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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
What if you prefer not to give to charities which you aren't sure *are* Christian, again due to the leading of the Holy Spirit?
Christians who think that they're better than other Christians because they have a "P" in front of their religion aren't really behaving like Christians IMO. Some of these Southern "Churches" are little better than cults and are best avoided.
Anyway, like I said, you are boring when you ask me questions like those. So I have no interest in you.
If however, you want to expound on all your beliefs and non beliefs about God, I would be interested.
So address that, or don't bother to post to me.
"So, what do you think they are doing when they say grace? Are they talking to themselves?"
"So address that, or don't bother to post to me.
"
My! What an arrogant position you take! Since this is not your forum, how can you suggest that someone should not post to you. If you participate in a thread, every member of Free Republic may post messages to you in that thread.
You are free to ignore such posts, but you have no authority to insist that they not make them. Sorry, Protagoras, but sophistry does not work here.
I think some so-called born again's think that if they only fit the name "Jesus" in a prayer enough times that SHAZAMMMM...they're saved!
I've got relavtives like this who claim to be oh so Christian, yet have lied their way into govt dissability pensions......feigning the use of a cane up until the SS claim was approved......
this past year I have changed the way we say prayers at my house anyway when we have company....before meals....when together, we would hold hands and say grace, which always included the lenghty and pious pleadings to Jesus......which was okay....however....
I am Catholic and so is my husband and from now on, we just start in with the traditional Catholic "Blesses Us OH Lord" and then perhaps get the other pleadings in.....whatever they might be....
I am tired of always putting my faith last....
So, what about the bible? Who was Jesus?
So let me get htis right, I take an arrogant position so I'm arrogant,,right????
"Everyman his own pope."
Sorry, Godless atheist, but goofy comments do not work here. LOL
Thank God you aren't like those sinners.
So there is a deity? I mean , there either is or there ain't. Which is it?
Do your thing hall monitor!! LOL
Not a bit. I would just see it for what it is if you came on a Christian thread and attempted to tell Chirsitians how they should treat each other according to the scriptures. An attempt to insult Christians by pretending they are dumb enough to listen to someone like you about such matters.
Trust the Holy Spirit.
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