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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
"I'll rephrase, IMO, all believers should be insulted when a person who thinks you are stupid and childish tells you how to interact with each other."
So if the Good Samaritan had told the believers who passed by the ailing man that their scripture says to help their neighbor, then the "religious" should all be insulted?
Ro 2:14(Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15since they show that the requirements of the law are written
on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.)
TRUE.
However, it should be noted that in the event of a disaster, we often cooperate.
Christians "turning the other cheek" and ignoring the plight of fellow Christians is how Islam subjugated Arabia, southeast Asia and northern Africa.
We've reached the point where we've turned the other cheek so often that now we're spreading them.
So when Jesus fed the 5,000 he would have said, Well if you are from Central Church of God in Charlotte, we will not feed you?
I didn't write it. The definition applies to his belief system. If it applies to others, oh well. Some on the thread thought it was an insult, I never insulted anyone when I said it, I merely stated the definition.
Bill, if joining with people of other beliefs to help feed and clothe people is being "unequally yoked," then Jesus would be guilty of as well. Jesus went to the houses of sinners, as well as Pharisees. Did this mean that Jesus was "unequally yoked?" Of course not.
Jesus did so in order that people could witness the Kingdom of God in the flesh and to share the word of life with them. Funny, how the ones who complained the most were the religious folks.
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.
Please advise of one commandment that the Holy Spirit gave throughout Scripture? And, if He did, where would it contradict those of Jesus?
It sounds to me as if you're trying to justify your actions (or inactions) by claiming that the Holy Spirit "commanded" you to do or not to do something. Is that accurate?
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?
The word of Christ is best shared when those who represent Christ is present helping to pull the load. In doing so, as I stated earlier, that person or organization who claims Christ as their motivation, can flesh it out before them.
To pull away, as this organization did, is to declare to all that we are superior and exclusive, which is not representative of Christ or His Body.
Finally, I'm convinced that the Lord is more concerned that a cup of cold water is actually given to those in need of such than with the fact that we have to check with our standard of beliefs as to whether or not to do good.
"Keep going with this thought. What is it that gets you into heaven?"
According to which religion? Christianity believes that believe in Jesus as the savior does it. Other religions have different paths to similar afterlife situations. Some religions don't have any sort of Heaven. Christianity is the religion of less than 1/3 of the world's population, so 2/3 doesn't believe that Jesus offers any salvation.
Religion is a complex issue, and specifics are required if it's to be discussed, as we can see by this thread. Some Christians don't believe that other Christians are really Christian, it seems.
Me, I don't profess any religion at all, so it's clear that I don't believe in any sort of afterlife. Heaven is irrelevant to me, generally, as is reincarnation, nirvana, or any of the other concepts.
For me, this life is the only one I get, so I need to make it count. When I lie on my deathbed, I want to be able to look back on my life and know that I did the best I could to live it morally. So far, I'm doing OK, with just a few moral transgressions, for which I have tried to make recompense to those I may have injured in some way.
I keep working on it. Someday, I will have to face my life, and want that day to be a good one.
To: Protagoras
Yes, I pray often for all you protestants and catholics. I pray that someday you can come to Christ.
100 posted on 04/25/2005 11:50:44 AM CDT by Old Mountain man (Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice!)
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I'm Catholic, but take more of an offense to banning the rescue mission because of the Muslim servers, to tell you the truth. That's so off the wall it could qualify as an admission application to a mental institution.
If it applies to us, it applies to you. Imagine, a religion founded by a protester!
"Thanks for sharing, but I never did anything rem,otely like that, so why you are telling me is anyone's guess."
Just telling my story, sorry if you thought I was referring to you. I can be offensive in defense of others, but in the future, know that no insult is intended.
Of course not, bill, but the manner in which this group publicly declared their break smacked of politics in the heighest degree.
They are only trying to advance THEMSELVES at the expense of others. That's NOT being representative of the character of Christ.
This has nothing to do with freedom of religion but rather freedom from religion or rather religiosity.
So go consult instead. Ask the Godless atheist how to live out the bible. Learn from him, he rejects the bible, but he knows how you should treat other Christians. Have at it!
"I agree the music is beautiful. I attended an evening candlelight worship service in Moscow over Christmas."
Yes. Some years ago, I stayed at a retreat hose in Massachusets...Bethany, I think it was...where the monks use Gregorian Chant all day long. It was most enjoyable and pleasant to be there during that week.
The church wrote a private letter to the food charity...how is that "publicly declared"?
I'm also not the person who came on this thread and said that Protestants and Catholics weren't Christians, so the whole insult thing is on the person who did that. The same person who said they were in possession of the truth and others weren't.
"retreat hose" should be "retreat house." My bad.
Wow, who said that? Sounds like someone with major issues.
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