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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
Who would Jesus want most to witness to a crowd of believers or a crowd of the as-yet unbelievers? If Jesus were to "feed the multitudes" in the crowd, what would he say to a Rabi who said "let me help you"? If you believe you are trying to let God's light shine through you, why would you intentionaly want to deny that light to anyone? Didn't Jesus teach you to be not afraid for God is with you?
In this time when all people with a Christian faith have such strong secular and cultural challenges to that faith, why would a Christian seek to lift-up, advance, promote, increase "Christian" differences which only come from different, but honestly different sectarian traditions?
Is that the kind of response you see Muslims make to any and every percieved slight against any Muslim?
Small hearts express themselves through small minds.
'Being religious and doing good things won't get a person into heaven..."
Would Jesus have refused charitable works to the needy?
It's people like this that make me laugh at the claims of being 'Saved', with no offense intended towards you personally (as I have no idea of the life you lead!!).
I mean, really. WWJD?
There are many sects of the Church of God:
http://www.biblefacts.org/history/denom/chog.html
Honestly, I had never heard of it before this article.
"Be difficut to covey that message when standing arm in arm with muzlims, hindus, etc... "
Really? How about conveying Christianity's message to those folks? Pretty hard to do unless you communicate with them. What better way than to cooperate in helping others.
How do you feel about their refusing to donate to an organization because of the Catholics in it? Aren't Catholics Christians?
Right on their front page. Yeah, real miserly. Just because they choose how they should give and donate does not include ecumenical ministries (that don't even have near the same beliefs), they're miserly...
He'd splash around a bunch of vicious, snooty rhetoric about "Papist heresy," of course.
Of course they're free to donate or not donate...as they choose. Others are also free to question them. As for me, I just sent a donation to the organization they shunned. I'm free to do that. I'm also free to criticize this church for its attitudes.
You're free to ignore my criticism.
Sad.
You adherents of the religion of nothingness really should move on to other threads where someone actually might give a rats ass what you think.
32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:32-36
Some of us do this stuff cause Jesus asked us to, not because we are earning brownie points. In fact, I suspect most of us do, no matter what denomination we claim as our home.
"You adherents of the religion of nothingness really should move on to other threads where someone actually might give a rats ass what you think."
Oh, gosh...thanks for your advice. I believe, however, that I will do as I please, thanks.
DUMB was the first word that came to my mind too!
C'mon...You know this church didn't stop supporting the needy people...They just removed themselves from the catholics and muzlims in the process...They want to help the needful and give them God's plan of Salvation in the process (and they do)...To let them know the gift of Salvation is free for the asking and eternal security is a promise...
When other religions teach other than that, in my view as well, it's a good idea to remove yourself from their vicinity...
Is givingest a word? That sounds like it was something out of the Simpsons.
Who would Jesus want most to witness to a crowd of believers or a crowd of the as-yet unbelievers? If Jesus were to "feed the multitudes" in the crowd, what would he say to a Rabi who said "let me help you"? If you believe you are trying to let God's light shine through you, why would you intentionaly want to deny that light to anyone? Didn't Jesus teach you to be not afraid for God is with you?
In this time when all people with a Christian faith have such strong secular and cultural challenges to that faith, why would a Christian seek to lift-up, advance, promote, increase "Christian" differences which only come from different, but honestly different sectarian traditions?
Is that the kind of response you see Muslims make to any and every percieved slight against any Muslim?
Small hearts express themselves through small minds.
Apparently in Burton's edition of the Bible, Jesus goes around preventing sinners from doing anything good. If I was God, I'd have a special edition of heaven waiting for this loser and his followers -- where there's no food, except that served by a crew of Catholics and Muslims (and MAJOR hunger pangs).
What attitude? Say the church donates the same amount of money through another ministry that meets its Biblical standards (which it probably did). You claim WWJD and condemn the church. However the New Testament (II Corinthians 6:14) also teaches us that we should not yoke ourselves unevenly (meaning with unbelievers). If the money goes to the same purpose but through another avenue, the church's attitude is not only correct but Biblical
I like your thinking.
From James 2. I believe that book is in the King James Version of everyone's Bible:
"However the New Testament (II Corinthians 6:14) also teaches us that we should not yoke ourselves unevenly (meaning with unbelievers). "
Are Catholics unbelievers, in your mind?
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