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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
I'm pretty sure I wouldn't give money to a Catholic ministry either because too many of the Catholic church's teachings are not in line with the Word.
Surely every conservative understands charity is exactly that--CHARITY--of which the voluntary aspect is essential.
There are lots of charities to choose from out there.
I didn't put words in your mouth. I gave you advice just like you gave me advice. It seem fair enough. We are all trying for the same result right?
BTW, I didn't attack you, you came on the thread and claimed all Protestants and Catholics weren't Christians. How very humble of you. YOU claimed that, I merely asked you how you knew we were all failures but whatever you were practicing made you a Christian.
Actually, I didn't see anything in the news story that said that Loaves and Fishes sent any press release. It seems like all the writing came from the other church.
If I missed something, please let me know, but this sounds like a story written by a newspaper reporter. Since it also mentioned other organizations no longer receiving money from this church, I doubt that any press release was issued from Loaves and Fishes.
"We are expected to take care of all of God's people no matter who they are."
Well-said, except it's so much easier to claim that one is 'SAVED' instead of actually living your faith...
It's perfect. It shows who you really worship, yourself. As all atheists do.
No more than you would give to a Mormon charity . . . oops, those folks wouldn't ask you, would they? They sort of handle their own problems and try to help others where they can.
No wonder you don't believe in Jesus.
"I can do that without believing in the divinity of Jesus. "
So do millions of Jews!
"" 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." "
I agree with you. During the 3 years I lived in Georgia, every Christian denomination showed up at my door to save my soul, EXCEPT Catholics. Where were the Catholics? Physically helping the poor by manning the charities, collecting food, taking people to doctor appointments, etc. The Catholics were too busy to waste their time on door-to-door preaching.
"But hey - he's "SAVED" so he can be a pious phony 'minister' in his wonderful, multi-million dollar 'megachurch' while others go starving. Just as long as he doesn't have to hang around those evil Catholics!!
"
Well, I don't think I'd go that far, frankly. I'm sure he believes what he is saying regarding the Catholics. I've met many people who feel that way...wrongly, I believe.
But, as you said, that's not reason to withhold funds which are going to feed the hungry, IMO. It makes a splashy statement, I guess, and will probably increase the size of his congregation, but I still think it's stupid.
Given that the Roman Catholic Church is, by far, the largest denomination of Christianity and one of the oldest, I find it rather odd that some folks declare it to be non-Christian and quote the II Corinthians verse that calls for Christians not to be linked to unbelievers.
Clearly, the Roman Catholic Church is a Christian church, and is the predecessor of all the Protestant sects. One can disagree with some of its doctrines, certainly, but to imply that it is not a Christian church stretches credulity.
Indeed.
Rush said we should watch the attacks on the Catholic Church begin now that there is a new pope. He was right, as usual.
12All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. 14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.) 16This will take place on the day when God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ, as my gospel declares.
"Rush said we should watch the attacks on the Catholic Church begin now that there is a new pope. He was right, as usual."
There was a lot of this anti-Catholic nonsense in the threads during the election of the new Pope. Most of those messages got pulled at that time.
Few things seem sillier to me than Christians fighting with Christians over petty doctrinal issues. Yet, that has been the history of the faith since the Reformation, and even before.
Just look at Northern Ireland, where this nonsense has been the cause of so many deaths. Utter silliness.
Interesting. So the head minister of this church is not backing the decision of his employee. Sounds like someone acted without the proper authority in pulling those contributions.
That happens a lot, I guess. But I'm glad to hear that the leader of the church corrected most of the errors.
Well, are you going to tell me that if you were in a horrible storm, everything was lost and a Mormon walked by and offered you food and drink, you would not take it?
I wonder if this church is familiar with these two commands and principles from Scripture:
Matthew 25: 31 - 46
Luke 9:49 -50
Sure looks to me like L&F sent their letter to the local newspaper and they ran with it, apparently doing some investigations into other letters that were sent.
It won't keep them from quoting it to you however. And interpreting it.
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