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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
See #199
I can tell you didn't read what i posted or the context of it in Galatians.
"I do not believe the issue is a matter of anyone "paying homage" to anyone else, or to any other "Church". The joint effort is not a "missionary" effort to "spread their version of the truth through ministry". As individuals and as contributing churches the joint effort of helping the poor is a mutual expression that comes, individually, from the persons and from each church, as an expression of something they feel called to do - helping the poor. It is not an effort that makes any attempt to say "I endorse you" or "you must endorse me". It is a mutual effort that endorses something they each feel called, in their own way, to do."
Refusing to work with other denominations is about pride (a sin), not faith. Many churches compete with one another, it seems, for tithes, rather than working together for universal salvation and charity. Within 25 square miles of my town, there are several churches. A large, well funded Baptist church, a tiny, home-based Pentescostal church, a larger Pentescostal church, a Kingdom Hall (Jehavoah's Witnesses), a Catholic church, a non-denominational church and a 7th day Adventist church.
Guess who cooperates for purposes of charity and gets the most done in the community? Roger, a lay pastor, who runs his Pentacostal church from his home (and has a huge cross on his mountain). He goes to town weekly and collects food for the needy, and distributes it to the churches with food programs, refusing to involve himself in inter-denominational warfare. The large wealthy Baptist church gets little done, and they refuse to deal with Roger and the Pentacostals. The Paster doesn't believe in working with non-Baptists. But Roger has put several travel trailors on his property and welcomes people who are down and out. If I called him today and said "my neighbor has no wood," Roger would bring him wood. The lady who runs the non-denominational church delivers food and clothing, etc..to those who don't have a car, and after a fire went through the area, she found two trailor homes for poor families who were burned out. She even obtained cat food for her pets. She found a man who gave several thousands of dollars to a formerly homeless woman (a pack rat with a dream to open a thrift shop), to rent a building for it.
Which "church" does Christ like the best? I don't think it's the one with the "correct" doctrine, rites or rituals. Or the one that emphasizes prophesy. Or the one that sends people door to door. Or the ones who believe they are the only Christians.
He would like them better if they were showing His love through their actions, rather than their doctrinal pride.
I literally cannot remember how many times over the years I have heard the phrase "Faith without good works is dead". I believe that, and I also believe that you don't have to belong to a denomination to be enriched by helping those in need. I have heard good sermons on the subject of dead faith and I believe Jerry Falwell gave one of them. Never can I recall giving consideration to a need based on religious denomination. Obviously, this Charlotte church isn't hurting for money and that is not the basis for removing themselves from the ministry. It seems to me they could have just announced that they had decided to allocate their money in another area without dragging theology into it. I would bet that many of their 6000 church members are not at all pleased with this decision anyway. It's OK to set up their own soup line without making a big deal of withdrawing their paltry contribution to the existing one. They just need to be sure and put up a notice that hungry Catholics won't be allowed to take food out of the mouths of non-Catholics.
I'm not in the conversion business.
My job as a Christian is to spread the gospel. Conversion is up to the Holy Spirit.
He knows the gospel, he rejects it. I can do nothing about that. What I can do, is point out that he is rude and insulting to me, and should be to all Christians.
And I'm not trying to convert you either. I merely point out that your behavior was akin to his when you entered the thread with an insult towards believers.
What they do not understand is when you have faith with respect of persons you commit sin. The meat of the Gospel is lost on some of these simple minded.
Pardon me, but I said nothing insulting to believers. I only stated the truth of the matter as I see it.
I read it. If I didn't understand it, it wouldn't be the first time.
The job of a true Christian is to set an example, spread the Gospel wherever you can, take whatever actions you can to ease the suffering in the world. You know, like Jesus said, "even unto the least of these".
"Your condescending attitude is sickening. If atheists were capable of shame, you would be ashamed of yourself."
Most of my family are atheists or agnostics. They DO have shame and are NOT evil people because they lack faith. The truth is written on their hearts and I believe they will come to the Lord, as I did when I was an atheist. Being unkind to and insulting unbelievers will win no souls. I had many zealots try to convert me with anger and threats of hell, and it convinced me Christians were mean, crazy people. When I started meeting nice Christians my opinion of the faith got better and I read the bible more often. This showed me that Christ was being represented badly by many of His followers, and I came to admire Him. My heart opened up to Him and I accepted Him into my life.
Yeah, yeah, I know MM has said derogatory things. But Christians turn the other cheek and repay unkindness with kindness, and that is what brings shame to those without it.
Of course you did. And purposely so IMO.
I only stated the truth of the matter as I see it.
The truth isn't determined by how "you see it".
Amen.
Sorry you take the truth as an insult.
" "even unto the least of these".
What? Where's the "unless these are Catholics or Muzlims. Jesus can't STAND those guys!!" clause that this faux Christian church appears to be following?
You are hitting the nail right on the head. They are being poor stewards of the Gospel and insulting the Lord. He will cause commotion in that church to discipline these people and their faulty doctrine.
Believer or not, I would think anyone with a brain would be insulted by that sort of belittling.
Thanks for sharing, but I never did anything rem,otely like that, so why you are telling me is anyone's guess.
When I started meeting nice Christians my opinion of the faith got better and I read the bible more often.
Excellent.
This showed me that Christ was being represented badly by many of His followers, and I came to admire Him. My heart opened up to Him and I accepted Him into my life.
Great witness, thank you for sharing your witness.
Yeah, yeah, I know MM has said derogatory things. But Christians turn the other cheek and repay unkindness with kindness, and that is what brings shame to those without it.
Point well taken.
Sorry, I don't practice that.
"The truth isn't determined by how "you see it"."
Something you'd do well to remember yourself.
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