Real Ministry, Real Pain

07/29/2026

It’s a scene we are all familiar with: The service has ended, the benediction given, the coffee and baked goods accompany the half-hour conversations before folks step out the door, get in their vehicles, and go on to the rest of their Sunday and week. But that’s not always the whole scene. Hidden i

Passing the Plate

07/28/2026

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.One of the ch

You’re in Good Company: The Gift of Friendship, Motherhood, and Showing Up

07/28/2026

Come for the recipes and stay for the writing in this luminous collection written by Christian moms who are part of the Coffee + Crumbs online journal community. God, friendships, hospitality, and keeping each other going—whether through spice tea and conversation or an UberEats order on a horrible

Tale of the CRC Printing Press

07/27/2026

It wasn’t Gutenberg’s press, but for almost 90 years the printing press had an outsized effect on the location and size of the Christian Reformed Church’s denominational facilities in Grand Rapids, Mich.After 50 years of publishing De Wachter (in Dutch) and The Banner (in English), the Publications

Good Ol’ What’s Her Name

07/27/2026

Peter and I were having our usual breakfast at the Hungry Fox early on a Monday morning. An elderly couple across the aisle from us also enjoyed their breakfast, as did a single elderly woman sitting in the booth just ahead of them, her back to their table.Our server, always a kick to be around, kib

Exploring Synod 2026, Episode 8: Wrap-Up with the President (Part 2)

07/24/2026

In Part Two of our final two-part episode of The Banner Podcast on Synod 2026, hosts Sarah Zylstra and Derek Buikema continue their conversation about this Synod’s impact on the future of the Christian Reformed Church with Synod 2026 president Chad Steenwyk. Together they reflect on the art of moder

Advice for New Elders

07/24/2026

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.“What did I g

Little House on the Prairie

07/24/2026

A few years ago, I visited the real Little House on the Prairie outside of Independence, Kans. It was my second visit (I’m a serious fan, and also my son lives in Kansas), and I was surprised and delighted to see that this time, the gift shop was carrying books such as the Birchbark series by Indige

God's Homecoming: The Forgotten Promise of Future Renewal

07/24/2026

In this enlightening and inspiring sequel to Surprised by Hope, renowned Christian theologian N.T. Wright continues to confront and challenge what he asserts is the church’s misunderstanding and confusion about Jesus’ second coming. He offers sound biblical insights, historical explanations about wh

In Memoriam: Rev. William (Bill) A. Stroo

07/24/2026

Kind, encouraging, thoughtful, a deep thinker, a great listener—these are all recurring words in tributes to pastor, chaplain, and licensed psychotherapist Bill Stroo, who died June 22 at age 83.After graduation from Calvin Theological Seminary and ordination in 1969, Bill served Appalachian Regiona

Hattie Mae Begins Again

07/23/2026

Raised in Seed County, N.C., 11-year-old Hattie Mae is thrilled at the prospect of moving to Philadelphia in 1938—the Black population is burgeoning there because of the Great Migration—and studying at Miss Abigail’s School for Exceptional Young Ladies. Though she hopes to fit in, she’s shocked to d

From the Directors’ Desks With Carol Bremer-Bennett and Peter Timmerman

07/22/2026

In what ways does World Renew equip local CRC people and churches to do kingdom work?Carol Bremer-Bennett: World Renew helps Christian Reformed congregations recognize that kingdom work is already happening in their churches, neighborhoods, and communities around the world. Our role is to connect gi

Exploring Synod 2026: Wrap-Up with the President (Part 1)

07/22/2026

In Part One of our final two-part episode of The Banner Podcast, hosts Sarah Zylstra and Derek Buikema sit down with Synod 2026 president Chad Steenwyk for a wrap-up reflection on this year’s deliberative assembly. They discuss how officers are selected and what goes into managing on-the-floor delib

Astronaut! A Novel

07/21/2026

Repressive regimes always want their citizens to feel one thing: fear.It’s an emotion that’s present from the opening pages of Astronaut! All 8-year-old Lia wanted to do was buy a pretty yellow vase, and before she knows it the angry shopkeeper is marching her home, interrogating her parents about t

Should Christians Use Gendered Pronouns for Alexa or Siri?

07/20/2026

Should Christians use gendered pronouns for Alexa or Siri?At a recent meeting of denominational publishers, a presentation was given by a vendor selling AI-powered software for publishers. Throughout the presentation, the salesperson talked about how our customers would be transformed if they could

Reflections on America’s Big Birthday

07/20/2026

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.It’s the 250t

Golden Insights Await Theo Readers

07/20/2026

Theo who?Readers of this No. 1 New York Times-bestselling novel don’t find out his last name until the very end of the book, and for good reason. We just know this 86-year-old character as Theo of Golden, a fictional town in the South where he moves to quite mysteriously from his New York City home.

Mixed Media Roundup: July/August

07/20/2026

The Me That RemainsBy Amy GrantReviewed by Robert J. KeeleyIt has been 13 years since Amy Grant released new music—eventful years for the singer songwriter who became a household name when Age to Age released 44 years ago.But heart surgery and then a bicycle accident and head injury required her to

Exploring Synod 2026, Episode 7: Multi-Site Churches—Not What You Think

07/17/2026

What options do declining churches have? What might it look like to covenant with a neighboring Christian Reformed congregation for mission and renewal? How can churches cooperate to support one another in a time of shrinking memberships and vacant pulpits?After two years of study, Synod 2026 adopte

Roadtrip Reflections: Guideposts for the Christian’s Journey

07/17/2026

As I Was Saying is a forum for a variety of perspectives to foster faith-related conversations among our readers with the goal of mutual learning, even in disagreement. Apart from articles written by editorial staff, these perspectives do not necessarily reflect the views of The Banner.“Road Trip!”H