Does ‘turn the other cheek’ apply to a baseball brawl?
After Rougned Odor’s now-famous punch of Jose Bautista, ministers and other church members debate whether a Christian can — or should — cheer for on-field violence. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle ARLINGTON, Texas — “Turn the other cheek” sounds so simple in Sunday morning Bible class. The concept becomes a little more difficult when you’re a rabid Texas Rangers fan, sitting in … Continue reading Does ‘turn the other cheek’ apply to a baseball brawl?
He pitches with heart — a brand new one
Kansas high school senior calls life-saving transplant “an absolute gift from God.” By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle GODDARD, Kan. — It’s a picture-perfect afternoon for baseball as Josh Oakley steps to the mound: blue sky, soft breeze and 71 degrees. Fifteen family members — two parents, four grandparents, three of Oakley’s five older sisters and six nieces and nephews — cheer as … Continue reading He pitches with heart — a brand new one
Coming soon: worship at the movie theater
Coming soon: worship at the movie theater (reporting from Torrance, Calif.): California church planters embrace their Church of Christ heritage but say ‘franchising’ a traditional approach won’t reach lost souls. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle TORRANCE, Calif. — When EPIC Church launches in this Los Angeles-area city of 150,000 souls in August, it won’t meet in a building with wooden pews or … Continue reading Coming soon: worship at the movie theater
‘Broken soul of Baltimore’ story honored by Society of Professional Journalists
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bobby Ross Jr. (@bobbyrossjr) Read the winning story and sidebar. Continue reading ‘Broken soul of Baltimore’ story honored by Society of Professional Journalists
Christian Chronicle named top newspaper by Associated Church Press — again
Best of GetReligion: May 2016
Links to columns by Bobby Ross Jr. Front-page profile of a hip youth pastor: Is it the journalism or the theology that’s shallow? Published May 2. Why a pastor who served as St. Louis Cardinals’ chaplain was fired by his megachurch. Published May 3. In so-called news story on #BoycottTarget, Associated Press shows its bias. Published May 4. In lawsuit over transgender student using girls locker room, … Continue reading Best of GetReligion: May 2016
‘The devil is smart,’ says minister working to protect churches from child predators
‘The devil is smart,’ says minister working to protect churches from child predators: Pennsylvania preacher Jimmy Hinton says the stories he’s heard have ‘taken an emotional toll on me.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The sex, lies and videotapes don’t surprise Jimmy Hinton anymore. “No surprise at all,” the Pennsylvania preacher said of the latest case to make headlines — this one … Continue reading ‘The devil is smart,’ says minister working to protect churches from child predators
Canadian churches embrace Syrian refugees
Two congregations adopt a family displaced by a civil war that has claimed half a million lives. Third Place, Feature Article, Associated Church Press By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle BEAMSVILLE, Ontario — As war ravaged their homeland, a Syrian family of eight fled for their lives. The Muslim father, mother and six children — among 4 million Syrians who have escaped to … Continue reading Canadian churches embrace Syrian refugees
Morgan Freeman hears Katrina survivors’ ‘Story of God’
Morgan Freeman hears couple’s ‘Story of God’: Hurricane Katrina survivors share faith on National Geographic Channel series. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle God doesn’t play favorites. Charles Marsalis stresses that message at the Hollygrove Church of Christ, the New Orleans congregation he and his wife, Angela, planted in a high-crime neighborhood after Hurricane Katrina. “I’m just plain ol’ Charles,” the minister said. “I’m … Continue reading Morgan Freeman hears Katrina survivors’ ‘Story of God’
Faith. Family. Fastballs. 