Uncle Sam helped congregations, Christian universities meet payroll
Thousands of church and faith-based higher ed jobs were retained through the federal Payroll Protection Program. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle At least 47 Churches of Christ across the nation received loans of $150,000 or more through the federal government’s coronavirus relief bill, a Christian Chronicle analysis found. In all, those Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act loans amounted to at least $9,450,000 — and as … Continue reading Uncle Sam helped congregations, Christian universities meet payroll
Why the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is so controversial to many Christians
Some believers point to a radical, anti-Christian agenda. Others see racism at play in the slogan’s opposition. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle To Christians such as Taneise Perry, the phrase “Black Lives Matter” voices a simple truth about the importance of equal treatment and justice for Black Americans. To Perry, a Black mother of three sons, the viral hashtag #BlackLivesMatter has little to do … Continue reading Why the ‘Black Lives Matter’ movement is so controversial to many Christians
Q&A: Hall Of Famer Rod Carew talks faith, COVID-19 and, yes, baseball
By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged In 19 seasons with the Minnesota Twins and Los Angeles Angels, Rod Carew racked up numbers that made him a first-ballot Hall of Famer. From 1967 to 1985, Carew collected 3,053 hits, won seven American League batting titles and made 18 straight All-Star appearances. But his new memoir, “One Tough Out: Fighting Off Life’s Curveballs,” ventures beyond the … Continue reading Q&A: Hall Of Famer Rod Carew talks faith, COVID-19 and, yes, baseball
Landmark LGBT ruling: What it means for exemptions, evangelicals and the election
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. The U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling Monday barring workplace discrimination against gay, lesbian and transgender workers certainly seemed to catch some by surprise. Take USA Today, for example. The URL on the national … Continue reading Landmark LGBT ruling: What it means for exemptions, evangelicals and the election
History repeats: Civil rights hero’s great-grandson shows courage
Texas youth group member stands up for friend called the N-word. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle In 1957, the white mayor of Little Rock, Ark., showed courage by standing up for nine black students trying to integrate Central High School. Defying segregationist Gov. Orval Faubus and an angry white mob, Mayor Woodrow Wilson Mann urged President Dwight D. Eisenhower to send U.S. soldiers to quell the … Continue reading History repeats: Civil rights hero’s great-grandson shows courage
Protests and prayers
Christians respond to George Floyd’s death with outrage, rallies and calls for justice. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Warren G. Blakney Sr.’s long fight for racial equality stretches back to 1961. At age 9, Blakney met civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and passed out voter registration handbills door to door. “I saw a lot of things,” said the … Continue reading Protests and prayers
More churches resume in-person worship, but COVID-19 brings changes
From social distancing to individual communion packages, congregations take steps to prevent the coronavirus from spreading. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Masks or no masks? Sing and make a joyful noise — or not? Required temperature checks at the door? These are among the questions facing Churches of Christ nationwide as congregations increasingly move to resume in-person assemblies, a Christian Chronicle survey found. After nearly three … Continue reading More churches resume in-person worship, but COVID-19 brings changes
Pop quiz: Seven questions about Trump’s church photo op
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. What’s left to say about the week’s biggest religion story? President Donald Trump’s now-famous walk from the White House to the nearby St. John’s Episcopal Church literally broke the internet. Or at least … Continue reading Pop quiz: Seven questions about Trump’s church photo op
After George Floyd’s death, petition to rename Harding auditorium gains support
Alumnus calls the daily chapel venue’s namesake ‘a vocal racist and supporter of segregation.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After the videoed killing of George Floyd, Jackson House couldn’t stay silent any longer. The 2014 graduate of Harding University in Searcy, Ark., first learned during his student days of claims of racism against the late George S. Benson, whose name adorns the Christian university’s main auditorium. … Continue reading After George Floyd’s death, petition to rename Harding auditorium gains support
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 