Why Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris was baptized in his baseball uniform

One of the major leagues’ top young prospects, Norris seeks to give all the glory to God. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DETROIT — The 16-year-old pitching phenom stepped into the baptistery wearing his high school baseball uniform. Fresh dirt stains splotched his white uniform pants as Daniel Norris crept barefoot into the water to confess his faith in Jesus Christ and be … Continue reading Why Detroit Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris was baptized in his baseball uniform

Boy Scouts’ gay-friendly policies draw mixed responses

Boy Scouts’ gay-friendly policies draw mixed responses (reporting from Piedmont, Okla.): Some Churches of Christ maintain ties with BSA, while others align with a new national scouting organization.  PIEDMONT, Okla. — Ken Richter loved the Boy Scout life. Starting as a 7-year-old Cub Scout, Richter embraced the outdoor adventure, the leadership training and the character development. “I loved to go camping and canoeing, and I made a … Continue reading Boy Scouts’ gay-friendly policies draw mixed responses

Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, survivors keep counting blessings

‘God allowed us to make it through’ (reporting from New Orleans): At the 10-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Christians who survived keep counting their blessings. NEW ORLEANS — Ten years after Hurricane Katrina waged war on the Gulf Coast, Christians in hard-hit New Orleans are looking back — and ahead. Frank J. Harden, an elder of the Louisa Street Church of Christ, recalls fleeing 260 … Continue reading Ten years after Hurricane Katrina, survivors keep counting blessings

Online wars over doctrine spark concern

Online wars over doctrine spark concern (reporting from New Orleans): Amid heated talk on social media, two-day symposium brings together leaders for face-to-face dialogue.  NEW ORLEANS — And they’ll know we are Christians by our … vitriol on Facebook? Scriptural and responsible use of the Internet was a key point of discussion as more than 100 ministers and church leaders gathered for the recent “We … Continue reading Online wars over doctrine spark concern

Love the preacher who left? You won’t like the new one

Love the preacher who left? You won’t like the new one (reporting from Wichita, Kan.): Instead of hiring a ‘sacrificial lamb,’ interim ministry advocates urge a process of reflection and discernment. WICHITA, Kan. — Mark Frost drives a Ford Focus. His other vehicle, he quips, is a Cessna. “So I feel like I’m coming home,” Frost jokes as he introduces himself to the RiverWalk Church of … Continue reading Love the preacher who left? You won’t like the new one

Same-sex marriage legalized — now what?

Landmark ruling alarms Christians who view marriage as a sacred union between one man and one woman. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “If Caesar gives it, he can take it away.” So warns minister and lawyer Melvin Otey in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark 5-4 decision legalizing same-sex marriage. Despite declarations of support for religious freedom by President Barack … Continue reading Same-sex marriage legalized — now what?

Wedding has a ring to it — hopefully

Wedding has a ring to it — hopefully: Expect the unexpected — even the wacky — on the couple’s big day.  If you’ve seen the movie “Father of the Bride” (with Spencer Tracy or Steve Martin), you know how crazy wedding planning can be. Fortunately, I’m the father of the groom. So I bought a bow tie, agreed to read a Scripture at the ceremony and … Continue reading Wedding has a ring to it — hopefully

Walking (with God) in Memphis

Walking (with God) in Memphis (reporting from Memphis, Tenn.): In the nation’s poorest metro area, a Christian ministry trains former inmates to succeed at work — and life. MEMPHIS, Tenn.  — In a room at the Midtown Church of Christ, a dozen men bow to pray each weekday morning. Then they drop to the ground and do 10 to 15 pushups. “It’s just something I … Continue reading Walking (with God) in Memphis