The Banner

One of the reasons the “attractional church model” is being questioned today is the realization that it often produces consumers more than it makes disciples.

A soundtrack for Christmas calls listeners to thoughtful reflection.

Don Shaw, one of the founding members of the Christian Reformed church plant Destination Church in St. Thomas, Ont., doesn’t just listen to the friends he meets—he wonders what might happen if friends with differing needs meet one another.

In this lively podcast, Sadie Robertson of “Duck Dynasty” fame asks guests, ‘What is the best advice you have ever been given’?

Phil Wickham’s second Christmas album brings peaceful worship.

A March 2019 poll, conducted online by Pew Research, concludes that a majority of Americans say churches and other houses of worship should stay out of politics.

Meadowlands Fellowship Christian Reformed Church in Hamilton, Ont., spread some love this fall—giving 25 people $100 each to bless the community in whatever way God led them.

The four Kandel sisters—triplets and a younger sister who each retired from a teaching career—share comical, vulnerable, and spiritually astute insights into getting older.

The cultural and medical history of dementia by a leading psychiatrist and bioethicist who urges us to turn our focus from cure to care.

A retired assassin tries to make a fresh start as a pastor, even as the bullets continue to fly.

Peter Sluys lived a joyful life serving his Lord and Saviour. He died Nov. 8 in Edmonton, Alta., at the age of 92.

First Christian Reformed Church in Denver, Colo., hosted its annual Global Bazaar Dec. 7, sharing the “life-changing work” of the participating faith-based missions and fair trade cooperatives.

I have been drawn into conversations that are not casually shared, but vehemently debated. You can lose friends over this one.

What is your church’s brand? What do people in your community think about when they hear your church’s name mentioned? Not too long ago, our entire denomination and every individual congregation were known as the “Dutch church.” We have made great strides in shaking that image. But to no longer be known as something hardly qualifies as a strong brand.

See how readers responded to recent Banner issues, articles, and columns.

Reasons for busyness vary from family to family, but one reason is we don’t want to miss out on anything.

A vividly illustrated picture book teaches children about their refugee counterparts around the world.

Fiddles fly on this Irish-infused collection of Christmas music from the beloved Gettys.

A sad but sweet movie about a dog and his racecar driver owner.

About 400 ministry leaders attended “GC2: Facing Hard Truths and Challenges of Pastoral Ministry” at the Billy Graham Center in Wheaton, Ill., last Friday.

As a recognition of Peace Week in late November, the Sarnia-Lambton (Ont.) YMCA presented its Peace Medallion to Christian Reformed Church member Henny Drope, for 25 years of volunteer service in welcoming refugees.

At the “Safe Spaces” conference Nov. 16 the Safe Church Ministry partnership for the B.C. Christian Reformed churches welcomed author Jay Stringer to help ministry leaders and others face realities of sexual brokenness.

The church is a community of vulnerability. And God intends that to be our strength.