Liam Adams
@liamsadams.bsky.social
Religion reporter at The Tennessean. From New England to D.C. to Colorado to Tennessee.
Pinned
Andrew Nelles and I recently set out for Zimbabwe to learn how United Methodists were recovering from a splintering in the UMC amid a restructuring in the denomination. Along the way, we also learned the story of the church’s legacy of liberation in a post-apartheid nation.
Some amazing, late Friday breaking news from
@keithsharontn.bsky.social, @kirstenfiscus.bsky.social and a testimony to their reporting on the 1998 murder of David Schulman: a star witness told Keith and Kirsten today that he lied in the case against James Caveye. www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
@keithsharontn.bsky.social, @kirstenfiscus.bsky.social and a testimony to their reporting on the 1998 murder of David Schulman: a star witness told Keith and Kirsten today that he lied in the case against James Caveye. www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
Star witness says he lied in 1998 Skull murder case testimony
Jason Pence, who was 26 and homeless in 1998, said he was forced to implicate a 17-year-old in the Skull Schulman murder case
www.tennessean.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Some amazing, late Friday breaking news from
@keithsharontn.bsky.social, @kirstenfiscus.bsky.social and a testimony to their reporting on the 1998 murder of David Schulman: a star witness told Keith and Kirsten today that he lied in the case against James Caveye. www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
@keithsharontn.bsky.social, @kirstenfiscus.bsky.social and a testimony to their reporting on the 1998 murder of David Schulman: a star witness told Keith and Kirsten today that he lied in the case against James Caveye. www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
ICYMI: The streets of Harare were covered w/ motorists driving the massively popular Toyota HiLux, bright purple flowers blossoming from jacaranda trees & billboards advertising the recent appearance of Benny Hinn.
Why Hinn matters to the UMC in Zimbabwe: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Why Hinn matters to the UMC in Zimbabwe: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
November 21, 2025 at 6:27 PM
ICYMI: The streets of Harare were covered w/ motorists driving the massively popular Toyota HiLux, bright purple flowers blossoming from jacaranda trees & billboards advertising the recent appearance of Benny Hinn.
Why Hinn matters to the UMC in Zimbabwe: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Why Hinn matters to the UMC in Zimbabwe: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Reposted by Liam Adams
So many parallels across each of these reports. Great, important work by all of you.
And yes, people don’t realize how much effort goes into nailing down every detail in stories like these.
And yes, people don’t realize how much effort goes into nailing down every detail in stories like these.
November 21, 2025 at 12:11 AM
So many parallels across each of these reports. Great, important work by all of you.
And yes, people don’t realize how much effort goes into nailing down every detail in stories like these.
And yes, people don’t realize how much effort goes into nailing down every detail in stories like these.
This past month, four different Protestant groups/denominations, most evangelical, have been at the center of in-depth news reports detailing how those denominations’ systems of oversight have failed victims of alleged abuse. In chronological order…
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
This past month, four different Protestant groups/denominations, most evangelical, have been at the center of in-depth news reports detailing how those denominations’ systems of oversight have failed victims of alleged abuse. In chronological order…
In our final report from our trip to Zimbabwe, I examine a sense of normalcy that UMC leaders in Africa have sought to restore and new pressures it may face — from the prosperity gospel's rise, to generational changes in views on LGBTQ+ rights. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
November 20, 2025 at 3:46 PM
In our final report from our trip to Zimbabwe, I examine a sense of normalcy that UMC leaders in Africa have sought to restore and new pressures it may face — from the prosperity gospel's rise, to generational changes in views on LGBTQ+ rights. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Little did I know when I shared this yesterday that this overlap was happening in real time. Specifically, Doug Wilson platformed a campaign that's advocating to fully restrict women from "roles function in officer-like ways." This campaign parallels an SBC debate.
Examples include:
-Reformed voices' role in the SBC's fight over a proposal to enshrine a ban on women in ministry
-Curiosity about Doug Wilson following Pete Hegseth's appointment
The SBC and CREC are very different from the PCA, but Reformed views played important roles.
-Reformed voices' role in the SBC's fight over a proposal to enshrine a ban on women in ministry
-Curiosity about Doug Wilson following Pete Hegseth's appointment
The SBC and CREC are very different from the PCA, but Reformed views played important roles.
November 19, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Little did I know when I shared this yesterday that this overlap was happening in real time. Specifically, Doug Wilson platformed a campaign that's advocating to fully restrict women from "roles function in officer-like ways." This campaign parallels an SBC debate.
ICYMI: The PCA, an influential Reformed denomination, is designed to assess claims of abuse or wrongdoing and pursue accountability. But women said the inverse happened at churches from Georgia to Philly to Ft. Lauderdale. Find it on 1A today or online (www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...).
November 19, 2025 at 6:52 PM
ICYMI: The PCA, an influential Reformed denomination, is designed to assess claims of abuse or wrongdoing and pursue accountability. But women said the inverse happened at churches from Georgia to Philly to Ft. Lauderdale. Find it on 1A today or online (www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...).
The Anglican Communion is facing a new level of upheaval among counterparts in Africa (in very similar ways as the UMC) with Gafcon declaring independence. @apnews.com explains what that means and the proposed responses are under consideration: apnews.com/article/angl...
Global Anglican ties are under stress. It's unclear if they're at the breaking point
After decades of controversies over sexuality and theology in the worldwide Anglican Communion, some leaders of a conservative coalition says it’s time to make a final break from what has long been on...
apnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The Anglican Communion is facing a new level of upheaval among counterparts in Africa (in very similar ways as the UMC) with Gafcon declaring independence. @apnews.com explains what that means and the proposed responses are under consideration: apnews.com/article/angl...
Finally was able to catch up with some of the latest major ACNA abuse news, which escalated in a big way this week with the suspension of Archbishop Stephen Wood. Recommending
@rns.org @kathrynpost.bsky.social's reporting, a story she's been covering for years. religionnews.com/2025/11/17/a...
@rns.org @kathrynpost.bsky.social's reporting, a story she's been covering for years. religionnews.com/2025/11/17/a...
ACNA Archbishop Steve Wood suspended after sexual misconduct allegations
(RNS) — Bishop Ray Sutton, who had taken over Wood’s archbishop responsibilities, also announced he would forfeit those commitments and resign as dean of the province.
religionnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Finally was able to catch up with some of the latest major ACNA abuse news, which escalated in a big way this week with the suspension of Archbishop Stephen Wood. Recommending
@rns.org @kathrynpost.bsky.social's reporting, a story she's been covering for years. religionnews.com/2025/11/17/a...
@rns.org @kathrynpost.bsky.social's reporting, a story she's been covering for years. religionnews.com/2025/11/17/a...
Yesterday, we published a project on abuse in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The reporting began in Jan with interviewing survivors, but the project's scope and broader relevance for Reformed evangelicalism drew from earlier inspirations (🧵). www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
These women expected accountability after reporting abuse in PCA but faced discipline
Three years ago, the Presbyterian Church in America wanted to reform abuse response in churches. But these women faced discipline after reporting it.
www.tennessean.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Yesterday, we published a project on abuse in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA). The reporting began in Jan with interviewing survivors, but the project's scope and broader relevance for Reformed evangelicalism drew from earlier inspirations (🧵). www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
Andrew Nelles and I, journalists w/ a metro daily paper in a city that's an HQ for the globally influential UMC, traveled to Zimbabwe to tell a story of local relevance and international import. Now, @usatoday.com circulated our reporting for national audiences: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
November 17, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Andrew Nelles and I, journalists w/ a metro daily paper in a city that's an HQ for the globally influential UMC, traveled to Zimbabwe to tell a story of local relevance and international import. Now, @usatoday.com circulated our reporting for national audiences: www.usatoday.com/story/news/n...
Since January, I’ve been speaking with survivors of abuse within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and studying how the evangelical denomination’s unique system of oversight can be used to cause further harm.
Here are those women’s stories...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
Here are those women’s stories...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
These women expected accountability after reporting abuse in PCA but faced discipline
Three years ago, the Presbyterian Church in America wanted to reform abuse response in churches. But these women faced discipline after reporting it.
www.tennessean.com
November 17, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Since January, I’ve been speaking with survivors of abuse within the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and studying how the evangelical denomination’s unique system of oversight can be used to cause further harm.
Here are those women’s stories...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
Here are those women’s stories...
www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
Reposted by Liam Adams
one of best in the business. a real reporter.
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
one of best in the business. a real reporter.
Reposted by Liam Adams
I couldn't ask for a better person to cover the highs and lows of the evangelical news landscape alongside than Daniel.
He has contributed so much to CT as a caring editor, careful investigator, creative collaborator, and our in-house historian. Grateful for all his work and gutted at this news.
He has contributed so much to CT as a caring editor, careful investigator, creative collaborator, and our in-house historian. Grateful for all his work and gutted at this news.
November 14, 2025 at 8:10 PM
I couldn't ask for a better person to cover the highs and lows of the evangelical news landscape alongside than Daniel.
He has contributed so much to CT as a caring editor, careful investigator, creative collaborator, and our in-house historian. Grateful for all his work and gutted at this news.
He has contributed so much to CT as a caring editor, careful investigator, creative collaborator, and our in-house historian. Grateful for all his work and gutted at this news.
Reposted by Liam Adams
A huge loss for CT. Daniel knows more about the institution than anybody, I bet. An expert on the many denominations out there. A solver of editorial problems. A safe person for abuse victims to talk to. A great colleague. Going to miss working alongside him every day.
November 14, 2025 at 10:34 PM
A huge loss for CT. Daniel knows more about the institution than anybody, I bet. An expert on the many denominations out there. A solver of editorial problems. A safe person for abuse victims to talk to. A great colleague. Going to miss working alongside him every day.
Reposted by Liam Adams
A personal note: I am leaving CT.
November 14, 2025 at 7:32 PM
A personal note: I am leaving CT.
Daniel, a friend and mentor, taught me so much about reporting and good writing when I freelanced for CT with him as my editor and even after then. I'm excited for the adventures that await him next.
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Daniel, a friend and mentor, taught me so much about reporting and good writing when I freelanced for CT with him as my editor and even after then. I'm excited for the adventures that await him next.
Reposted by Liam Adams
NEW: So, the courtroom at the "Broadview 6" arraignment in Chicago yesterday featured lotsa Methodist pastors.
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Methodist pastors march into courtroom with 'boring suburban dad' indicted for protesting
CHICAGO (RNS) — ‘If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,’ said a Chicago area UMC pastor.
religionnews.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:14 PM
NEW: So, the courtroom at the "Broadview 6" arraignment in Chicago yesterday featured lotsa Methodist pastors.
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Why? They were supporters of defendant/fellow Methodist Brian Straw.
"If you come for one United Methodist, you have come for all of us,” one pastor said. religionnews.com/2025/11/13/m...
Andrew Nelles and I recently set out for Zimbabwe to learn how United Methodists were recovering from a splintering in the UMC amid a restructuring in the denomination. Along the way, we also learned the story of the church’s legacy of liberation in a post-apartheid nation.
November 13, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Andrew Nelles and I recently set out for Zimbabwe to learn how United Methodists were recovering from a splintering in the UMC amid a restructuring in the denomination. Along the way, we also learned the story of the church’s legacy of liberation in a post-apartheid nation.
Reposted by Liam Adams
Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S.
www.umnews.org/en/news/gc20...
www.umnews.org/en/news/gc20...
GC2028 delegate count marks historic shift | UMNews.org
Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S.
www.umnews.org
November 13, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Organizers of The United Methodist Church’s top legislative meeting have set the total number of delegates, who for the first time will mostly come from outside the U.S.
www.umnews.org/en/news/gc20...
www.umnews.org/en/news/gc20...
Gospel musician Moses Tyson Jr., and cousin and collaborator of Sly Stone, has accused the Church of God in Christ of theft and abuse. The Memphis-based Black Pentecostal denomination is suing Tyson for defamation, @lucasfinton.bsky.social reports: www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/l...
COGIC sues gospel musician, says he defamed church with theft and abuse allegations
Moses Tyson Jr., a gospel musician, has been sued by the Church of God in Christ for defamation after he alleged theft and abuse within the church.
www.commercialappeal.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Gospel musician Moses Tyson Jr., and cousin and collaborator of Sly Stone, has accused the Church of God in Christ of theft and abuse. The Memphis-based Black Pentecostal denomination is suing Tyson for defamation, @lucasfinton.bsky.social reports: www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/l...
Zimbabwe MAIN STORY: The splintering in the UMC is just the latest obstacle for United Methodism in Zimbabwe, and that it’s managed to overcome.
Out there, we witnessed the church's legacy of liberation and what it means for a landmark change in Africa: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Out there, we witnessed the church's legacy of liberation and what it means for a landmark change in Africa: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
A liberated Zimbabwe church after UMC splintering points to historic shift across Africa
An expecting mothers' ward, high school, and college for students from across Africa. What the UMC in Zimbabwe says about turning point on continent.
www.tennessean.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Zimbabwe MAIN STORY: The splintering in the UMC is just the latest obstacle for United Methodism in Zimbabwe, and that it’s managed to overcome.
Out there, we witnessed the church's legacy of liberation and what it means for a landmark change in Africa: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Out there, we witnessed the church's legacy of liberation and what it means for a landmark change in Africa: www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Reposted by Liam Adams
The #UMC Council of Bishops has elected Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. as its next president, Bishop Mande Muyombo as president-designate and Bishop Lanette Plambeck as secretary. They will take their new offices in May 2026 after the conclusion of the bishops' spring meeting.
November 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
The #UMC Council of Bishops has elected Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. as its next president, Bishop Mande Muyombo as president-designate and Bishop Lanette Plambeck as secretary. They will take their new offices in May 2026 after the conclusion of the bishops' spring meeting.
ICYMI: In a landmark restructuring in the UMC following a costly splintering, United Methodists outside the U.S. have more say over their practices. It's what many are calling the "decolonizing" of a major global Protestant group. #UMC www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Post-splintering, UMC ratifies restructuring, gives autonomy to non-US churches
Plan to give regional autonomy to United Methodists outside U.S. passes, a historic win following splintering sparked by disputes over LGBTQ+ rights.
www.tennessean.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:04 PM
ICYMI: In a landmark restructuring in the UMC following a costly splintering, United Methodists outside the U.S. have more say over their practices. It's what many are calling the "decolonizing" of a major global Protestant group. #UMC www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
NEW: An early anticipated worldwide vote on restructuring the UMC — giving more autonomy to United Methodists outside the U.S. — overwhelmingly passed. It's a milestone not just for the UMC, but other religious groups dealing with similar conflict. #UMC www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Post-splintering, UMC ratifies restructuring, gives autonomy to non-US churches
Plan to give regional autonomy to United Methodists outside U.S. passes, a historic win following splintering sparked by disputes over LGBTQ+ rights.
www.tennessean.com
November 5, 2025 at 9:53 PM
NEW: An early anticipated worldwide vote on restructuring the UMC — giving more autonomy to United Methodists outside the U.S. — overwhelmingly passed. It's a milestone not just for the UMC, but other religious groups dealing with similar conflict. #UMC www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...