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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
You know they should read a book called "When Bad Christians Happen to Good People" by Dave Burkett it would make some sense of this nonsense.
You are not the arbiter of the truth. What you said was a lie even if you believed it.
"Sorry, I don't practice that."
It was a joke, sorry.
"Uh......so, how do you expect to bring them to Christ if you don't interact with them?"
Because it isn't about Christ to them, it's about denominations. Consider what a person thinking about Christ would have to do before accepting Him. Which "denomination" will I accept? Which church is really Christian? Could you IMAGINE being close to conversion, and going online, asking questions of people about which church represents Christ? Most will tell you only they do, and badmouth and gossip about other churches instead of telling you what Christs' criteria is.
The reason I don't attend church is because of this. "Churchians" tell ME I am not a Christian if I don't attend church, or if I don't support their political views.
No wonder the establishment hated Martin Luther.
Pretty personal there, aren't you?
Care to reference any "truths" I claimed?
That's rich coming from the arbiter of the truth.
I took it that way. I'm just a bit under the weather today. You certainly owe me no apologies.
At least, as long as you don't condemn Mormons along with Catholics, Jews and Muslims.
8-)
"At least, as long as you don't condemn Mormons along with Catholics, Jews and Muslims. "
Hardly. I'm both amused and saddened at those who do. I despise this type of piety.
I hope that someday you will have the fullness of the Gospel.
"You're making a mistake if you think that anyone in their right mind who was a believer would care what an atheists "understanding" of the bible was."
I respectfully disagree, having been an atheist myself most of my life. If we are to bring people to Christ, we should care very much how unbelievers view us, and understand the bible.
"Care to reference any "truths" I claimed?"
No - that was just a bit of advice. Your technique being used here doesn't appear to be a very good way of 'preaching the Word/Gospel' (sorry, I don't remember the exact phrase you used).
Again, WWJD? Well, I don't think he'd use the pious tactice you're using but rather attempt to civilly engage in debate.
But what the hell do I know?
"Hardly. I'm both amused and saddened at those who do. I despise this type of piety."
I believe God despises this kind of piety too!
Great! Now you know why I like to dance!
Absolutely true.
"If these misguided people want to really make a statement, they would end all co-operation with anything attached to the World Council Of Churches ... that Whore Babylon."
Uh huh. And any world leader who tries to make peace between warring nations and cooperates with other religions is evil because the anti-Christ comes in peace? How many times in history have human interpretations of Revelation been wrong? How many really decent people have been called the anti-Christ by misguided Christians? I can think of one who just passed away..... Oh, you were wrong! The Pope didn't get a head wound and arise from the dead!
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