‘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
To Botham Jean’s parents, shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’
Bertrum and Allison Jean reflect on their emotional journey as racial unity summit and mission trip pay tribute to slain son. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle DALLAS — The nightmare never goes away. Almost nine months have passed since Amber Guyger, an off-duty Dallas police officer still in uniform, entered Botham Shem Jean’s fourth-floor apartment and opened fire, killing the beloved song leader and Bible … Continue reading To Botham Jean’s parents, shooting still feels ‘as if it just happened’
Oklahoma SPJ recognizes Bobby Ross Jr. with three first-place awards
By Bobby Ross Jr. I was honored to receive six awards — including first place in three categories — in the Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists’ annual contest. Winners were announced Saturday night at an awards banquet in Midwest City, recognizing content produced in 2018. (I was unable to attend due to a prior commitment.) The Christian Chronicle and Religion News Service compete in Division … Continue reading Oklahoma SPJ recognizes Bobby Ross Jr. with three first-place awards
Pittsburgh Pirates’ ballpark is one of the best
By Bobby Ross Jr. PITTSBURGH — I’ve always heard that PNC Park, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is spectacular. Now I can confirm that based on personal experience. My sons Brady and Keaton and I traveled to Pittsburgh to see our beloved Texas Rangers play Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon. Related: How I fell in love with baseball We had a wonderful time, and the Rangers … Continue reading Pittsburgh Pirates’ ballpark is one of the best
Flyover country: Concerning new Godbeat jobs, does location matter?
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Location. Location. Location.
When it comes to that glorious, $4.9 million Lilly Endowment Inc. grant that will fund 13 new religion journalists at The Associated Press, Religion News Service and The Conversation, exactly how much does location matter?
That’s the question some are asking after AP posted job ads for seven new positions last week and RNS did the same this week for its three grant-funded openings.
According to the ads, six of the seven AP positions will be based at AP headquarters in New York City or in Washington, D.C. The exception will be a Cairo-based newsperson who will cover Islamic faith and culture.
RNS, meanwhile, is hiring a managing editor to work in New York or Washington, along with a Rome-based Vatican correspondent and a Los Angeles-based national writer.
Sarah McCammon, an NPR national correspondent based in the Mid-Atlantic/Southeast U.S., grew up in a conservative Christian home in Kansas City and attended an evangelical college.
McCammon got more than 250 “likes” when she tweeted this suggestion to AP:
Special report from Jerusalem: Is the Holy Land the Promised Land?
Leading evangelical supporters of President Trump tout the modern state of Israel as a fulfillment of biblical prophecy. Scholars in Churches of Christ take a different view. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle JERUSALEM — To prominent evangelical allies of President Donald Trump, “the Lord is at work” in the administration’s high-profile backing of Israel. From moving the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem to recognizing … Continue reading Special report from Jerusalem: Is the Holy Land the Promised Land?
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 