Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 3d

“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

Reposted by Adelle Banks

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 3d

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

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Reposted by Adelle Banks

Bob Smietana @bmietana.bsky.social · 4d

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

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 6d

“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

Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 10d

“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

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 16d

“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

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Reposted by Adelle Banks

RNS @rns.org · 17d

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

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 18d

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

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 23d

It’s not too late to register for “Becoming a Future-Ready Church” 4-week online cohort my coauthors Daniel Yang, Warren Bird and I will lead starting Tuesday. Register now/share with others. Thanks! exponential.org/frc-cohort

Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 24d

Huston-Tillotson University, a Texas Christian school, has received, on its 150th anniversary, a $150 million gift — the largest-ever single donation to a private historically Black college or university. My @rns.org:
religionnews.com/2025/09/18/t...

Texas Christian university receives largest-ever gift to a private HBCU

(RNS) — Huston-Tillotson University, which is affiliated with the United Methodist Church and the United Church of Christ, received its first donation from the Moody Foundation in 1968.

religionnews.com

Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 25d

“We expect the settlement will more than double plan participants’ current account balances and restore them to about 61.5% of the June 30, 2021 statement balance,” said a lawyer representing AME Church retirement plan participants.
My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/09/17/w...

AME Church clergy, staff near retirement fund payout as appeal window closes

(RNS) — The settlement agreement also calls for the closure of the AME Church’s Department of Retirement Services by July 31, 2028.

religionnews.com

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Reposted by Adelle Banks

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 26d

NEW: As supporters of Charlie Kirk gathered for vigils, many framed Kirk—a right-wing activist—as a religious leader. Some claimed his death was spurring people to convert to Christianity.

Meanwhile, other faith leaders were vocally critical of Kirk's past comments. religionnews.com/2025/09/16/a...

At prayer vigils for Charlie Kirk, supporters are called to political and spiritual fight

(RNS) — ‘I pray millions of young men would become defenders of the faith as a result of this demonic assassination,’ Arizona pastor Mark Driscoll said in an Instagram post.

religionnews.com

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 26d

DC’s First Congregational United Church of Christ, which dates to 1865, dedicated six recently installed stained-glass panels, titled “Forever in the Path,” on Sunday to enslaved people who worked on its building’s land. My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/09/16/p...

Predominantly white church dedicates memorial to the enslaved who worked on its land

(RNS) — ‘‘Forever in the Path’ calls us to renew our covenant to seek justice, love mercy and walk humbly with our God,’ said the church’s pastor.

religionnews.com

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 27d

My coauthors Daniel Yang, Warren Bird and I are set to lead 4-week online cohort on “Becoming a Future-Ready Church” starting a week from today (9/23). Register now/share with others. Thanks! exponential.org/frc-cohort

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · 27d

Today is the 62nd anniversary of the bombing of Birmingham’s 16th Street Baptist Church. Here’s my ’23 @RNS Q&A story about singer Candi Staton’s recollections of that day. religionnews.com/2023/09/15/f...

From ‘Nights on Broadway’ to ‘1963’: Candi Staton recalls 16th St. Baptist bombing

(RNS) — ‘I was thinking about trying to protect my children. And we had to drive right through the worst part of the riots — downtown Birmingham,’ she said.

religionnews.com

Reposted by Adelle Banks

Jack Jenkins @jackjenkins.me · 29d

As a journalist, this is one of those little details that ends up as a brief aside in your rapidly written story to offer the reader additional context for a source, but ends up sticking with you for a while.

Boedy noted he has personal experience with Kirk's willingness to single out opponents:
Boedy was placed on a TPUSA "professor watch list" in 2016 for writing an editorial opposing legislation that would allow concealed weapons on college campuses.

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Reposted by Adelle Banks

RNS @rns.org · 29d

“Turning Point realized the importance of explaining and debating and championing conservative ideals to people under the age of 30,” said Isaac Willour, a conservative journalist and commentator.
religionnews.com/2025/09/11/h...

How Charlie Kirk drew power from his influence with young Christians

(RNS) — For many young Christians, Kirk’s approachability, confidence and unswerving commitment to what he framed as conservative, biblical values laid the groundwork for their interest in politics.

religionnews.com

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · Sep 12

“I submit to you, sisters and brothers, we need the Black church to lead us in times of Jim Crow Junior in 2025 now more than ever,” lawyer Benjamin Crump said at annual session of the National Baptist Convention U.S.A. Inc.

My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/09/12/n...

National Baptists and partners commit to social justice advocacy at annual session

(RNS) — In his sermon that closed out the convention, NBCUSA President Boise Kimber decried legislation he said would hurt people in need.

religionnews.com

Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · Sep 12

Please register today for 4-week online cohort my coauthors and I will lead about “Becoming a Future-Ready Church” – starting 9/23: exponential.org/frc-cohort

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · Sep 10

“Tonight will go down in the history books,” said National Baptist Convention USA Inc. President Boise Kimber after the Rev. Tracey L. Brown became the first woman to preach at evening service of its annual session. My @rns.org story:

religionnews.com/2025/09/10/n...

National Baptists feature first woman preacher at evening service in annual meeting

(RNS) — The Rev. Tracey L. Brown of New Jersey became the first woman ever to preach at a worship service during the annual meeting, NBCUSA leaders said.

religionnews.com

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Reposted by Adelle Banks

RNS @rns.org · Sep 4

Introducing RNS games! A new, fun way to keep up with the headlines. Start playing today.
rns.newsgames.ai

RNS Games: Puzzles, Play, and a New Way to Follow the News

RNS Games is a new destination that brings puzzles and play to your week. Challenge yourself by playing these free games while engaging with the news in a new and fun way.

rns.newsgames.ai

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · Sep 3

“The data and voices we heard from are clear — women are no longer waiting for permission but are already preaching, planting, leading, and shaping the future,” concluded co-authors of a new study. My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/09/03/w...

Women ministers resist misogyny with mentors, training, resilience, study finds

(RNS) — The report, funded by the Louisville Institute, found that the kinds of discrimination women ministers face include gender bias, limited opportunities for leadership and adverse expectations r...

religionnews.com

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Reposted by Adelle Banks

RNS @rns.org · Aug 29

The demonstration, organized by the Rev. Al Sharpton’s National Action Network, also marked the 62nd anniversary of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington.
religionnews.com/2025/08/28/b...

Black faith leaders march on Wall Street to denounce anti-DEI campaign

(RNS) — Protesters led by the Rev. Al Sharpton descended on Manhattan’s financial district to decry efforts by the Trump administration and corporations to abandon diversity, equity and inclusion…

religionnews.com

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Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · Aug 28

Christian higher ed institutions gain grants from American Bible Society, which seeks to increase Bible engagement by young adults. My @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2025/08/28/a...

American Bible Society funds AI assistant, YouTube shows to boost Gen Z Bible use

(RNS) — At Los Angeles Pacific University, scholars were awarded $15,000 to introduce a ‘Bible Engagement Assistant’ that builds on ‘Spark,’ an AI course assistant that the online university already u...

religionnews.com

Adelle Banks @adellembanks.bsky.social · Aug 28

A dozen years ago, I covered the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. Here’s my 2013 RNS video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fxb8...

March on Washington 082413 final

YouTube video by RNS

www.youtube.com