Leaders are typically given way too much credit on both ends of the spectrum. They are either venerated as saints or demonized.

She told the audience about how her ethnic group suffered vicious attacks that left about 400 dead and displaced thousands in her community.

As my pedals whir, I listen. Do I hear the trees groaning? Is that a heavy sigh on the wind? If it’s groaning I hear, I can relate.

Regardless of how righteous and benevolent our requests are, petition is still just one small aspect of prayer that often gets treated as the whole.

Let’s ensure all voices—and all stories—have the chance to be heard.

I hope April 8, 2024, is a sunny day here in East Palmyra, N.Y. If it is, I’ll have the opportunity to view a solar eclipse from within the “path of totality.”

Preparing to say goodbye, Papa said, “Let’s sing our song before we leave.” Our song? Tilting my head and squinting his way, I wondered, “What song?”

The two criminals crucified with Jesus (Luke 23:39-43) are a microcosm of humanity under suffering.

Recent criticism questioning the value of The Banner and the kinds of articles its staff choose to publish prompted a response.

One of the things I’m (re)learning is that fasting is one of the most helpful disciplines for listening to God and discerning his will during difficult or divided times.

I learned a lesson recently: the art of asking, in the face of seemingly impossible obstacles, “What can I do?” This takes my focus from the barriers to what is possible.

The story of the Gävle in Sweden helps us see that since the very beginning, Christmas has been under siege. In large and small ways, we’re all guilty of shooting flaming arrows.

We often view receiving gifts—especially of assistance, necessities or financial help—as signs of weakness.

Several news stories, a few of our Cross Examination columns, three features, and an As I Was Saying blog post captured the most attention in The Banner’s web-published articles this year.

A good pastor is hard to find—in art, at least, if not life.

An Indigenous Cree and follower of Creator Sets Free (Jesus) reflects on the two lenses needed to consider the news of “no human remains found” at a Canadian residential school.

If we use our imagination, it’s possible to see loon calls as symbols of our calls to and from God. The more I explore them, the more similarities I see.

When dealing with family trauma, should Christians choose self-preservation or self-denial?

I looked at it as an opportunity to assess what needs were being met and to ask, were we providing an important experience for our congregation and neighborhood?

Certainly there were enjoyable moments reminiscent of synods past, but this was the most brutal of the four synods I have yet attended.

This plant can’t be left to its own devices or it will overtake every inch of ground it can.

The fact that more people—almost 200 more—participated in this year’s survey is heartening. Check out some of the results here.

I received an unexpected letter in the mail in mid-January.