Amid tornado wreckage, one man’s faith offers a huge measure of hope
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. COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Heartbreak and hope. It’s a combination I’ve witnessed repeatedly when covering catastrophes, from the Oklahoma City bombing to Hurricane Katrina to, most recently, the March 3 Tennessee tornadoes that killed … Continue reading Amid tornado wreckage, one man’s faith offers a huge measure of hope
After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend
‘You don’t ever think that’s the last time you’re going to see somebody,’ Izzy Stevens says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Just three nights before the unimaginable happened, Izzy Stevens, 17, laughed with her 4-year-old friend, Hattie Jo Collins, across a table at Pizza Hut. Hattie, known for her colorful headbands adorned with flowers, rainbows and unicorns, was the daughter of … Continue reading After tornado, a teen grieves her 4-year-old friend
Volunteer State: Christians rally to help
After Tennessee’s deadly tornadoes, Churches of Christ play a leading role in the disaster relief effort. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle COOKEVILLE, Tenn. — Mike Luke wore a bright orange “Disaster Assistance Church of Christ” T-shirt as he steered a four-wheel vehicle carrying food and supplies for tornado victims toward a ravaged neighborhood. Near a hill lined with 18 memorial crosses remembering victims of last … Continue reading Volunteer State: Christians rally to help
Democrats talk faith ahead of South Carolina and Super Tuesday voting
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. Americans don’t consider Democratic presidential candidates to be particularly religious, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. But at the end of Tuesday night’s two-hour debate in Charleston, S.C., guess what? Faith … Continue reading Democrats talk faith ahead of South Carolina and Super Tuesday voting
The journey that led a church to appoint female elders
‘It needs to be the whole body,’ Sheila Bost says of men and women leading and preaching. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LOS ANGELES — In the early 1960s, then-Abilene Christian College — a Texas higher education institution associated with Churches of Christ — had different rules for male and female dorm residents. Sheila Bost, now a grandmother of 12, remembers that she couldn’t study at … Continue reading The journey that led a church to appoint female elders
Should women preach in a mixed-gender assembly?
This graduate theology student — one of four sisters and the mother of five girls — doesn’t think so. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas — Christa Sanders Bryant has a passion for teaching the Bible. The mother of five believes God has called her — and all Christians — to lead souls to Jesus. But even though she is pursuing a master’s … Continue reading Should women preach in a mixed-gender assembly?
Did a prophet predict Rick Perry’s future? The theology matters!
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. About a year ago, I wrote about the retirement of Tim Funk, the award-winning religion writer for the Charlotte Observer. But I noticed this week that Funk is back at work for the … Continue reading Did a prophet predict Rick Perry’s future? The theology matters!
‘A hundred years goes faster than you think’
Visit to old family cemetery stirs fond memories and reflections. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CEDAR GROVE, Tenn. — My dad, Bob Ross, bent down and brushed leaves off the flat grave marker so he could read the inscription. “Lloyd Lee Ross. Sgt US Army. World War II,” the writing said. “Bronze Star Medal. Purple Heart.” The dates, March 24, 1918, to April … Continue reading ‘A hundred years goes faster than you think’
Two preachers. Two church shootings. An immediate bond
Ministers discuss experiences as panel explores how to protect congregations from attacks. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HENDERSON, Tenn. — A few minutes before stepping onstage, Britt Farmer and Joey Spann met for the first time. But the two preachers — one from Texas, the other from Tennessee — greeted each other like old friends. These ministers belong to an exclusive club. It’s one … Continue reading Two preachers. Two church shootings. An immediate bond
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 