https://network.crcna.org/ The Network en Tue, 16 Apr 2024 22:58:14 +0000 Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:33:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/circle-grace/circle-grace-and-7-reasons As we are now in the fall season, there is new curriculum for some of our churches’ children and youth programs. It is not too late to order a copy of the Circle of Grace program for your church. You might remember that Circle of Grace is a Christia Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/circle-grace/circle-grace-and-7-reasons Mon, 05 Oct 2015 15:33:50 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/someone-did-know I was watching a televised biography on the life of Grammy award-winning gospel singer, Pastor Donnie McClurkin. The show opened by sharing that Pastor McClurkin grew up with several siblings. When they were all children, one of them died after a car hit him in the street. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/someone-did-know Sat, 19 Sep 2015 15:59:35 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/god-said-live There is a beautiful passage in chapter 16 of Ezekiel where God uses a metaphor to display His continued love for His people: Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/god-said-live Tue, 08 Sep 2015 14:57:52 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/criminal-sexual-history/counting-voices I have lost count of the number of women who have come forth over the past year alleging that actor, author, comedian, and producer Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them. I believe the count is over forty women. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/criminal-sexual-history/counting-voices Mon, 17 Aug 2015 13:35:45 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/culture-rape I recently watched a 20/20 episode entitled “Reversal of Fortune”. 20/20 was reporting on a newly granted mistrial in the case of two Vanderbilt University football players, Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg, who were convicted of aggravated rape and sexual battery.  Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/culture-rape Mon, 03 Aug 2015 14:54:53 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/come-just-come When I was still living in Mississippi, I was blessed to be in a church that had a very active women’s ministry. In addition to our weekly Bible studies and monthly dinner fellowships, the leaders planned and hosted an amazing annual women’s retreat. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/safe-church-teams/come-just-come Sun, 26 Jul 2015 20:55:31 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/two-words-my-former-self Every now and then, there will be this post on social media that asks this question: If you could give some advice to your former self using only two words, what would you say? I usually always post the same two words: Self Worth. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/two-words-my-former-self Tue, 21 Jul 2015 12:54:54 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/presence-or-protection I recently heard this quote, "The God I serve is a God of presence, not a God of protection." This comment was quite intriguing to me in varying degrees of understanding. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/presence-or-protection Sun, 28 Jun 2015 02:05:10 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/unbalanced-power Last summer, I read a refreshing sermon about King David.  Reverend Robert A. Arbogast at Olentangy CRC in Columbus, OH, preached this sermon in 2011. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/unbalanced-power Sat, 30 May 2015 07:21:46 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/what-i-learned-sue-heck The television sitcom, The Middle, is a pretty good show — family-friendly, with no crude humor. That is quite a rarity these days, so I do enjoy watching it. On the show, Sue Heck, the family’s endearing, goofy, forever optimistic teenaged daughter, is my favorite character. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/what-i-learned-sue-heck Mon, 18 May 2015 01:10:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/emotional-psychological-spiritual-abuse/rejoicing-and-weeping I once watched the 1996 television movie, Hostile Advances: The Kerry Ellison Story, starring Rena Sofer. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/emotional-psychological-spiritual-abuse/rejoicing-and-weeping Sun, 03 May 2015 00:10:11 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/pornography/thy-presence I was talking with a former undergraduate classmate named Philip* about worship and what it means to enter into God’s presence.  Philip confessed that he’d once had an addiction to pornography; sometimes binge watching it for hours at a time.  Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/pornography/thy-presence Sat, 25 Apr 2015 08:52:26 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/ob-scenus A church member on social media asked if anyone watched Downton Abbey, as she was wondering if it was worth the time investment to get caught up on previous seasons. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/ob-scenus Sat, 11 Apr 2015 01:25:51 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/circle-grace/circle-grace “You know what program did the most harm to this country, in terms of crimes like this? Stranger danger. Flooded the schools with it. Taught a whole generation about a scary man in a trench coat, hiding behind a tree. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/circle-grace/circle-grace Sun, 29 Mar 2015 05:05:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/out-ashes I remember being a young high-schooler when I first watched the traumatic 1984 movie, The Burning Bed. Not only was the movie a jarring depiction of domestic violence, but it was also a big turn from the usually glamorous roles of its lead actress, Farrah Fawcett. So, Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/domestic-abuse/out-ashes Sat, 21 Mar 2015 07:44:06 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/signs As we are nearing the end of February, we wanted to remind everyone that February is also Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month!  Therefore, instead of a customary blog, this week, we want to share this video clip entitled The Signs.  Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/signs Mon, 23 Feb 2015 06:26:07 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/crying-rape Rape is a crisis all over the world, including our neighborhoods, our schools and universities, our workplaces, and our churches. It affects all of us, as people who have been victimized directly, or as friends, spouses, and family members. Bonnie Nicholas https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/sexual-abuse/crying-rape Mon, 16 Feb 2015 05:05:32 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/emotional-psychological-spiritual-abuse/yes-maamyes-maam “Yes ma’am…yes ma’am.”  I heard these words one morning as a little girl, while crossing my sister’s large living room.  My mother and I were taking our annual summer vacation to visit family and had spent the night in the home of one of my older sisters. Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/emotional-psychological-spiritual-abuse/yes-maamyes-maam Sat, 07 Feb 2015 21:59:37 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/my-daughter The women’s intercessory prayer team at my church was hosting a denomination-wide prayer conference.  During this conference, they opened the floor for prayer requests.  One woman who shared, named Laura*, was a very new member to our church.  Laura wanted prayer for her relationsh Robin Michelle Rhodes https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/child-abuse/my-daughter Mon, 26 Jan 2015 04:23:16 +0000 https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/vulnerable-word-remember To Our Treasured Safe Church Team, and to all of classis, a word of support: Dave Snapper https://network.crcna.org/topic/justice-inclusion/safe-church/vulnerable-word-remember Sat, 10 Jan 2015 11:41:10 +0000