Adelle Banks
LightNews LightNews
adellembanks.bsky.social
Adelle Banks
@adellembanks.bsky.social
420 followers 23 following 150 posts
Projects editor and national reporter for @RNS.org
Co-author, "Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders"
Multimedia journalist
https://religionnews.com/author/adellebanks/
https://www.linkedin.com/in
Posts Replies Media Videos
adellembanks.bsky.social
“The church at its best is after the benediction, when you leave the Lord’s house, go into the Lord’s world,” African Methodist Episcopal Bishop Reginald Jackson preached two days before his death on 11/25. My RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/11/26/a...
African Methodist Episcopal bishop, social justice advocate Reginald Jackson dies at 71
(RNS) — Political leaders from states where Jackson served over his five decades of ministry responded to his death along with religious officials.
religionnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
rns.org
Join us on December 4 for our free virtual event, “Can Catholic Universities Stay Catholic?”, where we'll ask top journalists and university leaders: What does it mean to be a Catholic university today—and does that still matter? Register now!
us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
November 13, 2025 at 8:30 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
At The Texas Tribune Festival, Episcopal Bishop Michael Curry spoke about the challenges he faced as presiding bishop, his family’s faith history and how he is mulling how to spend his retirement years.
November 15, 2025 at 2:53 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
“I’ve spent my life speaking to people’s souls,” Bishop T.D. Jakes said in an announcement about new podcast. “Now, I want to sit with their stories.” My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/11/12/t...
T.D. Jakes moves from pastoring to podcasting as his next focus
(RNS) — The announcement of the podcast stated that Jakes will also be telling more of his own story.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
rns.org
The plan decentralizes the role of the U.S., which gave birth to churches in Europe, the Philippines and Africa.
religionnews.com/2025/11/07/u...
United Methodists ratify plan to unify denomination while decentering US church
(RNS) — Under the new restructuring plan, called 'regionalization,' the denomination's nine regions will be equal partners with greater freedom to tailor church life to their own customs and…
religionnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:01 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
Niece of Sarah Rector, title character in “Sarah’s Oil” movie, about its depiction of her family’s faith: “it was like, ‘Oh, my God, I'm reliving my childhood.’”
My @RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/11/07/s...
‘Sarah’s Oil’ movie tells story of a Black girl who had faith her Oklahoma land had oil
(RNS) — The movie depicts 11-year-old Sarah Rector’s certainty that God told her oil was underneath her land.
religionnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
fiona-ndre.bsky.social
“We will fight for you because we are you, or as we say on Steinway, ‘Ana Minkum wa Ilaykum,’” said Mamdani, referring to the busy Astoria commercial street and citing an Arabic adage meaning “I am from you and return to you.”

Read more here:

religionnews.com/2025/11/05/a...
At Mamdani victory party, a broad coalition of faith communities cheers Muslim mayor-elect
NEW YORK (RNS) — From prominent Muslim community leaders to members of Jews for Zohran, Hindus for Zohran and Shias for Zohran, the campaign’s election reflected the diverse coalition of religious com...
religionnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 AM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
rns.org
Over the past year, Zohran Mamdani has leaned on his Muslim identity to mobilize voters from across traditions, from Friday prayers and Diwali celebrations in Queens, to Baptist church services in Harlem and Sukkot observances in Hasidic Williamsburg.
Inside Zohran Mamdani's bid to win over religious New Yorkers
NEW YORK (RNS) — Over the past year, the candidate has leaned on his Muslim identity to mobilize voters from across traditions, from Friday prayers and Diwali celebrations in Queens, to Baptist…
religionnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
adellembanks.bsky.social
So grateful that Religious Research Association President Edwin Aponte awarded its Outstanding Applied Research Award for “Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders” to co-author Warren Bird and me for book we wrote with Daniel Yang!
November 1, 2025 at 3:54 AM
adellembanks.bsky.social
“I hate that I’ve hurt so many people,” said the Rev. Henry J. Lyons, former National Baptist Convention USA president, who spent time in prison after a fraud scandal and who died Oct. 27 at 83. My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/10/31/h...
The Rev. Henry J. Lyons, former NBCUSA president, is dead at 83
(RNS) — ‘I felt that I had to resign, I should resign and therefore, I did resign,’ Lyons said about stepping down as denominational president in 1999.
religionnews.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:02 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
A tour of historically Black colleges and universities by Blexit, a Black conservative group, drew criticism and “cordial” engagement. My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/10/30/t...
Turning Point USA Black conservative group to complete HBCU tour after some pushback
(RNS) — In at least two cases, it was suggested the advocacy group did not have proper permits to be on campus.
religionnews.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
rns.org
What does the government shutdown mean for the financial stability of houses of worship in the DC area? And how are clergy ministering to those affected? Listen to RNS’ @adellembanks.bsky.social on @npr.org!
www.npr.org
October 29, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
rns.org
We are so grateful for everyone who joined us at our fall symposium, "God, the Government and the Algorithm." Whether you attended in person in New York or watched our livestream, it is because of you that we bring people together for these inspiring, thought-provoking and informative conversations.
October 24, 2025 at 9:34 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
On the 1st anniversary of the publication of “Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation Leaders,” I thank my co-authors Daniel Yang and Warren Bird. Hope you’ll buy/share our award-winning book!
October 22, 2025 at 4:38 AM
adellembanks.bsky.social
D.C.’s Masjid Muhammad is among congregations helping furloughed federal workers during the federal shutdown who may say “I don’t have any money, but I do have a light bill coming up right now,” said Imam Talib Shareef. My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/10/17/s...
Shutdown a ‘double whammy’ for federal workers after earlier cuts, say clergy offering aid
(RNS) — 'When the government shuts down in the Maryland, Virginia, DC area, that's like Ford Motor Company shutting down in Detroit,' Bishop Derek Grier said. 'It's a huge deal, and it's impacting a l...
religionnews.com
October 17, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
rns.org
As technology transforms belief and politics, who speaks for morality and ethics? Join us online Oct. 22 for a daylong livestream unpacking the new rules of belief and power in American public life.

Register now: rns.org/live
Livestream – God, Government & the Algorithm: New Rules of Belief & Power
A free, daylong livestream on belief, power and the forces shaping our world.
www.eventbrite.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
“This feels to me like a ubiquitous call to make ‘just love’ the window through which Christianity happens,” said the Rev. Jacqui Lewis, co-creator of “The Just Love Story Bible.”
My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/10/16/n...
New children’s Bible aims to capture diverse, nonpatriarchal 'theology of love and justice'
(RNS) — The Rev. Jacqui Lewis, a co-author, said the book’s goal is to teach children Christian lessons they ‘don't have to unlearn because they understand from the beginning what this faith is really...
religionnews.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:35 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
“I am the founding pastor, and my goal is to support him in every way,” Dallas megachurch founder Tony Evans, on his son Jonathan Evans’ leadership of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.

My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/10/10/t...
Tony Evans talks about his next chapter, undisclosed ‘sin’ and new book
(RNS) — ‘Whatever life I have left, I want to maximize at the highest possible level for God’s kingdom and for eternity,’ Evans said in an interview with RNS.
religionnews.com
October 10, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
bmietana.bsky.social
Willow Creek --a Chicagoland megachurch with a worldwide reach - turns 50 this year. Here's why that matters religionnews.com/2025/10/08/w...
As Willow Creek turns 50, the onetime 'church of the future' redefines success
(RNS) — In the mid-1970s, a group of high schoolers and their former youth pastor started a church in a movie theater and named it Willow Creek. American religion hasn’t been the same since. The churc...
religionnews.com
October 9, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
bmietana.bsky.social
Want to see Keith Green's guitar, the soundboard that launched Amy Grant's career, or the actual Christmas shoes? The Christian music museum in Nashville has it all

religionnews.com/2025/10/07/f...
New Nashville museum celebrates Christian music, gospel
(RNS) — The museum, devoted to the history of Christian and gospel music, opened late last week in Nashville. Organizers say it’s a sign Christian music is experiencing a revival.
religionnews.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:35 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
“I apologize sincerely for any instability that this season has caused you because you are my treasure,” Dallas megachurch pastor Tony Evans said after its elder board announced he would no longer lead it.
My @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2025/10/06/t...
Tony Evans will no longer lead Dallas megachurch after restoration process for 'sin'
(RNS) — ‘For anything that has hurt you from me, I'm sorry, but I'm so glad I have you and you have me,’ Evans told the congregation he led for decades, on Sunday (Oct. 5).
religionnews.com
October 6, 2025 at 8:30 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
“He has discipled hundreds and hundreds of the next-generation worship pastors, organists, pianists, church musicians,” said Baylor music professor Stephen Michael Newby of musician James Abbington, who died 9/27.

My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/10/02/d...
‘Dean of African American church music’ James Abbington dies at 65 after Duke appointment
(RNS) — ‘I grieve for his family, friends, and our Divinity community,” said Edgardo Colón-Emeric, dean of Duke Divinity School, where Abbington had planned to teach in the fall.
religionnews.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:12 PM
adellembanks.bsky.social
“It is a haven in a world of unending trouble,” photographer Gordon Parks once wrote of Chicago church featured in a new photo exhibition. “It offers leadership and a powerful-preaching minister.”

My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/09/26/p...
Photographer Gordon Parks’ religious images displayed in DC exhibition
WASHINGTON (RNS) — Mostly self-taught, Parks interspersed religious images in his photography across his career, an exhibition at Howard University reveals.
religionnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Reposted by Adelle Banks
rns.org
BREAKING: Voddie Baucham Jr., a conservative Black pastor, author and seminary leader known for advocating for restricting women’s roles in the church and critiquing what he saw as “woke” influence on Christianity, has died at 56.
religionnews.com/2025/09/25/v...
Voddie Baucham Jr., conservative Black pastor and seminary leader, dies at 56
(RNS)— Baucham, who had a history of health issues, had recently started a new role as president of a start-up seminary.
religionnews.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:25 AM
adellembanks.bsky.social
Ecumenist Wes Granberg-Michaelson has written a guidebook on how faith leaders can undergird their public activism with private spirituality: “The Soulwork of Justice: Four Movements for Contemplative Action”
My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/09/24/a...
A Christian activist’s case for deep 'soulwork' in hard times
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘I don’t know how many strategic plans I’ve led, and I tell people I’m never going to do another one because events simply wipe them out,’ said the Rev. Wes Granberg-Michaelson.
religionnews.com
September 24, 2025 at 10:36 PM