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😎 From moon pies to solar-theme tracts, religious groups ready for the eclipse 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Astronomical legal action: How religious an event is the eclipse for some? So much so that six New York inmates have sued to see it, ReligionUnplugged.com’s own Clemente Lisi … Continue reading 😎 From moon pies to solar-theme tracts, religious groups ready for the eclipse 🔌
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The bright present — and future — of the church
Attendance tops 10,000 at the largest of Lads to Leaders’ half-dozen Easter weekend conventions across the nation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Twenty-two years ago, my young family loaded a U-Haul truck and trekked east on Interstate 40 so I could chase a big dream. No, I didn’t move to Nashville to seek country music stardom. Sadly, I can’t carry a tune. Instead, … Continue reading The bright present — and future — of the church
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Teens mix radio show’s humor with Bible’s message
Lads to Leaders puppets skit draws Alabama broadcast duo’s attention. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Make listeners snicker? That’s what Rick Burgess and Bill “Bubba” Bussey do on their nationally syndicated radio comedy show. Evoke that same laughter as bulbous, fabric-headed Bible teachers in a puppet skit by Christian teens? Now, that’s a new one. Related: The bright present — and future — … Continue reading Teens mix radio show’s humor with Bible’s message
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📊 Is America losing its religion? Four intriguing stats from a new national survey 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged 80%: Eight out of 10 U.S. adults agree “religion’s role in American life is shrinking — a percentage that’s as high as it’s ever been in … Continue reading 📊 Is America losing its religion? Four intriguing stats from a new national survey 🔌
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🏆 Hello, Adelle: Longtime RNS journalist to receive Lifetime Achievement Award 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Best of the best: “Surely there’s someone out there who doesn’t like Adelle M. Banks. “I just haven’t found that person yet.” Noting the respect afforded … Continue reading 🏆 Hello, Adelle: Longtime RNS journalist to receive Lifetime Achievement Award 🔌
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🤷🏻♀️ Are the feds still investigating Southern Baptist sex abuse? That’s a good question 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! Since we last convened, we had Super Tuesday (the Biden-Trump rematch is all but set) and the State of the Union … Continue reading 🤷🏻♀️ Are the feds still investigating Southern Baptist sex abuse? That’s a good question 🔌
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Trusting God in the fire
In the Texas Panhandle, Christians lean on their faith after the largest wildfire in state history. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CANADIAN, Texas — Dead cattle. Burned homes. Scorched prairie. The largest wildfire in state history made a mess of this small ranching town in the Texas Panhandle, forcing the Canadian Church of Christ to delay its planned Missions Giving Sunday. “We’ve had to put it off because of … Continue reading Trusting God in the fire
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‘God will provide’: Preacher loses house in Texas wildfire
‘You can replace things, but lives and souls — you can’t replace those,’ Shawn Davis says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CANADIAN, Texas — The sun came up on the Sunday morning after the fire. “More importantly, the Son arose,” said Shawn Davis, who snapped a photograph of the orange rays lighting up the scorched prairie. “Hope prevails!” The 55-year-old oil field worker … Continue reading ‘God will provide’: Preacher loses house in Texas wildfire
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‘It’s not the amount … it’s the heart’
Why did a Houston church give $50,000 to help Texas Panhandle wildfire victims — 600 miles away? Well, that’s an interesting story. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CANADIAN, Texas — Nearly 600 miles separate this small town in the Texas Panhandle from the vast metropolis of Houston in the southeast part of the Lone Star State. The 800 members of the Memorial Church of Christ in Houston … Continue reading ‘It’s not the amount … it’s the heart’
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🧪 Faith and frozen embryos: Alabama’s IVF ruling stirs religious debate 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Does God oppose in vitro fertilization?: Religions hold differing views, according to the Washington Post’s Michelle Boorstein: In an Alabama Supreme Court ruling equating IVF embryos … Continue reading 🧪 Faith and frozen embryos: Alabama’s IVF ruling stirs religious debate 🔌
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Church members’ homes destroyed in Texas Panhandle wildfire
At least a half-dozen families who attend Churches of Christ must rebuild after the largest blaze in Texas history. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Multiple members of Churches of Christ have lost homes in the Texas Panhandle wildfire, which has grown into the largest in state history. The blaze destroyed the residences of three families who attend the Canadian Church of Christ, about 100 miles northeast … Continue reading Church members’ homes destroyed in Texas Panhandle wildfire
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🐘 Left wants ‘to tear down crosses’: Trump talks to National Religious Broadcasters 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! Is Nashville, Tennessee, the center of the religion news universe? We’ve asked that before. It’s maybe an appropriate question again this … Continue reading 🐘 Left wants ‘to tear down crosses’: Trump talks to National Religious Broadcasters 🔌
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Christians cheer the Chiefs, fight the violence
Mass shooting at Super Bowl victory rally highlights the challenge facing Kansas City. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Even before last week’s mass shooting at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Super Bowl victory rally, Branden Mims was focused on reducing violence in this city that mourned a record 182 homicides in 2023. Mims, the 35-year-old senior minister for the Greater Metropolitan Church of Christ, leads a faith-based … Continue reading Christians cheer the Chiefs, fight the violence
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🚨 5 takeaways from the shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged We start with five takeaways from Sunday’s shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston. 1. What happened: Genesse Moreno, 36, “allegedly fired an AR-style rifle and … Continue reading 🚨 5 takeaways from the shooting at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church 🔌
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A new Sunday night tradition
Tennessee church launches a small-group ministry ‘to grow our people and reach the community.’ It’s just one of many congregations trying a different approach. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DICKSON, Tenn. — An NFL game played on the TV as about a dozen people arrived at Chris and Libby McCurley’s house on a recent Sunday night. The casually attired guests chatted for a few … Continue reading A new Sunday night tradition
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🏈 Faith and football: Would Jesus bet on the Super Bowl? 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged The numbers game: “An estimated 67.8 million Americans are expected to bet on Sunday’s Super Bowl, a 35% increase from … Continue reading 🏈 Faith and football: Would Jesus bet on the Super Bowl? 🔌
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Trip conjures nostalgia for time spent at Abilene Christian University
Editor travels to West Texas to report on debate over sexual stewardship policy. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — I don’t bleed purple, but I do have fond memories of Abilene Christian University. As best I can remember, I first visited the West Texas campus nearly 40 years ago. The year was 1984. Related: ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual … Continue reading Trip conjures nostalgia for time spent at Abilene Christian University
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ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual stewardship policy
One group petitioned the West Texas university to loosen its stance on same-sex relationships. Another pushed for tougher language. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ABILENE, Texas — For students at Abilene Christian University, the debate over traditional vs. affirming views on same-sex relationships is not purely theological. It’s personal. Whether they support the university’s sexual stewardship policy, which calls for chastity outside of marriage between a man and … Continue reading ACU rebuffs the left and the right in reaffirming its sexual stewardship policy
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How covering Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit to St. Louis changed my journalism career
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — From a young age, I’ve loved Jesus and journalism. I never intended, though, to become a religion reporter. My career trajectory changed 25 years ago when — to my surprise — editors of The Oklahoman assigned me to cover Pope John Paul II’s Jan. 26-27, 1999, visit to St. Louis. At the time, I was a 31-year-old education … Continue reading How covering Pope John Paul II’s 1999 visit to St. Louis changed my journalism career
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A lover of Jesus and paperbacks: Remembering a faithful Christian
Glynna Hartman, a former church secretary, exuded joy and feistiness. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — Glynna Hartman loved to read. The Bible. Religious books. Paperback romance novels. It’s that last one that drew so many chuckles at her memorial service Friday night at the Wilshire Church of Christ, the faithful Christian’s home congregation in Oklahoma City. As her son, David Hartman, recalls, she’d … Continue reading A lover of Jesus and paperbacks: Remembering a faithful Christian
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No phones allowed, but machetes OK: Global program aims to build teens’ faith
Immersive learning experience on a South Pacific island stretches Australian ninth graders physically and spiritually. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PORT VILA, Vanuatu — The journey begins 1,200 miles — and a world — away. Ninth graders at an affluent Christian school in Australia leave their smartphones at home and fly to this developing island nation in the South Pacific. Students cram in the … Continue reading No phones allowed, but machetes OK: Global program aims to build teens’ faith
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🐘 Defining the Iowa evangelicals who support Trump: Is going to church a requirement? 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged 2024 voting starts: What will happen Monday in the presidential campaign’s first formal test at the ballot box? “Donald Trump … Continue reading 🐘 Defining the Iowa evangelicals who support Trump: Is going to church a requirement? 🔌
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🎊 Happy New Year: What will be the big religion stories in 2024? 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! Today’s edition marks the launch of Plug-in’s fifth year. If you enjoy it, please encourage … Continue reading 🎊 Happy New Year: What will be the big religion stories in 2024? 🔌
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From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023
By Bobby Ross Jr. I love what I do. I get paid to travel and tell interesting stories. 2023 marked my 34th year in full-time journalism, and I thank God for allowing me to live my dream. This year, I was blessed to report from a dozen states and four countries, including Cuba and Mexico. My stories from Australia and Vanuatu will publish early next year. Related: … Continue reading From MLB faith nights to refugee ministries, my Top 10 stories of 2023
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For newly arrived refugees, an unexpected Christmas blessing
Caring hearts welcome Ukrainian family to America with food, furniture and friendship. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle It’s a Christmas miracle. In an incredible set of circumstances, God made a wonderful thing happen for a Ukrainian refugee family this busy holiday week. “This is how God works, whether we realize it or not,” said my good friend David Duncan, minister for the Memorial Church of … Continue reading For newly arrived refugees, an unexpected Christmas blessing
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🏆 Weekend Plug-In year in review: The best religion journalism of 2023 🔌
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! For today’s special year-end edition, I asked some of the nation’s top religion journalists to share their favorite or most important story they produced during 2023. It’s a holiday week, so I didn’t catch up with everybody. But once again this year, I sure appreciate my Godbeat colleagues who responded — more than 60 … Continue reading 🏆 Weekend Plug-In year in review: The best religion journalism of 2023 🔌
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🗳️ Ballots are in: Check out the Top 10 religion stories of 2023 🔌
Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Top 10 stories — times two: The Religion News Association used to do one Top 10 list. Now, it splits the … Continue reading 🗳️ Ballots are in: Check out the Top 10 religion stories of 2023 🔌
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‘We who are many are one body’
A trip around the world provides a reminder of the global nature of communion. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PORT VILA, Vanuatu — I forgot what day it was. I was tired — exhausted, actually — when I landed thousands of miles from home after roughly 30 hours of travel. I had ventured around the globe to report on a mission effort, yet I had … Continue reading ‘We who are many are one body’
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One of America’s oldest Churches of Christ celebrates its 200th anniversary
The rural Tennessee congregation traces its roots to studies led by Barton W. Stone, a key Restoration Movement leader. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TUCKERS CROSSROADS, Tenn. — The Bethlehem Church of Christ has a long history — 200 years and counting. It has a bright future, too, lifelong member Carolyn Ragland Poston believes. “This congregation probably has 20 babies under 6 years old,” Poston, 74, said … Continue reading One of America’s oldest Churches of Christ celebrates its 200th anniversary
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The oldest Church of Christ in America? It’s complicated
The rural Kentucky congregation at the top of 21st Century Christian’s list began with Baptist ties in 1796. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LOUISVILLE, Ky. — What’s the oldest Church of Christ in America? It’s the Cedar Springs Church of Christ in Kentucky’s rural Fern Creek community, according to a national directory published by 21st Century Christian. In actuality, the answer is more complicated. Yes, the Louisville-area congregation’s … Continue reading The oldest Church of Christ in America? It’s complicated
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Sermons on hate still resonate 60 years after JFK’s assassination
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged DALLAS — Less than a year before the U.S. presidential election, pastors took to their pulpits to decry a culture of hate, extremism and vile politics. “Much of the hate and discord that has been poisoning our nation has been preached in the name of Christ and the church,” the Rev. Charles V. Denman declared. In a different sanctuary, … Continue reading Sermons on hate still resonate 60 years after JFK’s assassination
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For Cuba, a time of stress — and salvation
Amid an economic crisis, ministry and music propel a native son devoted to sharing the bread of life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MATANZAS, Cuba — Church members in this port city overlooking the Bay of Matanzas sang “Glory, Glory Hallelujah” on a recent Sunday as they celebrated the baptisms of five new Christians. Afterward, about 250 spiritual brothers and sisters ate fellowship meals piled … Continue reading For Cuba, a time of stress — and salvation
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COVID-19 left her blind. Then it took her father. But this young mom refuses to ‘give up on God’
After all the trials, Texas church member receives an unexpected blessing — a son with a biblical name. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LANCASTER, Texas — “Amazing Grace” welcomed tiny Samuel Souder to his first church service. Through the nursery glass echoed the sweet sound of the Cold Springs Church of Christ singing the familiar tune. Derek and Della Souder softly mouthed the words of the beloved hymn as they … Continue reading COVID-19 left her blind. Then it took her father. But this young mom refuses to ‘give up on God’
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Keeping the faith: Texas Rangers win the World Series
After the long-awaited triumph, it’s easy to draw parallels between baseball and the Christian life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas — I lived to see it. The Texas Rangers just won the World Series. Forty-one years after I first walked into the old Arlington Stadium and became a Rangers fan at age 14, my team achieved the ultimate baseball glory. Finally. Related: Road to the World … Continue reading Keeping the faith: Texas Rangers win the World Series
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A baseball blessing in Cuba
Not praying for Texas Rangers’ wins, but thanking God for them anyway. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MATANZAS, Cuba — I crouched in anticipation as I stared at the TV. In a dark room with no air conditioning, I ignored the sweat dripping down my face and focused on the screen. A weather warning? A breaking news alert? Nope, a different kind of … Continue reading A baseball blessing in Cuba
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Road to the World Series: My Top 10 Texas Rangers games of 2023
By Bobby Ross Jr. ARLINGTON, Texas — Magical. That’s the best way to describe the Texas Rangers’ 2023 season. An exhilarating and sometimes excruciating journey has taken my beloved favorite team since 1982 all the way to the World Series. Update: Keeping the faith: Rangers win the World Series For the first time, my sons Brady and Keaton and I will get to experience the Fall Classic … Continue reading Road to the World Series: My Top 10 Texas Rangers games of 2023
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🇮🇱 Israel-Hamas war: The crucial role of religion in the deadly conflict 🔌
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good morning, Weekend Plug-in readers! Did you miss me? I traveled to Cuba on a reporting trip. Given my limited internet access while away, Plug-in took last week off. That means this is our first edition since the Israel-Hamas war started. What an overwhelming story with countless religious angles. But I’ll do my best to catch you — and me — up. The … Continue reading 🇮🇱 Israel-Hamas war: The crucial role of religion in the deadly conflict 🔌
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Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eight awards
By Bobby Ross Jr. OKLAHOMA CITY — I’ve been blessed to receive a number of awards from the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists over the last 30 years. In 2021, I was surprised to win the first-place prize for best reporter. This week, I earned eight awards in the 2023 contest, for content published last year: • First place for outstanding profile: “Amid crises, rural roots anchor Southern Baptists’ president” … Continue reading Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists honors Bobby Ross Jr. with eight awards
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A blessed visit to a Ghanaian immigrant church
For Christians, love transcends any language barrier. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NEW YORK — I didn’t understand the words as the North Bronx Church of Christ sang in Twi, the native dialect of the Ghanaian immigrant congregation. But the tune was the same as “At the Cross,” making the lyrics easy to translate in my mind. “At the cross, at the cross where I first saw the … Continue reading A blessed visit to a Ghanaian immigrant church
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A diverse church full of conversion stories
Far from the Bible Belt, a New York congregation led by first-generation Christians works to reach the lost. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LINDENHURST, N.Y. — Prayer kneelers and organ pipes aren’t typical in a Church of Christ. Then again, the Long Island Church of Christ — a diverse body with members representing roughly two dozen nationalities — isn’t an ordinary congregation. Far from the Bible … Continue reading A diverse church full of conversion stories
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The journey: Reporting the news of our fellowship
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle About 2,800 miles separate Manhattan, N.Y., from Malibu, Calif. By car that trip would take roughly 41 hours, according to Google Maps. The good news for Christian Chronicle readers: We did the traveling for you. To be totally transparent, we didn’t drive. We relied on commercial flights to carry us to the scene of important news featured in this month’s Chronicle. But the … Continue reading The journey: Reporting the news of our fellowship
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Upper West Side Story
Diverse congregation in Manhattan counts members from five continents — but no Jets or Sharks. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NEW YORK — A rap song by Eminem played in the lobby of a hostel where guests from around the world stay while visiting this city of 8.5 million. In a nearby hallway, the hip-hop beat gave way to the four-part harmony of Christians singing … Continue reading Upper West Side Story
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👣 March on Washington at 60: What the anniversary means for people of faith 🔌
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Good afternoon, Weekend Plug-in readers! Is it time for fall yet? We’re enduring yet another triple-digit day in my home state of Oklahoma, and I’m ready for cooler temperatures. But you signed up for religion news, not a weather report, so let’s start with this: Belief in the prosperity gospel is on the rise among churchgoers, according to a Lifeway … Continue reading 👣 March on Washington at 60: What the anniversary means for people of faith 🔌
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A lifeline for people who hurt — all the time
Chronic pain is more prevalent than many Christians realize. This ministry helps. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WOODWARD, Okla. — Their elbows, knees and ankles throb. Fatigue wrecks their ability to move at times. Like around one-fifth of U.S. adults, these Christians — young and old, male and female — live with chronic pain. Often, they suffer alone, feeling as if no one understands. But at a … Continue reading A lifeline for people who hurt — all the time
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God and pot: Both sides cite faith in Oklahoma’s recreational marijuana fight
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — Michelle Tilley says faith drives everything she does, including her fight to legalize recreational marijuana in her home state. Baptized at age 7 in the First Baptist Church of Comanche, Oklahoma, the longtime Democratic political consultant leads a group that has raised $3.2 million in support of State Question 820, a pro-marijuana initiative that the state’s voters … Continue reading God and pot: Both sides cite faith in Oklahoma’s recreational marijuana fight
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 