An emotional return
Worship center reopens at site of deadly Texas church shooting. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Visible scars were gone — the bullet holes, the bloodstained carpet — as the West Freeway Church of Christ in White Settlement, Texas, made an emotional return to its worship center Sunday. Eight months after a gunman opened fire during the Lord’s Supper, new blue-cushioned pews, reconfigured walls and a lowered ceiling … Continue reading An emotional return
Time for a pop quiz: 7 questions about the stunning exit of Jerry Falwell Jr.
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. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Was it just three weeks ago that we were talking about a “racy picture” of Liberty University’s then-president, Jerry Falwell Jr., sparking curiosity and controversy? Given the allegations that surfaced this week, … Continue reading Time for a pop quiz: 7 questions about the stunning exit of Jerry Falwell Jr.
Family who survived Katrina by escaping to church balcony marks storm’s 15th anniversary
God used the 2005 hurricane, the Marsalises believe, to prepare them for what came next. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NEW ORLEANS — Even a decade and a half after the storm, Angela Marsalis still prefers to avoid the subject of Hurricane Katrina. “I guess it feels like I’m still not ready to deal with it, even though I know all the … Continue reading Family who survived Katrina by escaping to church balcony marks storm’s 15th anniversary
Democrats tout faith, while a few DNC caucuses omit ‘under God’ from pledge
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. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Did the Democrats “get” religion or not? Certainly, lots of headlines coming out of this week’s virtual Democratic National Convention had strong faith elements. But a different storyline gained attention, too. The … Continue reading Democrats tout faith, while a few DNC caucuses omit ‘under God’ from pledge
After the pandemic, will people return to church?
Some ministers fear the attendance decline will outlive the COVID-19 outbreak. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle A note on the Facebook page of the Glendale Road Church of Christ in Murray, Ky., caught my attention recently. It referred to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and voiced understanding for anyone staying away from in-person worship for health reasons. “However, if the reason for your absence is because you’ve become … Continue reading After the pandemic, will people return to church?
Kamala Harris’ interfaith background draws focus, but some call her anti-Catholic
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. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Hang on for a wild ride. Try to avoid whiplash. Yes, it was another crazy week in the world of religion news — and we’re going to cover the highlights in a hurry. … Continue reading Kamala Harris’ interfaith background draws focus, but some call her anti-Catholic
Ousted by Democrats, anti-abortion preacher runs as independent in Tennessee
After 26 years in office, lawmaker faces the fight of his political life. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle As a teen, longtime Tennessee state Rep. John DeBerry Jr. integrated an all-White high school and witnessed civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr.’s final speech before his 1968 assassination. To supporters, DeBerry — a 69-year-old Black preacher from Memphis — is a man of … Continue reading Ousted by Democrats, anti-abortion preacher runs as independent in Tennessee
‘Racy picture’ of Liberty’s Jerry Falwell Jr. sparks curiosity and controversy
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. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. “Wut is happening,” Houston Chronicle religion writer Robert Downen quipped on Twitter this week. Downen’s colloquial query about an, um, unexpected snapshot of Jerry Falwell Jr. quickly went viral. Falwell is, of … Continue reading ‘Racy picture’ of Liberty’s Jerry Falwell Jr. sparks curiosity and controversy
Fact check: Did Tim Tebow kneeling for God on the field upset NFL?
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-In” features analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. Got feedback or ideas for this column? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. Tim Tebow’s outward expressions of his evangelical Christian faith made him a polarizing figure during his college and professional football career. There’s no doubt about that. But did Tebow’s prayers on the field … Continue reading Fact check: Did Tim Tebow kneeling for God on the field upset NFL?
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 