Remembering Fred Rogers and His "Neighborhood"

Mister (Fred) Rogers died this week 14 years ago. The more time that passes since he left this world, the more I wish he were still here, still inviting us to the neighborhood. The cover story I wrote for Christianity Today was the last major article written about him when he was still alive. It was the only major piece that highlighted his theology of the neighborhood. He was thrilled to see it. He repeatedly contacted me requesting more copies.  We used to visit him in the country almost every Sunday. He was the kind of person who would say, 'You know, you've made this a special day by being here.' Rogers was known to become close to journalists who interviewed him. How could he not? When you were with him, he gently hijacked the interview and asked you the questions. He loved us just the way we are, even as journalists. He changed our lives.