After the tornado, Oklahoma church sings God’s praises

First Place (with Erik Tryggestad, Ted Parks and Murray Evans), In-Depth Reporting, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle MOORE, Okla. — Tears. Hugs. Emotional recountings of survival and loss. In the wake of a disaster such as the May 20 tornado that devastated this Oklahoma City suburb, the casual hellos and handshakes of a typical Sunday give way to deeper, … Continue reading After the tornado, Oklahoma church sings God’s praises

Supreme Court won’t reconsider ban on ‘gruesome church protest’

Supreme Court Won’t Reconsider Ban on ‘Gruesome’ Church Protest Case pitted freedom of speech against freedom of religion. But protecting children from disturbing pictures was the trump card. Christianity Today story published online June 12. The U.S. Supreme Court this week said it would not take up a case involving an anti-abortion protester’s free speech right vs. a Denver church’s right to free exercise of … Continue reading Supreme Court won’t reconsider ban on ‘gruesome church protest’

June 2013: GetReligion

Churches dumping Boy Scouts over gay policy … or not? Published June 1. Seven questions about Boy Scout gay policy coverage. Published June 5. When the pastor has an affair and nobody’s talking. Published June 6. Ghosts in interview with Navy SEAL sniper’s wife. Published June 7. Pod people: ‘Mass exodus’ from Boy Scouts? Published June 8. Southern Baptists on the downhill slide? Published June … Continue reading June 2013: GetReligion

How the ‘faith-based FEMA’ are helping Moore move on

How the ‘Faith-Based FEMA’ Are Helping Moore Move On As President Obama pledges recovery, Christian volunteers aid Oklahoma tornado victims based on what each denomination does best (reporting from Moore, Okla.). Christianity Today story published online May 26. MOORE, Okla. — At the edge of the disaster zone—just across the street from the decimated Moore Medical Center—teens and adults in cowboy hats cook smoked sausages … Continue reading How the ‘faith-based FEMA’ are helping Moore move on

Fertilizer plant explosion rocks Texas church

Explosion rocks Texas church: After a deadly blast at a fertilizer plant owned by a church elder, West Church of Christ members rely on faith, prayer and fellow Christians (reporting from West, Texas). Page 1 lead. WEST, Texas — The auditorium lights flickered. The glass doors flew open. West Church of Christ minister Ernie Albrecht was sharing Wednesday night devotional thoughts — focused on Ezekiel and the need … Continue reading Fertilizer plant explosion rocks Texas church

May 2013: GetReligion

‘Apparently,’ there’s a news story about Wisconsin church. Published May 2. Pod people: Ghosts and crickets in Jason Collins coverage. Published May 6. God’s role in Mark Sanford’s redemption story. Published May 8. In post-denominational age, what’s in a church name? Published May 11. Ready! Set! Be bored by Illinois’ same-sex marriage debate! Published May 15. One, two, trend: Godbeat pros changing jobs! Published May … Continue reading May 2013: GetReligion

Share Jesus outside church walls, Christians urged at New England conference

Share Jesus outside the church walls, Christians urged (reporting from Manchester, Conn.). Page 1. MANCHESTER, Conn. – Roughly 750 miles south of here, the Queen City Church of Christ in Charlotte, N.C., started with eight Christians meeting in a house. On a recent Sunday, 225 people — many learning about Jesus for the first time — attended the church’s worship service at a downtown YMCA. “We are … Continue reading Share Jesus outside church walls, Christians urged at New England conference

April 2013: GetReligion

All hope is not lost: Easter in America’s newspapers. Published April 2. Pod people: One more Easter home run. Published April 4. USA Today: Jesus’ hometown was … Jerusalem. Published April 6. Faith, fear and the Holocaust. Published April 9. Evangelicals and immigration: Real data, real voices. Published April 11. Out front: the stigma of mental illness. Published April 16. ‘Take Out the Trash Day’ … Continue reading April 2013: GetReligion

Personal: Yu’s almost-perfect night

By Bobby Ross Jr. Maybe I’ve mentioned it, but I’ve loved the Texas Rangers since 1982. Yu Darvish’s pitching performance tonight in Houston is one I won’t soon forget. The story via my Twitter posts: Are #Yu ready for some baseball? #goRangers — Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) April 2, 2013 #Yu is Japanese for “got him swinging.” #Rangers #mlb — Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyross) April … Continue reading Personal: Yu’s almost-perfect night