Faith, hope and love behind bars
Faith, hope and love behind bars: Ministries shine Christ’s light inside prison walls (reporting from Harvest, Ala.). Page 1 lead. Second Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press Honorable Mention, Criminal Justice Reporting, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HARVEST, Ala. – Robbery. Murder. Child molestation. The six inmates seated in state prison chaplain Charles Baggett’s office on a recent … Continue reading Faith, hope and love behind bars
Faith-based fracas
From the White House to the courthouse, the battle escalates over whether Christian groups have the right to employ only Christians. June issue.
When Sylvia Spencer applied at World Vision’s U.S. headquarters near Seattle in 1995, she described herself as a committed Christian.
Asked on an employment form why she wanted to work for the international humanitarian aid organization, Spencer wrote, “Because I would love to work for an organization dedicated to carrying on the Lord’s work!”
Another World Vision employee, Vicki Hulse, mentioned her 15 years as a Christian in a résumé attachment when she applied a few years later.
“I recently moved to this area and would very much like to find a place of employment with a Christian organization where I could be of value,” Hulse wrote.
Both women signed statements affirming their Christian faith and devoted a decade to World Vision, which serves impoverished children and families in more than 100 countries.
But in November 2006, they and colleague Ted Youngberg were fired. Their offense, as determined by a corporate investigation: The three did not believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and a member of the Trinity.
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June 2010: GetReligion
Praying to plug the oil spill. Published June 1. ‘HIYW’ spirituality (hold the religion). Published June 4. Celibacy, NPR and Journalism 101. Published June 8. All religions are the same, right? Published June 10. Bruce Almighty to the rescue. Published June 12. Scientologists urged to end pregnancies? Published June 15. No mouse ears for the media. Published June 16. Praying in California (giggle, giggle). Published … Continue reading June 2010: GetReligion
Evangelism vs. missions
Evangelism vs. Missions Southern Baptists contemplate unleashing the IMB at home. July issue. For 164 years, the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention has focused on taking the gospel overseas. But in May, the 16 million-member denomination’s Great Commission Resurgence Task Force recommended removing restrictions on the IMB’s missions work in the United States and Canada—long the territory of the convention’s North … Continue reading Evangelism vs. missions
Pepperdine aims to renew, refresh a cappella singing
Pepperdine aims to renew, refresh a cappella singing (reporting from Malibu, Calif.). Second Front. MALIBU, Calif. – This sun-drenched city on the Pacific coastline is known for sandy beaches, surfboards and stargazing — Hollywood style. It was singing, though, that drew an estimated 500 music composers, choral directors, choir members, biblical scholars and ordinary church members to Pepperdine University for a recent four-day conference. “The Ascending … Continue reading Pepperdine aims to renew, refresh a cappella singing
May 2010: GetReligion
Generic Bible-quoting cop slain. Published May 4. ‘Long gone,’ but not soon forgotten. Published May 6. Little bitty flock of 1.6 million. Published May 11. Big flood (yawn) in flyover country. Published May 12. Little bitty flock of 1.6 million: The sequel. Published May 14. Of jihads, lies and Calvin. Published May 18. Rest of the Idaho Baptists story? Published May 20. Ghosts of pastor’s … Continue reading May 2010: GetReligion
Christian education in hard times
Christian education in hard times: Facing financial woes, more schools closing (reporting from Newark, Del.). Page 1 lead. NEWARK, Del. – Thirty-six years ago, Newark Church of Christ leaders founded Aletheia Christian School and Child Care as a community outreach. The dream: to educate children and nurture faith in Jesus Christ. “It enabled us to serve the community, and through that service, it brought people to Christ,” … Continue reading Christian education in hard times
Moroccan crackdown: Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists
Moroccan Crackdown Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists. May issue. Six years ago, a delegation of evangelical leaders visited the Kingdom of Morocco and hailed it as “open to evangelical Christian outreach.” In 2005, country officials even invited the Newsboys, Phil Keaggy, and other Christian artists to stage a three-day music festival in the city of Marrakech.The North African country is apparently open no more. In … Continue reading Moroccan crackdown: Expulsion of Christians surprises missiologists
1.5 million blessings
1.5 million blessings: At a Georgia church, a donor’s $1.5 million gift is shared by the congregation and spent in the Lord’s name. Page 1 lead. Let God write the story. Pulpit minister Don McLaughlin made that request of the 1,400-member North Atlanta Church of Christ last fall as he revealed astonishing news. A donor who asked to remain anonymous had given $1.5 million to be … Continue reading 1.5 million blessings
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 