This graduate theology student — one of four sisters and the mother of five girls — doesn’t think so. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas — Christa Sanders Bryant has a passion for teaching the Bible. The mother of five believes God has called her — and all Christians — to lead souls to Jesus. But even though she is pursuing a master’s … Continue reading Should women preach in a mixed-gender assembly?
Visit to old family cemetery stirs fond memories and reflections. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CEDAR GROVE, Tenn. — My dad, Bob Ross, bent down and brushed leaves off the flat grave marker so he could read the inscription. “Lloyd Lee Ross. Sgt US Army. World War II,” the writing said. “Bronze Star Medal. Purple Heart.” The dates, March 24, 1918, to April … Continue reading ‘A hundred years goes faster than you think’
Ministers discuss experiences as panel explores how to protect congregations from attacks. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HENDERSON, Tenn. — A few minutes before stepping onstage, Britt Farmer and Joey Spann met for the first time. But the two preachers — one from Texas, the other from Tennessee — greeted each other like old friends. These ministers belong to an exclusive club. It’s one … Continue reading Two preachers. Two church shootings. An immediate bond
Editor’s note: Today we launch “Weekend Plug-In,” a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — A few minutes after noon Sunday, my iPhone started pinging with messages from friends, alerting me to a shooting at the West Freeway Church … Continue reading Why Texas minister talked to me — and only me — about deadly church shooting
A day after two members were killed during the Lord’s Supper, congregation gathers to reflect and praise God. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — The West Freeway Church of Christ, a close-knit congregation of about 280, didn’t get to finish its Sunday morning worship assembly. So Monday night — roughly 30 hours after a gunman killed two beloved Christians during the Lord’s Supper … Continue reading Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly shooting
Preacher Britt Farmer lost his best friend in the Sunday attack at a Church of Christ near Fort Worth. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — Britt Farmer had his head down, focusing on the sermon he was about to preach. That’s when the 60-year-old minister heard a gasp, followed by gunshots and screaming at the West Freeway Church of Christ. “I … Continue reading Texas minister reflects on shooting that shattered his congregation’s peace
From racial reconciliation to declining membership, these headlines captured readers attention. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle What a decade! The 2010s saw the invention of the iPad, three more “Star Wars” movies (although I still haven’t seen the 1977 original) and my beloved Texas Rangers’ first-ever World Series appearances (spoiler alert: They didn’t win). Here at The Christian Chronicle, the last 10 years brought inspiring narratives from places such as Deadwood, S.D.; Wasilla, Alaska; Providence, … Continue reading Decade in review: Christian Chronicle’s 10 biggest stories of the 2010s
Faith-based nonprofit in Ohio offers physical and spiritual support. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LORAIN, Ohio — This struggling Rust Belt city of 64,000 souls can use a little hope. A ship-building company, an automotive plant and steel mills along Lake Erie — at the mouth of the Black River — once provided thousands of jobs for the community 30 miles west of … Continue reading Ministry serves the poor in hard-hit steel town
Oklahoma parents who lost a daughter — and then a son — work to help others. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle EDMOND, Okla. — Twelve days before Christmas, Allen and Jeanette Wiederstein celebrated the graduation of their 22-year-old grandson, Hunter, from Oklahoma Christian University. They thought about how proud his mother, April, would have been. The Wiedersteins lost their beloved daughter in 2003, exactly a month before … Continue reading Despite ‘unthinkable’ grief, Christian couple has hope for the holidays
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 