Rev. Carlton Rhoden to Speak at the General Assembly Compassion, Peace and Justice Event

On June 21, 2016, the PHEWA (Presbyterian Health Education and Welfare Association) Awards will take place at the General Assembly Compassion, Peace and Justice Dinner in Portland. At this prestigious affair, Rev. Carlton Rhoden, our very own Pastor at Westminster Presbyterian Church of Los Angeles, will be an honored speaker at the event.

Presbyterian News Service author Rick Jones, highlighted the upcoming event and wrote an article in pcusa.org where he interviews Pastor Rhoden in regards to the churches role in the inner city. Here’s a portion of Pastor Rhoden’s thoughts from the interview:

“Rhoden believes the church needs to take on the role as communicator/builder and a voice for traditions in the community. Gentrification is taking place in many urban areas and there are ways congregations who did not leave can help new residents understand racial justice and other urban community issues and struggles without supplanting and displacing traditions and relationships which are working and may not be initially visible.”

Pastor Rhoden continued to say . . .

” ‘What is my role as a Christian minister? Is it my job to move a church to a ‘safer neighborhood?’ asked Rhoden. ‘Why not deal with the issues that are here and involve the community on how to have a greater impact? Show the love of Jesus Christ. That’s how I view it.’

Rhoden has taken the approach that his church will not simply warm pews on Sunday morning, but get out to meet and greet their neighbors.

‘We need to get out of these beautiful buildings and walk our community, learn the needs,” he said. “The community will show us where they need us. We should meet the people where they are and lead them to Christ and discern how we can help meet those needs.’ ”

It’s clear that Pastor Rhoden has a clear goal for not only himself as a Christian minister to lead by example, but also the goal of what’s best to improve the church community and it’s inner city community as a whole.

To read the Full Article, “Los Angeles pastor to speak at General Assembly Compassion, Peace and Justice event”, CLICK HERE