Liam Adams
@liamsadams.bsky.social
Religion reporter at The Tennessean. From New England to D.C. to Colorado to Tennessee.
There's already a lot of good storytelling and revelatory details that Keith and Kirsten uncovered as part of Season 2 of "Murder on Music Row."
ICYMI: first 3 episodes are out publicly and here's where you can find all 8 episodes at The Tennessean: www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
ICYMI: first 3 episodes are out publicly and here's where you can find all 8 episodes at The Tennessean: www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
Binge all 8 episodes of The Tennessean's Murder on Music Row podcast
Murder on Music Row focuses on the 1989 murder of Kevin Hughes, who tried to operate with integrity in a business full of sharks.
www.tennessean.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:50 PM
There's already a lot of good storytelling and revelatory details that Keith and Kirsten uncovered as part of Season 2 of "Murder on Music Row."
ICYMI: first 3 episodes are out publicly and here's where you can find all 8 episodes at The Tennessean: www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
ICYMI: first 3 episodes are out publicly and here's where you can find all 8 episodes at The Tennessean: www.tennessean.com/story/news/c...
Mtata said due to larger trends in Zimbabweans’ views on hot-button social topics, both the UMC and Global Methodists “are not immune to being followed by the same issues.” www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
As UMC in Zimbabwe stabilizes after splintering, generational change brings new pressures
As part of UMC splintering, factionalism in Africa pushed rivals to double down on traditionalism. But generational change may upend that stability.
www.tennessean.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Mtata said due to larger trends in Zimbabweans’ views on hot-button social topics, both the UMC and Global Methodists “are not immune to being followed by the same issues.” www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
An example of that advocacy (which references a a May 2024 protest in front of the UMC's administrative offices in Harare, led by traditionalists who eventually left the UMC): www.galz.org/_files/ugd/2...
www.galz.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
An example of that advocacy (which references a a May 2024 protest in front of the UMC's administrative offices in Harare, led by traditionalists who eventually left the UMC): www.galz.org/_files/ugd/2...
There's an impression among the U.S. church that their African counterparts won't see any future change in views on LGBTQ+ rights with parishioners, clergy. Speaking with Mtata challenged that notion for me, and then I researched more on LGBTQ+ advocacy in Zimbabwe.
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
There's an impression among the U.S. church that their African counterparts won't see any future change in views on LGBTQ+ rights with parishioners, clergy. Speaking with Mtata challenged that notion for me, and then I researched more on LGBTQ+ advocacy in Zimbabwe.
So, just a quick back story here: I met Mtata briefly at the UMC Zimbabwe East Annual Conference and casually discussed with him some of this, and then followed-up with him for an on-the-record chat. Because...
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
So, just a quick back story here: I met Mtata briefly at the UMC Zimbabwe East Annual Conference and casually discussed with him some of this, and then followed-up with him for an on-the-record chat. Because...
“Some conversations I’ve had with students, there’s a presence among students and pastors (aware) of people of a different orientation,” Mtata said. “And (an awareness) that these people are compelled to live a life of protecting themselves from the judgement... of the churches.”
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
“Some conversations I’ve had with students, there’s a presence among students and pastors (aware) of people of a different orientation,” Mtata said. “And (an awareness) that these people are compelled to live a life of protecting themselves from the judgement... of the churches.”
Meanwhile, seminary administrator Kupakwashe Mtata said he’s observed at United Theological College in Harare — jointly enrolls students for the UMC and other mainline groups — more open-mindedness among students and faculty about the experiences of sexual and gender minorities.
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Meanwhile, seminary administrator Kupakwashe Mtata said he’s observed at United Theological College in Harare — jointly enrolls students for the UMC and other mainline groups — more open-mindedness among students and faculty about the experiences of sexual and gender minorities.
For example, Chikomba said his generation of United Methodists were concerned about the splintering. “But the new generation now, they didn’t face the real repercussions of the split,” he said. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
As UMC in Zimbabwe stabilizes after splintering, generational change brings new pressures
As part of UMC splintering, factionalism in Africa pushed rivals to double down on traditionalism. But generational change may upend that stability.
www.tennessean.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
For example, Chikomba said his generation of United Methodists were concerned about the splintering. “But the new generation now, they didn’t face the real repercussions of the split,” he said. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
This is one example of the how African UMC leaders' mission to restore a sense of normalcy after the denomination's splintering will encounter other pressures that are weighing on the church largely due to generational changes. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
As UMC in Zimbabwe stabilizes after splintering, generational change brings new pressures
As part of UMC splintering, factionalism in Africa pushed rivals to double down on traditionalism. But generational change may upend that stability.
www.tennessean.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
This is one example of the how African UMC leaders' mission to restore a sense of normalcy after the denomination's splintering will encounter other pressures that are weighing on the church largely due to generational changes. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Chikomba attended different over time including a popular Pentecostal church named ZAOGA, but today is devoted to the UMC.
But Chikomba said many of his peers, partly due to the stressors of Zimbabwe’s present economic distress, are desiring the prosperity gospel.
But Chikomba said many of his peers, partly due to the stressors of Zimbabwe’s present economic distress, are desiring the prosperity gospel.
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Chikomba attended different over time including a popular Pentecostal church named ZAOGA, but today is devoted to the UMC.
But Chikomba said many of his peers, partly due to the stressors of Zimbabwe’s present economic distress, are desiring the prosperity gospel.
But Chikomba said many of his peers, partly due to the stressors of Zimbabwe’s present economic distress, are desiring the prosperity gospel.
The whole spectacle encapsulates a religious fervor across Zimbabwe.
A lot of these youngsters are looking for the prosperity gospel, not salvation,” Mugove Chikomba, a 27-year-old Harare resident, told me. (We met Chikomba at our hotel of all places!)
www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
A lot of these youngsters are looking for the prosperity gospel, not salvation,” Mugove Chikomba, a 27-year-old Harare resident, told me. (We met Chikomba at our hotel of all places!)
www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
As UMC in Zimbabwe stabilizes after splintering, generational change brings new pressures
As part of UMC splintering, factionalism in Africa pushed rivals to double down on traditionalism. But generational change may upend that stability.
www.tennessean.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
The whole spectacle encapsulates a religious fervor across Zimbabwe.
A lot of these youngsters are looking for the prosperity gospel, not salvation,” Mugove Chikomba, a 27-year-old Harare resident, told me. (We met Chikomba at our hotel of all places!)
www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
A lot of these youngsters are looking for the prosperity gospel, not salvation,” Mugove Chikomba, a 27-year-old Harare resident, told me. (We met Chikomba at our hotel of all places!)
www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Hinn, a prosperity gospel preacher, had just come through town when we traveled to Zimbabwe for his two-day “Healing Crusade." Hinn also met with Zimbabwe’s president during his visit. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
As UMC in Zimbabwe stabilizes after splintering, generational change brings new pressures
As part of UMC splintering, factionalism in Africa pushed rivals to double down on traditionalism. But generational change may upend that stability.
www.tennessean.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Hinn, a prosperity gospel preacher, had just come through town when we traveled to Zimbabwe for his two-day “Healing Crusade." Hinn also met with Zimbabwe’s president during his visit. www.tennessean.com/story/news/r...
Agreed. I was intrigued at the different phrasing to describe similar procedures of disciplinary oversight. And yet the doctrine behind those similar sounding procedures are so different, and understanding that doctrine requires close attention.
November 21, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Agreed. I was intrigued at the different phrasing to describe similar procedures of disciplinary oversight. And yet the doctrine behind those similar sounding procedures are so different, and understanding that doctrine requires close attention.
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.
Also, to all the other reporters on these other projects (@ianshapira.bsky.social, @kathrynpost.bsky.social, @mikehixenbaugh.com, Elizabeth Chuck, Jessica Lussenhop, Andrew Mannix): well done. I bet we can sympathize on just how much time has gone into reaching these points.
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Also, to all the other reporters on these other projects (@ianshapira.bsky.social, @kathrynpost.bsky.social, @mikehixenbaugh.com, Elizabeth Chuck, Jessica Lussenhop, Andrew Mannix): well done. I bet we can sympathize on just how much time has gone into reaching these points.
So, if there's any takeaway by looking at the collection of reporting on these four denominations, it's encouragement to newsrooms (from regional to national) to invest in this robust investigative reporting on faith groups that are facing claims of mishandling abuse.
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
So, if there's any takeaway by looking at the collection of reporting on these four denominations, it's encouragement to newsrooms (from regional to national) to invest in this robust investigative reporting on faith groups that are facing claims of mishandling abuse.
There's a reason why the Catholic Church and SBC are at the center of ongoing discourse about church abuse (I mean, their size/influence is another driver). But other denominations are wrestling with the same issues, and it's important for news agencies to explain how/why.
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
There's a reason why the Catholic Church and SBC are at the center of ongoing discourse about church abuse (I mean, their size/influence is another driver). But other denominations are wrestling with the same issues, and it's important for news agencies to explain how/why.
Though reports on individual cases of reported abuse in faith spaces isn't uncommon, it's less frequent for outlets like ours or these others to invest the time and energy to reporting out these individual stories of abuse allegations and studying how these denominations operate.
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Though reports on individual cases of reported abuse in faith spaces isn't uncommon, it's less frequent for outlets like ours or these others to invest the time and energy to reporting out these individual stories of abuse allegations and studying how these denominations operate.
On Nov. 20, @propublica.org and @startribune.com disentangled abuse in the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, where church leaders pressured victims of alleged abuse to forgive a minister who reportedly continued abusing prior to a conviction for sex crimes. www.propublica.org/article/sexu...
Young Girls Were Sexually Abused by a Church Member. They Were Told to Forgive and Forget.
In Minnesota, leaders of an Old Apostolic Lutheran Church community enabled a child abuser by telling his victims that once the sins were “washed away in the blood of reconciliation,” they could never...
www.propublica.org
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
On Nov. 20, @propublica.org and @startribune.com disentangled abuse in the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, where church leaders pressured victims of alleged abuse to forgive a minister who reportedly continued abusing prior to a conviction for sex crimes. www.propublica.org/article/sexu...
On Nov. 17, we at The Tennessean looked at churches in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), known for its church courts and that took up abuse response in 2022, that disciplined women who came forward with allegations instead of pursuing accountability. 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 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
On Nov. 17, we at The Tennessean looked at churches in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA), known for its church courts and that took up abuse response in 2022, that disciplined women who came forward with allegations instead of pursuing accountability. www.tennessean.com/story/news/2...
On Oct. 30, NBC’s @mikehixenbaugh.com and Elizabeth Chuck meticulously traced the Pentecostal group’s resistance to reform, a compilation of total cases of alleged abuse, and a leaked handbook on rehabilitating pastors accused of abuse. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
How Assemblies of God churches shielded accused predators as they abused children
NBC News uncovered a 50-year pattern of sex abuse, silence and cover-up in the world’s largest Pentecostal denomination.
www.nbcnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
On Oct. 30, NBC’s @mikehixenbaugh.com and Elizabeth Chuck meticulously traced the Pentecostal group’s resistance to reform, a compilation of total cases of alleged abuse, and a leaked handbook on rehabilitating pastors accused of abuse. www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news...
The scandal over Wood’s alleged misconduct is the latest part of a deeper reckoning in the ACNA, which lately has also revolved around the trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch for mishandling an abuse case. @rns.org @kathrynpost.bsky.social has long covered this saga: religionnews.com/2025/08/04/t...
Third prosecutor appointed in ACNA trial of Bishop Ruch
(RNS) — 'Bringing justice to victims is my sole interest in this case,' said Thomas Crapps, the new prosecutor.
religionnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
The scandal over Wood’s alleged misconduct is the latest part of a deeper reckoning in the ACNA, which lately has also revolved around the trial of Bishop Stewart Ruch for mishandling an abuse case. @rns.org @kathrynpost.bsky.social has long covered this saga: religionnews.com/2025/08/04/t...
On Oct. 23, @washingtonpost.com @ianshapira.bsky.social published an investigation on the Anglican Church in North America’s top leader, Archbishop Steve Wood. It sparked further outcry and reports on Wood, followed by his suspension this week. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...
U.S. Anglican Church archbishop accused of sexual misconduct, abuse of power
An attempted kiss, cash payments and other allegations roil the Anglican Church in North America.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:34 PM
On Oct. 23, @washingtonpost.com @ianshapira.bsky.social published an investigation on the Anglican Church in North America’s top leader, Archbishop Steve Wood. It sparked further outcry and reports on Wood, followed by his suspension this week. www.washingtonpost.com/investigatio...