With funding on the decline, are children’s homes still a core church ministry?

FUNDING ON THE DECLINE — Children’s homes: Still a core church ministry? (reporting from Duncan, S.C.). Page 1 lead. DUNCAN, S.C. – Southeastern Children’s Home cares for neglected and abused children on a 50-acre campus overlooking the Smoky Mountains. Boys row out in a boat to catch bass and bream in a spring-fed pond. A beekeeper teaches girls how to cultivate honey. The home’s residents ride … Continue reading With funding on the decline, are children’s homes still a core church ministry?

‘God didn’t do this’: Minister grieves slain wife, son

‘God didn’t do this’: Minister grieves slain wife, son. Page 1. In the midst of unimaginable tragedy, Les Ferguson Jr.’s faith survives. “God didn’t do this,” said Ferguson, preaching minister for the Orange Grove Church of Christ in Gulfport, Miss. “This was just evil.” Even as he clings to God, Ferguson can’t help but weep as he mourns his wife, Karen, and son Cole, 21, who … Continue reading ‘God didn’t do this’: Minister grieves slain wife, son

November 2011: GetReligion

Breaking church-state news in Oregon. Published Nov. 1. The nut’s guide to media attention. Published Nov. 6. The biblical case for spanking. Published Nov. 7. The politics of religious liberty. Published Nov. 15. The Baptist pastor said WHAT!? Published Nov. 16. Pod people: Religious liberty, inflammatory quote. Published Nov. 18. In atheist blitz, where’s the other side? Published Nov. 22. A layered portrait of hate. … Continue reading November 2011: GetReligion

Interpretation sparks a grave theology debate

Interpretation Sparks a Grave Theology Debate Apologist’s questioning of Matthew 27 creates theological war of words. Christianity Today November print issue. A fiery debate has erupted over a leading Southern Baptist apologist’s questioning of Matthew 27. The question: whether Matthew’s reference to many saints rising from their graves after Jesus’ resurrection might not be literal history. The theological war of words, spurred by high-profile open … Continue reading Interpretation sparks a grave theology debate

Healing a wounded town

Healing a wounded town: After a string of suicides, a minister helps bring answers to a small Oregon community (reporting from Alsea, Ore.). Second Front. First Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press Finalist (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ALSEA, Ore. – At the little white church off the two-lane blacktop, the front door … Continue reading Healing a wounded town

The war at home: 10 years later, the legacy of 9/11

The war at home: 10 years later, the legacy of 9/11 (reporting from Camp Lejeune, N.C.). Currents. Finalist (part of three-story portfolio), Magazine News Religion Reporting, Religion News Association By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. – On a Sunday afternoon, the high-pitched chatter of boys and girls playing fills the home of Marine Staff Sgt. Ahmal Coles and his wife, Whitney. In the … Continue reading The war at home: 10 years later, the legacy of 9/11

October 2011: GetReligion

The naked truth of Tribune story. Published Oct. 4. The believer, minus the religion. Published Oct. 6. Read it and weep; this story is that good. Published Oct. 7. Is God a Tigers — er, Rangers — fan? Published Oct. 13. Sin, ink and the bishop’s indictment. Published Oct. 15. Got mojo? Evangelicals and the 2012 election. Published Oct. 18. Finn and the Facebook foes. … Continue reading October 2011: GetReligion

Online boycotts separate businesses from Christian groups

Online Boycotts Separate Businesses From Christian Groups Petitions effective, but not by numbers. Christianity Today October issue. In August, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz withdrew from a speaking engagement at the Willow Creek Association’s Global Leadership Summit. The reason: An online petition had called the Illinois megachurch anti-gay and threatened a boycott of the coffee giant. The petition had only 717 signatures. Senior pastor Bill Hybels said the church is … Continue reading Online boycotts separate businesses from Christian groups

September 2011: GetReligion

Anonymous sources: Perry impresses evangelicals. Published Sept. 2. Got news? Evangelicals snubbed by 9/11 service? Published Sept. 8. Asking why on 9/11 anniversary. Published Sept. 9. Time does not have layers. Published Sept. 13. No Times for middle ground on bullying? Published Sept. 15. A Southern Baptist by any other name … Published Sept. 21. Pod people: Baptists and Bachmann-district bullies. Published Sept. 24. Hate … Continue reading September 2011: GetReligion