Adelle Banks
@adellembanks.bsky.social
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
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
Pinned
As the 100th anniversary of #BlackHistoryMonth is observed, I hope to create a thread of my related @rns.org stories. Please check out links below. (RNS photo/Kit Doyle)
Appreciate that Duke Divinity School’s Faith & Leadership magazine has highlighted my book, “Becoming a Future-Ready Church,’’ co-written with Daniel Yang and Warren Bird, with an excerpt. Read it here:
faithandleadership.com/becoming-fut...
faithandleadership.com/becoming-fut...
‘Becoming a Future-Ready Church: 8 Shifts to Encourage and Empower the Next Generation of Leaders’
A missiologist, a religion journalist and a church researcher write about one of the largest American churches in the 1960s in an excerpt from a recent book.
faithandleadership.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Appreciate that Duke Divinity School’s Faith & Leadership magazine has highlighted my book, “Becoming a Future-Ready Church,’’ co-written with Daniel Yang and Warren Bird, with an excerpt. Read it here:
faithandleadership.com/becoming-fut...
faithandleadership.com/becoming-fut...
Reposted by Adelle Banks
Wiley Drake was one of a kind-- an SBC gadfly who ran a shelter at his church for decades, believed in helping the poor, boycotted Disney and always spoke his mind
religionnews.com/2026/02/11/w...
religionnews.com/2026/02/11/w...
Wiley Drake, pastor who championed 1990s SBC Disney boycott, has died
(RNS) — Drake, a fixture at SBC meetings, was a culture warrior, a biblical inerrantist and a fierce fighter for what he thought was right — including feuding with city officials who wanted to shut do...
religionnews.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Wiley Drake was one of a kind-- an SBC gadfly who ran a shelter at his church for decades, believed in helping the poor, boycotted Disney and always spoke his mind
religionnews.com/2026/02/11/w...
religionnews.com/2026/02/11/w...
Reposted by Adelle Banks
It's an honor to be selected for the JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, a global effort pushing the boundaries of how AI can support newsrooms. Over the next nine months, we’ll work on a project designed to better capture the real-world impact of our journalism.
🚀 We’re proud to announce the 2025 cohort of the #JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, supported by the Google News Initiative!
Follow the thread to learn more! 👇
Follow the thread to learn more! 👇
February 10, 2026 at 9:23 PM
It's an honor to be selected for the JournalismAI Innovation Challenge, a global effort pushing the boundaries of how AI can support newsrooms. Over the next nine months, we’ll work on a project designed to better capture the real-world impact of our journalism.
“This case has had a negative impact on our denomination and I’m grateful that the Judge saw the need to provide this injunction,” said Church of God in Christ presiding bishop about court telling Moses Tyson Jr. to halt “defamatory statements.” My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2026/02/06/j...
religionnews.com/2026/02/06/j...
Judge orders musician to halt ‘defamatory statements’ about COGIC
(RNS) — The judge said the predominantly Black Pentecostal denomination is likely to be able to demonstrate that the defendant exhibited ‘reckless disregard' for the truth.
religionnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 10:08 PM
“This case has had a negative impact on our denomination and I’m grateful that the Judge saw the need to provide this injunction,” said Church of God in Christ presiding bishop about court telling Moses Tyson Jr. to halt “defamatory statements.” My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2026/02/06/j...
religionnews.com/2026/02/06/j...
ICYMI: My RNS colleagues Richa Karmarkar and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social and I wrote a Grammys and religion wrap-up story:
religionnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
religionnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
At the Grammys, faith and politics collide with Bad Bunny, Jelly Roll and the Dalai Lama
(RNS) — The spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism won the Grammy over comedian Trevor Noah and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
religionnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 5:47 PM
ICYMI: My RNS colleagues Richa Karmarkar and @alejacorazonhm.bsky.social and I wrote a Grammys and religion wrap-up story:
religionnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
religionnews.com/2026/02/02/a...
As the 100th anniversary of #BlackHistoryMonth is observed, I hope to create a thread of my related @rns.org stories. Please check out links below. (RNS photo/Kit Doyle)
February 1, 2026 at 2:37 PM
As the 100th anniversary of #BlackHistoryMonth is observed, I hope to create a thread of my related @rns.org stories. Please check out links below. (RNS photo/Kit Doyle)
January 29, 2026 at 1:14 AM
African Methodist Episcopal Church historiographer Mark Tyler said the removal of educational panels featuring the denomination’s founder is “a gut punch.”
January 28, 2026 at 10:54 PM
African Methodist Episcopal Church historiographer Mark Tyler said the removal of educational panels featuring the denomination’s founder is “a gut punch.”
Reposted by Adelle Banks
How are faith communities in Minneapolis responding to the escalating crisis in the Twin Cities? Join a live virtual discussion this Tuesday, Jan. 27, with RNS reporter @jackjenkins.me and faith leaders involved in community responses to ICE. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 26, 2026 at 2:00 AM
How are faith communities in Minneapolis responding to the escalating crisis in the Twin Cities? Join a live virtual discussion this Tuesday, Jan. 27, with RNS reporter @jackjenkins.me and faith leaders involved in community responses to ICE. Register now: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
“His music had a depth to it that spoke to our souls and to our hearts,” said Pastor Maurice Watson, former pastor of Richard Smallwood’s Washington-area home congregation.
January 25, 2026 at 3:09 AM
“His music had a depth to it that spoke to our souls and to our hearts,” said Pastor Maurice Watson, former pastor of Richard Smallwood’s Washington-area home congregation.
Appreciated the opportunity to moderate a discussion with author Ryan Burge about his new book “The Vanishing Church” at @rns.org webinar on Tuesday:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bL...
The Vanishing Church: How Polarization Is Reshaping American Faith Confirmation
YouTube video by RNS
www.youtube.com
January 23, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Appreciated the opportunity to moderate a discussion with author Ryan Burge about his new book “The Vanishing Church” at @rns.org webinar on Tuesday:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bL...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=a_bL...
Reposted by Adelle Banks
My @rns.org column: Vatican journalist and expert John L. Allen Jr. dies at 61 religionnews.com/2026/01/22/v...
Vatican journalist and expert John L. Allen Jr. dies at 61
(RNS) — From the end of the 20th century until his death, Allen was essential reading for anyone who cared about the inner workings of the Vatican.
religionnews.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:32 PM
My @rns.org column: Vatican journalist and expert John L. Allen Jr. dies at 61 religionnews.com/2026/01/22/v...
“These churches represent multifaceted legacies spanning critical moments in American history and culture,” said historian Brent Leggs, announcing a total of $5 million in grants from the Preserving Black Churches program.
January 22, 2026 at 9:57 PM
“These churches represent multifaceted legacies spanning critical moments in American history and culture,” said historian Brent Leggs, announcing a total of $5 million in grants from the Preserving Black Churches program.
Reposted by Adelle Banks
Religion News Service (RNS) is seeking a full-time summer intern to cover religion in Texas through a unique editorial partnership with The Texas Tribune. The deadline to apply is Feb. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
religionnews.com/2026/01/15/a...
religionnews.com/2026/01/15/a...
Apply for the 2026 RNS/Texas Tribune Summer Internship
This is an RNS internship, designed and overseen by the RNS newsroom, with the intern embedded in Texas and contributing to coverage for both RNS and The Texas Tribune.
religionnews.com
January 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Religion News Service (RNS) is seeking a full-time summer intern to cover religion in Texas through a unique editorial partnership with The Texas Tribune. The deadline to apply is Feb. 17 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
religionnews.com/2026/01/15/a...
religionnews.com/2026/01/15/a...
“We recognize that we are in profound crisis,” said the Rev. Stacey Smith, presiding elder of 10 African Methodist Episcopal churches in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
January 17, 2026 at 12:00 AM
“We recognize that we are in profound crisis,” said the Rev. Stacey Smith, presiding elder of 10 African Methodist Episcopal churches in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Looking forward to moderating this @rns.org discussion on Tuesday. Please join us.
RNS' free virtual event with social scientist and author @ryanburge.bsky.social is in less than two weeks! Register now to secure your spot: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
January 16, 2026 at 10:48 PM
Looking forward to moderating this @rns.org discussion on Tuesday. Please join us.
“We need to be reflecting the times, and that’s not something that should just be in the streets — that’s something that should also be in the pulpit, in the choir loft, in the pews,” said Nolan Williams Jr., composer of new social justice hymn.
January 15, 2026 at 10:56 PM
“We need to be reflecting the times, and that’s not something that should just be in the streets — that’s something that should also be in the pulpit, in the choir loft, in the pews,” said Nolan Williams Jr., composer of new social justice hymn.
Check out @rns.org story about new NYC church pipe organ by @kathrynpost.bsky.social and me, now with video produced by @fiona-murphy.bsky.social
The Church of the Epiphany’s new pipe organ was hand-built in Utah before being delivered by a semitrailer to the church on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
religionnews.com/2026/01/06/n...
religionnews.com/2026/01/06/n...
New pipe organ signals rebirth for Episcopal parish after fire, flood and 'plague'
NEW YORK (RNS) — The Church of the Epiphany’s new pipe organ was hand-built in Utah before being delivered by a semitrailer to the church on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
religionnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:42 PM
Check out @rns.org story about new NYC church pipe organ by @kathrynpost.bsky.social and me, now with video produced by @fiona-murphy.bsky.social
Said Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock about U.S. “spiritual crisis”: “for me, faith has an important role here, and it is as basic as that question that the lawyer asked Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?”
My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2026/01/08/w...
My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2026/01/08/w...
Warnock, declaring ‘spiritual crisis,’ urges public, private sectors to help needy
WASHINGTON (RNS) — ‘Those of us who are people of faith need to lead the way in helping the nation to understand that meeting people’s physical needs is a spiritual project,’ he said.
religionnews.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Said Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock about U.S. “spiritual crisis”: “for me, faith has an important role here, and it is as basic as that question that the lawyer asked Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?”
My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2026/01/08/w...
My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2026/01/08/w...
Appreciated the opportunity to join my @rns.org colleague Jack Jenkins in a year-in-review discussion on The State of Belief podcast. religionnews.com/2026/01/03/w...
January 6, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Appreciated the opportunity to join my @rns.org colleague Jack Jenkins in a year-in-review discussion on The State of Belief podcast. religionnews.com/2026/01/03/w...
“There are still churches with means, and they want to have good music,” said Andrew Gingery, VP of organ builders trade association, as NYC church celebrates new organ.
@kathrynpost.bsky.social, my @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2026/01/06/n...
@kathrynpost.bsky.social, my @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2026/01/06/n...
January 6, 2026 at 7:47 PM
“There are still churches with means, and they want to have good music,” said Andrew Gingery, VP of organ builders trade association, as NYC church celebrates new organ.
@kathrynpost.bsky.social, my @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2026/01/06/n...
@kathrynpost.bsky.social, my @rns.org story: religionnews.com/2026/01/06/n...
“When you write a particular piece, you have no idea what’s going to become of it — will people like it, or will people sing it?” Richard Smallwood, who died 12/30, told RNS of “Total Praise.” My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/30/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/30/r...
Richard Smallwood, contemporary gospel musician known for ‘Total Praise,’ dies at 77
(RNS) — His hit song ‘Total Praise’ was included in the group Destiny’s Child’s a capella “Gospel Medley,” performed by a cantor at New York’s Carnegie Hall and sung by a choir when President Barack ...
religionnews.com
December 30, 2025 at 10:07 PM
“When you write a particular piece, you have no idea what’s going to become of it — will people like it, or will people sing it?” Richard Smallwood, who died 12/30, told RNS of “Total Praise.” My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/30/r...
religionnews.com/2025/12/30/r...
“The court has now confirmed what we have known all along: the voice of the congregation was heard, and the will of the congregation was honored,” said Abyssinian Baptist Church about 2024 election of its pastor. My, @fiona-ndre.bsky.social RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/c...
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/c...
Judge rules in favor of New York’s Abyssinian Baptist Church and its new pastor
(RNS) — The decision settled a yearlong legal battle between the congregation and church members who opposed the Rev. Kevin Johnson’s election.
religionnews.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:57 PM
“The court has now confirmed what we have known all along: the voice of the congregation was heard, and the will of the congregation was honored,” said Abyssinian Baptist Church about 2024 election of its pastor. My, @fiona-ndre.bsky.social RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/c...
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/c...
Faith leaders who died in 2025 include those who used their pulpits to preach the gospel or advocated for the environment, election fairness or justice within and beyond their denominations.
@RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/i...
@RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/i...
Faith leaders who died in 2025: Pope Francis, theologians and activists
(RNS) — Those remembered this year also include authors, influencers and other leaders who shaped religion around the world.
religionnews.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Faith leaders who died in 2025 include those who used their pulpits to preach the gospel or advocated for the environment, election fairness or justice within and beyond their denominations.
@RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/i...
@RNS story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/26/i...
"As we see a decline in church membership, we see a decline in trust of church organizations; then we're seeing a rise of magic,” said Baylor scholar Paul Froese. My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/16/f...
religionnews.com/2025/12/16/f...
From church to crystals: One study shows interest in magic as religion declines
(RNS) — Baylor University scholar Paul Froese said the findings may reflect a greater interest in magical thinking as people move away from traditional religious beliefs.
religionnews.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
"As we see a decline in church membership, we see a decline in trust of church organizations; then we're seeing a rise of magic,” said Baylor scholar Paul Froese. My @rns.org story:
religionnews.com/2025/12/16/f...
religionnews.com/2025/12/16/f...