In rural Canada, churches that once shunned one another open their hearts to Syrian refugees
By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Religion News Service DAUPHIN, Manitoba (RNS) Ken Yakielashek, a Roman Catholic and semiretired farmer in the Canadian Prairies, says he remembers when Christians of varying denominations “wouldn’t talk to one another.” To Yakielashek, that makes what’s happened in Dauphin — a rural community 200 miles northwest of the provincial capital of Winnipeg — all the more remarkable. A year … Continue reading In rural Canada, churches that once shunned one another open their hearts to Syrian refugees
Let the buyer (and leaser) beware
Six tips to keep your church from getting financially burned by copier costs. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Finance Today “Buyer beware” doesn’t just apply to used-car sales. At some point, regardless of size, most churches will find themselves in the market for a copier — and the selection process can be downright complicated and stressful. Whether to lease or purchase? How to … Continue reading Let the buyer (and leaser) beware
‘Everyone Has a Story’: In a digital age, tips for sharing yours
Five questions for leaders of churches, Christian schools and parachurch ministries to consider. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FORT WORTH, Texas — For 30 years, an Idaho newspaper reporter wrote a weekly column with the simple premise that “Everyone Has a Story.” David Johnson, who retired in 2013, focused on the ordinary lives of people chosen randomly from a phone book. From … Continue reading ‘Everyone Has a Story’: In a digital age, tips for sharing yours
25 years ago, a young reporter (me) got a scoop on the president of the United States
Above: At a 1992 campaign rally, John Fletcher directs the Oklahoma Christian University band as the crowd welcomes President George H.W. Bush. (Photo provided by John Fletcher) By Bobby Ross Jr. | therossnews@gmail.com During the 1992 race for the White House, I was a young reporter — all of 24 years old — for the Edmond Evening Sun. In the caveman era before email, the Internet and … Continue reading 25 years ago, a young reporter (me) got a scoop on the president of the United States
For kings and queens with special needs, a Night to Shine
Arkansas church rolls out the red carpet at prom-like event. Second Place, Best Reporter portfolio, Oklahoma Society of Professional Journalists By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle FORT SMITH, Ark. — Crowns on their heads, the kings and queens flash huge smiles as they emerge from a sleek black limousine. They wear fancy suits and formal dresses and seem to glide up the red … Continue reading For kings and queens with special needs, a Night to Shine
How to cover a tragedy: San Antonio paper offers sensitive, insightful reporting on church bus crash
By Bobby Ross Jr. | GetReligion
Years ago, I helped cover the funerals in a small West Texas town after eight senior citizens were killed in a church bus crash.
I couldn’t help but recall that heart-wrenching tragedy as news broke Wednesday of another church bus crash — this one with an even higher death toll.
As a reporter, I always hate handling first-day stories on tragedies such as this. Pressing crash investigators for the basic details of what happened is no problem. But seeking comments from grieving loved ones is never easy. Never.
With my personal experience in my mind, I am impressed with the San Antonio Express-News’ main front-page story today.
The piece offers sensitive and insightful reporting on the tragedy, which occurred in the San Antonio paper’s coverage area.
The lede nicely sets the scene:
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More of my GetReligion columns (March 2017):
Driven by faith, Texas mom advocates for refugees
Reda Hicks, attorney, community activist and military wife, helps displaced families start over in U.S. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle HOUSTON — To Reda Hicks, refugees aren’t nameless faces on the news. They’re real women — with real stories of escaping war and persecution in places such as Iran, Iraq and Sudan. Hicks, a member of the Memorial Church of Christ in this … Continue reading Driven by faith, Texas mom advocates for refugees
‘Do we really trust God enough to love our neighbors?’
President Trump’s immigration orders spark passionate responses from Christians. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle “We Welcome Refugees,” declared the sign outside the Northlake Church of Christ in Tucker, Ga., on a recent Sunday. That message reflected the intense national debate over President Donald Trump’s order to bar — at least temporarily — refugees from seven countries deemed terrorism threats. Trump’s court-challenged travel … Continue reading ‘Do we really trust God enough to love our neighbors?’
Six ways churches can thwart new email threat
Sophisticated messages can appear to come from a leader in the targeted church. By Bobby Ross Jr. | For Church Finance Today Tim Samuel nearly fell for an email scam that has cost victims billions of dollars. Samuel, chief financial officer for Bridgeway Community Church in Columbia, Maryland, received a message that appeared to come from the church’s information technology director. “I was blown away … Continue reading Six ways churches can thwart new email threat
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 