Pass the syrup, but religion gets sticky in Vermont

Pass the syrup, but religion gets sticky: Faithful persevere in secular Vermont (reporting from Springfield, Vt.). Page 1 lead. SPRINGFIELD, Vt. — Folks in the Green Mountain State like their economy syrupy sweet. The rural, thickly forested New England state produces 39 percent of the United States’ maple syrup. The state’s 626,000 residents are less sweet on religion: Vermont ranks as the nation’s most secular … Continue reading Pass the syrup, but religion gets sticky in Vermont

From Rhode Island to Liberia, with love

From Rhode Island to Liberia, with love: Immigrant church in the U.S. has big dreams for bringing hope and healing to its war-torn homeland (reporting from Providence, R.I.). Page 1 lead. PROVIDENCE, R.I. — In the bustling core of Rhode Island’s capital, Liberian immigrants crowd into a simple white building with “Providence Church of Christ” painted in fading red letters above the front door. On … Continue reading From Rhode Island to Liberia, with love

Faith, family and ducks: Behind the scenes of ‘Duck Dynasty’

Faith, family and ducks: For these reality TV stars, ‘holding hands with Hollywood’ presents a challenge as they endeavor to share Jesus (reporting from West Monroe, La.). Currents. WEST MONROE, La. — Hollywood, meet the real Robertsons. A&E’s hit reality series “Duck Dynasty” has made celebrities out of Duck Commander Phil Robertson, his wife Kay and their bearded, camo-clad sons Willie, Jase and Jeptha, not to mention “Uncle Si,” Phil’s younger brother. … Continue reading Faith, family and ducks: Behind the scenes of ‘Duck Dynasty’

I’m going to Disney church!

I’m going to Disney church!: A Florida ministry serves vacationing Christians with a Sunday assembly at an Orlando-area hotel (reporting from Kissimmee, Fla.). Second Front. KISSIMMEE, Fla. — At a hotel a mile west of Walt Disney World’s main gate on U.S. Highway 192, aspiring princesses and little boys with Mickey Mouse ears fill up on scrambled eggs and cereal on a Sunday morning. In a banquet … Continue reading I’m going to Disney church!

Homeless ministry feeds, bodies souls

Homeless ministry feeds bodies, souls: Hundreds find Jesus at River City (reporting from North Little Rock, Ark.). Page 1 lead. NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Get right, church, and let’s go home … You better get right, church, and let’s go home … It’s a weekday morning, about 30 minutes before lunch, but the homeless men and women assembled in the River City Ministry dining room sing … Continue reading Homeless ministry feeds, bodies souls

Black, white and Gray: Race relations in Churches of Christ

Black, white and Gray: Civil rights attorney who once challenged Lipscomb University in court receives the Christian university’s highest honor (reporting from Nashville, Tenn.). Page 1 lead. NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Forty-five years ago, civil rights attorney and preacher Fred Gray filed a lawsuit that exposed deep divides between black and white members of Churches of Christ.The 1967 lawsuit challenged the transfer of more than $400,000 in … Continue reading Black, white and Gray: Race relations in Churches of Christ

Is your church visitor-friendly?

Is your church visitor-friendly? Page 1 lead. When Sarah Stirman and her family moved to the Dallas area last summer, they visited half a dozen congregations. At each, their experience was basically the same. “Our family sat alone and was ignored before service started. If we were lucky, we were greeted during ‘shake and bake,’” she said, referring to the forced greeting period when the … Continue reading Is your church visitor-friendly?

Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC

Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC (reporting from Indianapolis). Currents. INDIANAPOLIS — The crowd was loud and rowdy, ready to explode with excitement. From all over the Midwest — and as far away as New York — they had traveled for the big event, filling a downtown hotel. Giant red banners and colorful balloons decorated the stage. Hundreds of trophies adorned a white-clothed table. But before … Continue reading Training to lead: Lads vs. LTC