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:
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All of my GetReligion columns (January 2018):
Continue reading “The theology behind Oprah’s ‘stirring, spiritual call to arms’ at Golden Globes”
In 2017, these Christians demonstrated faith, hope and love
Ten stories that inspired me — and hopefully you — over the past year. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle I am blessed. As chief correspondent for The Christian Chronicle, I am privileged to tell the stories of Christians living out their faith — often under difficult or extraordinary circumstances. Over the last 13 years, my travels with the Chronicle have taken me to all 50 states and 11 countries. Among the … Continue reading In 2017, these Christians demonstrated faith, hope and love
God and guns: Texas pastors undergo security training a month after Sutherland Springs massacre
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service PLANO, Texas — Shooting holes in a “paper bad guy” during target practice? That’s easy. Defending a house of worship against a real gunman? That’s a whole different story. As he led a security training on Tuesday (Dec. 5) at a Dallas-area megachurch, Sgt. Mike Gurley warned against thinking that worshippers licensed to carry handguns can offer reliable protection. … Continue reading God and guns: Texas pastors undergo security training a month after Sutherland Springs massacre
Trump + Gillibrand + faith: ‘Why is religion only talked about when reporters profile Republicans?’
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Did you happen to hear where Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand was last week when President Trump posted a tweet about her that the president’s critics labeled “sexually suggestive and demeaning?”
Yep, that’s right: The New York Democrat was at a bipartisan Bible study.
So what are the odds that the New York Times political writers who profiled Gillibrand in Sunday’s newspaper — in a lengthy A-section piece tied to the president’s kerfuffle with the senator — delved into her faith?
Hint: The Times makes passing reference to the aforementioned Bible study.
But any actual consideration of Gillibrand’s faith? Not so much. (Interestingly enough, the profile does point to the senator’s propensity to curse “freely in public venues.”)
In case you somehow missed Trump’s tweet and Gillibrand’s response, here they are:
I first became aware of Gillibrand’s participation in the regular Bible study when I did a Religion News Service profile of Sen. James Lankford earlier this year. I asked the Oklahoma Republican’s team for the names of Democrats involved in the study. They put me in touch with Gillibrand’s office.
I visited with Gillibrand about Lankford and her own faith, and a portion of that interview ended up in my story:
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All of my GetReligion columns (December 2017):
The guy in the red apron: How a Salvation Army bell ringer brings heart to the job
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, Texas — To hear Bruce Bachman tell it, he’s just a guy with a bell, a red apron and a heart to serve who gives a little of his time during the holiday season. He’s just one of the thousands of volunteer bell ringers who keep alive a 127-year tradition that the Salvation … Continue reading The guy in the red apron: How a Salvation Army bell ringer brings heart to the job
Closing doors: Small religious colleges struggle for survival
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service SHAWNEE, Okla. — Duncan Tiemeyer chose St. Gregory’s University because he wanted a faith-based education that would teach him more than how to succeed in a career. The 550-student Catholic liberal arts college in Oklahoma traces its roots to French monks who moved to Indian Territory in 1875, intent on developing the bodies, minds and souls of … Continue reading Closing doors: Small religious colleges struggle for survival
Texas hero risked life to save others
With the death toll at 26, Stephen Willeford confronted — and shot — the Sutherland Springs gunman. Third Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle Heroes need prayers, too. Stephen Willeford — the Texan who confronted and shot the gunman who killed 26 people at a rural Baptist church Sunday — could use a bunch of prayers, his close friend John Wood … Continue reading Texas hero risked life to save others
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 