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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
To: MineralMan
Me thinks this one is a shyster lawyer. In my experience, only a shyster lawyer would ask the old "When did you quit beating your wife?" question.
439 posted on 04/26/2005 3:35:59 PM CDT by Old Mountain man (Extremism in defense of liberty is no vice!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 426 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
You are the one that is insulted my a statement that I will be praying for all here.
There is an easy way to notify the moderator, if you wish to. I asked the moderator to clarify something...whether calling a denomination a cult was acceptable. I did so publicly. He deleted your message and the one I posted, which quoted your message. That indicates to me that calling a denomination a cult is not permissable.
If you have something you wish to point out to a moderator, then click Report Abuse, or include Admin Moderator in the address line of a post. It's your call, not mine.
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!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
A lot of folks, children mostly, call the hall monitors when they run out of intelligent things to say.
Protesting protestantism?
Yes, they do. Others call the moderators when there is a question regarding the rules of the forum. I do that from time to time, to make sure I understand the rules correctly.
I also do it in the case where a rule is broken in a way that could damage Free Republic, such as a threat against a public official, an advocacy of some illegal act, or other such situations.
I do not do so when I, myself am attacked personally. I prefer to leave such attacks visible, so others can see them. Often, however, someone else clicks Report Abuse, and those attacks are removed.
The rules here are simple: You can see them every time you post a message here:
"Please: NO profanity, NO personal attacks, NO racism or violence in posts."
So why haven't you called the mods on your buddy the mountain man?
And you took that as an insult?
"Protesting protestantism?"
Me? Not at all. I just thought it was dumb of this church to withdraw those funds and to say that it was because there were Catholics involved. That seems silly and counter-productive.
Apparently it seemed that way to the actual Pastor of that church, since he reversed his subordinate's decision. I suspect a reprimand was made, as well.
Because I haven't attacked anyone.
I'd rather converse with the Godless atheist and the Mormon guy.
You know, our Church doesn't ask about religion when we are in the middle of disaster relief. Seems like their head pastor has read the book also.
Oh, I see.
And telling Christians they aren't Christians because they don't belong to your group isn't an attack?
Oh, I see.
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!) [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 96 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
Well, little man, you happily accused my church of being a cult. That is definitely an insult.
Praying for other people could not be considered an insult except by a liberal socialist shyster lawyer. Does that fit you?
"So why haven't you called the mods on your buddy the mountain man?"
Because I did not. You have the same button I do, and the same ability. I believe you are enjoying this whole thing way too much.
But, that's beside the point. My wife's parents are just about to arrive. I'm preparing a crown roast of lamb for dinner tonight, with Minnesota wild rice and some baby green peas.
I need to get a start on that, so I'll be leaving for the day. Best of luck to you, Protagoras. Be well...
Really? You admitted it! BTW, I ain't your little man.
Praying for other people could not be considered an insult except by a liberal socialist shyster lawyer. Does that fit you?
You accused people of not being Christians because they aren't in your little group, but you don't think that's an insult because you pretend to pray for them.
Delusional in more ways than the obvious one.
Now you call me a liberal socialist shyster lawyer and that's not an attack?
But I do understand what you are doing. You are trying to get this thread pulled so all your posts disappear. I don't blame you for that, they cry out to vanish.
Be sure to pray before you eat. Oh,,never mind.
The only thing I admitted to were two definitions from Websters, the organized religion ones. I presume you are also a member of a cult, using that definition.
Are you a member of a cult?
What denomination do you belong to?
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