In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines

At a predominantly Black church in Southern California, Donald Trump’s win sparks discussion and reflection. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle CARSON, Calif. — President-elect Donald Trump doesn’t have many fans, if any, at the Metropolitan Church of Christ in this urban community south of Los Angeles. No one interviewed at the predominantly Black congregation on a recent Lord’s Day voted for the Republican candidate. That’s not … Continue reading In presidential election, many Christian voters split along racial lines

🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged Before Election Day, I predicted a long night of vote counting. I was sort of right. When I fell asleep Tuesday — well before midnight — the … Continue reading 🇺🇸 Trump’s comeback: What it means for immigrants, people of faith and the press 🔌

A pro-life — and pro-love — ministry

Michigan church that picketed abortion clinics tries a ‘kinder, nicer’ approach. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle STERLING HEIGHTS, MICH. — A sign declaring that “Abortion stops a beating heart” no longer hangs outside the Metro Church of Christ. Leaders replaced that banner with one telling neighbors, “You’re VALUABLE! Made in the image of God.” The Detroit-area congregation has not wavered in its opposition to abortion. But … Continue reading A pro-life — and pro-love — ministry

Culture wars turn classrooms into battlefields

To understand the wrangling over religion in public schools, consider these three questions. Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Click to join nearly 10,000 subscribers who get this column delivered straight to their inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged OKLAHOMA CITY — Before I got my start in religion reporting 25 years ago, I … Continue reading Culture wars turn classrooms into battlefields

Culture warrior, MAGA champion, Church of Christ member: Who is Ryan Walters?

Oklahoma’s superintendent of public instruction ignites a national furor with a mandate requiring a Bible in every classroom. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle OKLAHOMA CITY — Ryan Walters wasn’t always known as Oklahoma’s culture-warrior-in-chief. Neither was the 39-year-old Republican always a high-profile MAGA champion, denouncing liberal indoctrination; illegal immigration; LGBTQ-themed school library books; diversity, equity and inclusion programs; and the “Woke Olympics.” Decades before winning election as Oklahoma’s top education official in 2022 — and before igniting … Continue reading Culture warrior, MAGA champion, Church of Christ member: Who is Ryan Walters?

Christians pray for Trump — and the divided nation — after assassination attempt

Church leaders seek peace and healing in an ‘eye for an eye world.’ By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The morning after a gunman perched atop a roof narrowly missed killing former President Donald Trump, Christians across the U.S. came together Sunday — as always — to worship God and pray. About 270 miles southeast of the Pennsylvania farm show grounds where shots rang out at Trump’s … Continue reading Christians pray for Trump — and the divided nation — after assassination attempt

✏️ Teaching the gospel during public school hours? It’s totally constitutional 🔌

Editor’s note: Every Friday, “Weekend Plug-in” meets readers at the intersection of faith and news. Subscribe now to get this column delivered straight to your inbox. Got feedback or ideas? Email Bobby Ross Jr. at therossnews@gmail.com. By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged GREENVILLE, S.C. — Jeffery L. Williams found Jesus through his public middle school. Now the pastor of Golden View Baptist Church in Fountain Inn, South Carolina, Williams grew up in … Continue reading ✏️ Teaching the gospel during public school hours? It’s totally constitutional 🔌

Nancy French’s ‘Ghosted’ offers a haunting, helpful read — but not for everyone

Author recounts growing up in Churches of Christ — and her sexual assault by a preacher. By Bobby Ross Jr. | The Christian Chronicle The biggest villain — and rightly so — in Nancy French’s memoir “Ghosted: An American Story” is a preacher who gives the seventh-grader a ride home from Vacation Bible School. “In his early twenties, he was too young to be a preacher,” French writes. “But … Continue reading Nancy French’s ‘Ghosted’ offers a haunting, helpful read — but not for everyone

‘Overhyped’ Christian nationalism label draws political backlash

By Bobby Ross Jr. | Religion Unplugged O. Alan Noble, a Christian writer and social media influencer, has called former President Donald Trump “manifestly unfit for any office.” In a recent post on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, Noble voiced concern about Christian nationalism — a label frequently attached to Trump and his biggest supporters. But Noble’s specific criticism focused less on the melding … Continue reading ‘Overhyped’ Christian nationalism label draws political backlash