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One of Charlotte's best-known churches has withdrawn support for a food pantry that serves the needy because the pantry works with Roman Catholics.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.
"Be sure to pray before you eat. Oh,,never mind."
Actually, my mother-in-law generally says Grace at my house, often in Norwegian. Sometimes my father-in-law, who is 85, says it, in German.
That's their faith speaking. They are always free to bless a meal in my home, as is anyone who is a guest in it. It cannot harm me in any way, and it is their practice.
Now, I'm off to the kitchen. I do love a crown roast of lamb. It's one of my favorite meals to prepare.
The "Central Church of God"? Sounds like some kind of Kafkaesque bureaucratic agency.
"Attention. The Central Church of God will no longer accept form 3(A)(ii)(c)(1) from any subcluster church that affiliates with non-affiliated church agencies providing food or sustenance-like material to unapproved intake recipients, irrespective of age or level of emaciation, especially those who manifest hunger with any predicate that includes the word "pleeaaase!"
You are judgding people who believe the Bible, it is because they read the Word that they know it is forbidden to syncretize. The mixture of pagan rituals with what the Savior taught is not acceptable by Scripture. Let the R.C. chuch do her works; ecumenism is against the Father's commandments. There is only One Way, Truth and Life and many are called, but few chosen. To come out of her (Babylon and all the pagan practices and false worship) is the real test to a disciple. The true judgment is on the practice @ acceptance of man-made religions. Read the Scriptures!
"Paul's letters, perhaps, represent the most authentic of the writings included."
Paul is my favorite. What an incredible man with such spiritual power and strong personality. If not for him, I don't think Jesus would be very well known today.
If you are a follower of Christ you must attend Church. The body of Jesus is missing one of its parts without you. Your Christian brothers and sisters need you.
Thank you. I have thought much about this, but decided against regular attendance because there's too much gossip
going on, and business dealings in the Baptist church close to where I live. A very precious Christian lady I know has asked me to attend her small 7th day Adventist Church on Saturdays. I will give it a shot, but I don't go for separating myself from others by denomination. If I get a whiff of denominational snobbery, I will not feel inclined to attend often.
OK, so you admit to being an member of a cult. And now you presume I am a member of a cult. I'm a Protestant, so you say I'm in a cult? Right?
II Corinthians 6:14,
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?
According to my Wycliffe NT commentary, the principle given by Paul is to not be spiritually united with unbelievers. The Greek word metoche translated as fellowship means sharing. The word koinonia translated as communion involves a close relationship, as in marriage or in a spiritual relationship with another person. The holiness and purity of God, who inhabits a Christian in the person of the Holy Spirit, cannot harmonize with the impurity and wickedness of Satan.
I believe that interpretation is essentially correct, therefore I don't believe the action taken by the Charlotte church was necessary in order to heed Paul's warning against becoming unequally yoked with unbelievers. Even if there are unbelievers involved in the food bank operation, and I am definitely NOT saying that is the case, financially supporting it's charitable work in no way equals being yoked with those unbelievers in a close spiritual union. That church is certainly free to give or withhold it's financial support as it sees fit, but IMHO the excuse it gave for not giving in this case is not supported by scripture.
My own church, an independent Baptist congregation, participates with other Christian denominations in the annual March For Life anti-abortion demonstration. I am quite sure that there are both believing and unbelieving members in all of the denominations and churches which are involved in that worthy cause, including my own. But since we are not united in a close spiritual relationship with the unbelievers, I don't see that our participation in that good work violates Paul's admonition. In fact, I will go further and say that I don't believe it would be wrong for a church or an individual believer to contribute money to a non-sectarian organization which is doing a good work such as providing food and/or shelter to poor people. I think it is in Proverbs where we are told that giving to the poor is the same as giving to God.
I believe that II Cor 6:14 is primarily directed at those Christians who would marry non-Christians, and to those who would join with unbelievers in any type of close personal relationship that is incompatible with Christian living. The warning against an unequal yoke was given in the context of Paul's instructions not to have fellowship with a member of the Corinthian assembly who was a fornicator, and that disassociation was intended as a disciplinary action by the church. If we believers in Christ are required not to associate in any manner with the people of the world we can't remain here on earth. The Apostle Paul says in I Cor 5: 9 & 10, "I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators. Yet not altogether with the fornicators of the world, or with extortioners, or with idolators, for then ye must needs go out of this world". IOW, Paul, speaking for God, recognized that Christians must have some relationships with unbelievers, else we could not live in this present unbelieving world.
Hey! Another atheist heard from!
I love seeing you folks on the Christian threads. You all seem so obsessed by something you profess to disbelieve.
So tell me all about Jesus. It seems to be popular around here to find out all about Christianity from you folks, so I'll play.
Is there a God? Who is Jesus and what do you think of him?
"And perhaps their presence was by somethng other than the divine."
In whatever event, God either arranged, or allowed it.
"Do you believe in God?
If so, do you also believe in Satan?
I not, why not?"
I believe in God, and believe in the reality of Satan's existence and evil spirit injecting itself in our lives. I am not one who thinks of him often, but when he grabs a hold of me, I know it, and I fight it. Hate only destroys you, and Satan is the source of hate.
For instance, recently, and by the grace of God, I healed a rift with my cousin over a betrayal of hers, with love and forgiveness. I bit the bullet and apologized to her for my reaction (which were unkind words) to a hurt she put on my family (and hers) because of her parents divorcing. After several years of bitterness, though the grace of Christ, I swallowed my pride and decided to be the first to apologize, even though I felt she should have, and I still do. Whatever the case, this rift caused she and her dad (my uncle, who's always been a dad to me) to have a bad relationship. Now there are two precious little boys (her sons) involved. Life is too short to be bitter.
The bible says to be kind to your enemies, to shame them. I did, and now our family is becoming reconciled and my heart has opened to her. I have been rewarded, with the love of her little boys!
Satan did try to tell me things like "humility is lost on people like this," but as we know Christ will win this battle and He has won this one.
Protag:
Love your enemies. Christ said that because it works. I understand your feelings, I do.
What a quaint custom for them.
So, what do you think they are doing when they say grace? Are they talking to themselves?
"You seem very confused. I am not representing Christ to this person. He has all the info. He rejects Christ. And he knows the bible. He rejects it."
He has all the intellectual info about Christ. Loving and believing in Him is not an intellectual exercise, it is spiritual. I guess he has my sympathies because I was once him.
Thanks for the advice.
Christ said that because it works.
Thanks for your opinion on why Christ said things.
I understand your feelings, I do.
Really? Since you don't know my feelings, how could you presume to understand them?
And why would you feel compelled to tell me to love my enemies? Was that just out of the blue or did you think I had some enemies here?
"As I said, everybody's [Christian] religion is organized -- it's inescapable..".
You are right.
I'll be glad to answer you after you answer my question. After all, when you asked me about your insults, I replied. Now you claim that people are insulting you here. Can you provide any examples?
Right, and he can't help himself. A man cannot force himself to believe what he does not truly believe.
I guess he has my sympathies because I was once him.
Me too. But I'll hazard a guess that he does not want your sympathy. Just a guess.
"Are you selective about which charities you give to, or do you look up "charities" in the yellow pages and give to every one of them?"
I am selective and only give to local charities I know do good work. One is the non-denominational food bank and their clothing program, and the other is a spay-neuter program for cats.
"There's nothing wrong with deciding that you will give to some but not to others, especially when your decisions are guided by the leading of the Holy Spirit."
I agree, but the issue isn't whether we give to this charity of not, it's the general concept of Christians working together, overcoming differences for the greater good of Christ.
I was insulted and if you don't agree, Oh well. I have no interest in debating it with you. If you choose to not answer my questions, it's no problem for me.
I just thought that your obsession with people who believe in God would lead you to enlighten all of us as to where we went wrong and pour out your religion of non-belief to us. I'm just giving you a forum if you want it, if you don't, just take a pass.
Definitely. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't one of the toughest things in the world to do.
I just noticed one of the keywords tacked on to this thread: "War on Catholics". It seems a little strange to me after seeing a thread yesterday on which several Catholics were mercilessly attacking a non-Catholic just because she said she uses the pill and doesn't want children. These Catholics even went so far as to tell her she's not Christian, an action which is clearly against Christ's specific command.
I consider folks who would say such things enemies of the Word. Still, I understand I must love them.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.