Adelle M. Banks

• Is Joy the Same as Happiness? 10 Things to Know about This Fruit of the Spirit Thursday, March 10, 2022
  Theologian Miroslav Volf, who has written books on subjects ranging from the Trinity to the challenges of reconciliation in divided societies, has turned to what might seem like a frivolous...
• Willie McLaurin, Interim Executive Committee Leader, Is SBC's First Black Entity Head Wednesday, February 2, 2022
  The Southern Baptist Convention’s Executive Committee has appointed Willie McLaurin to serve as interim president and CEO, marking the first time that any entity of the predominantly white...
• Jim Winkler Departs National Council of Churches after Two Terms as Chief Friday, January 28, 2022
  The National Council of Churches announced Wednesday (Jan. 26) that Jim Winkler, its general secretary and president since 2013, is leaving his post.
• Former AME Zion Bishop Staccato Powell Charged with Fraud in $14 Million Scheme Friday, January 28, 2022
  Staccato Powell, the former president of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church’s board of bishops, has been federally charged with fraud and conspiracy connected to allegations of his...
• As Congress Debates, Black Baptist Leader Calls Denial of Voting Rights 'Evil' Wednesday, January 19, 2022
  On the day of a major voting rights debate on Capitol Hill, a social justice coordinator for the Progressive National Baptist Convention said fighting for voting rights is an effort to conquer...
• Martin Luther King Jr's Last Full Year of Life: Protest, Praise, Ire, Incarceration Friday, January 14, 2022
  While Martin Luther King Jr. Day is mostly commemorated with quotes and clips of King’s 1963 “I Have a Dream” speech and footage of bus boycotts and the 1965 march from Selma to Montgomery,...
• New Revised Standard Version Bible Updated with Consideration for 'Modern Sensibilities' Thursday, November 18, 2021
  An updated edition of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible includes thousands of changes in language, reflecting the research of a wide range of scholars who spent four years reviewing its...
• Russia Added to State Department List of Worst Religious Liberty Violators Thursday, November 18, 2021
  The U.S. State Department has added Russia to its list of nations it considers among the world's most egregious violators of religious freedom.
• 'COVID Has Been Harder on Us': Some Black Churches Remain Hesitant to Reopen Tuesday, October 5, 2021
  While many congregations have been back to worship for weeks and months, often masked and socially distant, some African American clergy continue to hold off on in-person services. Others have...
• Kirk Franklin Rereleases 'Lean on Me' with Virtual Global Children's Choir Wednesday, September 29, 2021
  Grammy Award-winning artist Kirk Franklin has re-released his song "Lean on Me," but this time it is featuring the virtual global Children's choir.
• Francis Collins 'a Bit' Frustrated with Evangelicals amid COVID-19 Vaccine Push Monday, September 13, 2021
  In a recent interview with Religion News Service, Dr. Francis Collins, the director of the National Institutes of Health, shared that he is “a bit” frustrated with fellow evangelicals who have...
• United Methodist Leaders Urge Churches to End Boy Scout Charters for Now Friday, August 27, 2021
  In light of a recent bankruptcy court ruling about the Boy Scouts of America and sexual abuse claimants, United Methodist leaders are urging their churches to not extend current agreements to...
• Russell Moore: Sickness, Death from COVID-19 Likely Reducing Some Vaccine Hesitancy Wednesday, August 11, 2021
  Theologian Russell Moore recently asserted that knowing people who became seriously ill or died from COVID-19 may be causing some vaccine-hesitant individuals to change their minds.
• Expert in Faith-Based Disaster Management New Leader of Homeland Security Center Tuesday, August 3, 2021
  Marcus T. Coleman has been selected as the new director of the Department of Homeland Security's Center for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.
• AME Church Bishops Address COVID-19, Critical Race Theory as Major Meeting Opens Wednesday, July 7, 2021
  The bishops of the African Methodist Episcopal Church are set to discuss COVID-19, Critical Race Theory, and same-sex marriage, among other things, in their denomination’s major meeting this week.
• Former Megachurch Pastor and Presidential Adviser Kirbyjon Caldwell Enters Prison Thursday, June 24, 2021
  Former United Methodist megachurch pastor and presidential adviser Kirbyjon Caldwell has begun his six-year prison sentence. Caldwell was found guilty of being involved in a multimillion-dollar...
• Saddleback Church's Ordination of Women Pastors to Be Considered by SBC Committee Thursday, June 17, 2021
  A committee that determines whether churches are conforming to Southern Baptist Convention affiliation rules will consider whether the prominent Saddleback Church can continue in fellowship with...
• Gavel Named for Slaveholder Replaced with One Recalling Missionary at SBC Meeting Thursday, June 17, 2021
  Outgoing Southern Baptist Convention President J.D. Greear opened up the two-day Southern Baptist meeting using a different gavel than the one traditionally used. The traditional gavel was named...