The Banner Magazine

The Banner magazine is released every month by the Christian Reformed Church in North America. It explores how the Christian faith, particularly in its Reformed tradition, remains relevant in today’s society. We aim for our articles—ranging from news and features to reviews—to be engaging, informative, inspiring, and thought-provoking for our readers.

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Mix of Experienced, New Officers for Synod 2025

1 week ago | thebanner.org | Alissa Vernon

Delegates to Synod 2025, the annual general assembly of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, elected pastors Stephen Terpstra as president, Ken Benjamins as vice president, Josh Christoffels as first clerk, and Gary van Leeuwen as second clerk at a virtual convening May 28. The officers will serve synod as it gathers June 13-19 in Ancaster, Ont. Terpstra is a pastor at First CRC in Orange City, Iowa, and served as vice president of Synod 2024.
Looking Forward: Calvin Theological Seminary’s Vision for the Next 150 Years

1 week ago | thebanner.org | Leah Jolly

During the 2025-26 school year, Calvin Theological Seminary will celebrate its 150th anniversary—a remarkable milestone in its longstanding commitment to preparing ministry leaders who are biblically faithful and contextually effective. “As we look back with gratitude to God on these 150 years, we also look ahead with purpose,” said CTS president Jul Medenblik.
Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious

2 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Ross Douthat |Andrew Zwart

In 2012, Ross Douthat’s book Bad Religion, roughly equal parts theology, history, and sociology, argued that our problem isn’t that we’re not religious enough; rather, we’re too religious, but in all the wrong ways. After laying out a brief history of religion in America during the second half of the 20th century, Douthat critiqued modern forms of belief, from the prosperity gospel to the spiritual–but-not-religious attitude that so many people have seemed to embrace.
Butterfly in the Sky: The Story of Reading Rainbow

3 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Sam Gutierrez

When I was a kid, one of my favorite things to do on a Sunday morning was to visit the church library after the morning worship service. Our church library had a wide array of children’s literature, including multiple books about dinosaurs. These books with their colorful illustrations functioned like a magical portal.
A Pastor’s Faith in Action

3 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Cassie Marcionetti |Zachary King |Shiao Chong |Clayton Lubbers

When Nakese, Nakole Ruth, and Loiki’s mother died from AIDS, the three young girls were left to fend for themselves in their grief. They survived by rummaging through garbage for food and sleeping in abandoned houses in their Ugandan village. They found a home again when Sylvia, a pastor of a nearby church, attended a Timothy Leadership Training led by Resonate Global Mission.
‘Change Is Necessary’: A Frank Picture of Rising Governance Costs and Diminishing Ministry Shares

3 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Alissa Vernon

Sharing a series of charts and graphics with the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates, chief administrative officer Shirley DeVries portrayed particular facts: what CRC agencies are able to spend on missions based on the giving from churches; trends in giving; how agencies are experiencing the drop in ministry shares; and despite the picture of valued mission, “how long before all ministry shares will be consumed by governance?” A downward trending red line depicted straight...
‘We Have Been Blessed to Serve the Lord Christ Alongside Our Canadian Brothers and Sisters’

3 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Alissa Vernon

The U.S. Ministry Board of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, in a statement shared with the Canada Ministry Board, committed to “making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit with believers from every nation … valuing doctrinal ties … (and) striving towards greater unity by seeking reconciliation when sin threatens our relationships.” The board adopted the four-paragraph statement May 8 during its spring meeting in Grand Rapids, Mich., the same week as meetings of the...
Defunding Grants for Church Planting Spurs Passionate Conversation

3 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Alissa Vernon

The Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church, which met May 7 to 9 in Grand Rapids, Mich., accepted a communication to pass on to Synod 2025 by way of a right of comment to Overture 29, a request on synod’s agenda related to “the anticipated decrease in funding for church planting within Resonate Global Mission’s budget and the decision to reduce/eliminate all grants for church planting” (Acts of Synod 2025, p. 402).
Council of Delegates Accepts Personal Reservations Procedure, Other Acts to Pass on to Synod 2025

3 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Alissa Vernon

When the Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church in North America met May 7 to 9 in Grand Rapids, Mich., delegates toured the new ministry support center, approved an altered personal reservation procedure, thanked six retiring delegates for their service, accepted several things to pass on to Synod 2025, and approved a job description for a director of partnership administration position, to be posted after Synod 2025.
A Sustained and Healthy Connection to the Broader Church

3 weeks ago | thebanner.org | Zachary King |Cassie Marcionetti |Shiao Chong |Clayton Lubbers

Building connections with other believers often happens over food. That’s why I appreciate Jesus’ command to “eat what is offered to you” (Luke 10:8). Sitting at a table piled high with rice and beans, yams, mangos, okra soup, beets, chicken, goat, and plantains, I join with the saints in all places and ages in raising my hearty “Amen!” But before digging in, my host shares a reflection on Psalm 133.