Christians in Sin City differ on whether it’s sinful to wager on a game of chance. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LAS VEGAS — I hit the jackpot on a recent Sunday. No, I didn’t win big money at the slot machines or blackjack tables. Since I don’t gamble, that would be impossible. But I did strike it rich in terms of how … Continue reading ‘I’m a dealer, but I don’t gamble’
A Ugandan teenager imprisoned on false murder charges. An American law professor inspired to follow God’s calling. The story behind a life-changing meeting, an African nation’s reforms and Pepperdine’s surprising choice. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MALIBU, Calif. — A few hours after Jim Gash’s inauguration this fall as Pepperdine University’s eighth president, his wife, Joline, showed up at her husband’s fourth-floor executive … Continue reading From global justice champion to Christian university president
Final court order deems non-instrumental congregations and related ministries as beneficiaries. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle A one-time traveling salesman born in small-town Kentucky before the start of the Civil War moved to Nashville, Tenn., in the early 20th century and started a successful apparel company. In its heyday, R.W. Comer’s Washington Manufacturing Co. — best known for its DeeCee work clothing — … Continue reading Trust to distribute $35 million to Churches of Christ in Tennessee, Kentucky
Botham Jean’s brother extends grace to fired officer convicted of murdering his loved one. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SEARCY, Ark. — A stunned silence fell over the daily chapel service at Harding University, where police shooting victim Botham Shem Jean, 26, earned his accounting degree and was known for his singing voice and dedication to his faith. Thousands of the Christian university’s students had just watched … Continue reading Guilty and forgiven
‘Christian Chronicle Live’ panel tackles sexual abuse in Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle SEARCY, Ark. — The predator repented. Or so he claimed. He’d done his time and confessed his sins. He was a changed man. Or so he told the elders of a congregation willing to forgive. He was welcomed into the fold. But to protect children, the leaders determined … Continue reading It’s time to talk about predators in the church
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Stunning.
Absolutely stunning.
That’s the only way to describe what happened in a Dallas courtroom Wednesday.
If you pay attention at all to the news, you know what I’m talking about, of course: the hug seen around the world.
The hug, as you know, followed an amazing gesture of forgiveness that nobody — absolutely nobody — saw coming.
Here’s how it played out on the front page of today’s Dallas Morning News, the local newspaper that has covered this story so well from start to finish:
A minister transition can be difficult. An Oregon congregation seeks to make it work. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CORVALLIS, Ore. — After 38 years of ministry with the Circle Church of Christ, Gregg Strawn sprinkled bits of humor, warning and reflection into his final sermon. Sporting a tie that belonged to his late father — a former elder of this 150-member congregation in the … Continue reading ‘I don’t want to be the sacrificial lamb’
By Bobby Ross Jr. LAS VEGAS — The Religion News Association presented the 2019 Awards for Religion Reporting Excellence at its annual convention this past weekend. I was honored to receive third place for reporting at magazines and non-daily newspapers. Emma Green of The Atlantic won first place, while Tiffany Stanley of the Washington Post Magazine earned second place. My entry portfolio included these three … Continue reading Bobby Ross Jr. wins RNA Award for Religion Reporting Excellence
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
If you follow college football, you probably know that Oklahoma opened with an impressive win Sunday night, highlighted by 508 yards of total offense by Alabama transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts.
One game into the season (a small sample size, no doubt), it even seems possible that a different Sooners QB could claim the Heisman Trophy for the third straight year.
To which I say: Boomer Sooner!
Here in Oklahoma, The Oklahoman offered readers a special treat on the front page Sunday: a smart news-feature by longtime sports columnist Jenni Carlson on the Sooners playing on what many consider the Lord’s Day. (FYI: Carlson recently celebrated 20 years with the newspaper, which sparked a tribute column by colleague Berry Tramel.)
I loved the headline, which captures the storyline perfectly:
Continue reading “Touchdown! Oklahoman scores with feature on Sooners game combining two faiths”
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 