The Evangelical Press Association and the Associated Church Press, two professional organizations supporting Christian journalism in North America, annually recognize their member publications for achievements in design and editorial work over the preceding year. The 2023 EPA awards were presented April 14 during the association’s Christian media convention in Lancaster, Penn. The Banner, the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church in North America, received an Award of Merit for denominational (digital) publication.
The Associated Church Press presented its “Best of the Church Press Awards” April 20 at the Religious Communicators Convention it co-sponsored in Chicago. The Banner received an Award of Excellence for its Cross Examination department, with submitted columns by Deborah B. Haarsma and Michael Wagenman; and Awards of Merit for the article “Everyone’s Talking about the Human Sexuality Report” by Roxanne Van Farowe in the Denominational politics - Short Format category and for 2022 Synod coverage (Alissa Vernon, Clayton Libolt, Kristen Parker, Roxanne Van Farowe, and Gayla Postma) in the Convention or Meeting Coverage (Magazine) category.
Reformed Worship, a quarterly magazine with resources for worship planners, published by the CRC’s worship ministries (now part of congregational ministries), received seven awards from the Associated Church Press:
Award of Excellence for the Reformed Worship website, including digital flip version.
Awards of Merit as a denominational or other special interest magazine, and for the professional resource “When It is Not Well With My Soul” by Joan DeVries.
Honorable Mentions for the theme issue “Bridging the Generational Divide in Worship,” for the professional resource “How Children Make Meaning of God” by Mimi Larsen, for the column “Come and See” by Dean Heetderks, and for the Biblical interpretation or lectionary reflection “Internal and External Worship: Augustine’s Paradoxical Reading of Psalm 51” by John Witvliet.
About the Author
Alissa Vernon is the news editor for The Banner.