Glitz and a surprise guest at prom for special-needs teens and adults
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — A red carpet. Friendly paparazzi. Limousine rides. All of the above greeted the special-needs teens and adults — most clad in tuxedos and fancy dresses, many using wheelchairs — who showed up at the Putnam City Baptist Church on the Friday night (Feb. 9) before Valentine’s Day. Inside the Southern Baptist church’s sanctuary, … Continue reading Glitz and a surprise guest at prom for special-needs teens and adults
After Kentucky school shooting, teen’s faith amazes
God works ‘even in the midst of such evil and pain,’ minister says. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “Are you OK?” “Tell me you’re safe.” “Pamela, please text me back.” At 7:57 a.m. on a recent Tuesday, a gunman opened fire at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky., a rural community 130 miles northwest of Nashville, Tenn. By the time the rampage ended, … Continue reading After Kentucky school shooting, teen’s faith amazes
Six questions to assess vehicle insurance
Managing the money of the church includes being up-to-date on insurance policies. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Finance Today After Hurricane Harvey struck southeast Texas last year, an Oklahoma church sent 150 people to help with disaster relief. Before they left, church leaders worked to bolster safety on the nearly 1,000-mile round trip: They rented 18 newer-model vans and required volunteer drivers to … Continue reading Six questions to assess vehicle insurance
A Bible Belt mayor, an extramarital affair and a religion-savvy newspaper
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
When the dateline on a news story is Nashville, Tenn., there isn’t always a religion angle.
But almost always?
Yes, that’s a pretty safe statement. At least was the case during the year I spent in that Bible Belt state capital, covering faith and politics for The Associated Press.
In late 2015, I praised The Tennessean’s decision to hire a full-time religion writer — Holly Meyer — after eliminating the position when veteran journalist Bob Smietana left the paper in 2013. In my post two years ago, I proclaimed:
The prodigal Godbeat has come home to Music City!
The USA Today Network publication’s investment in Meyer and religion journalism expertise keeps paying dividends. The most recent example came last week after Nashville Mayor Megan Barry confessed to an extramarital affair.
Way up high in the initial main news story on Barry’s affair, quotes attributed to the mayor hinted strongly at holy ghosts:
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (February 2018):
Continue reading “A Bible Belt mayor, an extramarital affair and a religion-savvy newspaper”
In heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, two Spanish-speaking congregations merge
‘We are bringing together three churches,’ says an elder of the English-speaking host church. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas – A Latino grocery store called Supermercado El Rancho (“The Ranch Supermarket”) anchors the shopping center across the street from the Hillcrest Church of Christ. Those with dirty clothes can’t miss the nearby lavandería (“laundromat”). Five years ago, Arlington’s burgeoning Hispanic population inspired Great Cities Missions — … Continue reading In heart of Dallas-Fort Worth, two Spanish-speaking congregations merge
Kentucky church member escapes school shooting — but not the trauma
‘We know that God is our only hope in finding any comfort or peace in a time like now,’ says Pamela Ross, a Benton Church of Christ member. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Are you OK?” “Tell me you’re safe.” “Pamela, please text me back.” At 7:57 a.m. Tuesday, a gunman opened fire at Marshall County High School in Benton, Ky., a rural community … Continue reading Kentucky church member escapes school shooting — but not the trauma
Tears and fears: Church teen killed by Arkansas police
Loved ones struggle to understand why 17-year-old opened fire during traffic stop. First Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — A thin sheet of snow and ice covered the ground outside the Levy Church of Christ this week as hundreds of mourners filed into the auditorium. Charles Smith Jr. — “C.J.” to friends and relatives — … Continue reading Tears and fears: Church teen killed by Arkansas police
Christian universities feeling the pinch as Churches of Christ shrink
Sharp decline seen in number of freshmen who identify with the numerically declining fellowship. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Since today’s college freshmen were infants, roughly 1,200 Churches of Christ in the United States have closed, and the number of men, women and children in the pews nationally has shrunk by 200,000. In the same 18-year period, universities associated with the fellowship … Continue reading Christian universities feeling the pinch as Churches of Christ shrink
The theology behind Oprah’s ‘stirring, spiritual call to arms’ at Golden Globes
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Unless you live in a cave with no television, social media feeds or electricity, you know about Oprah Winfrey’s “stirring, spiritual call to arms” at the Golden Globes.
Winfrey’s speech — tied to the #MeToo movement — “has fans dreaming” of a presidential run by the talk-show icon and Democrats from Hollywood to Iowa “captivated” by the possibility.
Here at GetReligion, editor Terry Mattingly suggested months ago: “Yes, the religious left exists: Can you think of a logical person (Oprah) to serve as its leader?”
Oh, her.
But speaking of religion, have the breathless news reports since Sunday night acknowledged — or mostly ignored — Oprah’s Gospel-meets-New Age religious maven role?
Take a wild guess.
However, a leading Godbeat pro has an extremely insightful story on the surprising theology shared by Oprah and, believe it or not, her potential 2020 adversary, President Donald Trump:
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (January 2018):
Continue reading “The theology behind Oprah’s ‘stirring, spiritual call to arms’ at Golden Globes”
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 