Category: Christian Chronicle

Christian Chronicle

After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend

‘You don’t ever think that’s the last time you’re going to see somebody,’ Izzy Stevens says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Just three nights before the unimaginable happened, Izzy Stevens, 17, laughed with her 4-year-old friend, Hattie Jo Collins, across a table at Pizza Hut. Hattie, known for her colorful headbands adorned with flowers, rainbows and unicorns, was the daughter of … Continue reading After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Volunteer State: Christians rally to help

After Tennessee’s deadly tornadoes, Churches of Christ play a leading role in the disaster relief effort. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Luke wore a bright orange “Disaster Assistance Church of Christ” T-shirt as he steered a four-wheel vehicle carrying food and supplies for tornado victims toward a ravaged neighborhood. Near a hill lined with 18 memorial crosses remembering victims of last … Continue reading Volunteer State: Christians rally to help

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

The journey that led a church to appoint female elders

‘It needs to be the whole body,’ Sheila Bost says of men and women leading and preaching. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LOS ANGELES — In the early 1960s, then-Abilene Christian College — a Texas higher education institution associated with Churches of Christ — had different rules for male and female dorm residents. Sheila Bost, now a grandmother of 12, remembers that she couldn’t study at … Continue reading The journey that led a church to appoint female elders

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Should women preach in a mixed-gender assembly?

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?

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

‘A hundred years goes faster than you think’

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’

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Two preachers. Two church shootings. An immediate bond

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

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion Unplugged

Why Texas minister talked to me — and only me — about deadly church shooting

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

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Christianity Today, Religion News Service

Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly 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

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Texas minister reflects on shooting that shattered his congregation’s peace

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

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.