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.“Sorry, I don
Rev. Kurt Selles plans to retire in July after 14 years as director of ReFrame Ministries, the media ministry of the Christian Reformed Church.Under Selles’ leadership, ReFrame has gone through many changes. It relocated from Palos Heights, Ill., its longtime home, to Grand Rapids, Mich. It changed
As Rev. Lesli van Milligen retires as director of Thrive, a ministry of the Christian Reformed Church, she looks back on more than 30 years in ministry.In 1995, van Milligen was one of the first women to be ordained in the CRC. She started her career as an evangelist, now called commissioned pastor.
A young girl knows that Jesus was once a child like she is now. She imagines what it would be like if Jesus came to her school for a day. How would Jesus act? What would he say? What would she show Jesus?Author April Graney’s playful, rhyming text and illustrator Yana Kozak’s cheerful, bright pictur
It’s been 14 years since the trio Point of Grace offered a new full-length album, but the wait is over. The 10-track recording Lady Wisdom features the beautiful harmony and God-centered focus that helped the group capture 27 No. 1 songs and 13 Dove Awards.“The older we get, the more we see pain and
For those who want to go deeper into the spiritual practice of hospitality, this loving book holds a gentle invitation to go beyond entertaining to cultivating a posture of welcome, at home and out and about.Spiritual director Laura Baghdassarian Murray draws on the hospitality of her Armenian cultu
The CRC has a long history of working together and pooling resources in order to further God’s kingdom work around the world. This year features a special column in each issue of The Banner that includes an interview with leaders of these shared ministries: Thrive, Resonate Global Mission, ReFrame M
Amanda Janson’s debut record, Sinner to Saint, provides an intimate, vulnerable look into the singer/songwriter’s life. “Sinner to Saint is written as a journey,” Janson said in a release. “It starts in tension, doubt, and broken places, then slowly walks toward surrender, healing, and identity in C
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.He didn’t beg
Leaders gathering for Synod 2026 of the Christian Reformed Church in North America have a sizable agenda to discuss and discern together. For starters, there’s a 106-page report (including appendices) from synod’s interim committee, the Council of Delegates, which is responsible for carrying out the
I had traveled from Michigan to my Winnipeg hometown to help my parents move and say goodbye to the house I grew up in. My brother was hauling my childhood dresser down the driveway, where it was loaded into a stranger’s truck.“What are you doing?” I demanded hotly.“What?” He couldn’t fathom why I w
When Stephanie Miller was 16 years old, her parents died in a car crash. The Amish teen was forced to live with her aunt and uncle, a dour couple who compelled her to do most of the household chores and to care for their growing family. Keeping a tight rein on the young woman, they allowed her to go
Matthew Goode translates his standard sardonic character into a new version in Dept. Q: a PTSD-riddled detective making lemonade from the lemons he’s been given.Detective Carl Morck is not a nice guy when we meet him. He’s not likable or sympathetic. And then—that moment that changes everything arri
Abigail loves “first Saturdays”—the first Saturday of each month when she and her younger brother and parents go for a nature hike, often to their favorite place, a waterfall deep in the woods. As they make their way beneath huge trees and over large rocks, Abigail thinks about what her parents taug
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.Among Chinese
Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional assembly of churches.Many of the actions taken by classes are governed by the CRC’s Church Order, the rules that govern denominational life. Here are some of the actions by classes in the past
A January trip saw Joel Ringma, Terrace, B.C., pastor; James Vanderlaan, director of advancement for Resonate Global Mission; and Fred Reitsma, a member of Smithers (B.C.) Christian Reformed Church, attend and support a pastors’ conference in Kabala, Sierra Leone. It was a reunion of sorts for two a
After decades of declining attendance, Fort Wingate (N.M.) Christian Reformed Church is exploring a new ministry model that would transform its property into a community-focused retreat center.Organized in 1982, the rural congregation located near the entrance to Cibola National Forest has about 20
Maggie Peckford, with her husband and three young children, began attending Williamsburg (Ont.) CRC in spring 2024. In the fall of 2025 she joined its inaugural hospitality committee and says the church has been very receptive to hearing her perspective as a newcomer.“I was the churchgoer that as so
The CRC has a long history of working together and pooling resources to further God’s kingdom work around the world. This year we will feature a special column in each issue that includes an interview with the directors of these shared ministries: Thrive, Resonate Global Mission, ReFrame Ministries,