A youth rally in a pandemic? It’s not as simple as requiring masks and distancing
After its cancellation last year, California’s Springfest returns to the calendar — but not without challenges. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Normally, organizing a youth rally would be no big deal. Adam England would choose a theme. Pick a speaker. Invite area churches. But the details become much more complicated in a pandemic. Since 1987, Springfest has drawn California teens to the Westside Church of Christ in Bakersfield … Continue reading A youth rally in a pandemic? It’s not as simple as requiring masks and distancing
As storm cripples Texas’ energy grid, people of faith rally to help
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. Texas likes to brag that it’s “like a whole other country.” I don’t suppose, though, that whoever came up with that slogan had Siberia in mind. … Continue reading As storm cripples Texas’ energy grid, people of faith rally to help
Saints and singers
The surprising ties that bind some of country music’s biggest stars to Churches of Christ. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “Mr. & Mrs. Carl Dean.” The black-and-white picture of the newlywed couple appeared in a 1966 directory of the Radnor Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. Still happily married to the pretty blond nearly 55 years later, Carl Thomas Dean has eschewed the media spotlight … Continue reading Saints and singers
Can government ban singing in worship? U.S. Supreme Court weighs in
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. Legal battles over pandemic-era worship gatherings rage on. Last October’s confirmation of Justice Amy Coney Barrett flipped the U.S. Supreme Court’s script on such questions. The … Continue reading Can government ban singing in worship? U.S. Supreme Court weighs in
President Biden is a fan of Pope Francis, but is Francis a fan of Biden?
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. Pope Francis is a big supporter of President Joe Biden. U.S. Catholic bishops are not. At least that’s a prominent narrative concerning America’s second Catholic president … Continue reading President Biden is a fan of Pope Francis, but is Francis a fan of Biden?
Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey’s company doxxes religion journalist
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. Joe Biden’s inauguration as America’s 46th president produced a ton of religion news. We’ll get to all that in a moment. First, though, the most jaw-dropping … Continue reading Christian financial guru Dave Ramsey’s company doxxes religion journalist
Most Christians welcome the COVID-19 vaccines, but some are skeptical
A majority view the coronavirus shots as an answer to prayer, a survey finds. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Many of the 700 members of the Grace Chapel Church of Christ in Cumming, Ga., north of Atlanta, are excited about the rapid development of vaccines to fight COVID-19. “This is an answer to prayer, for certain,” said Paul Huyghebaert, the church’s lead minister. When his turn comes, … Continue reading Most Christians welcome the COVID-19 vaccines, but some are skeptical
Jesus emphasized peace to those who would follow him
‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ — Matthew 5:9 By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Peace. That was Domingo Reyes’ prayer as the Wilmington, Del., minister taught his congregation’s Wednesday night Bible study Jan. 6, just hours after a deadly riot inside the U.S. Capitol. “The events that occurred were so disturbing that I had to change my … Continue reading Jesus emphasized peace to those who would follow him
Christians and the conspiracy theories that helped fuel the Capitol mob
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. Nearly 20 years ago, I wrote a column for The Oklahoman headlined “Internet deception runs wild.” In that July 2001 piece, I highlighted the claim that … Continue reading Christians and the conspiracy theories that helped fuel the Capitol mob
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 