Category: Religion News Service

Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service

In-depth exclusive: A perpetrator in the pews

Former youth minister’s presence at worship stirs discord in Pennsylvania congregation. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle UNIONTOWN, Pa. — After a longtime youth minister’s recent conviction on corruption of minors and indecent exposure charges, a judge in this western Pennsylvania community did what the Uniontown Church of Christ’s elders refused to do. The judge told Clyde E. Brothers Jr. to stay away from … Continue reading In-depth exclusive: A perpetrator in the pews

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

Racial concerns prompt renaming of Christian university’s auditorium

Main chapel venue at Oklahoma Christian will honor Benton and Paula Baugh, major donors and Christians involved in racial unity efforts in Houston. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — After a half-century as Hardeman Auditorium, Oklahoma Christian University’s main assembly hall has a new name — a change spurred by concerns over a racist statement attributed to the former namesake. As hundreds of … Continue reading Racial concerns prompt renaming of Christian university’s auditorium

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Pennsylvania prosecutor fights clergy sex abuse as she maintains Catholic faith

When local district attorney Kelly Callihan referred an abuse claim against her family’s erstwhile pastor to state authorities, she initiated a series of investigations that renewed the Catholic Church’s sexual abuse crisis nationwide. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service EBENSBURG, Pa. — When allegations of past sexual abuse were first made against a priest at St. Clement Catholic Church in Johnstown, Pa., Cambria … Continue reading Pennsylvania prosecutor fights clergy sex abuse as she maintains Catholic faith

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

New federal ‘church parking tax’ sparks questions and concerns

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service Like houses of worship across the U.S., Calvary Church in Santa Ana, Calif., typically hasn’t had to worry about filing a federal tax form. But an obscure provision in the corporate tax overhaul approved by the Republican-controlled Congress at the end of 2017 may change that. That provision imposes a 21 percent tax on employee parking benefits … Continue reading New federal ‘church parking tax’ sparks questions and concerns

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Bible study and skateboards meet at Skatechurch

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service TULSA, Okla. — When Brant Lozano was 13, he thought the idea of a church for skateboarders was stupid. But a friend kept inviting him, and eventually, Lozano gave in. To his surprise, “Skatechurch” — a ministry hosted by the First United Methodist Church in downtown Tulsa — turned out not to be so lame, he said. … Continue reading Bible study and skateboards meet at Skatechurch

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

In border wall fight, compassion mixes with concern

By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle As a Christian, U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie worships with a bilingual congregation that shares the Gospel with Spanish speakers and feeds the hungry without concern for immigration status. As a congressman, the Kentucky Republican points to a definite “crisis at the border” and supports President Donald Trump’s push to build a $5.7 billion wall separating the United States from Mexico. The 54-year-old … Continue reading In border wall fight, compassion mixes with concern

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Christian Chronicle, Religion News Service, Washington Post

Cyntoia Brown, granted clemency, says Christian school’s program changed her life

While in a Tennessee prison for murder, Brown got a degree with the help of Lipscomb University. By Bobby Ross Jr. Each semester, the LIFE program at Nashville’s Lipscomb University, which is associated with the Churches of Christ, pairs students with inmates serving time in the Tennessee Prison for Women. This week, the most high-profile graduate of that academic program — offered behind the prison’s … Continue reading Cyntoia Brown, granted clemency, says Christian school’s program changed her life

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

Texas GOP leader who is Muslim declares victory over bigotry

By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service Dr. Shahid Shafi, a trauma surgeon who is Muslim, declared victory over bigotry and a win for religious freedom after fellow Republicans in Texas’ most conservative urban county voted 139-49 with 10 abstentions to retain him in a key leadership position. The much-anticipated vote Thursday night (Jan. 10) by the Tarrant County GOP came during a … Continue reading Texas GOP leader who is Muslim declares victory over bigotry

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.
Religion News Service

How Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma’s 5th District blue for the first time in 44 years

Religion played a role as the 42-year-old Democrat pulled off one a major upset. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — U.S. Rep.-elect Kendra Horn, D-Okla., knelt at the front of the sanctuary as the Rev. Joseph Alsay, rector of St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church, anointed her with chrism, a consecrated oil. “Kendra, may God bless you with enough … Continue reading How Kendra Horn turned Oklahoma’s 5th District blue for the first time in 44 years

Unknown's avatarBobby Ross Jr.