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Earlier this year, synod encouraged denominational ministries to honor the 400th anniversary of the Synod of Dort, which met between 1618-19 in the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands. 

Those who attended Inspire 2017 were privileged to view a video that showed multiple speakers reciting the Apostles Creed. With each speaker voicing a single phrase, the compiled results provided an amazing testimony of belief, made all the more significant because the speakers were primarily children, teens, and adults with disabilities.

종교의 자유에 대한 제한은 북미에서조차도 점점 현실이 되고 있습니다. 

We seek to live faithfully in a hurting, divided, and broken world. It seems, more and more, that being a Christian puts us in a category of being irrelevant, weird, or even hate-mongers.

We just got back from another date. This time it was longer and more involved, but we also gave each other plenty of room for time apart.

While the church is shrinking in North America, globally the church is growing. This has shifted how we approach and carry out global ministry.

There is a rule that ministers should not tell stories about their children from the pulpit—

I didn’t see it coming, but in hindsight I’m amazed at the opportunities God provides. Let me explain.

I don’t recall the first time I heard this African proverb, but I often need its reminder.

“I have come to realize that the health of an institution is more about relationships than it is about governance or structure.”

As we move forward into another new year, I think of God’s promises as being something like handrails: they provide a sense of security, giving us something to hold onto...

Our youngest two children were 11 and 15 when we adopted them

When, during my high school years, I went to a stage production of the musical Godspell, one song in particular struck a chord with me. “On the Willows” was a haunting tune based on Psalm 137:1-4.

I remember witnessing door-to-door as part of my congregation’s youth group in the 1970s.

While the memories of my high school and college years become more blurred as the years go by, I’m amazed at the things I recall clearly.

I doubt God has a favorite nation when it comes time to cheer at the Olympics.

Two, four, six, eight—who do we appreciate?

Regular readers will know this as the part of The Banner that serves as a platform for leaders of our denomination to share their thoughts and views.

“The sounds and sights of that day in September will linger a long time.”

Truthfully, there were times during synod when our words and actions suggested we are the church divided. “Us” and “them” language popped up often.