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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
If you have to ask, is it really free? What an interesting distinction some Protestants make between what is and is not a "work."
"You insulted everyone, and you are leaving for the wrong reason. You should leave out of politeness."
Well, I finished my work and, out of politeness, I'm back to respond to messages.
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...
According to the Master's teaching, in order to become great we are to be the servant of ALL, which, I would think, includes Catholics, et al.
It sounds like they're just interested in being so different and better than others that they're in a league (as in depth) of their own.
If they didn't want to participate, why not just do so in private and out of the light of publicity? But, by engaging in this type of public justification, they are not advancing the Kingdom of God at all. In fact, they're doing more damage to it.
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.
Yep, it's great to be free enough to point out what a hypocrite you are.
You quoting the bible is so far past ludicrous it's pathetic.
You don't seem to be bright enough to understand how moronic your comments are on this subject.
If atheists were capable of shame, you would be ashamed of yourself.
I found these for starters. They certainly seemed insulting to me... and not very subtle...
That pretty much says it all.
This boils more down to what they believe the bible says instead of just doing it as unto the Lord and letting the chips fall where they may.
Acceptance is a requirement for a correct understanding. Someone who rejects the Bible will see two passages and say: Look! A contradiction, see I am right!
Someone who accepts the Bible will see the same two passages, and say: That's interesting. Are there other passages or an explanation that will reconcile them?
And if we do we ignore the commandment to not yoke ourselves unevenly with unbelievers. Or do we not accept all of the New Testament as the inspired Word of God? All the commandments Christ gave are true and should be followed. However, with the understanding that we should follow the commandments given to us by the Holy Spirit as well.
If a Muslim group or atheist group chooses to do good works that's fine and I applaud them for it. I will continue to do good works as well. But should I donate money to a charity as a church goer that I know will not spread the word of Christ but rather some mealy mouthed pseudo-gospel?
You can skip mine if you like. I do not care what you think about these matters.
Ping me to a thread where you have some credibility, I'd be happy to chat with you on a topic where your opinion matters. Like I said, you have no dog in this fight.
Those experts generally consult the opinions and writings and arguments of believers of the faith.
For example, Jan Schipps, a Methodist, relies heavily upon the writings of faithful Mormons in her studies and insights of Mormon theology and scripture. She approaches Mormon sacred texts from the POSITION of a BELIEVING Mormon.
If you do the same as an atheist: operate from the presumption the Bible is a correct and true work, then you can be a legitimate expert in the book. Do you?
Don't go there, MM. I, too, am a supporter of the Confederacy but that shouldn't matter in this debate.
Good for you! I donate strictly to my own Church because I am fully aware of where my donations go and how it is spent. I am free to donate anywhere, but I choose not to.
You have something specific you want to tell me? Or are you just posting to keep the pot stirred?
"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."
What about Jews who don't accept Christ? Why do Christians work with Jews then, but not Catholics who accept Christ as Lord and Savior? It really depends on the era and culture.
We used to force Jews and Pagans to convert. Now we are hurling hatred at Muslims and Atheists. Some use religion to justify evil and hatred toward others. Yes, some Muslims do this as well, but Christ did not say "tit for tat" he said love your enemies and turn the other cheek. It seems to me that the everlasting word of Christ has little meaning to some. Human nature dicatates how we interpret the bible. If we want to hate, we say "an eye for an eye," while true Christians recognize the new Covenant, love their enemies and turn the other cheek.
That's why I call muself "followerofChrist" because it is Christ, not organized religion (which is too often been used to wield power toward political ends) which I try to follow.
Bigoted ignorance abounds.
Yes, it was Christ himself that told the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Agreed. I think a lot of His sermons would start along the lines of: Wo unto ye Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians and Pentecostals... probably followed up with some reference to white sephulcres being filled with bones and corruption on the inside.
>>not organized religion
All religion is organized.. Even yours.. Unless you stay home, pray by yourself, and follow your own organization of scripture, you participate in organized religion.
Even your theology is organized and systemized...
No, it boils down to what the Word says
1) Be a cheerful giver
2)Feed those less fortunate than us
3)Do not associate or yoke yourselves to unbelievers
4)Spread the word of Christ
There is nothing wrong with charity. What is upsetting so many is that this church has deemed is a leading by the Holy Spirit and reading God's Word to do. And that this leading leads it away from ecumenical nonsense. They should accept others through God's Love. But there is a big difference between accepting and condoning.
Is it wrong? I don't know. But I don't believe it is. But I see nothing in the article that suggests it won't continue in its giving nature. All I see is that the church has decided to change its position on who and where to give.
How many would be upset if a church decided to stop giving to a charity that was also supported by a belief in total contradiction to Christianity? Would they be wrong then? To a Christian, anyone that is not following the saving gospel of Christ is just as lost as the other. Are we going to now condemn churches who follow what they believe if we disagree with it? So much for freedom of religion. Buy into ecumenical crap or you're thrown on the PC fire. And this on a conservative website...
You aren't too good at figuring.
Which would imply that he is insulted quite frequently indeed...
It would imply that you have been repudiated on other threads and brought your long simmering agenda here. It took me a while to figure that out.
Well, I'm sure I would be in line for admonishment. But, all we can do is try to follow His commandments.
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