No GRACE in sexual abuse investigation of missionary kids
No GRACE in Sexual Abuse Investigation of Missionary Kids Reviewing decades-old abuse allegations isn’t simple, as firing by Baptist missions agency shows. From Christianity Today April print edition. It sounds straightforward enough: A missions agency faced with decades-old allegations of sexual abuse within its ranks hires an outside organization to investigate. But add to that mix physically and emotionally scarred victims and dueling standards of … Continue reading No GRACE in sexual abuse investigation of missionary kids
Social justice vs. kingdom work
Social justice vs. kingdom work: At a national meeting of youth ministers, the key role of the local church is emphasized (reporting from Colorado Springs, Colo.). Second Front. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Love Jesus. Tolerate the church. At a time when Americans’ confidence in organized religion has hit a 40-year low, that mindset seems particularly prevalent among younger Christians. At the recent National Conference on … Continue reading Social justice vs. kingdom work
February 2013: GetReligion
Don’t have a cow over Chick-fil-A, man! Published Feb. 2. Nah-nah-nah-nah: Navel-gazing at ninth anniversary. Published Feb. 5. Boy Scouts, Mormons and CNN’s tabloid-style ‘reporting.’ Published Feb. 7. Pod people: Boy Scout leak and grassroots sourcing. Published Feb. 9. Godbeat 101: Localizing the pope resignation story. Published Feb. 12. Definition, please: Who are these evangelicals? Published Feb. 15. Bang! Bang! Hey, eat some cotton candy! … Continue reading February 2013: GetReligion
Sovereign Grace Ministries: Courts shouldn’t ‘second-guess’ pastoral counseling of sex abuse victims
Sovereign Grace Ministries: Courts Shouldn’t ‘Second-Guess’ Pastoral Counseling of Sex Abuse Victims Legal observers question whether clergy-penitent privilege applies to denomination accused of covering up crimes. Christianity Today story published online Jan. 25. In response to a civil lawsuit alleging that it covered up numerous cases of child sexual abuse, Sovereign Grace Ministries (SGM) has pledged to “carefully review” each accusation. However, the lawsuit—which claims the association … Continue reading Sovereign Grace Ministries: Courts shouldn’t ‘second-guess’ pastoral counseling of sex abuse victims
Connecticut church ‘in shock’ after Sandy Hook school massacre
Congregation ‘in shock’ after school massacre: Connecticut member survives shooting. Page 1 lead. A teacher who attends the Danbury Church of Christ in Connecticut survived the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in which 20 students and six school employees died. Minister Doug Vile identified the teacher as Robin Walker. “She’s a special education teacher and was in a reading class,” Vile told The Christian Chronicle. … Continue reading Connecticut church ‘in shock’ after Sandy Hook school massacre
January 2013: GetReligion
2012 in review: Contraception vs. religious freedom. Published Jan. 1. Mixing scales of justice and songs of praise. Published Jan. 4. Faith, family, fastballs: Dale Murphy’s Hall of Fame bid. Published Jan. 7. NYT publishes ‘news story’ on pregnancy centers. Published Jan. 9. Muslims believe in adoption, or do they? Published Jan. 11. Meet Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey, minus the faith. Published Jan. 12. … Continue reading January 2013: GetReligion
2012 in review: My Top 10 bylines of the year
By Bobby Ross Jr. My Top 10 bylines of 2012: 10. I’m going to Disney church! 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 room next to the breakfast buffet, children … Continue reading 2012 in review: My Top 10 bylines of the year
My top stories for The Associated Press: 2002-2005
By Bobby Ross Jr. Some of my best and/or favorite stories for The Associated Press between 2002 and 2005: Presidential campaign • President Bush caps final day of 2004 campaign with Dallas rally (reporting from Dallas) • Crawford, Texas, rallies behind President Bush after hometown paper endorses John Kerry (reporting from Crawford, Texas) • People of faith ask: How would Jesus vote in 2004 presidential … Continue reading My top stories for The Associated Press: 2002-2005
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
