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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
Your church is operating in the Spirit that Christ told us too. "What you have done to the least of these brethren you have done unto Me also." I think He smiles on your church with His favor and approval.
Right, because I never used it. Christians are called to spread the good news, not convert people.
WWJD? Well, I don't think he'd use the pious tactice you're using but rather attempt to civilly engage in debate.
Pious? I'm not even spreading the gospel here. A poster who describes himself in his tag line as a "Godless atheist", comes on a thread like this to tell us all about how Christians are supposed to interact and I called him on it as insulting. That is all. Some think he is a great person to be taking advice on Christian matters from. I don't.
But what the hell do I know?
Not much if you think Jesus liked to civilly debate the topics. I must have missed those references in the bible. Maybe you can point them out. I' d like to learn that.
That's next week. The week after that, they'll be going after the Elks, Masons and the Rotary Club.
I hope the same for you.
I hope we are being smiled at - even though we are dying out. Thanks for your kind words.
View us, not advise us on what the bible means and what we should do. BTW, they view us as idiots.
BTW, please reference the insults I made. thank you.
Amazing. I have no religion. That does not mean I do not have a clear understanding of good and evil, nor does it mean that I have no clearly defined morality.
Like the Samaritan. There are multitudes of good, moral people who are not Christians. My difference with you is that I believe Christ writes the truth on your heart and that you will, in time, see where that goodness comes from.
If that's not "works-based salvation," I don't know what is.
BTW, I don't disagree with him on scripture, I reject his input entirely.
He rejects the bible.
And this forum is fine for me, perhaps it's too coarse for you if you don't like to read my posts about arrogant "Godless Atheists" telling me all about Christianity.
No, billbears, it doesn't mean that you're miserly but perhaps a little ignorant as to the words of Jesus.
Once, the disciples told Jesus that they tried to stop a man who was casting out demons in the Lord's name. Jesus reprimanded them for doing so because, as He said, "Those who are not against us is for us." (Luke 9:49-51)
While we may not agree as to doctrine, we should all agree to help those in need, even if that means working alongside a Muslim, Jew or athiest. Such selfless serving may lead to the conversions of people who would otherwise hate us for being arrogant in our "salvation."
Paul was speaking of Rabbinical traditions. Oh, and Jesus set down a whole bunch of things a person had to do to prove they had "come unto Him."
Faith and works are two sides of the same coin. You won't do the works without the faith, and without the faith, the works are meaningless, but to say that Christ requires nothing but a verbal profession (and why isn't that a work?) shows a very sloppy reading of scripture.
They may be to him, in fact, if he truly believes in his non belief, he wouldn't care a whit what I thought about atheism. It would be irrelevant to him.
The topic here isn't atheism, it's how different Christians should interact. I don't care what he thinks. You may, Oh well.
There was a Rosanne episode, where the son DJ comes home and asks Dan and Roseanne what religion they are. After some hemming and hawing, Roseanne says, "Yeah, we're the religion that says to be good, love your neighbor, and to be nice to everyone..." after which Dan adds, "Yeah, but we're not practicing."
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