Director’s Desk: Meet Jul Medenblik
10/21/2026

In what ways does Calvin Theological Seminary equip local CRC people and churches to do Kingdom work?Our mission to serve the church is what Calvin Seminary was founded on 151 years ago, and it has been our focus ever since. At our core from the beginning, we form leaders for the church and provide

New Documentary Looks at the Changing Face of Christian Churchgoing
10/20/2026

Note: The Banner has a subscription to republish articles from Religion News Service. This interview by Yonat Shimron was published on Oct. 1, 2026, on religionnews.com. It has been edited for length and Banner style.(RNS) — A 120-year-old United Methodist Church in rural Michigan shutters. A tradit

Artificial Intelligence: The Church Responds
10/20/2026

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.Stepping thro

What Does God’s ‘Impassibility’ Mean?
10/19/2026

Does God have feelings? What does his ‘impassibility’ mean?“Impassibility” can, on first blush, be a bit of a strange, scary, or even off-putting word, especially ascribed to God! It might make us imagine God as distant, uncaring, even apathetic.Thankfully, a description of God as impassible is in n

Noticing With Eyes of Love: What We Can Learn About Gift Giving From the Magi
10/19/2026

The key to good gift giving lies in noticing with eyes of love.There is a luminous moment in Anne of Green Gables when Matthew Cuthbert, shy, bachelor potato farmer and newly minted father figure, gives his Anne Girl the gift of her dreams: A dress with puffed sleeves. What struck me wasn’t just the

Over in the Meadow
10/19/2026

“Over in the meadow, in the sand, in the sun … .” Have you ever heard that children's song? Maybe you have sung it yourself!But what exactly is a meadow? A meadow is a wide-open habitat that plays an important role for ecosystems and wildlife, and meadows are found on every continent on Earth. Anima

How to Save a Dolphin
10/16/2026

In Galveston, Texas, 12-year-old Dany is having a tough summer break. Her life seems boring and ordinary compared to the lives of her three siblings who excel at various endeavors. Besides, Dany is lonely and feels forgotten by her best friend Courtney, who moved to another city and immediately made

The Spiritual Significance of Birding
10/16/2026

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.There is a lo

‘Christian Communicators Network’ New Name for Former Press Association
10/16/2026

With 37% of potential voters casting a ballot, the Evangelical Press Association, a professional organization of Christian writers, editors, and publishers, voted 57% in favor of its board’s recommendation to adopt a new name: Christian Communicators Network. Voting took place between Sept. 15, afte

AI Conference, New Center for Faith and Tech Bring Cultural Moment to Calvin
10/16/2026

With more than double the initially expected registrants, and presenters and attendees from around the globe, Calvin University’s Wisdom in the Age of AI conference Oct. 8-10 facilitated the discerning of faithful and responsible use of AI in education, church, business, healthcare, STEM (science, t

The Eyes of River
10/16/2026

In this masterfully crafted, and emotionally rich Appalachian novel, author Cindy Sproles, born and raised in the Appalachian Mountains, reveals her intimate knowledge of and compassion for the people living in that area and dealing with the social, economic, and spiritual struggles of their communi

House of Worship
10/16/2026

The House of Worship film features a “who’s who” of musical artists singing some of the most popular and loved modern worship songs. “What makes House of Worship special is the sense of shared reverence in the room,” writes Patheos “Reel Faith” writer DeWayne Hamby in a release. “These are not stage

Faith, Reason, and the Fine-Tuned Universe
10/13/2026

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.When I was in

The Women Before Us: Weaving Stories in My Huipil
10/13/2026

In this stunningly beautiful picture book, Guatemalan American author Nydia Armendia-Sanchez and Colombian illustrator Dana SanMar collaborate to celebrate women throughout history who have narrated their ancestors’ and their own stories through textiles, specifically through the creation of huipils

Rev. Henry Beets, 1903-1928
10/12/2026

Note: This online-only article is part of a series showcasing past Banner editors. You can read all the content celebrating The Banner’s 160th anniversary here.Rev. Henry Beets headed the group that purchased The Banner and in 1903 took the editor’s seat where he served for 25 years. Because Beets t

A Sound Discovery
10/09/2026

Hoping to save a little money on a recent vacation to Niagara Falls, my husband and I parked a few kilometers away from the falls and walked to the main attraction. As we walked, the music of the falls gradually grew louder and louder—ending with a powerful crescendo as we arrived. We stood silent,

Hints of Hope: Essays on Making Peace with the Proximate
10/09/2026

What is the proximate? And how does one make peace with it? Author Steven Garber, senior fellow for the Institute of Marketplace Transformation in Vancouver, B.C., has spent his life as a teacher in many places in the world answering these questions and exploring the intersection between vocation an

Heart of the Beast
10/09/2026

Films about dogs instantly tug at my heart strings. The love and loyalty of a pup is an encouragement through life’s uncertainties. Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer, struck a chord in me because at the heart of this thrilling film is deep, sacrificial love.Special Forces veteran James Belm

A Beautiful Day to Die
10/09/2026

Jeff Taylor’s book has an unusual title because in it he tells an unusual story. At age 4, Taylor died in an ambulance and came back to life about 30-45 minutes later. He knows this story will seem uncertain or impossible to many people, so he researches his book with a faith in God that seeks under

Northern Michigan Church Sews Dresses for Mission
10/09/2026

For 14 years the Sewing Sisters of Lucas Christian Reformed Church in McBain, Mich., have been supplying Project Canefire and other ministries with upcycled dresses to distribute on mission trips.Sandy Pluger, one of the sewing women and an organizer of the group, was inspired to start the work afte