Is your church visitor-friendly? Page 1 lead. When Sarah Stirman and her family moved to the Dallas area last summer, they visited half a dozen congregations. At each, their experience was basically the same. “Our family sat alone and was ignored before service started. If we were lucky, we were greeted during ‘shake and bake,’” she said, referring to the forced greeting period when the … Continue reading Is your church visitor-friendly?
Luter vs. Land As the Southern Baptist Convention prepares to install its first black president, observers disagree on how much clout Fred Luter will have in a denomination closely identified with high-profile figures such as Richard Land. Christianity Today story published online June 1. Who will be the face of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC)? Will it be Fred Luter, the New Orleans pastor … Continue reading Luter vs. Land
Richard Land has layers. Published June 1. Well handled snakes, in the Tennessean. Published June 5. Man bites dog in Dallas? Published June 9. The voiceless disappearing flock, again. Published June 11. Westboro nutjobs protest Billy Graham. Published June 14. Historic election for Southern Baptists. Published June 20. Who are these ‘Christian’ missionaries? Published June 21. Pod people: GetReligion news alert. Published June 24. Did … Continue reading June 2012: GetReligion
Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC (reporting from Indianapolis). Currents. INDIANAPOLIS — The crowd was loud and rowdy, ready to explode with excitement. From all over the Midwest — and as far away as New York — they had traveled for the big event, filling a downtown hotel. Giant red banners and colorful balloons decorated the stage. Hundreds of trophies adorned a white-clothed table. But before … Continue reading Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC
A pastor loses her faith. Published May 3. Ghost in Mariano Rivera’s comeback? Published May 5. Shocking! A lavish television ministry. Published May 7. Josh Hamilton’s ‘blessing from above.’ Published May 9. AP editorializes on Girl Scouts. Published May 11. Ghost at Catholic girls school. Published May 15. Slow-pitch screamer on the Godbeat. Published May 19. Church and the single life. Published May 21. NPR, … Continue reading May 2012: GetReligion
A rocky road for Mexico missions: Amid violence south of the U.S. border, many churches rethink travel plans (reporting from Aquiles, Mexico). Page 1. First Place (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association Finalist (part of three-story portfolio), Supple Feature Writer of the Year Award, Religion News Association Third Place, General News Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. … Continue reading A rocky road for Mexico missions
Child baptisms spur legal dispute. Published April 4. Did woman really survive abortion? Published April 5. Concerning Obama’s faith, where’s the (journalistic) beef? Published April 11. A lion, a lamb and a controversy, oh my! Published April 15. Why do Baptists oppose Texas lottery? Published April 17. Defying the archbishop in Seattle? Published April 18. Is AP ‘desperately seeking Pulitzers?’ Published April 20. Pod people: Case … Continue reading April 2012: GetReligion
Contract Concern: USAID Policy on Hiring Alarms Charities Groups concerned religious liberty fear they could be challenged in the future. Christianity Today April print issue. Evangelical organizations that partner with Uncle Sam to deliver humanitarian aid overseas are voicing concern and outrage over a new federal policy that “strongly encourages” all contractors to develop anti-discrimination policies covering employees’ sexual orientation. The U.S. Agency for International … Continue reading Contract concern: USAID policy on hiring alarms charities
‘Little youth rally’ draws 12,000 as teens make annual pilgrimage to Winterfest (reporting from Gatlinburg, Tenn.). Currents. GATLINBURG, Tenn. – Envision a crowd at a rock concert — a mob of frenzied fans lined up hours early waiting for the doors to open. Picture the scene at a national political convention — a throng of party faithful with crazy hats and colorful signs. Imagine the audience … Continue reading ‘Little youth rally’ draws 12,000 as teens make annual pilgrimage to Winterfest
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 