Speak Up: The Church’s Call as the World Cup Comes to North America

Speak Up: The Church’s Call as the World Cup Comes to North America

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.Speak up for

Our Only Comfort: Heidelberg Catechism, Part 1

Our Only Comfort: Heidelberg Catechism, Part 1

We move this week to what is likely the most well-known of the three forms of unity—the Heidelberg Catechism. If you have been around the Christian Reformed Church for many years you likely studied it, perhaps memorized parts of it, and might have heard sermons on some of the topics within it. This

The Smallest Member: Governing Speech with Biblical Wisdom

The Smallest Member: Governing Speech with Biblical Wisdom

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.“The soothing

The Hidden Training Ground: The Young Leaders Chair

The Hidden Training Ground: The Young Leaders Chair

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’s a cha

How Do We Teach Our Children About the Rainbow?

How Do We Teach Our Children About the Rainbow?

How do we teach our children about the rainbow God showed Noah when they see a rainbow flag in their neighborhood that has different connections?Children are natural-born inquisitive thinkers, and their observations can offer a significant opportunity for parents, teachers, and mentors.When a child

Don’t Dine On Darkness

Don’t Dine On Darkness

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.You are what

From Shallow Snippets to Scripture's Depth

From Shallow Snippets to Scripture's Depth

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.We live in a

Mercy

Mercy

It was May in Arizona, and the only slightly appealing place to eat in the tiny highway town was a fast-food restaurant. I was on a cross-country road trip taking my daughter back to her college town. Sighing at the limitations of our choices, we stopped to grab some lunch. After placing our order,

Knowing and Discerning What’s Right

Knowing and Discerning What’s Right

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.My friend bur

Guard Your Heart

Guard Your Heart

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.“Keep your he

Reply All: May/June 2026

Reply All: May/June 2026

To send letters to the editor, please see our guidelines at thebanner.org/letters.ThanksOver the years I've developed a real appreciation for the writings and wisdom of Rod Hugen. However, in this last piece (“Thanks for What You Do,” January/February 2026) Hugen hit a new high. Thanks for what you

Praying Spirit Bear

Praying Spirit Bear

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.Tanisi.In Cre

The ‘Spectacles’ of Scripture

The ‘Spectacles’ of Scripture

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.A couple of y

Transformed Eyes

Transformed Eyes

In first grade, everything Mrs. Zuidema wrote on the chalkboard looked fuzzy. I’d break my pencil point so I could walk up to the sharpener, slo-o-owly passing the board to read it. Once, I squirreled my brother’s binoculars into my desk, thinking I’d sneak a peek at the board when no one was lookin

Return to Catechism

Return to Catechism

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.My church was

Community Today?

Community Today?

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.“How can I sa

Learning to Count to Eight

Learning to Count to Eight

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.Our denominat

Evangelism for the Inadequate

Evangelism for the Inadequate

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.“So what’s th

Learning to Read in Color

Learning to Read in Color

Over the past five years, I received an unexpected gift that came at an unlikely time. I had stepped away from my role as a worship director to be home with my growing family. When the opportunity to study theology arose, I said yes—one of the costliest “yeses” of my life. Completing the master of d

Recruiting Elders: Why Won’t They Stand?

Recruiting Elders: Why Won’t They Stand?

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