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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
That's what I understand. And it makes a lot of sense. In reality, the Roman Catholic Church takes the same view. If you read the encyclicals that have to do with this issue, along with the current Catechism, it's clear that there's really no disagreement. That's what puzzles me about the conflict between some Protestant denominations and Roman Catholicism. I can't find a real philosophical difference, based on the statements of the RCC.
So then Mineral Man is a Protestant Atheist???
They have to define themselves in opposition to something.
And the last embers of the late 1800s Know-Nothing "These Damn Catholic immigrants are going to take over the country and hand it over to the Pope" paranoia have been surprisingly difficult to extinguish.
Neither are the texts written about "James the Just" Yesu's brother, found in the Qumran archives.
Why? Nothing matters, so why do you care?
Your entire posting on this thread is an insult.
You call them attacks, but they aren't anything except observations on the ridiculous practice of people who reject God giving advice to believers about how they should relate to each other.
29 But he, willing to ajustify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my bneighbour?
30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and awounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.
31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.
33 But a certain aSamaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had bcompassion on him,
34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took acare of him.
35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the ahost, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.
36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?
37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
I don't think Jesus is going to ask if someone is Catholic, Evangelical, Muslim, or Hindu. He asks us to have compassion for every needy person. I think it's stupid for this church to deny its resources to the needy just because fellow donaters have different beliefs. But if that's what they want to do, they have that right.
"So then Mineral Man is a Protestant Atheist???"
I like that. Maybe I'll change my tagline to reflect that. [grin]
Actually, I grew up as an avid Presbyterian, of the old Scottish variety, so theological discussions come quite naturally. I do enjoy the Tridentine Mass, though, as a religious liturgy. My favorite liturgy, however, is the Russian Orthodox liturgy, done in Church Slavonic, a relative of Russian. It is a most imposing and devout liturgy, and one which reflects the ancient nature of Christianity, perhaps the best of all I've seen.
Would you ban atheists from FR?
Your condescending attitude is sickening. If atheists were capable of shame, you would be ashamed of yourself.
Translation: Everyone's goin' to Hell but ME!!!
I think you're just annoyed that an atheist doesn't fit your mental image of an atheist and therefore you're perceiving it as condescension.
"They have to define themselves in opposition to something.
And the last embers of the late 1800s Know-Nothing "These Damn Catholic immigrants are going to take over the country and hand it over to the Pope" paranoia have been surprisingly difficult to extinguish."
I don't believe in Hinduism but I think I'll just drop by and tell the Hindus what they should think about their beliefs.
"Would you ban atheists from FR?"
Russian Orthodox liturgical music is the most astonishingly beautiful music on earth. I am not Orthodox (I attend an Assembly of God church), but I would gladly attend an Orthodox service from time to time just so I could hear that incredible music.
Uh......so, how do you expect to bring them to Christ if you don't interact with them?
I'm not sure most people would agree with that statement. After all, Jesus was scourged and crucified for his teachings. Not much of a reward for promoting the current social mores.
There's a Russian Orthodox church in Louisiana:
Holy Innocents Orthodox Church, 311 Hickory Ave., Harahan, Louisiana 70123, (504) 738-3502
Apparently they only do the traditional liturgy sometimes, but it might be worth contacting them about when you might be able to attend such a liturgy.
You're right about the music. It's wonderfully medieval in its structure. I attend once or twice a year, just for that and to hear Church Slavonic...a language even more obscure than Latin, now.
You're making a mistake if you believe that acceptance of the Bible is a prerequisite for understanding of the Bible.
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