How the SBC sex abuse scandal turned a city hall reporter into a full-time religion writer
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. Robert Downen almost burned out on newspapers and went into the insurance business. Instead, the talented journalist, now 28, stuck it out and spearheaded what the Religion News Association chose as the No. … Continue reading How the SBC sex abuse scandal turned a city hall reporter into a full-time religion writer
(Who Is Alex Trebek?)
Game show host with cancer touts prayer, but faith story is complicated. 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. I have wondered about Alex Trebek’s faith for a while. My curiosity was piqued last May … Continue reading (Who Is Alex Trebek?)
Seven tips for covering horrific events at houses of worship — and treating victims right
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. I love journalism. I love my fellow journalists. But as I pointed out in last week’s column on the media barrage faced by minister Britt Farmer after a deadly shooting at his Texas church, I … Continue reading Seven tips for covering horrific events at houses of worship — and treating victims right
Why Texas minister talked to me — and only me — about deadly church shooting
Editor’s note: Today we launch “Weekend Plug-In,” a column by veteran religion writer Bobby Ross Jr. Look every Friday for analysis, insights and top headlines from the world of faith. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — A few minutes after noon Sunday, my iPhone started pinging with messages from friends, alerting me to a shooting at the West Freeway Church … Continue reading Why Texas minister talked to me — and only me — about deadly church shooting
Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly shooting
A day after two members were killed during the Lord’s Supper, congregation gathers to reflect and praise God. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — The West Freeway Church of Christ, a close-knit congregation of about 280, didn’t get to finish its Sunday morning worship assembly. So Monday night — roughly 30 hours after a gunman killed two beloved Christians during the Lord’s Supper … Continue reading Texas church grieves, prays, sings after deadly shooting
Texas minister reflects on shooting that shattered his congregation’s peace
Preacher Britt Farmer lost his best friend in the Sunday attack at a Church of Christ near Fort Worth. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — Britt Farmer had his head down, focusing on the sermon he was about to preach. That’s when the 60-year-old minister heard a gasp, followed by gunshots and screaming at the West Freeway Church of Christ. “I … Continue reading Texas minister reflects on shooting that shattered his congregation’s peace
Decade in review: Christian Chronicle’s 10 biggest stories of the 2010s
From racial reconciliation to declining membership, these headlines captured readers attention. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle What a decade! The 2010s saw the invention of the iPad, three more “Star Wars” movies (although I still haven’t seen the 1977 original) and my beloved Texas Rangers’ first-ever World Series appearances (spoiler alert: They didn’t win). Here at The Christian Chronicle, the last 10 years brought inspiring narratives from places such as Deadwood, S.D.; Wasilla, Alaska; Providence, … Continue reading Decade in review: Christian Chronicle’s 10 biggest stories of the 2010s
Year in review: Ten religion stories that stuck with me in 2019, including one of my own
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion Did Santa bring everything you wanted for Christmas? I hope so. As we head toward a new year, I wanted to pull a few items out of my gift bag. Here, in no particular order, are 10 of the most memorable religion stories that I read (and one I even wrote) in 2019: Read the full column. • • • All … Continue reading Year in review: Ten religion stories that stuck with me in 2019, including one of my own
Ministry serves the poor in hard-hit steel town
Faith-based nonprofit in Ohio offers physical and spiritual support. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle LORAIN, Ohio — This struggling Rust Belt city of 64,000 souls can use a little hope. A ship-building company, an automotive plant and steel mills along Lake Erie — at the mouth of the Black River — once provided thousands of jobs for the community 30 miles west of … Continue reading Ministry serves the poor in hard-hit steel town
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 