, we feel we should abstain from any ministry that partners with or promotes Catholicism, or for that matter, any other denomination promoting a works-based salvation."
Loaves & Fishes isn't the only ministry with which the Sardis Road mega-church has cut ties, and Catholics have not been the only reason they've given.
The Rev. Tony Marciano, executive director of Charlotte Rescue Mission, said Burton told him the church could no longer support the agency after it allowed three Muslim students from UNC Charlotte to help serve a meal at the uptown ministry in November. Founded in 1938 by eight businessmen, including Charlotte-born evangelist Billy Graham's father, Charlotte Rescue Mission offers Christ-centered residential care for people fighting drugs and alcohol.
Doug Hartjes, director of development for Crisis Assistance Ministry in Charlotte, said Central Church of God told them it will not provide financial support this year. Crisis Assistance provides emergency financial aid and other help to people. Hartjes said 200 congregations representing Christian, Jewish and other faiths donate money and volunteer time, as do people with no religious affiliation.
The church also ended funding for Love Inc., which provides services for the poor, elderly and disabled in Mecklenburg County.
The decision by Central Church of God isn't likely to cripple the ministries. Loaves & Fishes executive director Beverly Howard said the church has donated a total of $36,000 the past 11 years, plus volunteers and food. Marciano said the church gave Charlotte Rescue Mission $5,500 in 2004 -- a small part of the mission's annual budget of $3 million. Hartjes declined comment, citing the policy of honoring the privacy of donors.
But whatever its practical impact, the Central Church decision is likely to provoke debate over ecumenical cooperation, or the lack of it, in a city that prides itself on its many vibrant congregations -- and the notion that they generally get along.
Anna Burton, a spokesperson for Central Church of God and the minister's wife, said church leaders decline comment, letting the letter speak for itself. She said there was no animosity toward any of the organizations.
Howard said Loaves & Fishes receives support from 100 to 150 congregations each year, and that Central Church of God is the only one to pull out over the food pantry's partnership with other congregations. Jewish and Muslim congregations help, as do 10 to 15 Catholic parishes to which Central objected.
"It absolutely did shock us," Howard said. "We had no idea Central Church felt that way about ecumenical ministry."
Howard said Loaves & Fishes last year gave away a week's worth of food to 70,000 recipients. She said that's a mission all people should embrace.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Charlotte released a statement to the Observer Friday, saying, "This apparent attempt to divide the faith community is most unfortunate."
The statement sought to explain the Catholic position on what it means to be saved:
"As Catholics we firmly believe that Salvation for the world came through the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through his Passion, Jesus Christ has already completed the work of salvation. Jesus calls us to love one another and that love must demonstrate itself in good works. Engaging in good works is putting your faith into action. We earnestly hope that we can sit down with fellow Christians at the Central Church of God and clarify our mutual understanding of God's word as put forth in the Scriptures."
The Rev. Conrad Hoover of St. Ann Catholic Church in Charlotte stressed that you are not saved solely by good works.
"Catholics believe it is indeed by faith in Jesus Christ," Hoover said. "We really are biblically grounded."
With some 6,000 members -- and often more than that packing Sunday morning services -- Central Church of God on Sardis Road is known for its huge crowds and electrifying sermons by the Rev. Loran Livingston. Crowds are so big at one of the nation's largest Church of God congregations that buses drive people to worship from the parking lot at Providence Day School and Charlotte Country Day.
In the letter to Loaves & Fishes, obtained by the Observer, Central's Burton tried to end on a positive note:
"I hope and pray you receive this as intended -- in love," Burton wrote. "Thank you in advance for your understanding in this matter, and if you should have any questions, feel free to give me a call."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Reach Ken Garfield at (704) 358-5094.
Now there's a dumb move on this church's part. Oh, well...
Are they going deny feeding the needy who happen to be Catholic also?
Idiots. People who preach about the God's word but never read it.
Aren't Catholic priests generally refered to as "Father", as in Father Flannigan (of Boys Town fame)?
May be adressed as "Father" in speech, but the proper written title is "Reverend or Rev."
" To do this best, we feel we should abstain from any ministry that partners with or promotes Catholicism, or for that matter, any other denomination promoting a works-based salvation." "
Yeah, it's much easier sitting on one's pious ass claiming to be 'Saved' whilst doing nothing to help your fellow man and actively dis-engaging from those people who do actually 'walk the walk'.
Jesus weeps.
Go here http://www.loavesandfishes.org/donate.htm if you think it's more important to feed hungry people than to stifle the Papist heresy.
Is this a Church of God, Cleveland, Tennessee, or a Church of God, Anderson, Indiana? Understandable if it's Indiana because they think that Rome is Babylon the Great in Revelation, and are really suspicious of Catholics for that reason. Don't know if the Cleveland group thinks that way too or not. Just how big is this big Church of God? You don't usually hear of big ones, at least west of the Mississippi you don't.
Interestingly enough, it appears that this 6000-member church doesn't even have a web site. I guess the internet is the work of Satan or something.
I also guess this "minister" has neglected to read the book of "James", too. Ah, well...
Charlotte, NC
This is a Tennessee Church of Got, apparently.
I was mistaken. It took me a minute, but this "Christian" church does have a website, just in case anyone wants to contact them about their miserly action.
http://www.centralchurchofgod.org/
What does your church do that you would reccommend for this church?
Being religious and doing good things won't get a person into heaven...Some Protestant churches (Christians) believe the Bible when it says that salvation is thru Faith (that Jesus is your savior) without works, lest any man should boast...And-That no one can come to the Father but by Me (Jesus)
Be difficut to covey that message when standing arm in arm with muzlims, hindus, etc...
I concur with the sentiments of the 'renegade' church...
"What does your church do that you would reccommend for this church?"
As you know very well, I do not have a church. It is, of course, this church's right not to donate to this charity. That does not mean I cannot say that their decision is stupid, and that it is based on a poor understanding of the Bible.
I don't understand a word you just said.
I see no problem with their decision or that statement. If that's what they choose to believe, that's their belief. This nation of states still does allow us to believe in Christ without paying some sort of homage to the guy in the white hat doesn't it? As every major religious leader in the past few weeks has literally fawned over the great things John Paul II has done?
"It absolutely did shock us," Howard said. "We had no idea Central Church felt that way about ecumenical ministry."
And for the record, I'm not too much on ecumenical ministry either. My beliefs do not mesh with Islam, Catholicism, and several of the Protestant faiths. Does that mean if I don't work with them to spread their version of the truth through ministry of food, etc. I'm somehow miserly?
Yeah, thats the way to convert people. Shun them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.