Robin Michelle Rhodes
I am a full-time student at Calvin Theological Seminary, pursuing a Master of Arts in Bible and Theology and a Master of Arts in Worship. My husband, Quellis, and I hope to do world missions in another country.
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Posted in: In Thy Presence…
Thank you for your comment, Staci! You are so right, we do need to remember that our just God is also a loving Father.
Posted in: In Thy Presence…
Thank you, Bonnie. I thought Philip's experience was very compelling, as well. We so need that reminder of God's love for us and that all that sin, all that shame, was handled on the cross. And, you are right, it is important for our congregations to prayerfully begin opening those "safe places" to experience His grace.
Posted in: My Daughter!
Great comment, Rev. Shannon! So glad to hear that some of the CRC ministries are already addressing this issue.
Posted in: Is Someone Missing?
Brilliant response, Angela! You are right, it is good to acknowledge areas in which our churches still need growth.
Posted in: “Yes Ma’am…Yes Ma’am.”
Thanks for your comment, Reverend Shannon! In doing the research to write this blogpost, I was startled to find the statistics about the impact of emotional abuse. That can explain so much, when we see wounded adults.
Posted in: “Yes Ma’am…Yes Ma’am.”
You have raised some very important points, Elly. In my mother's generation, and even in mine to some extent, subjects about abuse were just considered taboo. It seems some churches, in general, are reluctant to talk about abuse and I wonder if it is just because they feel ill-equip to handle it. The problem is that, along with silence, comes shame. Thankfully, there are resources and advocates, like our Safe Church Ministry team members, who can help open the avenues of sharing and talking. Great suggestions, Elly!
Posted in: Welcome, Staci.
Welcome, Staci!
You are already doing a wonderful job and have been very helpful! I will probably have a lot more questions for you, in the future.
Posted in: Participation Is Everything
This is a very well-written blogpost. Yet, I am struggling with the veracity of the "Without participating, they can not worship" and "...without singing the song, they can't worship" statements. I think I can understand the motivations behind the "...parishioners are every bit as important as the leaders, if not more important. So they need to participate" statement. Still, worship comes from the heart and not necessarily, always and only, from our actions. We can still worship, whether we are singing or whether we are in utter silence. Just because someone is standing up and participating, does not mean that it is the only form of worship. And, just because someone’s lips are moving does not mean that they are truly worshipping. A person can still be disengaged, not paying attention, critiquing the worship team, talking to someone, etc.
In both Isaiah 29:13 and Matthew 15:8 we read, “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”
There are times when we need to receive ministry. I believe that is the part that feeds our souls and strengthens us for our Christian walk. As we are all created for worship, it is equally important for us to also know when to receive someone serving us. Just as Jesus demonstrated humility and servanthood to the disciples by washing their feet, Jesus also was able to receive someone anointing and washing His feet.
So, I do not see it as a performance, I see it as ministry. That worship leader and/or the musicians and singers on that recorded track are using their gifts to glorify God, to serve others, and to lead us in worship. There is still an anointing on that gift and sometimes those songs need to ruminate on the hearts and minds of the people, so that they can carry it with them. To imply that it is null/void and somehow less edifying to God unless we are all standing up, like cardboard cutouts, participating, is lost on me.
Admittedly, I come from a different denominational background, so maybe that is why I do not see worship as something that always needs to be participatory, but that sometimes we need to enter into His presence in stillness, while He speaks. I am not saying either way is right or wrong, just that both ways, to me, are valid.
Posted in: Christmas Reflections
Great comment, Shannon!
Posted in: Not a Piece of Furniture
Thank you, for these helpful suggestions, Mark. We can all participate better, when we are better informed!
Posted in: What’s in a Name?
What a challenging assessment, Bev. Thank you, for helping us to think deeper about this subject. I would add, though, that the theme of the blogpost was not about political correctness; rather, it was about extending grace to others. Also, in the passages you mentioned, Paul’s and Jesus’ words were advocating for, and a message for, change. That labeling was part of the teaching, part of the correction. I intended for my blogpost to make the distinction between correcting and condemning.
Conversely, the movie antagonist I referenced, Javert, and as I said, sometimes represents certain sections of society, used labeling as a way to shame and condemn Fantine and Jean Valjean. Javert offered no hope, no message of redemption. To Javert, what they (Fantine and Jean Valjean) were, was all they would ever be. That is why Javert pursued Jean Valjean so doggedly, right? Javert wanted to continually hold Jean Valjean under the banner of the sin he had committed. That is what people do when they do not have the hope of the Gospel. But, we have that hope, right?
Therefore, the impetus of the labeling is from a place of loving correction and is a precedent for change. And, you are right, Jesus does refer to Judas as “a devil” in John 6:70. In Matthew 26:50, Jesus also calls Judas “friend”.
Posted in: Abuse Awareness: It’s Up to You
Hmmmm, “…human memory converts negative thoughts into positive thoughts…” is an interesting application, in this context. When I have read those same reports, their focus and goal were to help people overcome depression and rewiring ones brain for positivity and happiness, not as someone using it as a way to validate his/her abusive behavior. But, as we live in a fallen world, anything can be twisted when someone really does not want to come to terms with his/her actions.
Nevertheless, our churches and its members do not need to “sleep in” on issues of abuse, when we could be doing more to help.
Rather, our churches should be an active, living, breathing organism, with immune systems and bacteria fighting properties intact to promote healing. When one part of the Body of Christ is hurting, we all should feel it.
So, in effect Abuse Awareness Sunday serves the same purpose as your “Be a good neighbor” Sunday suggestion. Both serve the greater purpose of us walking alongside each other, through the good and the bad. Part of the Love in Action instructions we are given in Romans 12:15 is that we should “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”
So, if you “sleep in” on Abuse Awareness Sunday, I am sure that someone would miss you in your church family, the same way that someone trapped in abuse would miss having light shed on their dilemma.