My son Keaton reports: Oklahoma opioid trial has national implications
By Bobby Ross Jr. My son Keaton is a general reporting intern for The Oklahoman. I was excited to see his story on the national implications of an ongoing trial against opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson at the top of Sunday’s front page. Keaton, a 22-year-old journalism major, will be a senior this fall at Oklahoma Christian University, where he will serve as editor-in-chief of the … Continue reading My son Keaton reports: Oklahoma opioid trial has national implications
How churches can bridge the marriage divide
Growing marriage gap between rich and poor offers ministry opportunities. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Facts & Trends In the Texas town of Childress, about 22.4 percent of the population lives in poverty — nearly double the national average. Halfway between Amarillo and Wichita Falls, the cattle and cotton-farming hub of 6,000 is the biggest community for 100 miles in any direction. “The closest shopping … Continue reading How churches can bridge the marriage divide
Next mayor of Dallas puts faith in ‘good Lord above’ and voters
Church of Christ member rose from humble roots to lead nation’s ninth-largest city. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle On the morning after winning election as the next mayor of Dallas, Eric Johnson returned to his roots — the Dallas West Church of Christ. At the congregation where the 43-year-old lawyer and state representative grew up, fellow Christians formed a circle, held hands and … Continue reading Next mayor of Dallas puts faith in ‘good Lord above’ and voters
At 87, ‘disaster deacon’ opens his heart — and church — to flooding victims
Widower’s work with Red Cross emergency shelter is ‘an inspiration to many.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TULSA, Okla. — Oh, Kenneth Hearrell has stories to tell. About how he rode a horse five miles to his two-room schoolhouse from first through fourth grades. About how he used a homemade rowboat to drive cattle to dry land after a big rain swamped the … Continue reading At 87, ‘disaster deacon’ opens his heart — and church — to flooding victims
Virginia mass shooting hits close to home for church member
‘It’s just such a shock,’ says member who frequently conducts business at building where rampage occurred. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When Eugene Thompson learned of Friday’s mass shooting at a government building in Virginia Beach, Va., he immediately thought: That could have been my son. That could have been me. Thompson, a longtime member of the Princess Anne Church of Christ in that coastal city, owns … Continue reading Virginia mass shooting hits close to home for church member
‘God and Country Music’: Faith-infused songs are hot in Nashville
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Holly Meyer’s mama tried to raise her better.
Actually, I think her mother did just fine. That opening was my rather feeble attempt to set the scene (with thanks to Merle Haggard) for this post on “God and Country Music.”
Meyer, The Tennessean’s religion writer, had a big piece on Sunday’s front page about a religious revival in country music:
It turns out that the story idea came from, well, Meyer’s mother.
“And a good story idea is a good story idea, especially when it comes from your mom,” Meyer said.
Amen!
Full disclosure: I love country music. In fact, I wrote a column several years ago exploring country songs as “modern-day parables.” So I was pretty certain I was going to appreciate Meyer’s piece. And I did.
Continue reading “‘God and Country Music’: Faith-infused songs are hot in Nashville”
Launched during segregation, lectureship celebrates 75 years
Hundreds of African American Christians gather for preaching, singing and fellowship. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ST. LOUIS — For 75 years, the National Lectureship of Churches of Christ has brought together Christians from across the U.S. for preaching, singing and fellowship. Hundreds of members of predominantly African American congregations gathered at a hotel near St. Louis’ Gateway Arch for the recent milestone event. … Continue reading Launched during segregation, lectureship celebrates 75 years
ECFA faces scrutiny over Harvest investigation
The delayed penalties for James MacDonald’s church have some evangelicals challenging the financial watchdog’s role and others defending it. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service About five years ago, the Village Church of Barrington, a congregation northwest of Chicago with a $1.8 million annual budget and average weekly attendance of 600, decided to become accredited with the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. ECFA … Continue reading ECFA faces scrutiny over Harvest investigation
Rain, rain, go away: Bennett enjoys his first Texas Rangers game
By Bobby Ross Jr. ARLINGTON, Texas — My oldest son, Brady, was 10 months old when his mother, Tamie, and I took him to his first Texas Rangers game in May 1994. That was Texas’ first season playing at The Ballpark in Arlington, the beautiful new baseball palace that replaced the rickety old Arlington Stadium. In a 2006 Christian Chronicle column titled “For love of … Continue reading Rain, rain, go away: Bennett enjoys his first Texas Rangers game
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 