Category: Christian Chronicle

Christian Chronicle

In nation’s top mission field, creating better fellowship

In nation’s top mission field, creating better fellowship (reporting from Taunton, Mass.): The New England Lectureship brings together Christians in the state with the lowest ratio of members of Churches of Christ.  TAUNTON, Mass. — As Maurice Davis points out, Massachusetts — one of the nation’s least religious states — is a mission field. In fact, none of the 50 states has a lower ratio of members of … Continue reading In nation’s top mission field, creating better fellowship

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Five ideas to improve Sunday night

Five ideas to improve Sunday night “I don’t like Sunday night services,” said a minister friend, whose congregation draws 250 for morning worship but only 100 for the evening assembly. “Our Sunday night attendance is plummeting,” a different preacher said. “We go from 130 in the morning to 30 at night.” In many — but certainly not all — Churches of Christ, the Sunday night … Continue reading Five ideas to improve Sunday night

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

50 years of Northern exposure

50 years of Northern exposure (reporting from Wasilla, Alaska): Alaska lectureship celebrates a half-century of promoting unity among Churches of Christ. Third Place, Leisure Writing, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WASILLA, Alaska — This state known for its natural beauty, midnight sun and independent spirit boasts an estimated 3 million lakes, 100,000 black bears and, oh, about 2,500 … Continue reading 50 years of Northern exposure

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Under a bridge, come to the feast

Under a bridge, come to the feast (reporting from Tulsa, Okla.): Christians show love for the homeless by preparing meals, washing feet and praying. TULSA, Okla. — Street people lying on the grass and perched inside concrete nooks watch as a long, yellow moving truck backs under a downtown bridge. Interstate 244 rumbles with traffic overhead as men, women and children from the Park Plaza Church … Continue reading Under a bridge, come to the feast

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Embracing family, friends and faith on Opening Day

Embracing family, friends and faith on Opening Day (column from Arlington, Texas): Why I love root, root, rooting for the home team. ARLINGTON, Texas — My three favorite holidays: Thanksgiving. Christmas. Opening Day. I was blessed to join my 16-year-old son, Keaton, and 49,029 fellow baseball fans at my beloved Texas Rangers’ season opener against the Philadelphia Phillies on Monday afternoon. I originally planned to watch the game … Continue reading Embracing family, friends and faith on Opening Day

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

From bat boy to major-league executive

From bat boy to major-league executive (reporting from Arlington, Texas): San Diego Padres’ vice president and assistant general manager Chad MacDonald devoted to his faith. ARLINGTON, Texas — On his frequent trips to the San Diego Padres’ international baseball academy in the Dominican Republic, Chad MacDonald usually takes along an extra suitcase. It’s not because MacDonald, the Padres’ vice president and assistant general manager of player personnel, has … Continue reading From bat boy to major-league executive

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Inside the ‘Duck Dynasty’ church

For home congregation, Robertson family’s celebrity a blessing and a challenge. First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press Honorable mention (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WEST MONROE, La. — Gasps of excitement wash over a crowded classroom at the White’s Ferry Road Church of Christ as Phil Robertson arrives for Sunday … Continue reading Inside the ‘Duck Dynasty’ church

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

Faith on his arm: A tattoo artist finds salvation

Faith on his arm (reporting from Sewell, N.J.): A tattoo artist finds salvation. SEWELL, N.J. — Tattoos cover most of Harry J. Ake’s body — from his wife Linda’s name on his neck all the way down to his ankles. “I have things on me that are not real holy, and then I have other things that are nicer,” said Ake, owner of Headlight Tattoo and … Continue reading Faith on his arm: A tattoo artist finds salvation

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle

In the Big Easy, despair meets hope

In the Big Easy, despair meets hope (reporting from New Orleans): In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, church planters see God at work in a ‘dark and difficult part of New Orleans.’ NEW ORLEANS — Charles and Angela Marsalis survived the flood that followed Hurricane Katrina by escaping to the balcony of their home congregation, the Carrollton Avenue Church of Christ. Later, the couple returned to Hollygrove … Continue reading In the Big Easy, despair meets hope

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.