November 2014: GetReligion

Did the devil make an Oklahoma man smash into Ten Commandments monument? Or did mental illness? Published Nov. 3. Big Bang and Bobby Jindal: Is Louisiana governor’s silence on pope’s evolution remarks newsworthy? Published Nov. 4. No pepperoni, plenty of ghosts: Generic Christians open a pizza cafe as a vague ‘experiment of faith.’ Published Nov. 6. Five for Friday: Zombies and other Godbeat headlines that you may have missed. … Continue reading November 2014: GetReligion

Remember the Titans, neglect the saints

Remember the Titans, neglect the saints: For some, gridiron gods compete with God for time and attention on Sunday.  In my Associated Press days, I wrote about a church that developed a “Holy Huddle” program to combat people leaving services early to watch the Dallas Cowboys. More recently, a preacher I know in a different NFL city complained about members slipping out in the middle of … Continue reading Remember the Titans, neglect the saints

5Q+1: From God and guns to Death Row salvation, JoAnne Viviano excels reporting on faith and values

5Q+1 interview: From God and guns to Death Row salvation, JoAnne Viviano excels reporting on faith and values GETRELIGION.ORG — JoAnne Viviano covers faith and values for the Columbus Dispatch, a central Ohio newspaper with a daily circulation of 120,000 and an average Sunday circulation of about 230,000. Her Godbeat writing earned her the 2014 Cornell Religion Reporter of the Year Award from the Religion Newswriters Association. That … Continue reading 5Q+1: From God and guns to Death Row salvation, JoAnne Viviano excels reporting on faith and values

Tragic Sunday: Kentucky church elder, wife, daughter shot to death

Tragic Sunday: Kentucky church elder, wife, daughter shot to death: Authorities allege the couple’s son enlisted a fourth victim as a hitman on his family, then killed him.  On a recent Sunday morning, elder Lindsey Champion and his wife, Joy, worshiped, as always, with the Cadiz Church of Christ in western Kentucky. Preacher Randall Evans visited with them and shook their hands after the 10 a.m. … Continue reading Tragic Sunday: Kentucky church elder, wife, daughter shot to death

In a Latino trailer park, Terry Davis pays his blessings forward

Part of The Christian Chronicle’s “One Nación Under God” special project. A ‘bus ministry kid’ gives back (reporting from Norcross, Ga.): In a Latino trailer park, Terry Davis pays his blessings forward.  NORCROSS, Ga. — Terry Davis found Jesus on a “JOY bus.” Growing up in a housing project on Atlanta’s south side, Davis slept on the ground to avoid flying bullets. “I still shake when it comes to bullets … Continue reading In a Latino trailer park, Terry Davis pays his blessings forward

Five tips that can help churches secure more favorable lending terms

Get a Loan in the ‘New Economy’: Five tips that can help churches secure more favorable lending terms. An emphasis on changing its culture to reach a younger generation has helped the Copper Pointe Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico, quadruple in size in recent years. The evangelical church — with ties to the Assemblies of God — has grown to more than 2,500 people at its … Continue reading Five tips that can help churches secure more favorable lending terms

5Q+1: From holy pig wrestling to Mass at a Packers game, Holly Meyer has Godbeat covered

5Q+1 interview: From holy pig wrestling to Mass at a Packers game, Holly Meyer has Godbeat covered GETRELIGION.ORG — Holly Meyer cheers for the Green Bay Packers, eats a lot of cheese and tells stories about northeast Wisconsin. Meyer, a reporter for The Post-Crescent in Appleton, Wis., splits her time between early-morning breaking news and the Godbeat. Her religion writing earned her the 2014 Cassels Religion … Continue reading 5Q+1: From holy pig wrestling to Mass at a Packers game, Holly Meyer has Godbeat covered

The introvert behind the pulpit

The introvert behind the pulpit: For these preachers, devotion to ministry requires balancing need for solitude with passion for sharing God’s word. No offense, but people drain Mark Littleton of much-needed energy. Here’s what invigorates him: sitting in his church office — alone — with his Bible, study books, computer and a Diet Dr Pepper. “It’s not that I don’t want to be around people,” said Littleton, pulpit … Continue reading The introvert behind the pulpit

October 2014: GetReligion

In beheading case, The Oklahoman digs and uncovers the crucial, sometimes conflicting details. Published Oct. 1. What is this? Long on excitement, short on attribution, USA Today declares gay marriage ‘inevitable.’ Published Oct. 2. Holy ghosts in Hong Kong: Is there a religion angle on the democracy protests? Published Oct. 3. How to write a sensationalistic headline: ‘Can these Texas churches survive Ebola?’ Published Oct. 7. Ghost … Continue reading October 2014: GetReligion