New Orleans church member shot dead after Sunday assembly
‘He wasn’t out there ripping and running,’ minister says of the victim. ‘He was a good kid.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle After Hurricane Katrina, Charles and Angela Marsalis found their calling in New Orleans’ high-crime Hollygrove neighborhood — where both grew up. The couple started Bible studies for boys and girls on the front porch of a relative’s flood-damaged home, serving snacks and soft drinks in … Continue reading New Orleans church member shot dead after Sunday assembly
18 vans, 150 volunteers, 465 miles, one goal: to help Harvey victims
‘These people are amazing,’ says an Iranian immigrant grateful for the love shown after his family’s home flooded. First Place, In-depth Coverage, Associated Church Press Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — The homeowner was shirtless and sweating. He was still angry — he admitted that much — over the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey two months … Continue reading 18 vans, 150 volunteers, 465 miles, one goal: to help Harvey victims
Five reasons why churches should invest in security cameras
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Law and Tax A mother accused a Sunday school teacher of molesting her young daughter. But the crime never happened — video from a church security camera proved the accusation false. A couple broke into a church intent on stealing the Sunday offering. But a camera captured their faces — and the surveillance footage was used to identify … Continue reading Five reasons why churches should invest in security cameras
After Harvey, ‘churches have done far more than the government’
Two months after the storm, Texas minister reflects on disaster relief and lessons learned. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BEAUMONT, Texas — Tony Williams is tired. However, he insists he’s not burned out. Two months after Hurricane Harvey, the Westgate Church of Christ — where Williams serves as the preaching minister — remains active with disaster relief in this southeast Texas city of 120,000. “It’s tiring, … Continue reading After Harvey, ‘churches have done far more than the government’
For survivors of Tennessee church shooting, healing will take time and patience
‘You don’t ever get over those things. You just learn how to get through them,’ says a minister familiar with tragedy. First Place, News Story, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The gunman took the love of Mavy Stoddard’s life. She refused to let him take her hope. “God’s been good to me,” said Stoddard, whose husband, Dorwan, 76, died … Continue reading For survivors of Tennessee church shooting, healing will take time and patience
‘The leprosy in my neighborhood is addiction’
Coleman Yoakum, director of Micah 6 Community, reflects on the challenges and opportunities of inner-city ministry. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle PONTIAC, Mich. — “You can’t be a Christian and do drugs. You know that, right?” Actually, Coleman Yoakum didn’t know that. Yoakum grew up in an unchurched household in rural Arkansas. He had this crazy dream: He’d go to film school, make movies and … Continue reading ‘The leprosy in my neighborhood is addiction’
Don’t take the bait: What Pat Robertson said about Las Vegas isn’t really news
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
A headline from The Onion, of all places, went viral Monday after the worst mass shooting in modern U.S. history.
In recent years, the “‘No Way To Prevent This,’ Says Only Nation Where This Regularly Happens” story has become a staple of the satirical newspaper.
When there’s a major tragedy, here’s another thing you can count on: Pat Robertson opening his mouth.
So yes, Robertson weighed in on Las Vegas. Was there any doubt that he would? But is there any possibility that what he said amounted to actual news?
Probably not, as a million (only slightly exaggerating) past GetReligion posts make clear.
“The key is that there are so many people within evangelicalism who are — for better and for worse — more interesting and influential than Robertson at this point in his career,” GetReligion editor Terry Mattingly wrote way back in 2005. (That same year, Poynter.org published another excellent Mattingly piece on this subject, titled “Excommunicating Pat Robertson.”)
The good news is this: My Google news search found very few mainstream news organizations jumping on the latest Robertson quotes. But the Huffington Post — which still does some straight news reporting — was among them.
• • •
All of my GetReligion columns (October 2017):
Continue reading “Don’t take the bait: What Pat Robertson said about Las Vegas isn’t really news”
First beatification Mass for U.S.-born priest and martyr draws thousands
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service OKLAHOMA CITY — In the final step before sainthood, a missionary from Oklahoma slain during Guatemala’s civil war has been beatified — the first U.S.-born priest and martyr to receive such recognition by the Catholic Church. An estimated 20,000 Catholics waited in long lines to attend the special Mass on Saturday (Sept. 23) celebrating the Rev. Stanley … Continue reading First beatification Mass for U.S.-born priest and martyr draws thousands
Disfellowshipped decades ago, Pat Boone insists he ‘never left’ Church of Christ
By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Pat who? As Pat Boone stepped to the microphone at the recent Religion News Association national conference, not everybody recognized him. “I know who you are,” Boone, 83, said a fellow speaker told him. “I thought you died.” The crowd of religion news journalists gathered in Music City — myself included — laughed. Decades ago, Boone was a household name — a … Continue reading Disfellowshipped decades ago, Pat Boone insists he ‘never left’ Church of Christ
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 