From Idaho to Maryland, congregations open their doors to strangers in need of food and rest. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Each Friday night, a van picks up 15 homeless men in downtown Nashville, Tenn., and takes them to the Woodson Chapel Church of Christ for food, Bible study and rest. Four to six weeks per year, the Dalton Gardens Church of … Continue reading Cold nights, warm hearts: Churches become homeless shelters
A holy cure for ‘post-election stress disorder’: Leaders of Churches of Christ urge believers to put their hope in the ‘king of kings,’ not politicians. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle As Christians who voted for Republican Donald Trump see it, America avoided the worst-case scenario in a nasty election featuring two of the most distrusted, unpopular presidential candidates ever. Other people of faith … Continue reading A holy cure for ‘post-election stress disorder’
Links to Bobby Ross Jr.’s top columns
In a town called Faith, voters offers clues on who exactly supports Donald Trump. Published Nov. 1.
MVP! Cubs’ Ben Zobrist – ‘a missionary in the big leagues’ – wins World Series again. Published Nov. 3.
#WarOnChristmas: RNS, other media jump on (nonexistent) controversy over Starbucks cups. Published Nov. 7.
Spiritual visions: Behind the scenes of Donald Trump’s ‘inner circle of evangelical advisors.’ Published Nov. 10.
Hey Dallas Morning News: Bible contains two books of Timothy, and Peter didn’t write them. Published Nov. 14.
Based on Trump’s win, it looks like religious liberty really is a thing — with no scare quotes. Published Nov. 15.
Heartland authenticity: Praise for one paper’s nuanced coverage of post-Trump Muslims. Published Nov. 16.
Weird case of godless former sex slave: Hey Reuters, are you really that afraid of religion!? Published Nov. 30.
Click below for additional November 2016 columns.
E-tithing on the rise as more Christians contribute to the church online. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When the collection plate is passed at the Figueroa Church of Christ in Los Angeles, it’s not unusual for minister James A. Maxwell to see members tapping on their smartphones. Don’t worry: These tech-savvy brothers and sisters aren’t distracted. Rather, they’re contributing what they’ve purposed in … Continue reading Giving from the heart — with a click or tap
Kansas church realizes its dream of opening a resource center for former inmates and drug addicts. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The Roswell Church of Christ wouldn’t give up. For years, the inner-city congregation struggled to realize its dream of transforming a one-time dry cleaners into “a one-stop shop for ex-offenders and substance abusers.” But on a recent … Continue reading ‘There, but for the grace of God, go I’
‘Hospitality is so important and often more important than many longtime members who have never moved realize.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WACO, Texas — My youth minister son, Brady, and his wife, Mary, got a “pounding” when they moved to Texas. Ordinarily, that might worry me. But in the Christian context, it’s a positive thing — not a sign of an … Continue reading Why ‘pounding’ the new minister is a good thing
The Christian Chronicle’s Bobby Ross Jr. celebrates faith-filled milestone. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FAITH, S.D. — After chasing stories all over the United States, I found Faith — a town in South Dakota with a population of 421. With my recent trip to the Dakotas, I reached a personal goal: reporting for The Christian Chronicle from all 50 states and the … Continue reading Reporting news that informs and inspires — in all 50 states
Texas minister and wife focus on eating better and exercising more. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WACO, Texas — When Jordan and Debbie Hubbard married nearly 13 years ago, they shared a love for tasty, high-calorie foods. Think Texas-sized chicken-fried steaks. “We were both fat and happy,” said Jordan Hubbard, 42, who at one time weighed close to 320 pounds. “We ate … Continue reading Learning NOT to love chicken-fried steak
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GLENPOOL, Okla. — After a week in the national headlines, Betty Shelby received hugs and well-wishes from her church family Sunday. Shelby, the Tulsa police officer charged with first-degree manslaughter in the shooting of an unarmed black suspect, offered to stay home from worship to avoid causing a commotion. But leaders of the Glenpool Church of … Continue reading Tulsa officer charged in shooting still welcome at church
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 