Delaware churches — one white, one black — find new life by merging
Leaders see God in the circumstances that brought these two disparate congregations together. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle WILMINGTON, Del. — In its heyday, the Cedars Church of Christ sometimes topped 350 in Sunday attendance. Many Christians came from the Bible Belt to work for DuPont, the chemical company headquartered in this Mid-Atlantic city. Those workers and their families formed the core … Continue reading Delaware churches — one white, one black — find new life by merging
New federal ‘church parking tax’ sparks questions and concerns
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service Like houses of worship across the U.S., Calvary Church in Santa Ana, Calif., typically hasn’t had to worry about filing a federal tax form. But an obscure provision in the corporate tax overhaul approved by the Republican-controlled Congress at the end of 2017 may change that. That provision imposes a 21 percent tax on employee parking benefits … Continue reading New federal ‘church parking tax’ sparks questions and concerns
My appearance on Interfaith Voices with Washington Post’s Julie Zauzmer
I joined the Washington Post’s Julie Zauzmer on the Interfaith Voices radio show to discuss the most important religion news of the past month. The show, distributed to about 90 public and community radio stations across the U.S., is hosted by Amber Khan. I appreciate producer Lauren Markoe, former managing editor for Religion News Service, inviting me to join the conversation. Listen to the show. Continue reading My appearance on Interfaith Voices with Washington Post’s Julie Zauzmer
‘Guys, you are not my opponent,’ Baptist official tells reporters investigating sex abuse
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Is the Southern Baptist Convention facing a public relations nightmare?
Some might be asking that question after the first part of a bombshell investigative project by the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News was published Sunday:
Keep going, and this is an enjoyable piece to read — both in terms of Canada bureau chief Catherine Porter’s writing ability and the journalistic fairness shown to supporters and critics of the pastor who doesn’t believe in God.
The opening installment of the “Abuse of Faith” series filled almost four entire newspaper pages — meticulously describing the findings of a six-month investigation by reporters for the Chronicle and the Express-News.
The sobering details:
It’s not just a recent problem: In all, since 1998, roughly 380 Southern Baptist church leaders and volunteers have faced allegations of sexual misconduct, the newspapers found. That includes those who were convicted, credibly accused and successfully sued, and those who confessed or resigned. More of them worked in Texas than in any other state.
They left behind more than 700 victims, many of them shunned by their churches, left to themselves to rebuild their lives. Some were urged to forgive their abusers or to get abortions.
About 220 offenders have been convicted or took plea deals, and dozens of cases are pending. They were pastors. Ministers. Youth pastors. Sunday school teachers. Deacons. Church volunteers.
Nearly 100 are still held in prisons stretching from Sacramento County, Calif., to Hillsborough County, Fla., state and federal records show. Scores of others cut deals and served no time. More than 100 are registered sex offenders. Some still work in Southern Baptist churches today.
Journalists in the two newsrooms spent more than six months reviewing thousands of pages of court, prison and police records and conducting hundreds of interviews. They built a database of former leadersin Southern Baptist churches who have been convicted of sex crimes.
So, to repeat the original question: Is the Southern Baptist Convention facing a public relations nightmare?
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All of my GetReligion columns (February 2019):
Continue reading “‘Guys, you are not my opponent,’ Baptist official tells reporters investigating sex abuse”
Bible study and skateboards meet at Skatechurch
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service TULSA, Okla. — When Brant Lozano was 13, he thought the idea of a church for skateboarders was stupid. But a friend kept inviting him, and eventually, Lozano gave in. To his surprise, “Skatechurch” — a ministry hosted by the First United Methodist Church in downtown Tulsa — turned out not to be so lame, he said. … Continue reading Bible study and skateboards meet at Skatechurch
In border wall fight, compassion mixes with concern
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle As a Christian, U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie worships with a bilingual congregation that shares the Gospel with Spanish speakers and feeds the hungry without concern for immigration status. As a congressman, the Kentucky Republican points to a definite “crisis at the border” and supports President Donald Trump’s push to build a $5.7 billion wall separating the United States from Mexico. The 54-year-old … Continue reading In border wall fight, compassion mixes with concern
Three members of Churches of Christ elected to U.S. House
Even with veteran congressman’s retirement, that’s the most in recent memory and perhaps ever. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle In 2005, a freshman congressman named Ted Poe drove his gaudy Jeep with 35-inch tires, six front floodlights and a bumper sticker proclaiming “Texas is bigger than France” to a White House meeting. The colorful former state district judge, who earned his political … Continue reading Three members of Churches of Christ elected to U.S. House
Five weeks in Congress: one Christian’s journey
Brenda Jones, a Michigan Democrat, reflects on her short-lived tenure in Washington. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle When Brenda Jones took the oath of office for her brief tenure in the U.S. House, her first words related to her faith. “Mr. Speaker, let me start out by saying, ‘To God be the glory.’ I want to thank God for giving me this … Continue reading Five weeks in Congress: one Christian’s journey
Cyntoia Brown, granted clemency, says Christian school’s program changed her life
While in a Tennessee prison for murder, Brown got a degree with the help of Lipscomb University. By Bobby Ross Jr. Each semester, the LIFE program at Nashville’s Lipscomb University, which is associated with the Churches of Christ, pairs students with inmates serving time in the Tennessee Prison for Women. This week, the most high-profile graduate of that academic program — offered behind the prison’s … Continue reading Cyntoia Brown, granted clemency, says Christian school’s program changed her life
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 