To vax or not: Religious response is complicated
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Want to be smart? Avoid simple narratives. That’s especially true on the still-timely subject of religion and the COVID-19 vaccines. For evidence, check out these recent … Continue reading To vax or not: Religious response is complicated
Will Candice McQueen really be the first female president of a Church of Christ university?
Some scholars want to see Meta Chestnutt Sager, a pioneer Oklahoma educator, recognized. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Candice McQueen made history this week as the first woman chosen to lead a university associated with Churches of Christ. Or did she? Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., introduced the former Tennessee education commissioner as its president-elect Thursday. When she succeeds Randy Lowry on Sept. 7, McQueen, 47, … Continue reading Will Candice McQueen really be the first female president of a Church of Christ university?
What’s the difference between a ‘pool pit’ and a pulpit? Twitter has the answers
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. I read the preacher’s words once — and then again — and tried to make sense of them. In a Florida TV station’s report on a … Continue reading What’s the difference between a ‘pool pit’ and a pulpit? Twitter has the answers
Just when worship gatherings seemed safe again, delta variant raises renewed concerns
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. ORLANDO, Fla. — At the Equip Conference last weekend, most people saw no need to wear a mask. Fully vaccinated myself, I enjoyed the feeling of … Continue reading Just when worship gatherings seemed safe again, delta variant raises renewed concerns
The happiest place on earth?
In Disney World’s shadow, Equip Conference brings together pandemic-weary Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ORLANDO, Fla. — Mickey Mouse may be the big draw for millions of tourists who flock to Central Florida each year. But for the roughly 1,000 Christians meeting at an Orlando hotel this weekend, the chance — at long last — to sing, pray and mingle with fellow believers beats … Continue reading The happiest place on earth?
Pastors and plagiarism: Why an old story is making timely new headlines
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Two decades ago, while serving as religion editor for The Oklahoman, I investigated allegations of plagiarism and faked endorsements by a prominent Baptist pastor who had … Continue reading Pastors and plagiarism: Why an old story is making timely new headlines
‘As a rabbi, you deal with grief. But not like this’: Condo disaster rocks Jewish community
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” features analysis, fact checking and top headlines from the world of faith. Subscribe now to get this newsletter delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Back in 1995, I covered the bombing of the Oklahoma City federal building for The Oklahoman. To many of us in Oklahoma, images of the partially … Continue reading ‘As a rabbi, you deal with grief. But not like this’: Condo disaster rocks Jewish community
A letter to my newborn granddaughter
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Dear Norah Esther Ross, Welcome to the world, my precious granddaughter. What an amazing, beautiful gift from God you are. Your Papa — that’s my name, Papa — loves you so much. Please forgive me for crying when I first met you. I couldn’t help it. Your Nana loves you like crazy, too. She has an entire sewing room filled … Continue reading A letter to my newborn granddaughter
In Canada, a reckoning after remains of 215 Indigenous children are found
Discovery at a former residential school offers a ‘painful reminder of that dark and shameful chapter’ in the nation’s history. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle At age 6, Brenda Cyr was taken from her family and forced to live at a church-run residential school — part of a 120-year Canadian government effort to assimilate Indigenous children. In seven years at two such schools, Cyr, … Continue reading In Canada, a reckoning after remains of 215 Indigenous children are found
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 