JUNE 2021 THE BANNER.ORG

Summer Books A Bible for Those Who Can’t Read

“Because I heard this Talking Bible, everything is changed for me,” says Mary.

Thirty years ago, Mary sought safety in a refugee camp. Today, she’s still there and new refugees are flooding her community. Even though Mary herself knows the pain of being forced to leave her home, she found it difficult to care about her new neighbors. The Solar Talking Bible Easy to use Then she heard the Talking Bible. God’s Word softened Mary’s heart and filled Powerful speaker her with compassion. Mary’s life was transformed by hearing the Good News Solar powered on a Talking Bible! She makes peace instead of picking fights. She worships God instead of practicing witchcraft. And she is a friend instead of an enemy to DONATIONS FROM CANADA her neighbors. ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE! “Now I have a new life! My neighbors and I love each other, and I am serving in the church and help the refugees,” Mary exclaims. “I am very happy!”

God’s Word changes everything! Share the comfort and hope of a new life in Christ by giving a Talking Bible today. Enhancing Trust “Accredited for special offerings” Talking Bibles International • www.talkingbibles.org JUNE 2021 2 THEBANNER.ORG 419 East Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025 • Telephone: 855-55-BIBLE (855-552-4253) or 760-745-8105 • Mark S Hoekstra, President

38199 Talking Bible Ad_2021 June.indd 1 4/29/21 11:49 AM A Bible for Those “Lost and Who Can’t Read

UnheardThat’s how 9-year-old Amelia felt when ” she began her counseling sessions. But between games of Monopoly, she began sharing her heartbreaking experiences with Ginnette, her counselor. Stories of verbal arguments between her parents and struggles of adjusting to a new home after their divorce.

Then Ginnette shared a resource from

“Because I heard this Talking Bible, everything is changed for me,” says Mary. ReFrame Ministries that offers biblically- based stories, advice, and activities for Thirty years ago, Mary sought safety in a refugee camp. Today, she’s still there kids and parents involved in a divorce. and new refugees are flooding her community. Even though Mary herself knows the pain of being forced to leave her home, she found it difficult to care “While reading through the pages, about her new neighbors. Amelia’s mom broke down for the The Solar Talking Bible first time in three years since I’d been Easy to use Then she heard the Talking Bible. God’s Word softened Mary’s heart and filled Powerful speaker her with compassion. Mary’s life was transformed by hearing the Good News working with her family,” Ginnette says. Solar powered on a Talking Bible! She makes peace instead of picking fights. She worships God instead of practicing witchcraft. And she is a friend instead of an enemy to DONATIONS FROM CANADA her neighbors. ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE! “Now I have a new life! My neighbors and I love each other, and I am serving in the church and help the refugees,” Mary exclaims. “I am very happy!” God’s Word changes everything! Share the comfort and hope of a new life in The Christian Reformed Church’s Christ by giving a Talking Bible today. Enhancing Trust “Accredited for media ministry may have a new name, special offerings” but that won’t change the way God’s Talking Bibles International • www.talkingbibles.org story reaches Amelia. JUNE 2021 3 THEBANNER.ORG 419 East Grand Avenue, Escondido, CA 92025 • Telephone: 855-55-BIBLE (855-552-4253) or 760-745-8105 • Mark S Hoekstra, President ReFrameMinistries.org

38199 Talking Bible Ad_2021 June.indd 1 4/29/21 11:49 AM 38847 ReFrame_Banner June 2021 ad.indd 1 4/30/21 6:30 AM VOLUME 156, NUMBER 6

BY THE NUMBERS WHAT’S ONLINE FEATURES

Church Juice and ReFrame Ministries Looking for more? Here are just a few of the provided grants to churches and minis- stories you’ll find online at TheBanner.org. tries who needed help with their media (Try typing the headlines into the ministry during the COVID-19 pandemic. search box.) In all, 15 churches received grants total- Partner Churches in Michigan and ing $52,001.93. Grants went to Christian » Honduras Worship Together Online Reformed churches in 12 states and Likes and Prayers: Facebook Tests New provinces. » ‘Prayer Post’ Feature 10 For Granted » Podcast: BECOMING: (us), by Moriah and Joel Smallbone If I’m Such A Good Christian Girl, » Children’s Book: Pugtato Finds a Thing, by Sophie Corrigan Then Why Am I Still Alone? » Movie: Minari Dana Drosdick // A single girl’s perspec- tive on the relational prosperity gospel.

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5 Reasons to Embrace Hospitality Peter Jonker // Walls of mistrust seem to be thickening.

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The Other Six: Tell a Better Story Sara Korber-DeWeerd // Revising narratives of disability in the church. Cover: Take a look! It’s in a book! The Mixed Media editor lists this summer’s top reads, including 111 Trees: How One Village Celebrates the Birth of Every Girl.

JUNE 2021 4 THEBANNER.ORG CONTENTS

NEWS OUR SHARED MINISTRY 14 Candidacy Committee Gets New Director; Koll Editor Kristen deRoo VanderBerg, Retires Director of CRCNA Communications and Marketing 18 Pledge-based Budget Sees Income Down, Allocations Changed 20 New Leadership Structure Recommended Amid Much Disagreement

COLUMNS 22 7 Editorial: Revival and Spiritual Pride Shiao Chong // Our churches need a spiritual revival. Responding to the Global Effects of COVID-19 8 Reply All Beth DeGraff and Laurisa O’Brien // Poverty has skyrocketed since the pandemic began. 9 Vantage Point: Vigilance Is Needed Marion Dykstra // We are neglecting discipleship and instruction. 26 The View from Here: A Season of Change Colin P. Watson Sr. // There is always hope in the difficulty. 12 Big Questions What should church councils do about members who disappear?

31 Discover: Cool Summer Animals Christin Baker // Animals find different ways to cool off.

35 Faith Matters: Adam Was Designed to Be a Gardener Rob Braun // Stewardship is part of our creational mandate.

38 Mixed Media: Turning the Pages on a Summer’s Day Lorilee Craker // 12 books for summer reading 2021.

41 Word Play The Banner is the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church

45 In My Shoes: Gripped Editor Shiao Chong Amie Spriensma // A prayer for the hard times and the good. Associate Editor Sarah Delia Heth News Editor Alissa Vernon 46 Still: A Psalm on Time and Busyness Mixed Media Editor Lorilee Craker Jennifer Merri Parker // Giving thanks for all the seasons of life. Art Director Dean R. Heetderks Designer Pete Euwema

Contact Us 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49508-1407 [email protected] Correction Address Changes and Subscriptions 800-777-7270 or visit TheBanner.org Classified Advertising 616-224-0725 [email protected] The name of Rev. Robert Cumings was misspelled in “Classis Display Advertising 616-224-5882 [email protected] Watch: Spring 2021,” May 2021, p. 16. We regret the error. Editorial 616-224-0824 [email protected] News [email protected]

Published monthly (except August). Periodicals postage paid at Grand Rapids, Mich. Postmaster, send address changes to: The Banner, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49508-1407. Canadian publications mail agreement #40063614. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: The Banner, 3475 Mainway, PO Box 5070, STN LCD 1, Burlington ON L7R 3Y8. Copyright 2019, Christian Reformed Church in North America. Printed in U.S.A. The Banner (ISSN0005-5557). Vol. 156, No. 6, 2021.

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JUNE 2021 5 THEBANNER.ORG One Gift. One Thousand Churches. You have the unique opportunity to make an impact on all the congregations of the CRC with just one gift.

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38153 Ad_One thousand Churches_Dec 2020.indd 1 11/4/20 3:53 PM EDITORIAL

Revival and Spiritual Pride

Collectively, we SEVEN YEARS AGO, Henry Wildeboer Jonathan Edwards, the 18th-century wrote a Banner article suggesting the American revivalist preacher, warned are guilty of Christian Reformed Church needs a against spiritual pride and listed a spiritual revival (“These Bones Can number of its symptoms. First, the spiritual pride— Live,” October 2014). I agree. Our spiritually proud often overlook their churches need a spiritual revival more own faults, failing to recognize their pride in our rich than anything else at this time. But pride. Instead, their pride makes them what holds us back is our sinful pride. focus on the faults of others. A spirit of theological heritage Collectively, we are guilty of spiritual fault-finding is a sure symptom of spir- pride—pride in our rich theological itual pride. Humble Christians worry and in getting heritage and in getting our doctrines more about their own sins and faults. “right,” pride in our organizational Second, the spiritually proud are often strengths and in our ability to get things our doctrines harsh in their criticisms of others, done. These are all good things, for sure, even of other Christians. Edwards but we have placed too much trust in “right,” pride in bemoaned how they often would cloak them. Of course, we never say these their prideful harshness in sanctity our organizational are where our trust lies, but our default and bold zeal for Christ to call things behaviors betray our inner beliefs. out. Rather, humble Christians, said strengths and in I say this as someone who also strug- Edwards, should “treat one another gles with the sin of pride, especially with as much humility and gentleness our ability to get intellectual pride. I know pride when as Christ, who is infinitely above them, treats them” (Works, Vol. 1, ix.v.i). things done. I see it. I have hinted at our need for revival in past editorials (see “Praying Edwards listed more symptoms, but for Our Lives,” July/August 2018). I we can already see ourselves in the have written that we need “A New above list. Almost every camp in CRC Reformation” (October 2017). This time, disputes has shown these symptoms I want to be clear: the CRCNA needs a of fault-finding, harshness, and over- spiritual revival or it will die, regard- looking one’s own faults or weak- less of what else we do. nesses. Just look at how we argue There are many reasons, within and online over anything. outside the church, for declining We are collectively guilty of spiritual church membership across North pride. I am sure we can rationalize it America. There is no silver bullet away. But if we choose to be stuck in to stop it. We have relied on study our prideful ways, we can be sure God committees, organizational restructur- will oppose us: “God opposes the proud Shiao Chong is editor- ing, and refining our Church Order as but shows favor to the humble” (James in-chief of The Banner. ways to solve our problems. But if these 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5; Prov. 3:34). If we repent He attends Fellowship collective strengths that we pride and humble ourselves instead, God Christian Reformed ourselves on can solve our decline, Church in Toronto, Ont. will dwell with us: “‘I live in a high and wouldn’t they have solved it by now? holy place, but also with the one who Spanish and Korean is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive translations of this It’s time we humble ourselves, collec- the spirit of the lowly and to revive the editorial are available tively and individually, begging God to heart of the contrite’” (Isa. 57:15). at TheBanner.org. fill us with the Holy Spirit and confess- ing and repenting from our spiritual I am committing myself to praying 이 기사의 한글번역은 TheBanner.org/korean pride. We must immerse ourselves daily for God’s revival and that he . in Scripture with humble hearts and 에서 보실 수 있습니다 would cleanse us of spiritual pride. eyes, without agendas. Revival might Este artículo está Who will join me? disponible en español en not be the silver bullet, but without it, TheBanner.org/spanish. nothing else will work.

JUNE 2021 7 THEBANNER.ORG Are We Evangelicals? I would add this to the article (“Are We Evangelicals?” March 2021): whatever REPLY ALL Christians may decide to do in terms of embracing or rejecting or divorcing themselves from the word “evangelical,” To send letters to the editor, please see politicians of today will use the term (as our guidelines at thebanner.org/letters. Governance Restructuring a praise or as a condemnation) for the I am a member of the Council of sole purpose of attracting some voters Threats to OSJ Delegates and also a director of the and denouncing others. And sadly, what CRCNA Canada Corporation. As Canadian I was deeply disturbed by the Banner politicians do with the word will have directors, we have done everything in our article “Mercy and Justice Staff Report a greater effect on its definition in the power to ensure that there is no separa- Escalating Intimidation” (online: bit. minds of the broader population than tion between countries (“Governance ly/3tiq6Rv). Staff of the CRC Office for what those who actually are “evangeli- Restructure Causing Confusion, Angst,” Social Justice have received offensive cals” claim for the word. bit.ly/3fXafUl). At every meeting of the comments, racist remarks, and threats » Doug Vande Griend // online comment violent enough to involve the police from directors it is stressed: we are ecclesiasti- cally one denomination in two countries. people within our denomination. ... No Growth Chart one should have to do their job, a job This must not change. All we want to do Regarding the chart in the April Banner mandated by Synod, under fear, intimi- is ensure we do not lose our charitable showing “Growth Spurts” in the number dation, or the threat of violence, and this status by not complying with Canada of Christian Reformed churches in needs action on the local church level as Revenue Agency regulations: money Canada since 1940: would it not be more well as by the Council of Delegates and donated by Canadians must be controlled relevant to highlight the 17% decline the executive director of the Christian by Canadians. in denomination-wide membership in Reformed Church. Discussion is appro- » Aaltje van Grootheest // the past 10 years, or the 20% decline in priate, but it is not enough. This type online comment membership in Canada for that period? of threatening behavior, as well as the (Data from the 2011 and 2021 editions of inaction by the denomination, feel very Synod Canceled Again the CRCNA Yearbook.) We in the CRC are far from Jesus of Nazareth and the king- I understand and affirm the need to far from being in a growth mode, which dom of God. cancel synod for a second year in a would seem more pressing to address Sandy Navis // Grand Rapids, Mich. row (“Council of Delegates Discusses » than the increase in churches that Synod 2021, Ministry Share Pledges, I was deeply saddened when I read of occurred between the 1940s and 1990s! Governance,” April 2021). The 2022 the attacks—from “pastors and other Burton VanderLaan // agenda is going to be massive. I wonder if » office bearers in the CRCNA”—on the Byron Center, Mich. it might be wise and necessary to extend staff of the Office of Social Justice, includ- synod to 10 days or even two weeks ing “threatening postcards and letters” Healing next year. sent to staff by officebearers and pasto- I am grateful for the healing that Andrea » Bill Vis // online comment ral staff. Not only that, but the fact that received and for her willingness to share it has been going on for years—so much that (“The Trauma of Bullying,” April 2021). so that staff members have left their After seven years in healing prayer minis- positions over it! ... It is no wonder our try, I struggle with her line that she had to denomination is failing to thrive. My own “imagine I was in a safe place and Jesus was lifetime of support and membership is with me.” I believe that Jesus can cross growing very near the breaking point. We time and space and that what Andrea should all be ashamed. experienced was the resurrected, living » Aaron Jonker // Grand Rapids, Mich. Jesus bringing healing to her. I have seen so many miracles that it is hard to believe that this is just people’s imagination. » Theo D. Beels // Grand Rapids, Mich.

JUNE 2021 8 THEBANNER.ORG VANTAGE POINT

Vigilance Is Needed

The Gifts of Sundays BILLY GRAHAM reputedly once referred I think this Wonderful article! Thank you for writing to the Christian Reformed Church as it! (“The Gifts of Sundays,” April 2021.) I a “sleeping giant.” I understood that to “three-legged really like the phrase “What restores and mean we were a potent force for good delights you?” I know that, since choos- even if he was implying that we were stool” of home, ing to be more sabbatarian as a family, not as engaged as we ought to have Sundays have quickly become a day to been. If he were alive today, I doubt church, and school look forward to. A day of restoration! that’s how he would describe us now. It was hard at first. Shifting thinking to Several decades ago, Christian Reformed is now cracked remember to go to the store Saturday families held tenaciously to the disciple- night so that you have everything you ship and nurture of children as a three- and wobbly. need in order to avoid consumerism fold responsibility: at home, at church, on Sunday was a hard transition. But it do we apologize for our Reformed theol- and at Christian schools. Members has been so worth it! Making it to the ogy, or do we offer it as a remarkably were well-schooled in the Bible, the evening service every week was a rough relevant message for our challenged catechism, and the tenets of the transition at first too, but it has paid off times? A steady diet of “happy only” Reformed faith. Although this was not immensely for us as a family. messages is only half the gospel. Sin, a utopian system, families were gener- Trevor Mouw // online comment hell, and the challenges of right living » ally Scripturally literate, doctrinally in a secular and often godless society informed, and convicted to transform READ MORE ONLINE should also be preached. Confronting their square inches for Christ. I think the brokenness of our hearts and the this “three-legged stool” of home, church, world should make us more eager to and school is now cracked and wobbly celebrate covenant grace. God in the because we are neglecting discipleship Old Testament and Jesus in the New and instruction as a result of our prefer- Testament did not avoid offense and ence for absorbing the world’s culture did not promise an easy path. rather than transforming it, often at the expense of Scriptural knowledge and Christian schools equip students intentional Christian living. academically and in preparation for earthly and kingdom citizenship. “The What am I suggesting? If I needed fear of the Lord is the beginning of to choose only one word, it would be knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). When choosing vigilance. schools for our children, should we not be vigilant about prioritizing moral At home, Christian parents have a and spiritual formation in the lives of difficult time parenting in the present our children as much as their academ- culture. The busyness and stresses of ics? Isn’t the same true for those who everyday life wear us down. Often it is choose to pursue higher education? easier to give in to the mainstream than to object to what is against Scripture. “This is love for God: to keep his Media saturates everyday living—often commands. And his commands are not with violence, immorality, or vulgar burdensome, for everyone born of God and profane language, as well as inane overcomes the world” (1 John 5:3-4). and meaningless content. I suggest vigi- Find the latest posts from our award- lance in our habits of consumption— Marion Dykstra is a former winning blog online at TheBanner.org. particularly those habits that consume Christian school teacher who led church Bible stud- our time and convictions. » Pastor and Council Teamwork ies for 30 years. She is a Church: Naturally, bringing unbeliev- member of Palos Heights Time Lost or Time Gained Christian Reformed Church » ers into the church fold and deepen- in Palos Heights, Ill. » 5 Lessons from a Pandemic Year ing the knowledge of Jesus Christ in all believers is our Christian calling. But

JUNE 2021 9 THEBANNER.ORG Photo by Marisa Harris/Unsplash Marisa by Photo If I’m Such A Good Christian Girl, Then Why Am I Still Alone?

By Dana Drosdick f 12-year-old me were to But even if that was a bit unrealistic, rewarded with solid marriages and look at my 23-year-old self, I still never expected to be 23 with a live happily ever after. sitting in my bed alone on dating history about as fruitful as the Except, that is, when they aren’t. Valentine’s Day with brown barren fig tree in Luke 13:6. I thought smudges of chocolate staining I’d at least have had a few solid rela- I grew up a child of the True Love my crisp, white sheets, she tionships to look back on, all of which Waits movement, meaning I was Iwould probably be shaking her head would end for completely legitimate indoctrinated from a young age and saying, “Girl, get your life together.” and mutual reasons like moving far to believe that my waiting (in Christianese, waiting almost always Because this was not how my 20s were away, realizing we weren’t “equally refers to sex) would result in a happy supposed to go. yoked,” or discovering that he didn’t know the difference between “your” and fruitful relationship. I heard In my 12-year-old mind, I figured I and “you’re.” horror stories of young women who would probably meet a solid, Christian didn’t wait and endured hardships of guy when I was about 18, and we I fervently believed I would have teenage pregnancy, sexually trans- would date a respectable length of those kinds of relationships because mitted diseases, and relational abuse. three years or so. Then he’d propose it seemed like that was just what That is not meant to delegitimatize at the end of college, and I would be happened to good Christian girls. the realities that can sometimes come blissfully wed by 21 years old. (I don’t They spend their youth staying pure with premarital sex. It is meant to know—I was 12!) and doing good, and then they are emphasize the opposing philosophy

JUNE 2021 10 THEBANNER.ORG I grew up believing: if premarital sex the first time in God’s sufficiency. I leads to pain, then purity must lead realized that God’s love is not some- to paradise. thing to be earned, and blessings The longer I are not a result of good works. God’s This purity-to-paradise philosophy grace is based on God’s goodness, led me to a separate belief: a belief was single, the not my own. in the relational prosperity gospel and the notion that if I stay pure more convinced The moment my mentality switched until marriage, then I will inevita- from seeing relationships as something bly be blessed with a future happy I became that it to be earned to something to be expe- relationship. rienced, I felt years of existential guilt was a result of and shame melt from my being. I grew The Relational Prosperity Gospel less anxious on dates since rejection no longer indicated a lack of God-given The relational prosperity gospel, also a lack of faith or worth. I stopped envying my friends in described as the sexual prosperity relationships since relational status no gospel, is a relatively new term that some hidden sin. longer represented some sort of moral falls under the prosperity gospel superiority. And most importantly, I umbrella. Unlike the more generic felt less alone because I finally realized prosperity gospel, which emphasizes that it was a result of a lack of faith or that what I lacked in romantic relation- health and wealth as key indicators some hidden sin. Every date I went on ships was made up for in the peace of of a solid faith, the relational prosper- (however infrequent) contained deep God’s goodness. ity gospel is a subtler form, one that

Photo by Marisa Harris/Unsplash Marisa by Photo religious anxiety for me as each unsuc- equates faithfulness with relational Now I look back at my 12-year-old self, cessful connection seemed to testify to reward. Within the relational pros- the one who thought her worth was some deep-set sinfulness. Dating even- perity gospel ethic, there is the idea dependent on the eyes of men and of tually became so painful and stressful that a person’s faith can be judged by others, and I wish I could tell her how that a mere offer of a blind date set-up their relational success. Those who loved she was. If I could, I would wrap are married are deemed more faithful would trigger panic as I tried my hard- her up in the warm embrace of God’s and good, while those who are single est not to hyperventilate and think grace and tell her that she didn’t need or divorced are seen as lacking in about the existential spiral that would to be perfect or faultless. She would faithfulness. inevitably result. sin, make mistakes, and mess up, but none of that would or could ever It’s a belief system that has no real And yet, despite my dating anxieties, I change God’s unending love. With Scriptural rooting, but something still longed for a relationship. I longed one’s repentant heart and spirit, God’s I clung to nonetheless. Believing in to reach that benchmark of religious forgiveness and grace know no bounds. the relational prosperity gospel gave success and have that golden stamp of me a sense of control. It made me approval that I was worthy in the eyes Sweet girl, I would whisper into those feel that if I attended enough Sunday of God and men. But the more I tried ears ringing with fears and religious services, consumed enough grape and failed, the more I begged God to insecurities, you are not alone. You are juice and matzo crackers, and listened reveal my great sin, the thing keeping loved and beloved by God. to enough Christian music, then God me from total love and affection. God’s grace is enough. would bless me with a man. I contin- ued to wait for God to reward me The True Gospel with the man of my dreams delivered Finally, after countless prayers, it Dana Drosdick is a Calvin directly to my door, conflating my clicked. Maybe there was no great sin University graduate and a marketer in Glens Falls, N.Y. Christian piety with the plenitude of a that was keeping me single. Maybe my Her work, inspired by her healthy relationship. greatest sin was believing that there Christian Reformed roots, was anything I could do to earn my way has been previously When God didn’t reward me for my into God’s good grace in the first place. featured in Chicken Soup for good behavior, I began to wonder what the Soul and at The Odyssey I was doing wrong. The longer I was After years of striving to do more, be Online. Follow her on single, the more convinced I became more, and love more, I found rest for Instagram @danadrosdick.

JUNE 2021 11 THEBANNER.ORG BIG QUESTIONS

Stewardship

We want to put up a clothesline The Banner Bohórquez Gisela by to dry our clothes outside in warm weather so we don’t for Illustration have to waste gas or electricity this is to limit your electrical usage or Doomscrolling, sometimes called using a dryer. However, our natural gas consumption and to rely doomsurfing, is a new-ish word to housing subdivision prohibits on solar energy for clothes drying. If describe the practice of scrolling they express any concerns, explain through your social media feeds look- clotheslines. What do we do? that the drying will not be visible from ing for negative material: troubling Drying clothes outside on a line or a the front of the house. If you show that headlines, horrific news photos, and rack is so pleasantly old-fashioned. you are concerned about aesthetics, graphs that prove we are indeed living There’s a lot to be said for it. It’s most neighbors will be willing to show in the worst possible times. We’re solar-powered. You get to spend time some flexibility. (And I agree: using a naturally drawn to them all. outdoors. It’s cheap. And you don’t clothes dryer on a sunny, 90-degree need those wasteful dryer sheets summer day feels like a waste of Social media is designed for endless to give your clothes that fresh-laun- solar energy!) scrolling, of course, but it’s our brains dered smell. that are wired to notice anything that Rolf Bouma is an ordained pastor in the Restrictive covenants banning clothes- might pose a threat—our survival Christian Reformed Church who teaches reli- depends on it. These days, there’s lots lines were put in place starting in the gion, ethics, and ecology in the Program in the 1960s as a way to protect property Environment at the University of Michigan. to grab our attention. values, but bans are now being chal- In the real world, noticing the occa- lenged and in many cases have been Digital Life sional car coming dangerously close to struck down as part of solar energy initiatives. In some states, guaran- I sometimes find myself us is one thing, but it’s another thing to tees of solar energy use have been scrolling mindlessly through believe every car anywhere is a threat. interpreted to include the use of solar my social media accounts. I Likewise, doomscrolling can cause energy for drying. anxiety and lead to depression. think that’s a problem. Would If your community has a restrictive Acknowledging this bad habit is a good you agree? covenant, another way to approach first step. The next time you grab your the situation is to talk to your neigh- I suspect any parent would answer phone and launch into your social bors and explain what you would like this question with a resounding “Of media, ask yourself what it is you plan to do and why, telling them that one course that’s a problem!” But if we to do once you’re in. And after that lost day a week you would like to be able take the shiny digital device out of this hour of scrolling, ask yourself what to place a clothes rack or line in your picture, would you also say that mind- caught and kept your attention. Was it back yard for a couple of hours to dry lessly weeding a garden is a problem? I everyday stuff of interest, or did it lean your clothes. The reason you are doing don’t knit, but as I watch some people more toward the dark side? Take heed. do it while carrying on an intelligent conversation, it doesn’t appear to be a Dean Heetderks is co-director of Ministry problem for them. Support Services of the CRC and art director of The Banner. Wondering about any part of the But if it’s doomscrolling you’re doing, digital side of your life? Tell him about it at dean. that could be a problem. [email protected].

JUNE 2021 12 THEBANNER.ORG BIG QUESTIONS

Vocation/Calling being faithful with the gifts and oppor- circumstances that make it impossible, I’m not sure what I ought to be tunities you’ve been given. like military service, nursing home residence, missionary service, or being May you also trust that the Spirit will doing next. Why does deciding away at school. guide you into the right next steps and this feel so hard? redirect you as necessary. This doesn’t If members move away or stop attend- When we see our skills and work as change how hard the decision(s) might ing for longer than two years and gifts from God, we can put pressure on be, but we can have comfort in know- claim to have a new church but don’t ourselves and others to get it exactly ing that God—and the community transfer, their memberships can be right. It’s hard not to feel like something God has given us—are with us on lapsed, which is a technical term is wrong with us when we’re struggling the journey. essentially meaning they are removed with decisions. How do we be gracious to from the membership rolls of the Brenda Kronemeijer-Heyink is a Christian ourselves and others in this situation? church. But lapsing should never be Reformed chaplain at the University of Toronto. used to avoid following up on people One way we can make better deci- who slip away from the church. sions is through seeking advice. But Church/Bible/Doctrine Sometimes elders discover lists of even getting helpful advice is often How many categories of members who have not been around difficult. So much has changed in the members do we have in the for years and become eager to go on a past decades in terms of technology, cleaning spree to “clean up the rolls.” jobs, and economic uncertainty. There Christian Reformed Church? This can be needed, but faithful, loving were times when getting a university What should councils do about discipling all along would be prefer- degree translated easily into getting a members who disappear? able. The elders should always think well-paid job, regardless of what you first of the people involved and be very The CRC has two categories: baptized studied. Now a university education reluctant to lapse members who might members and confessing members. often means accumulating a lot of debt then lose their official connection to Baptized members have been baptized without the certainty of a job. But not the church of Jesus Christ and have as infants or as adults or at any age. going to university also limits what their last experience with the church Confessing members have professed job you can do, so it feels like a no-win be a negative one. Better to reach out their faith in Jesus Christ and affirmed situation. Whether we’re giving or to them occasionally and give the the confessions of the CRC. Confessing receiving advice, it’s hard to know Spirit time to work in their lives. Treat members were also called “commu- what advice, even if it comes from them with great patience, love and nicant members” until 2011, when we experience and love, is truly wisdom care—the way you would want the disconnected partaking of commu- for today’s situation. church to deal with your children if nion with making profession of faith. they were inactive members. And Perhaps indecisiveness is not the Now all baptized members, under make these missing members of the biggest problem. It’s genuinely hard to the supervision of their elders, are church a matter of your prayers. know how to shape the things we are welcome to participate at the table in passionate about into a paid job. It’s age- and ability-appropriate ways. Rev. Kathy Smith is senior associate director not likely to be a straight path either. of the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, What about members who don’t So many jobs, such as teacher, jour- adjunct professor of church polity at Calvin participate in the sacrament, or nalist, or musician, are either hard to Theological Seminary, and adjunct professor of worship, or anything else? Aren’t congregational and ministry studies at Calvin find or unlikely to pay a living wage. inactive members a third category? University. She is a member of First CRC in Following God’s calling to use your No, inactive members are baptized Grand Rapids, Mich. gifts to meet the world’s needs then or confessing members who for one requires creativity. It might mean year have not made faithful use of piecing together several jobs, volun- the means of grace, especially the teering, or learning to live with less. hearing of the Word and the Lord’s Determining what’s next is a complex Supper, unless there are extenuating Got a Big Question for any of our journey that is less about how good panelists? Email it to editorial@ you and your efforts are in pursuing thebanner.org with “Big Questions” in the job you love and more about how the subject line. you might love God and others by

JUNE 2021 13 THEBANNER.ORG Candidacy Committee Gets New Director; Koll Retires

David Koll, 66, will retire from the Christian Reformed Church’s Candidacy Committee at the end NEWS of June. Koll was the first direc- tor of Candidacy and has served since 2008. The new director, For more news and longer Susan LaClear, whose appoint- stories about the churches ment was approved by the and ministries of the Christian Council of Delegates in February, Reformed Church, visit started April 5. TheBanner.org. Or get the free app by searching for “CRCNA The Candidacy Committee was Banner” in your app store. established in 2004 and is meant David Koll, Susan LaClear to guide the process of preparing Follow The Banner on candidates for ministry in the CRC. In the past, the majority of those wishing to become social media: CRC pastors would go to Calvin Seminary. As the denomination grew in diversity, Koll Facebook.com/crcbanner » said, the committee “was created by synod to bring better hospitality and integrity to Twitter @crcbanner » the ways that we ordain pastors.” Got a news tip? LaClear, 48, was a commissioned pastor in the CRC before being ordained as a minister Know of a noteworthy event of the Word in 2013. She has served on the Candidacy Committee for six years. LaClear or accomplishment in the life describes her own journey into the CRC as one formed by many Christian traditions. of a CRC member? Send your news tip to “I learned spiritual practices in college from mentors who were mostly Baptist and [email protected]. Methodist. Then, as a young adult, my faith was stretched in a Pentecostal Haitian mission and an Assemblies of God megachurch,” she said. “My first leadership role was as an assistant pastor/music minister in an Assemblies church plant, and it was out of that unlikely place that God launched me into the CRC.”

Classis Red Mesa, a regional group of churches in Northwest New Mexico and Northeast Arizona, ordained LaClear as a commissioned pastor in 2005, and she pastored Maranatha CRC in Farmington, N. Mex., until 2016. Classis Red Mesa “supported me to pursue my M.Div. and go through the EPMC (Ecclesiastical Program for Ministerial Candidates) program so that I could be ordained as a minister of the Word,” she said.

Her most recent position was pastor of discipleship and care at Alive Ministries in Jenison, Mich.

In the Council of Delegates meeting in February, LaClear spoke of the variety of candi- dates hoping to serve as pastors in the CRC, each bringing “experiences and gifts” that “will enrich the CRC and make us better.”

“God has given us candidates who are as native to America as you can possibly get, contribut- ing a leadership that’s been shaped by their rich traditional culture; also, candidates whose strong Reformed worldview has been instilled in them through generations of Dutch heri- tage,” LaClear said. “Some candidates are recent immigrants, still fluid in their languages, bringing with them a piety that’s unique to their culture. Others, such as our Black and brown brothers and sisters, bring the strength of an unwavering faith and overcoming love that’s been formed through the fires of generational suffering and injustice here in America.”

Koll said he has enjoyed being part of the growing diversity in the CRCNA. In retirement he intends to continue mentoring younger pastors, specifically pastors from ethnic minority groups. “If people my age can become supporters of the younger pastors,” Koll said, “the church will be better off.”

—Callie Feyen

JUNE 2021 14 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Noteworthy IN MEMORIAM

The Banner and communications from RCA-CRC Overview 2020: The Synod That Wasn’t Disability Concerns were recognized in April with

SYNOD 2020 NEWS nine “Best of the Church Press” awards from the

Meeting on behalf of Synod 2020 to conduct the business of the church deemed necessary Associated Church Press for work produced in 2020. before Synod 2021 convenes, the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates gathered via Zoom video conferencing June 12-17. Stories on the following pages highlight the actions taken. The Banner received the Award of Excellence for Rev. Ralph Adrian “Best in Class, Denominational or Other Special Bruxvoort Follow The Banner on For the first time in its 163-year history, William Koopmans, another synod social media: the Christian Reformed Church canceled veteran from Classis Hamilton, missed » Facebook.com/crcbanner its annual synod due to the COVID-19 pan- the celebratory aspects that are part Interest Magazine,” and former news editor Gayla R. » Twitter @crcbanner, #crcbanner demic. (See “Most of Synod 2020 Agenda of synod: the celebration of new candi- Deferred to 2021,” June 2020, p. 17.) dates for ministry, commemorating the Got a news tip? services of pastors who are retiring (30 Visit TheBanner.org/News and Normally synod lasts a week, each day 1933-2021 this year), and launching a significant use the “Got a News Tip” link. Or including enthusiastic worship, times vision for the ministry of the denomina- Postma was recognized with Awards of Excellence contact the news editor at news@ of camaraderie in committees and over tion with Our Journey 2025. TheBanner.org. meals, and times of prayer. To recognize the candidates (p.18), But little is normal in this pandemic. Council made the best of it, having an Instead of a rousing synod with almost on-screen ceremony that included a for “Convention or Meeting Coverage,” short and 200 delegates and all its ups and downs, modified laying on of hands. Ralph Bruxvoort, who died on the Council of Delegates met over four half days, looking at each others’ faces in “Though meeting by Zoom in a special boxes on a screen. session is not nearly as personal, the disadvantages were mitigated in part long format for “The Synod That Wasn’t,” July 2020, and Conducting the business of the church by the fact that the (Council) members March 23, preached, taught, and that the officers of Synod 2019 decided could not wait, the meeting was marked already know each other quite well,” said by celebration, lament and mourning, a Koopmans. “The conversations were typi- businesslike atmosphere, and most of all cally direct and gracious.” Council of Delegates Coverage, April 2020. by the oddness of it all. Not a Rubber Stamp lived out a theology centered on An Odd and Strange For much of the meeting, the Council was Experience approving aspects of its own work that would ordinarily be presented to synod. As president of the Council, Paul De Vries, God’s unconditional love and grace. But that didn’t mean it all passed easily. synod veteran from Classis Thornapple “Making a Difference Through Mentoring,” by Lemarr Valley, chaired the meeting. It felt odd, Roger Sparks, delegate from Classis he said, because it has never happened Minnkota and also a synod veteran, said before and there was no plan or prece- delegates were conscious of the dynamic dent to follow. of not being synod. “We were careful Jackson and Meghan Donohue (February 2020), JULY/AUGUST 2020 16 THEBANNER.ORG He was born in Tres Arroyos, “Mindfulness and the Christian Faith,” by Irene Kraegel Argentina, where his father was (March 2020), and The Banner Update electronic newslet- a missionary on behalf of the ter received honorable mentions. Christian Reformed Church to the Dutch immigrant community. The Breaking Barriers, the newsletter of RCA-CRC Disability Concerns, received Awards of Excellence family returned to the U.S. in 1935. for “Best in Class, Newsletter” and for “Theme Issue, Bruxvoort eventually graduated Section, or Series” for its Spring 2020 edition, “Visual from Calvin College (now University) Impairment and Blindness.” The CRC-RCA Disability and Seminary. Following ordination in 1958, he pastored Alamosa (Col.) Concerns blog on network.crcna.org received an Award of Merit. CRC. He went on to serve Pompton Plains (N.J.) CRC, Ada (Mich.) CRC, Manhattan (Mont.) CRC, Hope CRC in Stony Plain, Alta., and Quincy (Wash.) CRC. After retirement in 1998, the Bruxvoorts moved to Bloomer, Wisc., to be near family. David Zietsma, provost and vice president of He continued to preach when academics at Redeemer University in Ancaster, needed for Christian Reformed and Ont., has been named as the school’s interim presi- Presbyterian churches in Wisconsin dent. Zietsma, a professor at Redeemer since 2007, was and Minnesota. appointed after president Robert Graham announced he Bruxvoort loved watching sports, was resigning. Graham had been president since 2018. served on the Bloomer school board Ongoing health concerns and difficulties in visiting his for almost a decade, was an avid family, who live in the U.S., because of pandemic travel reader of histories, biographies, restrictions were key factors in Graham’s decision to and books about social justice, and step down. swam regularly at the local pool until the Thursday before he died.

Survived by four children and their spouses, a daughter-in-law, 16 grandchildren, and five great-grand- children, Bruxvoort was prede- ceased by his wife, Elaine, two sons, and one grandchild.

—Janet A. Greidanus

JUNE 2021 15 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Council of Delegates Meeting Included Intense Debate

When the Council of Delegates of the Divided Votes “Pledge-based Budget Sees Income Christian Reformed Church met for its Down, Allocations Changed,” p. 18). Delegate opinions about a few matters May meeting, it covered a large agenda, were divided, but a heated debate about noted that Dr. Pablo Kim has been including the first denominational budget » the denomination’s proposed new lead- hired in Canada as senior leader based on ministry share pledges, a deci- ership structure took the most time. for anti-racism and intercultural sion to take Bethany Christian Services conciliation. off the list of organizations recom- The proposal intends to bring the mended for church offerings, and recom- denomination’s governance structure » heard that there would be a temporary mending a new leadership structure. into compliance with Canadian tax laws pause in the work of the Collaborative Church Planting Team due to a staffing The 53-member Council includes a governing charities. Many Canadian change at Resonate Global Mission. delegate from each classis (regional delegates were unhappy, saying the new assembly) of the CRC plus four at-large leadership structure does not achieve » recommended to Synod 2021 that all delegates. It serves in the interim of parity between the U.S. and Canada. Council members must sign a Code of synod, the church’s broadest assembly, Their attempt to pause the process failed Conduct prior to service on the Council between synod’s annual meetings. All in a 28-18 vote (see “New Leadership in addition to signing the Statement items recommended to Synod 2021 will Structure Recommended Amid Much of Agreement with the Beliefs of be processed when the Council meets in Disagreement,” p. 20). the CRCNA. June in lieu of synod, which was canceled Another issue that divided delegates was approved raising salaries of denomi- due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. » whether to remove Bethany Christian national employees by 3%, with a 4% The Council met May 5-7 by video confer- Services from the list of organizations merit program. ence. It has not convened in person since recommended for church offerings. February 2020. adopted search team mandates to hire Bethany changed its policies to now offer » new directors for Disability Concerns its services, including foster placement and the Office of Social Justice / Office and adoption of children, to same-sex of Race Relations. Mark Stephenson, couples. Some delegates thought the current director of those agen- organization should still be supported cies, announced he will retire at the because of all the good work it does. end of 2021. Others said that the Bethany policy contradicts the CRC’s position on same- » heard updates on the morale of the sex relationships and should no longer CRC’s justice staff and spent about two be recommended. The Council hours engaged in conversation, prayer, voted 23-21 to recommend and reflection focused on cultivating that synod remove Bethany love and civility. from the list. —Gayla R. Postma Other Matters The Council of Delegates also: » voted 33-16 to allow Calvin University to change the process for appointing a president. Instead of synod, Calvin’s board of trustees will In Friday morning devotions delegates now appoint the university’s president. responded to questions about cultivating The change allows Calvin to recruit a the practice of prayer and other spiritual president in a more timely way. disciplines—part of a set of conversa- tion cards developed to prompt discus- » approved a budget based on minis- sion about the four milestones of the try share pledges that are about 11% Our Journey 2025 ministry plan. less than last year’s income (see

JUNE 2021 16 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

In Lieu of Synod 2021, Council Will Process New Pledge Budget, Restructuring, Some Overtures

The Christian Reformed Church’s Council p. 23 of Agenda for Synod 2021). All of Reports from the Ecclesiastical of Delegates will meet in a special session the related material will remain on Marriage Task Force and the June 11-12 and 15-16. The meeting is in the agenda for Synod 2022. (See “New Bivocational Task Force, both lieu of the CRC’s annual synod, which Leadership Structure Recommended assigned by Synod 2019, now also are was canceled because of the COVID-19 Amid Much Disagreement,” p. 20.) deferred to Synod 2022. (The Banner’s pandemic. Synod 2020 also was canceled. summary of the human sexuality » Addressing tasks assigned by Synod That was the first time the CRC’s annual report is in the January 2021 issue, pp. 2019 about preventing abuse of general assembly had been canceled in power. Recommendations adopted by 14-17. The Banner’s February 2021 issue its more than 160-year history. the Canada and U.S. Corporations in includes summaries of the bivocational The Council’s role is to serve in the the past year include employee train- report (p. 19) and the ecclesiastical interim of synod. It won’t tackle every- ing and changes to the employee hand- marriage report (p. 20).) thing in the Agenda for Synod 2021, but book, a policy regarding nondisclosure » Items deferred from the agenda for will address only those items that cannot agreements, training for all candidates Synod 2020, including Faith Formation wait until Synod 2022. The synodical for the ministry, a code of conduct for Ministries’ review of the New City program committee decided which items all ministry personnel, record keeping Catechism (requested by Synod 2019), to include. That committee is made up to increase collaboration between Safe a report on the definition of heresy of the officers of the last synod, in this Church Ministry and Pastor Church (see “What is Heresy? Synod 2019 case Synod 2019. (The full Agenda and the Resources, and a Dignity Team to Asked; Report Tries to Answer,” p. 19), reports noted below are available online foster a culture of respect. The Abuse and three overtures requesting that at crcna.org/synodresources.) The Banner of Power Ad Hoc Committee report is synod consider changing who may be will cover the special meeting. Look for included in the Agenda, pp. 44-70. stories in the July 2021 issue. delegated to assemblies of the church » Discussion of a number of requests (classis and synod) and how large those What to Watch For: from classes and congregations delegations should be. regarding Neland Ave. CRC in Grand » Setting the first denominational . (Agenda for Synod 2021, budget under the Reimagining Rapids, Mich RCA Synod Watchers Ministry Shares plan. The budget will pp. 352-376). The overtures range Although the CRC decided to cancel its be based on ministry share pledges from asking that the church be admon- synod for 2021, the Reformed Church from the classes (regional groups of ished or even disaffiliated for ordain- in America is carrying through with its ing a deacon who is in a same-sex churches) rather than on an expected general synod but postponing it until relationship (See “Woman in Same- remittance of a specified per-member October. On the agenda is deciding on sex Marriage Installed as Deacon,” amount to support shared denomina- a path forward as laid out in the RCA November 2020, p. 22) to requesting tional ministries. (The Council decided Vision 2020 report released last June that the Council rescind its decision to at its special meeting in lieu of Synod (see “Restructuring, New Mission Agency, communicate directly with Neland’s 2020 to go ahead with the plan, which and ‘Mutually Generous Separation’ council. (See “Council of Delegates had already been approved in principle Recommended for RCA,” February 2021, by Synod 2019.) Discusses Neland Avenue CRC p. 14). As of April 30, neither the dates nor Decision,” December 2020, p. 21.) » Continued processing of adminis- the venue for the October general synod trative and leadership structure What NOT to Watch For: had been finalized. changes begun at the end of 2019. At The reports of three study commit- Decisions made by the RCA affect the CRC that time Canadian members (known » tees (people appointed by synod because of the agreement between the as the Canada Corporation) determined to study a particular issue at length two denominations struck at Synod 2014. that they had to direct and control all and then make recommendations That accord commits the denominations resources collected in Canada to be in to a subsequent synod). The Council to “act together in all matters except compliance with the Canadian tax laws decided in February to defer the much- those in which deep differences of convic- governing charitable organizations. anticipated report of the Committee tion compel (them) to act separately.” Council will discuss restructuring to Articulate a Foundation-laying — Gayla R. Postma matters deferred from 2020 as well as Biblical Theology of Human matters intended for Synod 2021 (see Sexuality (assigned by Synod 2016).

JUNE 2021 17 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

IN MEMORIAM Pledge-based Budget Sees Income Down, Allocations Changed

The Council of Delegates of the Christian Church, Social Justice, Race Relations, and Reformed Church approved a denomina- Worship, gets nearly 70% of its budget from tional ministries budget based on ministry ministry shares. share pledges of $18.4 million, approxi- The rest of the denominational agen- mately 15% less in the U.S. and 5% less in Rev. Henry Katerberg cies (Calvin University, Calvin Theological Canada compared to last year’s income. Seminary, ReFrame Ministries, and 1936-2021 While the total income is less, CRC direc- Synodical Administrative Services) saw A gentle, honest, and sociable man, tor of finance and operations John Bolt said their portions of ministry shares go up or Henry Katerberg loved people and more churches participated in the pledg- down by less than 2%. World Renew, the was devoted to the church. He ing system. In the past, only established died April 4 at age 84 following a churches, not emerging or newly planted suspected heart attack. ones, were invited to make contributions. While the total Born into a farming family in the Ministry shares are the money sent by local Netherlands, Katerberg immi- income is less, John churches who covenant together to support grated with them in 1956 to shared denominational ministries. The Ontario, Canada. He worked farm- Bolt, the CRC’s ministry share system has been called both related jobs to support his family the jewel of denominational fundraising and until he attended Calvin College director of finance the wild card of budgeting. The cost of rais- (now University) and Seminary. ing money through ministry shares is negli- and operations, He was ordained in 1969 and gible, taking about 20 cents for every $100 served four Ontario churches: raised. Raising that money via advancement said more churches Zion Christian Reformed activities can take $20 for every $100 raised. Church, Pembroke; Maranatha However, as Bolt told delegates at a 2019 participated in the CRC, Belleville; Riverside CRC, Council meeting, creating a budget of Wellandport; and Maranatha CRC, millions based on hoped-for receipts means pledging system. St. Catharines. He led churches with sound business sense, his operating “on a wish and a prayer.” Indeed, sermons were direct and to the in recent times the amounts received fell far denomination’s international relief agency, point, he enjoyed visiting parishio- short of what was asked. Last year, churches has never received ministry shares. Its ners, and he interacted well with were asked for $346.48 per adult professing support comes from church offerings and young people. After retirement in member. Only 58% of that was received. individual donations. 1994 he continued to serve local So Synod 2019 turned the system on its head. churches as needed. Now churches are asked to pledge how much Bolt has convened an administrative team to conduct a strategic financial review Katerberg loved sports and played they will contribute, and the budget is based of the agencies. Among its goals are to soccer at Calvin. As a young pastor on that amount. The budget for 2021-22 is compare each ministry’s working mandate he developed a passion for golf, based on the $18.4 million pledged. to the original mandate given by synod, often playing with other local The traditional allocation of the funds among to discover where there is duplication of clergy. In retirement, he enjoyed agencies has also been adjusted. For the service, to determine which ministries more golf, volunteering, travel, coming fiscal year, the biggest percentage are difficult or impossible for a congrega- and daily coffee with friends. changes are at Resonate Global Mission and tion to do on its own, and to look at histori- Predeceased in 1993 by his first Congregational Services. Resonate’s share cal budget and staffing levels. The team wife, Jean, and in 1968 by a toddler of the pie is now 26%, down from 31%, while expects to present a final report to the son, Wesley, Katerberg is survived Congregational Services’ share is now 29%, Council of Delegates in October 2021. by Janet, his wife of 26 years; three up from 23%. —Gayla R. Postma children, three step-children, and The Congregational Services office, which their spouses; and three grandchil- houses many smaller ministries including dren and eight step-grandchildren. Chaplaincy, Faith Formation, Indigenous —Janet A. Greidanus Ministries, Pastor Church Resources, Safe

JUNE 2021 18 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

What Is Heresy? Synod 2019 Asked; Report Tries to Answer

What constitutes heresy? That’s a ques- descriptive approach including nine typi- What is at stake here is not whether tion addressed in a report to the Christian cal characteristics of heresy rather than Christ died for sinners. Both Classis Reformed Church’s synod, the denomina- trying to nail down a precise definition. Illiana and the minister whose sermons tion’s broadest assembly, whose annual Heresies, they say, are serious distor- are quoted in the overture believe that meeting has been canceled for a second tions or denials of core Christian teach- Jesus died to atone for sin. The quoted time because of the COVID-19 pandemic. ings. Heresies tend to mislead people, sermons suggest there are other ways to understand Jesus’ death on the cross Synod 2019 requested the report after cause confusion in the church, and bring that do not involve the view that what’s at it was asked to declare Kinism (a theol- disrepute to the gospel. Heretics exhibit issue in the atonement of sinners is satis- ogy that teaches that races should a stubborn refusal to be corrected and fying the wrath of God. remain separate, among other things) destroy the unity of the church. Heresy to be heresy. In many respects, Kinism in this respect is not only a theological The broad history of Christianity offers resembles the theology that supported matter but a moral one. a variety of emphases in theology of apartheid in South Africa. In 1984, synod the atonement, including the victory The characteristics of heresy laid out declared apartheid a sin and the theo- of Christ over the powers of evil (a view in the Council of Delegates’ report are logical justification of apartheid a heresy. favored by the early church), the medi- meant “to help future discussions in the Taking its cue from the decision on eval idea of the cross as a demonstration assemblies of the CRCNA when determin- apartheid, Synod 2019 declared Kinism of God’s love teaching us how to live, and ing what heresy is and what heresy is not” a heresy. the later emphasis on Christ dying as (Agenda for Synod 2020, p. 69). The report our substitute. Each of these views has But this declaration led to questions. amply cautions future synods that decla- Scriptural support. Synod asked how to define heresy, noting rations of heresy should be a last resort. that not all theological differences are The church, they say, should “not be quick The question facing Synod 2022 is whether the denial of one such view, the heresies. Christians can differ from each to designate people or movements as theology of penal substitutionary atone- other even on important doctrines and heretical” (Agenda for Synod 2020, p. 76). not call each other “heretics.” Synod 1984 ment, constitutes heresy. used as its working definition for heresy: Testing the Definition The classis is asking that synod “declare “a theological view or doctrine that is in Classis Illiana did not wait for the study that any officebearer who explicitly conflict with the teachings of Scripture on heresy to be approved by synod denies penal substitutionary atonement as interpreted by the Reformed confes- before using the report’s findings to or promotes teachings contrary to the sions” (Acts of Synod 1984, p. 179). But pursue another declaration of heresy. penal substitutionary atonement of the Synod 2019 observed that definition is Published as Overture 12 in Agenda Lord Jesus Christ is worthy of special “too broad” (Acts of Synod 2019, p. 819). for Synod 2021 (an overture is a formal discipline in accordance with Church Baptists, for example, differ from the proposal to synod), the request asks Order Article 83.” That article requires Reformed confessions in their views of suspension or deposition of any persons synod to declare denials of the doctrine baptism, but this does not make them bearing office in the church who “in of penal substitutionary atonement as heretics. Synod, expressing the need any way seriously deviate from sound heresy. They define penal substitution- for more reflection on what constitutes doctrine and godly conduct” (Church ary atonement as “the historic Christian heresy, asked the Council of Delegates Order, p. 97). (the denomination’s governance board) belief that Jesus satisfied God’s wrath —Clayton Libolt to convene a group of scholars to study against our sin at the cross” (Agenda for the issue and report to Synod 2020. Synod 2021, p. 377).

The study group’s report was included in Classis Illiana says this is necessary the Agenda for Synod 2020 (pp. 68-77) but, because we “must be diligent in defend- because of the subsequent cancelations ing the historic Christian faith, especially of synod, has yet to be taken up. when denials such as these are within our own walls,” a claim the classis supported Heresy Described, Not Defined with sermon excerpts “preached from Briefly surveying heresy in the Bible a pulpit in the CRCNA” that they believe and subsequent Christian history, the demonstrate a heretical departure from authors of the report settled on a the church’s teaching on atonement.

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IN MEMORIAM New Leadership Structure Recommended Amid Much Disagreement

The Council of Delegates of the Christian General Secretary, Chief Reformed Church voted to recommend Administrative Officer, to Synod 2022 a new leadership structure that it hopes will solve issues of compli- Executive Director-Canada Rev. Merle Den Bleyker ance with Canada Revenue Agency rules The approved model creates an Office for nonprofit organizations. The decision of General Secretary housing two lead- 1947-2021 comes after more than a year of discus- ership positions: general secretary and sion about how the denomination’s lead- Pastor, missionary, and administrator chief administrative officer. The general ership should be structured. (The Council Merle Den Bleyker died March 23. “He secretary would report directly to the serves in the interim of synod, the CRC’s was a man who stood tall in the Lord and Council and the CAO to the general secre- annual general assembly. It met May 5-7 bent low to serve him with all his heart,” a tary. The Office of the General Secretary via video conferencing.) friend said. would guide and direct the entire CRCNA organization. Either position could be The new model was brought forward by Den Bleyker’s childhood among the the structure and leadership task force Zuni and Navajo people in northwest (SALT), appointed by the Council last New Mexico, where his parents served “The CRA October after members of the Canada as missionaries, greatly influenced Corporation (the Canadian delegates of his understanding of mission and compliance the Council) learned in late 2019 that the future ministry. current structure was not compliant. The issue is not the He was ordained in 1972 after graduat- Council implemented interim changes ing from Calvin College (now University) while seeking a long-term restructur- main point. The and Seminary. Den Bleyker and his wife ing plan. At issue is the requirement that served for 10 years in Puerto Rico with Canadian nonprofits retain direction main point is Christian Reformed World Missions and control of all resources acquired in (now Resonate Global Mission). He then Canada. That duty is not met if decisions partnership.” pastored Calvin Christian Reformed made by the Canada Corporation are Church in LeMars, Iowa. For the next 14 subject to approval of the entire Council, —Bev Bandstra, years he served CRWM, first as direc- where U.S. delegates hold a majority. Classis B.C. South-East tor of international programs, then as After various task forces made recom- agency director. He pastored Ebenezer mendations during 2020, the SALT report CRC in Berwyn, Ill., before retiring in held by an American or a Canadian. was expected to solve many of the issues 2013 to Mesa, Ariz. Until the time of his According to the SALT report, the ratio- presented by the tax compliance issue. death, Den Bleyker taught future leaders nale for creating the office of the general in Hispanic churches through Timothy What it didn’t solve is a struggle that’s been secretary is to “ensure ecclesiastical and Leadership Training. going on for more than three decades over administrative integration” for shared how much autonomy Canadians have in governance of the binational denomina- He is survived by Donna, his wife of 51 directing how ministries of the Christian tion’s ministry and mission. years, four children and their spouses, Reformed Church are carried out in Canada. and 12 grandchildren, who all agree Additionally, there would be an executive that “the same man the public saw and Task force chair John Lee (Classis Iakota) director-Canada to oversee all CRC minis- loved was the same man we saw and acknowledged the issue and the strong tries in Canada. That person would report loved at home.” emotions evident during the Council’s only to the Canada Corporation. The debate about it. “There are different executive director-Canada would work in —Janet A. Greidanus visions of what the CRC should look partnership with the office of the general like,” he said. “I don’t think that these secretary but would not report to it. The competing visions will suddenly go away. general secretary could assign tasks to If this was a compliance issue only, you the executive director-Canada. wouldn’t see tears and anger. There are many other things going on in our hearts.” Many Canadians Unhappy He wondered if this structure could be a Recommending the new model was not way to walk together to advance ministry. an easy decision for the Council. The

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Canada Corporation drafted a commu- “If this was a membership is larger in the U.S., it would nication to the full Council expressing be reasonable to mirror as much as concerns with the proposed model, and compliance issue possible. Why is there a strategic stated during debate some Canadian members purpose not to have parity?” he asked. vigorously opposed the plan. While the only, you wouldn’t “The question we were trying to answer proposed joint management agreements was not parity. It was ministry need,” bridging U.S. and Canadian ministries see tears and Lee replied. have potential to solve the legal risks with CRA, they said, the SALT report was anger. There are Delegates voted 35-10 to establish a not clear enough about the process to Canadian office. Wigboldus and Aaltje create the agreements or about their many other things van Grootheest, Canada at-large delegate, intended function, which ought to be registered their negative votes to this and not only to “clarify but also to govern the going on in our four other recommendations. working relationships.” What’s Next In discussion some Canadian delegates hearts.” Lee stressed to the delegates that objected that the report failed to address —John Lee, the model is not set in stone. It must cultural differences between Canada Classis Iakota, chair of SALT be vetted by lawyers and the Canada and the U.S. Revenue Agency. Then it will go to the Task force member William Koopmans churches and classes for input prior to Canadian ministries director, directly (Classis Hamilton) said he agrees with the Synod 2022. challenged that. principles of the SALT report. Regarding In preparation for that, the Council of Canada Corporation’s concerns, he said, “That is not what is creeping up in this Delegates and the Canada Corporation will “It’s a mark of humility and teamwork discussion,” he asserted. “This is all about create search teams and identify candi- if we can acknowledge our work isn’t being the most effective church in the dates for the newly approved positions, perfect and that we can work together to context we are in.” pending Synod 2022’s decision. Roorda make it better.” Ralph Wigboldus (Classis Huron) echoed is serving as interim executive director- Canada. Colin Watson Sr. will remain the Canadians Want Collaboration that, contending, “If he [Koning] thinks that is what Canada Corporation is saying, executive director until Synod 2022. The communication from the Canada he completely doesn’t understand the —Gayla R. Postma Corporation said that while collabora- Canada Corporation.” tion was championed in the report, some For more details on the proposed structure, parts of the structure contradict that. Several Canadians wanted the whole look for “SALT FAQ” online at crcna.org. “The CRA compliance issue is not the main proposal tabled until October to allow point,” Bev Bandstra (Classis B.C. South- more work to be done. An attempt to East) said, her voice trembling. “The main pause the process failed by a vote of point is partnership. And that is what I 28-18. Voting is anonymous unless a dele- am missing in the SALT report. We have gate chooses to register a vote, so it is not had these discussions for 30 years on the known if the votes were divided along Canadian side of the denomination. We national lines. want to maintain unity. We need that new culture of partnership.” Why No Executive Director-U.S.? As agreed to in principle last October, the Task force reporter Fred Koning, a retired new model does not have an executive pastor who has served in both coun- director-U.S. in parity with the Canadian tries, questioned the Canadian dele- structure. gates’ reasons for opposing the report, suggesting they might have different The new model calls for establishing a priorities than the people in Canadian Canadian Office of the CRC. Roger Sparks churches—namely, a separation from (Classis Minnkota) wondered why there the American church. Darren Roorda, wasn’t also a U.S. office. “Even though

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Responding to the Global Effects of COVID-19

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By Beth DeGraff and Laurisa O’Brien, World Renew

hen COVID-19 erupted worldwide last Providing Emergency Supplies March, 16-year-old Ekadashi and her family in Asia were already struggling. In North America, many churches turned to online services at the start of COVID-19. But several church plants didn’t have the Ekadashi’s father had been in poor health, funds or technology to help keep people connected. To meet became unemployed, and then was bedrid- W this need, Resonate Global Mission provided technology grants. den. Under pandemic restrictions that made it impossible to get to work, her mother also lost her job as a housemaid. Resonate also provided COVID-19 relief grants to help Ekadashi had to drop out of school, and her family slid church plants and campus ministries care for communi- deeper into poverty. ties and students. Many international students studying at Western Michigan University, for example, weren’t able With little to no income, Ekadashi’s parents decided the best to travel home, and some of the students lost their jobs. A action for the whole family was to arrange her marriage to a grant from Resonate helped International Campus Ministry man in their village. Ekadashi would become the financial to provide food, money for rent, and other supplies to more responsibility of her husband’s family, and the dowry they than 3,000 students over just a few months. would receive for her would keep them from hunger and homelessness in the days ahead. The decision would help the Around the world, World Renew provided disaster programs specifically designed to prevent the spread of the virus. family survive the pandemic, but Ekadashi’s future was bleak. These included distributing emergency food and hygiene Then, a World Renew partner connected with the family and supplies, providing families with food vouchers, and sharing found a new job for Ekadashi’s mother. A women’s group in vital health information. their community helped them register for food distributions, In one country in Africa, children and adults met in small and Ekadashi enrolled in a tuition-free school program. groups or with their families to learn about face masks, With support from World Renew, Ekadashi’s family now has social distancing, and handwashing. They discovered how some economic stability in the COVID crisis, and her oppor- to identify harmful practices and misinformation about tunities for a fulfilling future have improved. COVID-19 that were prevalent worldwide in the first months Similar to Ekadashi, there are many people who have expe- of the outbreak. rienced social and economic setbacks since the COVID-19 “The pandemic radically changed our lives and work,” said a outbreak swept the globe. By the end of the year, the number World Renew development worker. “We are thankful to God of people living in extreme poverty worldwide rose by an for wisdom and creativity in serving people in need during estimated 115 million. the COVID-19 outbreak and other life-threatening circum- In fact, crises such as the coronavirus outbreak affect stances. Trusting God and being available are at the heart of those who live in poverty first and most. In the COVID-19 World Renew’s ministry. Our faith inspires us and our part- pandemic, ministries of the Christian Reformed Church ners to continue to serve him and others in uncertain times.” were able to respond with resilience through partners and One Christian partner worked through World Renew networks in North America and around the world. community groups to establish 1,700 kitchen gardens that “We know that people who are at highest risk of falling into helped many families and neighbors access nutritious food. extreme poverty also face the greatest challenges, pain, and One participant said, “Our kitchen gardens were even more loss during COVID,” said World Renew Canada director Ida valuable for feeding our families as the local food markets Kaastra Mutoigo. “This includes thousands of displaced became unreliable or just closed.” persons like the Rohingya in Bangladesh, Syrian refugees The families are also using their hygiene training with in Lebanon, and many others who are barely surviving their a new awareness of its value. There has been a surge of current circumstances.” interest in handwashing stations; program participants In response, CRCNA ministries reached out in new and in communities where World Renew works had already expanded ways to ensure that needs would be met. learned how to construct this simple mechanism made of sticks, rope, and a gallon of water.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused social and economic setbacks for “We can now clearly see that God ordered our steps,” said many across the globe, including early marriages for many young Bridget, a health program leader and committed hand- girls in Asia. washer. “God saw the end from the beginning when he

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brought about introducing handwashing and hygiene CRCNA ministries also offered trauma-healing training and programs in our community before COVID-19 started!” opportunities to the communities they served. This helped people to process the trauma of the pandemic itself but also Working Through Churches and Christians to name and address some of the consequences.

CRCNA ministries provided resources to help Christian “Men and women who participate in the trauma-healing churches safely reach out to their neighbors during the program begin to shift their thinking about gender equity,” pandemic with broader health education, information, and said a World Renew development worker. “One result is the gospel. that women gain access to and control their own resources. Couples begin to share decision-making and workloads, In West Africa, World Renew distributed a workbook for and as a result, healthy relationships develop and domestic adults called Loving Your Neighbor in the COVID-19 Pandemic violence decreases.” and lessons for children called Peace, Be Still to local congre- gations. The children’s workbooks equipped parents and With so many needs during the coronavirus pandemic, guardians with the tools to support their children spiritually, ministry leaders were also weary and stretched thin. emotionally, and physically during the pandemic. “Missionaries have been giving themselves to the people In Berlin, Germany, Resonate Global Mission missionaries around them as if they were running a 100-meter dash. Mary Buteyn and David Kromminga partner with the Berlin Their souls are tired and broken,” said Paul Yu, Resonate’s City Mission to lead a church plant with and for newcom- regional mission leader for East and Central Asia. ers. They adjusted quickly to the challenges and restrictions That’s why he led a discipleship course for 30 missionar- caused by COVID-19 as well. ies from four different countries to take time to rest and “People, especially those in the refugee community, are recharge for ministry. experiencing so many other losses. There’s a kind of heart “The need (was) great,” Yu said . “I can see they (were) really desire for contact with other human beings. And if we as a hungry for genuine and intimate connection with God.” church can provide that, and also connect with God, that’s part of our mission,” Kromminga said about the importance Fostering Resilience of maintaining some sort of community even when Sunday worship could not continue in person. As in North American CRCNA congregations, one of the things COVID-19 taught ministries especially well was to As the church begins meeting in person again on Sundays be adaptable, creative, and flexible. This has been a lesson for socially distanced and masked worship, they have learned by those they serve as well. also continued meeting online. Buteyn and Kromminga have witnessed much growth, spiritually and relationally, “In the pandemic, we recognized that ministry must be resil- through the online practice. ient,” said World Renew U.S. director Carol Bremer-Bennett. “We do a lot of work to support our staff and partners, but at And as people began spending more time at home, ReFrame the center, the process and transformation is owned by the Ministries staff around the world began developing new video communities themselves. They rose to the challenge of travel and radio programs that offered timely biblical messages that restrictions and new technology and helped one another with people could access while adhering to stay-at-home orders. education and PPE (personal protective equipment).”

“I am not seeing anyone other than my family these days due In one income-boosting program in Africa, for example, to coronavirus,” said Kanbe, a listener in Japan. “Still, when I leaders of established village savings and loan associations hear your voices on the radio each day, it makes me feel like had to step in when World Renew staff were unable to travel I’m seeing you, and I feel energized.” to visit. These community leaders, mostly women, began coaching and supporting others. They promoted household- Responding to Hidden Needs level economic improvements and encouraged improve- ments in health care, food security, peacebuilding, gender With COVID-19 lockdowns around the world, economic justice, leadership development, and adult literacy. hardships were not the only challenges facing families and congregations. As in Ekadashi’s story, pandemics can Some of these leaders became so well-respected in their cause many difficulties behind closed doors. This includes communities that they were considered essential service increased gender-based violence, domestic violence, child providers and were exempt from travel restrictions during marriages, and mental health issues. the pandemic lockdowns.

World Renew increased its efforts to help girls and women “It is amazing how local leaders have grown in these times,” complete their education, stay unmarried throughout child- said Bremer-Bennett. “God has been gracious. Looking back hood, remain free from sexual or domestic violence, and now, we can see that as a church, we didn’t just pivot; we become leaders in their communities. allowed the paradigm to shift.”

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Embracing Change: What We’ve Learned from the Pandemic

IF YOU HAVE YOUR PHONE NEARBY, take a moment and look at the photos you took back in January and February of 2020. You’ll see how things were just before the COVID-19 pandemic swept into our lives.

We had no idea back then, did we? We couldn’t have guessed all the ways the pandemic would invade our “normal” and change how we do work, church, family, travel, and countless other things.

What have we learned since then?

We’ve certainly learned a few new skills: How to work from home. How to engage worship virtually. How to phys- ically distance in the places where we used to rub shoulders with others.

We’ve also learned about our weak- nesses. After all, disruptors tend to expose underlying dysfunction. Strains in relationships, weaknesses an unpleasant new way. Church and your sadness is normal. This is in communications, and gaps in tech- members should take this into some of the most important work that nology and structures have revealed account as they experience weari- churches will do in these times. themselves—sometimes painfully—in ness in themselves and crankiness 5. Our souls’ true home is not these trying times. in others. “normalcy,” but God. The peace Perhaps our most significant learn- 2. Change usually involves loss. We that passes understanding is not ings, though, are the old things COVID lose a routine, the old normal, or grounded in a return to the old ways has forced us to understand in new perhaps something or someone we or even the establishment of new ways. It’s as if the pandemic has given cherished. Leaders would be wise to ways. It is grounded in God’s pres- us new glasses through which to see help their congregations name this ence with us through Christ, and ourselves and our world. We’ve seen truth, not just because of specific churches are places to name that with fresh eyes the fragility of life, the losses but because loss has become truth over and over for one another. power of community, and the chal- a dominant theme of life for so many. Someday we’ll add “after COVID” lenge of change. 3. Loss causes grief. We mourn what pictures to the “before COVID” pictures Let’s think about that last one for a we miss, but we don’t often know in our phones. And hopefully we’ll moment—the challenge of change. At that this is what we are experienc- remember what we’ve learned along Pastor Church Resources we have seen ing. Let’s notice our griefs, share the way: to cherish community, to churches and pastors try to deal with them with one another, listen savor life, and to engage change with the suddenness, frequency, and accu- deeply to each other, and bring our confidence, knowing we have a true mulated impact of change. Church griefs to God. home in God. leaders and church members together 4. Grieving requires time. You can’t —Rev. Dave Den Haan, feel like bruises that keep getting rush it. It takes a while for life to move Pastor Church Resources bumped. And old truths about change on and for us to sense the power of are experienced in new ways: the things that endure. The process 1. Change is hard. It requires us to is helped when the people in your say goodbye to something familiar community come around you and and learn a new way—sometimes confirm that your loss is significant

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The View from Here A Season of Change

“I have told you these things, so that in In the midst of We too are living through a time of me you may have peace. In this world darkness. In the midst of our hardship, you will have trouble. But take heart! I our hardship, we we recognize that we serve the same have overcome the world.” —John 16:33 God as the disciples of old. He is more than able to use the negatives we expe- EVERY YEAR, those of us who live in recognize that rience and turn them into positives for climates with a winter season look his glory. COVID-19 was not a surprise forward to seeing the new growth and we serve the to God. He knew how he was plan- new possibilities that spring brings. ning to use this experience in our lives As seasons change, not only do we same God as the whether or not we were surprised by it. see evidence of that change in our surroundings; we often see changes in disciples of old. Yes, there is pain—but God is with us the attitudes and behavior of individu- in the midst of the pain. Yes, there is als as well. And now, as spring gives dislocation—but God is with us in the way to summer, we look forward to the midst of the dislocation. sun and warmth and feel filled with Similarly, many churches are making Synod 2021 has been canceled. Our the possibility of vacations and new use of the “Challenging Conversations” denominational gathering, Inspire beginnings. toolkit to learn better ways to talk 2021, has been postponed for a year. about difficult topics even when we God provides seasons of life as well. Weddings, funerals, and other celebra- “Winters” might include grief, lone- disagree. The efforts of the Christian tions have been delayed or commem- liness, and hardship. But as these Reformed Church’s Race Relations orated in ways different from what times end, we find hope for the future. office have helped many of us recog- we wanted. But as we begin to transi- This June, many of us still are emerg- nize the importance of—and to begin tion out of this time of pandemic, we ing from the winter that was 2020. doing—the difficult work of racial remember that through it all, there We have endured pandemic, racial reconciliation. We thank God for has been one constant: God has unrest, economic uncertainty, polar- all of this. been with us. izing politics, and church divisions. I am reminded of Good Friday and the He will never leave us or forsake us. We look forward to the “spring” that is He was crucified for our transgres- before us. fact that for Jesus’ disciples, the world was about to change drastically—but sions. He was laid in a tomb, but we Though COVID-19 is not yet behind they didn’t know it. Their Lord was can rejoice today because the tomb is empty. He is risen: Hallelujah! us, we see signs of hope: vaccines are going to be crucified, and all they held being rolled out, and small gatherings dear was about to be crushed. For We embrace change knowing that we are beginning to increase. Best of all, two days, they lived in the darkness are embracing the One who allows the plans are being made for in-person of this devastating event. But then change. May we continue to thank God gatherings in our local congregations. Easter happened, and the darkness hour by hour, day by day, as we pray was turned to the epitome of light by continually for God to give us comfort God’s grace. and strength as we do the work that he has prepared in advance for us to do.

Colin P. Watson Sr. is the executive director of the CRCNA. He is a member of Madison Square Christian Reformed Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.

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Groundwork Brings a New Voice to Biblical Conversations

REFRAME, THE MEDIA MINISTRY for the Christian Reformed Church, recently appointed Rev. Darrell Delaney as co-host of its half-hour audio program Groundwork. Beginning in May 2021, Delaney joined Rev. Scott Hoezee on the program to unpack the richness of the Bible and apply it with insight for today’s world.

Delaney also serves as the pastor of Madison Church’s Square Campus in Grand Rapids, Mich.

“Darrell exudes a profound love for studying and living God’s Word,” said Courtney Jacob, Groundwork’s producer. “He’s deeply gifted at apply- ing Scripture and making connections Rev. Darrell Delaney began co-hosting ReFrame’s Groundwork audio to help us live and grow as disciples program in May. of Christ.”

Big Shoes to Fill “People listen because they want to Upcoming episodes of Groundwork will The new appointment comes after know more about the Lord, they want include discussions on 1 Corinthians, the retirement of Dave Bast, who to grow, and they want to improve God’s abiding presence, and a series on recorded more than 450 episodes of in their relationship with God,” said the Ten Commandments. the program. Bast’s long history on Delaney. “When you’re able to discuss You can find all of Groundwork’s listen- Groundwork meant that even before Scripture over the table with a couple ing options at groundworkonline. Delaney applied to be the co-host, of friends, it’s really powerful to break com/listen. many of the program’s listeners were open and have fun with.” already praying for him. —Brian Clark, ReFrame Ministries Delaney is excited to bring his “Dave will be sorely missed,” wrote own perspective and interests to Cherie, one of Groundwork’s listen- the program. ers. “He has a lovely recording voice, “There is a demographic of listeners but more than that, his insights have that may not know how wonderful been invaluable to me in my own walk a program Groundwork is,” he said. over the years. I will be praying for the “Keeping a pulse on popular culture Almighty to send just the right person and seeing God’s hand working in your way.” and through it ... is one of the many Groundwork began airing in 2010 as a things I’m excited about bringing to reformatted version of ReFrame’s flag- Groundwork.” ship program, The Back to God Hour.

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Edmonton Native Healing Centre Marks Three Decades of Ministry

THIS YEAR THE EDMONTON Native Healing Centre in Edmonton, Alta., celebrates its 30th anniversary.

Director Harold Roscher described the center as “simply a community for people of all cultures, faiths, (and) financial standings, … a place where we can meet and grow together.”

The Centre addresses emotional, phys- ical, mental, and spiritual needs as represented in an Indigenous medi- cine wheel.

The ministry that began in the basement of a home has grown to have its own building to share with local community groups. Photo provided by Edmonton Native Healing Centre. Healing Native Edmonton by provided Photo

a free exercise class don’t open,” Roscher said. “That faith- run by the Centre. ful support has been so crucial to Each week the class is allowing us to be a ministry.” livestreamed on the The growing financial support for center’s Facebook page. the ministry shows how needed and Director Harold Roscher drums with children at the These types of activi- appreciated the ministry is in the Edmonton Native Healing Centre. ties help the center broader community. to connect with the Not only does Roscher want to see community and meet the ministry continue for another 30 Originally launched from the base- some of its needs, Roscher said. years, but he also hopes to see the ment of the home of founding director fruit of stronger bridges being formed John Stellingwerff, the Centre now has Celebrations for the milestone anni- between Indigenous communities its own building. versary are being planned within COVID constraints. and the CRC. “We have now grown to a place where “We see historically the jour- we can help people in all four of Ideally, Roscher said, they would be ney between the church and the those (medicine wheel) quadrants,” able to serve a soup and bannock meal as the Centre did regularly Indigenous community has not Roscher said. before closing the kitchen because been a good one,” he said. “I think There have been opportunities to grow of COVID. Relaunching this popular we’re poised in the next 30 years to the ministry in all directions. The gathering would be another cause for make some meaningful inroads into Centre now offers space to the Boyle celebration. reconciliation and recognizing each McCauley Health Centre. This meets a other’s gifts.” Ongoing support from the Christian practical community need and offers a Reformed Church allows these —Victoria Veenstra, safe, comfortable, and accessible loca- programs to serve the community. “It’s Justice Communications tion for clients. wonderful to have the strong Christian Team Coordinator Launched during the COVID-19 Reformed backing, because without pandemic, Wellness Wednesdays is it the lights don’t go on and the doors

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Raising Up Leaders in the Central African Republic

NIAMAZIME FERDINAND’S father died when Ferdinand was 6 years old.

In his early years, Ferdinand strug- gled; he was aimless.

Growing up in Bangassou, in south- eastern Central African Republic, he went to the local Roman Catholic church. But it didn’t give him what he needed.

“At the age of 12, I was trained in drugs and banditry by street child comrades,” he said in a document translated from French.

But at the age of 14, Ferdinand said, “The Lord led me to a Coopération Pastor Niamazime Ferdinand works with ministry leaders and communities Evangélique Church of my city, around his home country of Central African Republic. Bangassou.”

That Sunday the pastor preached His pastor established a church in In addition, as a training leader, he about the dangers of drugs and Bangui and placed Ferdinand there has been able to teach these ministry people’s separation from God. as its pastor in 1989. From there, skills to other pastors in the Central “The Holy Spirit touched me, and I Ferdinand did his theological training African Republic. at two schools. abandoned all and accepted Jesus “I have already trained more than 50 to serve him as my Savior,” said Since 2016, he has been connected pastors and Christian leaders with Ferdinand, now pastor of Coopération with the Timothy Leadership Training TLT,” he said. “I have made efforts to Evangélique Church in the town of program, a ministry of Raise Up have TLT courses translated into the Bangui and a Timothy Leadership Global Ministries based in Grand national language spoken throughout Training facilitator. Rapids, Mich. the Central African Republic.”

But his challenges were far from TLT works with ministry leaders Even though he lacks enough Bibles over. After being baptized through around the world, especially those to distribute and can find it difficult immersion in water, his family in rural or remote locations.​ TLT is to travel to teach TLT in his country, shunned him because he had left the centered around interactive learning which faces a range of armed conflicts, Catholic church. in which participants study Scripture he remains committed to the process. and develop action plans that result in “In spite of the wars in my country, “I went to inform my pastor and asked visible transformation in individual the Christian church is alive in some to stay at his home like his child,” lives and communities. Ferdinand said. “He accepted me and places,” Ferdinand said. “But in most began to train me in the way of the Lord.” “What I have learned from TLT in cities in the country, the church is still leadership is great,” said Ferdinand, struggling to grow up following the One night he had a dream in which who has used his training to teach multiple wars in the country. There is God was directing him toward a crowd other ministry leaders in his coun- a need to multiply TLT to churches and of people as their pastor. try the skills they need to serve leaders of all Christian churches.” their churches. “I explained to my pastor, and he told me —Chris Meehan, that God called me for his work,” he said. Ferdinand said he has learned to “take CRC Communications “Subsequently, I spent several years with care of God’s people, … overcome the pastor, and he saw my determina- violence and harm in the family, and to tion and vocation to serve God.” honor God through work and worship.”

JUNE 2021 29 THEBANNER.ORG Commemorate Celebrate Support

25 years ago, Synod opened the path to ordination for women in the offices of Minister of the Word, Commissioned Pastor, and Elder. The journey of women in the CRCNA entails a long history and legacy of women using their God-given gifts and callings in local and global missions. Celebrate this history and read more about the milestones and of the courageous women who have helped to shape this journey at crcna.org/WomensLeadership.

The Women’s Leadership Ministry affirms and supports women in all levels of leadership. We help Christian Reformed churches and ministries create a culture in which, together, men and women thrive in pursuit of God’s mission in the world. We want to hear your story. Please share and connect with us: [email protected] Support the work of this ministry by giving online today! Give a gift by July 31st and we’ll send you a commemorative lapel pin to wear celebrating this 25th anniversary! JUNE 2021 30 THEBANNER.ORG crcna.org/WomensLeadership/donate

38859 25th Anniversary - Banner Ad.indd 1 5/10/21 10:36 AM DISCOVER

Cool Summer Animals

HOW DO YOU STAY COOL on a hot Prairie Dogs summer day? Do you run through Prairie dogs enjoy spending time the sprinkler or take a dip in a pool? searching for food in the early morn- Maybe you have a water balloon fight ings, but on hot days they spend most with friends in your neighborhood. of their time out of the sun in the There are lots of fun ways to stay cool cool burrows and tunnels they dig in the summer. But have you ever underground. wondered how animals cool off on sizzling summer days? Lizards Take a look at the clever and funny Because lizards are cold-blooded ways these animals stay cool in animals, their body temperatures the summer! change based on the temperatures around them. On really hot days, Pigs lizards like to find shade under rocks Want to know why pigs like to roll to stay cool. around in mud? Because pigs can’t sweat, they like to cover themselves in Elephants mud to keep cool during hot summer Who would have thought that ears months. The water in mud keeps pigs could keep animals cool? It’s true! cool as it slowly evaporates into the Elephants use their large ears to flap air. Mud also acts as a special piggy themselves to stay cool on hot days. sunscreen because it protects their They also keep cool by using their skin from getting sunburned. trunks to spray themselves with water. Not only do they have their own Horses fans, but they also have a personal Did you know that horses sweat? Just sprinkler! like people, horses sweat on hot days Barghigiani or when they are doing exercises like Stay Cool! by Anita running. As the sweat evaporates, it What are your favorite ways to stay cools them off so they don’t get too hot. cool in the summer? Whether you

enjoy swimming or tasting a sweet ice The Banner Bees cream treat, remember to thank God Bees have the best indoor fan for hot for summer and for the cool ways he summer days. Bees collect water to takes care of his creation! for Illustration bring into the hive, and they use their wings to blow in cooler air. The water inside the hive makes the air cooler, creating a homemade air conditioner. Bees also try to keep their queen and their babies cool on hot days by spend- ing time outside. Then more air can flow inside the hive where the queen is. You might see a large group of bees Christin Baker is a hanging on the outside of the hive, a full-time stay-at- gathering called “bearding” because it home mom who also writes for Faith Alive. looks like a big, bushy beard. She is a member of Resurrection Fellowship Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.

JUNE 2021 31 THEBANNER.ORG Photo by Alvin by Engler/UnsplashPhoto 5 Reasons to Embrace Hospitality

By Peter Jonker ack in January, I was levels in 2020. According to data published through the University of walking the dog a from the National Shooting Sports British Columbia called loneliness an couple of blocks from Foundation, background checks tied “epidemic” and a “silent killer.” Things my home when I over- to the sale of firearms increased are so bad in the United Kingdom that heard a conversation 60% over 2019 levels. People are in 2018 they created a new cabinet between two neighbors. stocking up. position within the government: the One neighbor was yelling to another minister of loneliness. B In writing this, I’m not making a judg- over the noise of a snowblower, “Hey, ment on my neighbor’s right to own All that was before the pandemic. guess what! I bought 800 more rounds a gun and buy ammunition. I’m more Since then, not only has loneliness of ammunition yesterday!” interested in what his purchase says increased, but it seems to have devel- “No kidding!” the other replied. “Where about the spirit of our communities. oped a sharp edge. In the grind of do you pick that up?” I didn’t hear I’m more interested in what these social and political unrest, loneli- any more after that. The snowblower statistics say about the state of neigh- ness has been sharpened by fear. Now turned off, and the conversation borly relations. Walls of mistrust seem we’re not just lonely. We’re looking at got quieter. to be thickening. our neighbor with suspicion. We’re locking our doors and buying ammo. I’m no expert, but I’m pretty sure Over the past few years, Western you don’t need that much ammuni- societies also have been plagued by This is not the way it is supposed to be. tion simply for hunting. I’m guessing increasing loneliness. Institutions that “It is not good for the man to be alone,” it was purchased for protection. My used to bring people together (such God said in Genesis 2:18. We human neighbor’s purchase is part of a larger as churches and community sports beings are made in the image of the societal trend that has seen gun and leagues) are in decline, leaving people triune God. We are made for connec- ammunition sales increase to record increasingly isolated. A recent article tion, for fellowship, for shalom. We are

JUNE 2021 32 THEBANNER.ORG meant for lives of love, lives of trust, for wounded neighbors. True hospi- lives of joy. tality opens up space in your home, in your time, in your life where your What do we do about the loneliness Jesus calls us to neighbor can heal. When Jesus sat at and mistrust? How do we find our the Pharisee’s table, he encountered a way back to connection? The church love one another, power struggle. When a person comes can lead the way. Jesus calls us to love into the circle of Christian hospital- one another, and stories such as the and stories such ity, they discover a place of accep- parable of the Good Samaritan teach tance and grace. At a table like the us that our love is meant to overflow as the parable Pharisee’s, you feel pressure to show the boundaries of the church and your strength and your worth. At a water the lives of all our neighbors. of the Good truly hospitable table, you feel safe Loneliness is an enemy of the gospel. enough to show your wounds and your How do we fight this enemy? Samaritan teach needs. That means hospitality does There are multiple scriptural practices not need filet mignon and good silver; that can help us here, but one of the us that our love is a take-out pizza can do the trick. In best is the practice of hospitality. As fact, the formal dining room with the we emerge from this pandemic and meant to overflow good silver often feels less hospitable venture out into a sharp-edged world, than the kitchen table with the dishes may I suggest that we arm ourselves the boundaries in the sink. If you are willing to show your messy side to your guest, she’ll with hospitality? This small, intimate, of the church and deeply personal practice might be just probably feel free to open up about the messes in her life, which will create what the world needs. Let me offer five water the lives of reasons why this practice suggests real intimacy. itself to us. all our neighbors. 3. Hospitality Breaks 1. Hospitality Is a Barriers with Kindness Deeply Biblical Practice Much biblical hospitality aims at The Old and New Testaments call us to people who are different from us. It’s 3 John 1:8. Jesus himself practiced hospitality. fine to have dinner with friends and hospitality when he ate with sinners family, but the hospitality modeled In Leviticus 19:9-10, God tells Israel and made time for children in the by Jesus and pushed by Paul moves that when its farmers bring in the middle of his busy schedule. us toward people outside our usual harvest, they are to leave the edges of circles. That’s a truth hidden in the their fields untouched and not go over 2. Hospitality Builds a Hospital word itself. The Greek word for hospi- the middle of their fields more than In Luke 14, a prominent Pharisee tality is philoxenia. It literally means once. God reserves the margins of the invites Jesus to an exclusive dinner. It “love of strangers.” The etymology of field and the gleanings in the center turns out to be a high-stakes game of the word signals the true intention of for the poor and foreigners to gather musical chairs—the guests compete the practice. Hospitality doesn’t just food. In effect, this command opens with one another for the places of aim at what is broken in other people; up hospitable space in the backyard of honor at the table. Jesus calls out their it wants to connect with people who every Israelite. This harvest hospital- selfish spirits and then says to the are outside our usual spheres. ity shows its fruitfulness in the story host, “When you give a luncheon or Let’s go back to Boaz’s welcome of of Ruth. Boaz allows Ruth to glean in a dinner, do not invite your friends, Ruth. Ruth isn’t just poor. She’s also an his field. That hospitality doesn’t just your brothers or sisters, your rela- outsider. She is a Moabite, from one of save her life; Boaz, too, is blessed. Ruth tives or your rich neighbors; if you Israel’s most-hated enemies. But Boaz becomes his wife and gives him a child. do they may invite you back and so welcomes Ruth into his field, lets her If you look at the big picture, God uses you will be repaid.” Instead, “invite drink from the workers’ water jar, and the hospitality of Boaz to preserve the poor, the crippled, the lame, the tells his men not to harass her. It’s clas- God’s covenant. Ruth and Boaz’s child blind” (Luke 14:12-14). He goes on to sic hospitality. Not only does he make is an ancestor of Jesus. tell them the familiar parable of the her feel safe and welcome, but his wedding banquet. The New Testament also exhorts God’s welcome is a healing balm applied to people to welcome others. “Practice Christian hospitality is not a network- an ancient hatred. How well does the hospitality,” Paul says in Romans 12:13. ing strategy. Christian hospitality healing balm work? It works so well That call is echoed in 1 Peter 4:9 and builds a hospital, a place of healing, that they end up married!

JUNE 2021 33 THEBANNER.ORG Scripture is full of hospitable Here is where modern social media He gets close to our weakness, he gets welcomes specifically aimed at break- apps don’t help much with our loneli- close to our sin, and he comes near to ing down barriers: The party the ness. A lot of the time, we use social the most broken parts of us. father throws when he welcomes media to take the grit out of our rela- Is that inconvenient for Jesus? Is it home the prodigal son. The welcome tionships. But when we lose the grit, gritty? Does it prove to be dangerous? Jesus gives to the sinful woman who we lose the connection! Yes. It costs him his life. washes his feet in Luke 7. The evening Here’s just one example of how that Jesus spends with Zacchaeus, the head But Jesus is willing to endure all these can happen: 20 years ago, if a group of tax collector. The money paid to the things so that he can make room for your child’s friends came over to pick innkeeper by the Good Samaritan for us in the heart of God. Jesus is willing up your kid to go to a football game, the care of the man he rescued on the to do these things so that our sins and how did that pickup go? The friends way to Jerusalem. These hospitable miseries can be overcome and we can would come up to the door and knock. acts all break barriers. be reunited with the Father. Jesus is “Hi, Mr. Jonker! Is Patrick here? We’re willing to do all these things so that we ready to go!” You’d call your son, and can enjoy the hospitality of his house 4. Hospitality Has Grit he’d come down, but in the meantime and find a seat at his table, where he Real hospitality is not easy or conve- you’d have a short conversation with feeds us with his body and his blood. nient. Real hospitality is not safe. Real these teenage boys. You’d connect. “Hi, No more are we strangers or guests, hospitality invites complications. Of Jacob, how are you doing? Have you but like children at home. course, relationships are always some- made your college decision yet? How what inconvenient, but when you prac- are your parents?” These conversa- Peter Jonker was born tice hospitality, when you get involved tions could be awkward, but they and raised in Kingston, with people’s weariness and hurt, you made for real connection. Ont., and now lives in are taking inconvenience to a whole Grand Rapids, Mich. He That was 20 years ago. How do young new level. serves as the minister of people pick each other up today? They preaching at LaGrave This plays out in the most ordinary text from the driveway. Is it more Avenue Christian places. Imagine it’s 5:30 p.m. and you convenient to text from the drive- Reformed Church. are stopping at the grocery store after way? Sure. When you text, you avoid work to pick up a couple of things. It’s Patrick’s dad and his awkward ques- been a long day, and you are in a hurry. tions. But something important is lost. As you zip up and down the aisles, You’ve lost one more small way we you spot someone from your neigh- build community. borhood. You know she’s just been through a divorce, you know she’s 5. Hospitality Points to the Heart of God hurting, and you know that she likes Our God does not text from the to talk. What do you do? driveway. Our God wants personal connection. You have three options: 1. You could 1. Do you agree that loneliness has pretend you didn’t see her and spend When Adam and Eve hide from God become an epidemic in our societies? the rest of the trip sneaking around in the garden, God does not leave Why or why not? the store, making sure you don’t them alone. He moves toward them. 2. How have you understood the encounter her. 2. You could put on your He seeks them out. When God’s Old biblical practice of hospitality “don’t talk to me; I’m very busy and Testament people turned away from prior to now? important” face and blow by her in the him, God did not leave them alone. He aisle with a brisk “hello.” 3. You could sent them prophets. And, most strik- 3. “Christian hospitality builds a open up space in your time and in your ing of all, when we continue to move hospital, a place of healing, for heart. You could come up to her, stop, away from him, when we push him wounded neighbors.” How does this greet her warmly, and ask her how away, God is so determined to recon- reinforce or change your current she’s doing. The third way is the most nect with us that he sends his son, view and practice of hospitality? inconvenient. It’s also the best picture Jesus. When Jesus moves toward us, READ MORE ONLINE of Christian hospitality. he doesn’t just move close in general.

JUNE 2021 34 THEBANNER.ORG FAITH MATTERS

Adam Was Designed to Be a Gardener

Adam’s original MY WIFE HAD AN UNCLE who was as a caretaker and gardener perfectly. an avid gardener. In fact, his entire His garden was his sanctuary. It was creation covenant family are avid gardeners. He recently there he found peace with God. He died, and I was asked to speak at his expertly understood and respected the mandate from funeral. In respect to his main hobby, nature of the plants he worked with. If I spoke about the Garden of Eden. I he wanted them to be fruitful, he knew God to subdue or quoted Genesis 2:15, where God says, he had to take care of the soil and not “The Lord God took the man (‘Adam’ in overuse it so his plants could continue have dominion Hebrew) and put him in the Garden of to find proper nourishment. Eden to work it and take care of it.” The I don’t know a single farmer who over the earth was thing I noted was that even in paradise, would disagree with the idea of taking man had a job. The job he had was a care of their soil and not intentionally for God’s glory, gardening job, for which Adam was destroying it. After all, it is their live- intentionally designed by God’s own lihood! Yet somehow when we trans- not man’s. self to enjoy and find fulfillment in. late our caretaking role to the broader But what is even more interesting idea of the entire planet, we run afoul about Adam’s gardening job is it meant of political ideologies. I have never he was supposed to be a caretaker of understood as a Christian why this should be. the garden. The original Hebrew word used here for “take care” is shomar, As believers, being environmen- which also means “to protect.” In the tally conscientious is not contrary to Talmud, the ancient Jewish commen- biblical teaching or in some strange taries on God’s law, rabbis debate why way being anti-Christian. Our job Adam would need to protect and take as God’s caretakers here on earth is care of a perfect paradise like Eden. a biblical decree straight out of the Garden of Eden. Reformed theologian O. Palmer Robertson gives an interesting answer: So every time I drive by a landfill “Adam’s requirement to labor (in the near my home and see the moun- garden) echoes the original cultural tains of trash piling up day after day, mandate of the covenant of creation, week after week, year after year, this with its charge to bring the whole thought of our being caretakers here earth into subjection to the glory of on earth hits me hard. I often think, God” (The Christ of the Covenants, p. can’t we do better than this? Shouldn’t 107). It’s a very Kuyperian idea. we, the church, be the loudest voices for stewardship of the planet? What Robertson is saying is that Adam’s original creation covenant

mandate from God to subdue or have 1. What ideas or feelings do you dominion over the earth was for God’s have from reading that Adam was glory, not man’s. In other words, the a gardener? Genesis statement of subduing or having dominion (Gen. 1:28) was not 2. How has the mandate to “subdue Rob Braun is a former meant to be a green light for Adam to or have dominion” over creation commissioned pastor plunder or exploit the planet for his been portrayed in what you’ve at Bethel Christian own selfish reasons. God made Adam heard or read? Reformed Church in Princeton, Minn. He the earth’s custodian and steward. 3. Why do you think it is so controver- currently is a licensed As I pointed out in my sermon, my sial when it comes to applying . . . exhorter in Classis Lake Superior and a wife’s uncle would have understood READ MORE ONLINE freelance writer. this mandate of serving God’s glory

JUNE 2021 35 THEBANNER.ORG THE OTHER 6

Tell a Better Story

Until the church IT’S A WARM SEPTEMBER MORNING, “We need an articulate response to and a group of friends and I are gath- why these messages are so damag- recognizes the ered at a local 5K run. Our daughters ing,” I insist. “How do we explain it in have just completed the race, and a loving way to people who don’t see inherent, image- we’re enjoying one another’s company. the problem?” My phone vibrates in my coat pocket, And so I start writing. I write a letter and a text message appears. It’s from bearing value of to the church that posted the sign. my friend Maggie. “Is it just me, or do Imagining all the social media “likes” things like this make you feel terribly individuals with the image will get fuels my drive to uncomfortable?” she writes under an share why that message and senti- image of a public sign outside a church. disabilities... ments like it continue to marginal- The sign reads, “Sometimes angels are ize my son. messages like disguised as kids with special needs to teach us how to be better people.” First, there’s the theology of the state- these will The message isn’t just outside that ment. Children with special needs small-town church; it’s circulating are, in fact, children—not “angels.” continue to on Facebook. They are born into sin just as the rest of us are. They need forgiveness just I pass my phone around to my friends. as often as anyone else. Yet the sign’s be spread as “Am I crazy for being really put off by message suggests that someone who this?” Unanimously, the answer is no. lives with a disability is somehow benign, sweet, I am not crazy. I respond to Maggie, more innocent than other human “That’s awful.” But a question nags beings. Unfortunately, this message sentimental, and at me: why is it awful? Maggie and I joins a mainstream (and not necessar- have sons with Down syndrome, and ily Christian) narrative that suggests even true. we often find ourselves in conversa- individuals with disabilities are inno- tions like this one. I confess that before cent, simple, quaint, and less devel- my son was born, I probably would oped than neurotypical people. This is have driven past a sign like that and simply not true from either a scientific thought nothing of it. I wonder: am I or a theological standpoint. being too fussy? Does a message like this really do any harm? To counter this type of othering, we often use the phrase “more alike than This isn’t the first time our families different” when explaining Down have encountered seemingly sweet syndrome to others. It emphasizes the messages about individuals with common humanity we all share, and disabilities. There’s the oft-repeated that having Down syndrome is just phrase “God gives special children to one part of who our son is. special parents.” Then there was the time a pastor-friend asked us if we Second, likely without meaning to, the thought people with Down syndrome sign and messages like it suggest God are more like Adam and Eve before created some people to serve others. the fall. There was the article we once That argument was often used to Sara Korber-DeWeerd read by a theologian who argued justify slavery. We must stop making is a freelance writer that people with disabilities make that claim about any people group, and teacher based in us feel uncomfortable and teach us whether overtly or subtly, for it only Massachusetts. She and her family are because their visible vulnerability leads to injustice. makes us confront our own hidden members of Fairlawn Third, statements like that on the Christian Reformed vulnerabilities. Church. Visit her blog at church sign position people with morethanshelter. After the kids go to bed that night, my disabilities as individuals whose value blogspot.com. husband and I talk about the sign. is dependent on others. It is true that

JUNE 2021 36 THEBANNER.ORG each of our three children. The first question of the Westminster Catechism asks: “What is the chief end of man[kind]?” The answer: “To glorify God and enjoy him forever.” What a complex and joyful commission God gives to each and every one of his children in equal measure. In it, we are invited to live given lives. In it, there is possibil- ity and promise. The scope of that time-tested question and answer is so much greater than the scope of a simple sign or a Christian cliché. Look around at all the richness of God’s world, all the beauty, diver- sity, and even brokenness. See the beauty difference makes. Affirm it. Celebrate it. But please—do it in a way that preserves the dignity of each and every image bearer of our many differently abled people are body of Christ in more meaning- incredible God. Do it in a way that more physically vulnerable than those ful ways (think ministry, leader- preserves the dignity of our family who are neurotypical; however, we ship, and hospitality), messages like and families like ours. must not confuse physical dependence these will continue to be spread as I lower my computer screen. I pray on others with value dependence. benign, sweet, sentimental, and even over the words. Lord, let them ring true. But take out the phrase “kids Our son was not born just to teach true. I will keep telling these better with special needs” and replace it others how to be better human beings. stories. I will keep at it, because with just about any other histori- His personhood is not dependent on whether or not our differently abled cally marginalized people group and what the rest of us learn from him. His sisters and brothers find room at the the sentiment becomes vapid at best, table depends on it. What’s more, we value comes as an equal image bearer offensive at worst. are all better when we understand of his Creator God. As a baptized that God created our differences as a member of the body of Christ, he has As I close the letter to the church, I gift to his people, not as a burden to the obligation, privilege, and ability to wonder if I can turn to something bear for the strong, not as a lesson to contribute to our congregation and to more concrete than a personal theol- teach. The stories will start with words the larger work of God’s kingdom. As a ogy. Isn’t there something in our like equality, dignity, belonging, and brother and son, he holds an essential shared theology that corroborates reciprocity. And they will always end place in our family. As a young boy, he what I have attempted to articu- with love. These are the words we has the opportunity to have friends late? There is. Suddenly I am young must share as we communally seek and to be a friend. As a student, he is again, sitting in my Sunday school to glorify God and enjoy him forever. fully included in a general education class, memorizing the first ques- These are the signposts that tell us all classroom where he learns alongside tion and answer of the Westminster are welcome here. same-age peers. In short, he belongs Catechism. It has informed so much in his community as a full, participat- of how I see and understand my place ing member. in God’s world. So I write to the little congregation: Until the church recognizes the inher- ent, image-bearing value of individu- I leave you with this final ques- als with disabilities, until differently tion and answer that has guided abled people are called to serve the the way we have loved and raised

JUNE 2021 37 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA

Turning the Pages on a Summer’s Day

Prayer in the Night: The Sound the Sun The Sum of Us See No Stranger: A For Those Who Work Makes by Heather McGhee Memoir and Manifesto or Watch or Weep By Buck Storm Reviewed by Andrew Zwart of Revolutionary Love

By Tish Reviewed by Trevor Denning Racism has a cost for every- By Valarie Kaur Harrison Warren Suspended from his job, the one, not just people of color. Reviewed by Jenny deGroot Heather McGhee’s The Sum Reviewed by Robert J. Keeley usually happy-go-lucky Early of Us examines the prob- As a Sikh child, Valarie Kaur Pines is depressed. Since experienced racism, but noth- “In the middle of the night, his old friend Gomez Gomez lem of why Americans can’t covered in blood in an emer- seem to have “nice stuff,” ing that prepared her for the died, Pines hasn’t been the hatred that intensified over- gency room, I was praying.” same. Now Pines, the best the “stuff” here ranging Tish Harrison Warren got my from universal health care night after 9/11. She and her police detective in Paradise, community became targets, attention right away with Arizona, is just sitting on his to affordable college tuition. the opening sentence of her She shows how, over and alongside Muslims, of hate back porch listening to the crimes. When her uncle was new book. sound the sun makes as it over, we buy into a “zero- sum” story, the false narra- shot dead as he was watering Warren uses the Compline, scrapes across the sky. While tive that any program that flowers outside of his small the Anglican prayer at the Buck Storm’s yarn-spinning might help African Americans business, Kaur knew she had close of day, as a framework skills are as delightful as ever must by definition come at a to turn her grief to good or for musing about those who in this sequel to The Beautiful cost to white people. But in it would destroy her. Both a weep, those who watch, and Ashes of Gomez Gomez, one See truth these same programs memoir and a manifesto, those who work in the night. can’t help missing the cast No Stranger would provide just as much tells vivid stories She works her way through of characters in the previ- (or more) benefit for white and presents the urgent chal- the prayer one phrase at a ous novel. The Sound the people. For me, the best parts lenge to love the “other.” Kaur time, drawing our attention Sun Makes rolls along at the of this book offer a vision reaches out to leaders of to those who need prayer and same easy pace fans expect, of hope made concrete— all kinds of faith communi- to those who work in God’s even with the change of loca- a vision in which reckon- ties, including Christian ones, kingdom on our behalf. Her tion, before building to a ing with injustice leads not believing that much of our winsome writing style is a crazy crescendo of biblical to mutual distrust, but to fear of the “other” is rooted wonderful combination of proportions. Never harsh and mutual flourishing. (Penguin in our fear of each other’s the practical and the mystical. never preachy, this sequel Random House) religious convictions. A must- This is a book to be savored. is laugh-out-loud funny and read in this time of great need (InterVarsity Press) encouraging in all the right for understanding and love ways. (Kregel) for the “other.” (One World)

JUNE 2021 38 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA

This Too Shall Last: Something’s Not Under the Magnolias A Long Road on a Finding Grace When Right: Decoding the By T.I. Lowe Short Day Suffering Lingers Hidden Tactics of Reviewed by Ann Byle By Gary D. Schmidt

Written by Abuse and Freeing Austin Foster is still a child & Elizabeth Stickney K.J. Ramsey Yourself from Its herself when her mother Reviewed by Cynthia Beach dies giving birth to a second Reviewed by Power set of twins. As the oldest Newbery Honor-winning Kristyn DeNooyer By Wade Mullen daughter, Austin must keep author Gary Schmidt finished what his late wife started: Sometimes hope does not Reviewed by Mary Li Ma the family together and care A mean healing. For those for her father, a man devas- the winsome chapter book Long Road on a Short Day who navigate chronic pain, Why do churches often tated by his wife’s death and . It’s persistent grief, ongoing mishandle clergy abuse? Why swaying on the precipice of a family story from Elizabeth mental illness, or other does it always take so long mental collapse. Enter Vance Stickney (Anne Schmidt), who forms of suffering that stay, for victims of such abuse Cumberland, son of the town belonged to an old family K.J. Ramsey details a gentle, to recover? How can survi- scion and destined for great- in New Portland Hill, Maine. acutely honest conviction: vors of clergy abuse gain ness, who falls for Austin and She had sent this children’s where sorrow lives, grace more clarity on what they doggedly pursues her via story to her agent before makes a home. Ramsey have been through and then friendship and love. Austin, succumbing to cancer in knows suffering—deeply. reclaim their voices against however, keeps him at arm’s 2013. Stickney’s agent invited A But being acquainted with abuse? Based on his own length as the years pass and Gary Schmidt to revise it. Long Road suffering does not mean she experience as a pastor and her father worsens. When takes readers on is unacquainted with grace. his research of numerous life finally becomes too hard a tour to bygone times of Suffering might stay, but case studies of clergy abuse, for Austin to go it alone any farm life and the give-and- so does Jesus. Drawing on Wade Mullen offers a deeply longer, she comes to realize take a community makes her experience as a profes- personal and pastoral book that love takes many forms, when folks depend on each sional therapist, Ramsey on how to detect abusive and those who are thought other. Illustrations by Eugene Breaking Stalin’s explores neuroscience along- systems. Understanding of as outcasts have beauti- Yelchin ( Nose side contemplative prac- what happened is the first ful souls and truly know the ) warm the snowy-white tices, highlights the creative, step toward true healing. This meaning of love. (Tyndale) pages. Here is a quaint, quiet intricate complexities of our book includes 20 pages of story for kids ages 8-10 minds and bodies, and speaks key resources for survivors (Clarion Books). to wholeness, belovedness, coming out of all kinds of and belonging with a God who situations. It can serve as a also knows deep suffering. resource guide for individu- (Zondervan) als and for trauma healing groups. (Tyndale)

JUNE 2021 39 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA

Brenda: Seven Years Henry Brown Mails 111 Trees: How One The Nature of Fragile in the Life of a Child Himself to Freedom Village Celebrates the Things By Sylvia Boomsma By Carole Boston Birth of Every Girl By Susan Meissner Reviewed by Sonya Weatherford, by Rina Singh, Reviewed by Sonya VanderVeen Feddema illustrated by illustrated by VanderVeen Feddema On March 30, 1996, along Michele Wood Marianne Ferrer Sophie Whalen, a young a dusty road in Trujillo, woman who immigrated from Reviewed by Sonya Reviewed by Sonya Honduras, an energetic 1900s Ireland to New York VanderVeen Feddema VanderVeen Feddema 5-year-old girl named Brenda City, finds shelter in a tene- ran into the path of an oncom- The extraordinary story of In many places of the world, ment and ekes out a meager ing truck and suffered severe, how enslaved Henry Brown, the birth of a boy is cele- living. She is so desperate to disfiguring craniofacial inju- with the help of friends on brated but the birth of a leave her destitute circum- ries, but no brain damage. the Underground Railroad, girl is mourned because stances that she answers In February 1997, Sylvia mailed himself in a large box she will cost her parents a an ad for a mail-order bride, Boomsma’s family heard from the South to freedom dowry and become the prop- which also mentions the need about Brenda from a doctor in the North has been told erty of her husband when for a mother for a 5-year-old who had learned of her situ- numerous times, but author she marries. Such was the girl, Kat. Sophie travels by ation on a mission trip to Carole Boston Weatherford case in the small village of train to San Francisco and Trujillo. Boomsma’s inspir- narrates the amazing tale in Piplantri, India, where Sundar marries Martin Hocking the ing, engaging memoir—one a unique way. In an author Paliwal was born. When his same day she arrives. The rooted in her Christian faith note, she writes, “Reflecting daughter died of dehydra- evening before an earth- and by turns excruciatingly the cubic structure of a box, tion, Sundar mourned deeply, quake rocks San Francisco, painful and laugh-out-loud the number six figures promi- then decided to plant some Sophie answers a knock at her funny—tells how Brenda nently in this book’s text. All trees in her memory, leading door and encounters a young, arrived in the U.S. as a foster but one of the book’s poems to an idea: “Every girl born in pregnant woman. When the child, endured more than 50 are sixains, having six lines.” the village will be welcomed earthquake shatters the city, surgeries, and was adopted Recommended for children with the planting of 111 trees.” Sophie, Kat, and the young into Boomsma’s family at the 10 and older, this poignant Based on a true story, 111 stranger set out on a danger- request of Brenda’s impov- collection of poems, which Trees is a testimony to how ous, demanding journey in erished mother, who had no speak of Henry’s faith in God just one person seeking what search of new beginnings and means to care for her daugh- and longing for justice, is is just and good can bring create a most unlikely family. ter’s medical needs. (Newman immensely relevant today transformation and renewal. (Berkley) Springs Publishing) in a world where so many (Kids Can Press) people face discrimination, oppression, and slavery and where God continues to call his people to set others free. (Penguin Random House)

JUNE 2021 40 THEBANNER.ORG WORD PLAY

Find the answers to the crossword clues in this issue of The Banner. See the solution in the next issue!

Down 1. Greek word for hospitality 2. ReFrame’s half-hour audio program 8. A word that means “relating to the Christian church or its clergy” 9. Synod 2019 asked for a definition of this 11. Where the Native Healing Centre is 14. What the editor thinks the CRC needs 16. Pigs can’t do this 18. “Since his old friend ______died …”

Across 3. Last name of the co-author of A Long Road on a Short Day 4. Going through social media feeds looking for negative material 5. Equates faithfulness to God with relationship rewards 6. Committee that guides the process of preparing candidates for ministry 7. ______Barriers, an award-winning newsletter 10. People with special needs are “more ______than different” 12. The pandemic has brought a lot of this 13. Original Hebrew for “take care” 15. Poems with six lines Answers to the 17. What this year’s denominational budget will be based on May 2021 puzzle

Ask. Connect. Share. The CRC is big. Since we can’t always meet for coffee, let’s meet at The Network to compare ministry notes. Covering over 60 different ministry topics, you’ll find blogs, discussion topics, ministry Q&As, and much more. Get involved by asking a ministry question, posting a blog, or sharing a resource today. Visit crcna.org/network

JUNE 2021 41 THEBANNER.ORG ADS

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served churches in New York, New Jersey Church Anniversary 150 Years WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 60 YEARS and 6 churches in Michigan where he is now CHURCH 150TH ANNIVERSARY Lord willing, enjoying retirement with his wife Marge. We FISHER, Ronald and Gerry. First CRC in Orange City, IA will be celebrat- praise God for you and love you Dad! With grateful hearts, we ing its 150th anniversary in July! Our church celebrate the 60th Anniver- was organized on July 14, 1871. We are thank- BIRTHDAY 90 YEARS sary of our parents, Ronald ful for the many years of God’s faithfulness & Gerry Fisher on June 15, DELORES STOB has been shown to our congregation! We would like 2021. With love from Mela- blessed to celebrate her to extend an invitation to join us during our nie, Tim & Jeanne, Mike & upcoming celebrations. Our hope is to have 90th birthday on May 14th. Amy, Christine & Brad, Joel, a special celebration worship on August 8. She and her husband Bill Eric & Erin, Trent & Kristen, There are other activities planned for the up- celebrated with their three Morgan, Owen & Caitlin, Mikayla, and Isabel. coming spring and summer, so watch for de- daughters and their hus- [email protected] tails on events on the church Facebook page bands Deanne Dyk-Dean Dyk; Tammy Kooy-John and website. https://www.firstcrcoc.org/ WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 50 YEARS Kooy Sr; Carlin Rykse-Russ Church Positions Available Rykse. Her nine grandchildren and many of KOOIKER June 26, 1971. her sixteen great grandchildren have visited FULL-TIME TEACHING PASTOR Hope Fellow- Cards to John & Sherry ship Christian Reformed Church in Courtice, her from distant places prior to May 14. The Kooiker, 1613 Morgan Ontario, is actively seeking a full-time Teach- entire family praises God for His boundless Court, Hull, IA 51239. With ing Pastor passionate about preaching God's providential care. Greetings can be mailed to love from Sam, Holly, Ben, word within dynamic worship, with a focus on 8378 S E Sanctuary Dr., Hobe Sound, Fl. 33455. Bonnie, 10 grandchildren, 1 cross-generational shepherding and disciple- great-grandchild. Anniversary ship and a passion for engaging the next gen- eration. Hope Fellowship embraces and lives WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 75 YEARS out God's redemptive plan by inviting people WYNSTRA, David and Carol (Vis) of Kenosha, to believe in Jesus, belong to God's family and VANDEN HEUVEL, Dennis and Angeline plan to WI (recently relocated to Tinley Park, IL) will bless every neighbour. Send questions and celebrate 75 years of marriage on June 27, 2021. celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on resumes to [email protected] Their children Jack and Karen Vanden Heuvel, June 5. They were blessed with two daugh- Doug and Dawn Terpstra, and Doug and Nancy ters, Shannon (Eric) Olson and Kimberly (Rev. LEAD PASTOR - Aylmer CRC in Aylmer, On- Einfeld, 11 grandchildren plus spouses, and Christian) Pedersen and three grandchildren: tario is seeking a Lead Pastor gifted in the 21 great grandchildren, rejoice with them and Madeline, Duncan and Anya. Great is Thy areas of shepherding and teaching. We are thank God for many blessings and happy years Faithfulness. prayerfully searching for a self motivated and together. May their Savior continue to bless compassionate Pastor who is devoted to pro- them with His tender care. They reside at 121 viding Reformed preaching, passionate about Obituaries Parkside Drive, Zeeland, MI 49464 nurturing our spiritual growth and equipping BEEKSMA, Alice (Bakker) us for community outreach. If this is a posi- WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 70 YEARS died peacefully, confident tion you may feel God’s calling to, we would in her future with Jesus, on love to speak with you. Please contact Lisa at KUIPER, Dr. Julius & Arlene (Snoeyink) hope to April 16, 2021. Alice was 519-520-1220 or email bruceandlisavk@hot- celebrate their 70th wedding anniversary on predeceased by her hus- mail.com. Job description and church profile June 19, 2021. They were married when Julius band Arie Beeksma, and are available on the Portal. was on furlough from the Air Force in 1951. her son Harry. Her chil- They have had the privilege to work together dren: Jack (Mary), Clarence PASTOR - Maitland River Community Church in Christian education, World Missions, and a (Diane), Richard, (Judy), in Wingham, Ontario is seeking a full time Chaplaincy for the mentally disturbed. They Glenda (Bert), daughter in law Jill, as well as pastor. We are an active growing church that were blessed with three daughters: Gwynn her grandchildren (11) and great-grandchil- is passionate about reaching the lost and (Russ) Bult; Gayle (Kin) Vander Ark; Julie (Jim. dren (14), praise God for her devotion to Him, serving those in need. For more information for her gentle spirit and for her loving kind- write to [email protected] deceased) Schellenberg. Also six grandsons: Jef- frey, Matthew (deceased) Todd, Joseph, Grant, ness for all her family, friends and neighbours SOLE PASTOR POSITION AT MOLINE CRC, & Kevin, as well as eight great-grandchildren. far and wide. Alice was known for her many MOLINE MI For more information go to They reside at 2850 Valley Spring Dr, SE Caledo- years of volunteer work in her church and molinecrc.org, under announcements, Pastor nia, MI 49316. Great is God’s faithfulness! community. “Give thanks to the Lord for He is Position Information. good; his love endures forever!” Psalm 106: 1 LUBBEN, Vernon and Wilvina of 3853 Pember- Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral ser- Birthdays ton Dr. S.E. Grand Rapids, Mi 49508 will cel- vice is delayed to an undetermined date. Me- ebrate 70 years of marriage on June 12, 2021. morial donations to Timothy Christian School BIRTHDAY 80 YEARS They were blessed with 4 children, 8 grand- (Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada), World Re- REV. CALVIN VANDER MEYDEN will be cel- children and 2 great grandchildren, Praise new, or a charity of your choice would be ap- ebrating his 80th birthday on May 23. He has God from whom all blessings flow. preciated.

JUNE 2021 42 THEBANNER.ORG BRUXVOORT, Ralph died at home in Bloomer years. Also children Jerry (Ruby) Lanser, Vir- Wisconsin on March 23. Family and friends gil (Deb) Jansen, Milton (Mary) Lanser, Brent celebrated his life at an outdoor burial, where (Cheryl) Lanser. He is also survived by one Explore. we sang his favorite hymn, “I Love to Tell the brother, Marvin Lanser. They were of a family Story” and reflected on his favorite scripture, of 12 children. There are 12 living grandchil- “Rejoice in the Lord always.” He was preceded dren, and 28 great-grandchildren. Connect. in death by his wife of 55 years, Elaine (Vo- , Alfred, 91, of Berwyn, Army Veteran gel), his son Glenn, and infant son and grand- RISPENS of Korean War, went to be with his LORD on Experience. daughter. He is survived by his children Rhon- April 3rd, 2021. 1339 S. Gunderson Ave, Ber- da (Dan) Berg, Kristen (Glenn) Bruxvoort, wyn, IL 60402. Beloved husband of the late Ellen (Lonnie) Stephens, Joel (Barbara), Susan Judith nee Schilstra; loving father of Betty Jo (Ben) Lipscomb, sixteen grandchildren and Rispens, Dirk (Kristy) Rispens, Larry (Cindy) five great grandchildren. Rispens, and Laurajean (Shane Wells) Rispens; BURGHGRAEF, Fredric "Fritz", age 87 of Grand devoted grandfather of seven; great-grandfa- Rapids, MI, entered his heavenly home on ther of nine; fond brother of Phyllis (Dorn) Ja- April 1, 2021. He is survived by his wife of 62 baay, and the late Elaine (the late Herb) Mat- years, Janet (Smits); children: Kent (Debra), thews, and the late Evelyn (the late Charles) Dale (Sheryl), Gary (Melanie), Kaye, Curtis Ridder; uncle of many nieces and nephews. French Quarter, New Orleans (Wendy); 10 grandchildren and 10 great- Owner of D. Rispens Insurance Agency from 2021 GUIDED ITINERARIES: grandchildren." 1955 until his retirement in 2001. Alfred was also a former 8th Ward Alderman of Berwyn THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST: HOUTSMA TEVELDE, Margaret from 1963 until 1967 and a longtime active Na� onal Parks of Washington E., age 81, of Syracuse, member of Faith Christian Reformed Church Jul 22 – Jul 31 | John & Rachel Witt e Kansas went home to Jesus of Elmhurst, IL. Memorials to New To You, $ Refundable Deposit $ on Monday, April 19, 2021. 1700 Roosevelt Rd, Broadview, IL 60155, are Margaret was born in ADVENTURES IN SCANDINAVIA appreciated. Johannes & Lynda Witt e Artesia, CA. She was the Sep 8 – Sep 21 | first of nine children born STERENBERG, Dorothy, age $ Refundable Deposit $ to Harm and Zwaantina te 89 of Holland, passed away on April 26, 2021 at The Inn GREECE: SHINING THE LIGHT OF JESUS Velde. In 2002, Margaret Sep 16 – Sep 27 | Bill & Lyn Vanden Bosch wrote “The fingerprints of God put on me in at Freedom Village. Doro- my formative years by home, school and thy grew up in Chicago, and THE NETHERLANDS BY BIKE & BARGE church have blossomed. It is a blessing and a graduated from Chicago Sep 17 – Sep 25 | Kathy & John Korstange comfort to know that whate’er I do, where’er I Christian High School. She $ Refundable Deposit $ be, still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me. Ps 23. worked at Marshall Fields May I always be His faithful follower. MH”. for many years in Chicago. JOURNEY THROUGH THE LAND Jeff & Karen Blamer Margaret will be remembered by her family She and her husband John enjoyed spending Sep 19 – Oct 3 | as extraordinary. She is survived by her 6 many summer vacations on the Michigan POLAND: WALKING IN CHOPIN’S FOOTSTEPS lakeshore and fell in love with Holland, where children, 16 grandchildren, 2 great- Oct 13 – Oct 22 | Frances Nelson they would spend their retirement. She cher- grandchildren. Funeral services were held ished her time with her family, especially her April 30, 2021. Memorials to The Artevel A TASTE OF THE SOUTHERN STATES grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Doro- Oct 18 – Nov 2 | Johannes & Lynda Witt e Foundation sent in care of Fellers Funeral thy enjoyed her most recent years spent at Home PO Box 1253, Syracuse, KS 67878 are $ Refundable Deposit $ Freedom Village, where she made a number appreciated. of beloved friends. She was preceded in death 2022 GUIDED ITINERARIES: HOVING, Arnold, age 84, formerly of La- by her husband John, daughter Susan Steren- Following in the Footsteps of Jesus: Grange Highlands, IL, went home to be with berg, and sister Edith Ipema. She is survived ISRAEL & JORDAN the Lord, April 7, 2021. 106 East Traube Ave, by her sons: John Jr. and Jeannine Sterenberg, Mar 31 – Apr 12 | Dr. Jeff rey A.D. Weima Westmont IL 60559. Beloved husband of the Mark Sterenberg; 5 grandchildren; 4 great- grandchildren. The family will be gathering NETHERLANDS WATERWAY CRUISE late Lois Ruth Hoving, nee DeVries; loving Apr 15 – Apr 23 | Bruce & Judy Buursma father of Howard (Marla) Hoving, Jane (Ken- privately to honor Dorothy. Memorials in lieu neth) Meulink and June (Doug) Evenhouse; of flowers can be made to Reframe Ministries, ROME & THE AMALFI COAST cherished grandfather of Kristin (Pete) 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49508. Sep 24 – Oct 2 | Mindy Alexander & Eric Kuhn Hassett, Tim (Ruthie) Hoving, Heidi (Chris) Please visit www.lakeshorememorial.com to Hofstra, Bethany (Josh) Chavez; Karen leave a message or memory. SIGN UP TODAY! (Chris) Neumair, Jana (Aaron) Eding, Susan TRIEMSTRA, Dorothy J (Anema) 93 of Denver, www.wi� etours.com/banner (Nick) Vera; Angela Evenhouse (Amanda CO peacefully joined her Lord and Savior on Joynt), Ryan (Emily) Evenhouse and Sara LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE? April 2, 2021. Celebrating her life are children Evenhouse; dearest great-grandfather of Our Vacati on Consultants are eager to Robert and Grace; brother Peter (Jan) Anema; 16. Survived by sister Janet Huisenga, and help you get wherever you want to go! and numerous nieces, nephews and friends. sisters-in-laws Clara DeVries and Marilyn Visit www.witt etravel.com or call us DeVries. Memorials to Timothy Christian Dorothy was devoted to sharing the love of at (616) 942-5112 to get started. School are appreciated. Jesus. She had a gift for teaching and was em- ployed by Christian Schools in IL, MI, CO and LANSER, John W. was born in Sully, lowa May CA. “Mrs. T” taught in many programs at 1st 6, 1927. He was called to his eternal home CRC Denver. Memorial contributions to Red- March 14, 2021 at the age of 93 years. He is lands Christian Schools, 1st CRC Denver, or Grand Rapids, MI | 616.957.8113 survived by his wife Lois (Blom Jansen) of 63 Porter Hospice Foundation.

JUNE 2021 43 THEBANNER.ORG VANDERWALL, June (De wife, loving mother, grandmother, great BOERS’ TRANSFER & STORAGE, INC Offer- Jonge), age 94 of Lamont, grandmother, teacher, Bible study leader, ing professional moving services within Michigan passed into the friend and mentor. Please see https://heri- the United States and Canada. EXCELLENT CLERGY DISCOUNTS and an approved arms of her Lord on De- tagelifestory.com/obituaries/june-vander- mover for retired CRC clergy! 13325 Riley cember 16, 2020. She was wall.134233 for more about June’s life. A Street, Holland, MI; 1-800-433-9799 or 616- preceded in death by her Memorial Service/Celebration of Life has 399-2690 email: [email protected]; beloved husband Arnold been planned for July 10th, 2021 at 10:30 am, www.boerstransfer.com Agent for May- (Art). Her memory is cher- Lamont Christian Reformed Church, Lamont flower Transit, LLC. ished by her 5 children: Al- MI. A light luncheon will be provided after the service. Friends and family of June and of her bert (and Nyla), Phil (and Helen), Mark (and CARING FOR AGING family are cordially invited to attend. Dawn), Jamie (and Calvin Hofland) and Tom PARENTS? Visiting (and Kristy), 21 grandchildren, 19 great grand- Products and Services Angels has been pro- children, and brothers Vic (and Ruth) De Jonge viding in-home assist- and Vince (and Carol) De Young. June was ABSOLUTELY BEST PRICES paid for religious ed living for 15 years born in Prospect Park, New Jersey on April 12, books. Contact Credo Books, 1540 Pinnacle in West Michigan. 1926 to the late Henry and Jemima De Jonge. East SW, Wyoming, MI 49509, ph. (616) 249- Trish Borgdorff and She was a devoted Christian woman, loyal 9291. [email protected] her multitude of An- gels offer meal prep, light housekeeping, run errands, provide transportation to appoint- ments, and joyful companionship. Whether you need a few hours a day or up to 24-hour care for assisted independence in your home, call Visiting Angels at 616-243-7080.

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JUNE 2021 44 THEBANNER.ORG IN MY SHOES

Gripped

I am a person AS A PERSON WITH CEREBRAL PALSY, You infuse me with hope in the midst of I struggle daily with keeping up, fitting my despair. in, and pressing on. I need help daily who prays my You provide me peace in the midst of my with routine activities, such as wash- wondering, questing, and probing, my words will be ing my hair, fixing my meals, and tying wandering, adventure, and pilgrimage. my shoes. I need to be reminded daily used to help and of treasures in jars of clay. The power I can rest without knowing all the answers because you are near me. to live my everyday life is from God bless others. and not from me. I’m so glad God’s I can have confidence because you have Word comes to his people primarily as been faithful. You are faithful. You will a grace book and not a grade book. be faithful.

I am a person who loves words. I am You are the hope who doesn’t disappoint a person who prays my words will be me, even when my feelings fail, falter, used to help and bless others. Here is a and fall down flat. prayer I first wrote in 2011. The words I worship you, O Lord, for your contin- still apply now, a decade later. ued grace and abiding love, even when things are far from lovely and put Father God, together and organized. The ongoing I praise you again today for your omni- nature of your intimate presence is an science. I praise you for your omnipres- attribute worthy of my praise. ence. I thank you for your Spirit, who To you be all glory. enlivens, animates, and encourages. I praise you because even when I am You’ve got me in your grip. hidden away from the human eye, you are with me. You sustain, comfort, guide, and direct. You have sustained me, comforted me, guided me, and directed me for many long years.

I am grateful your presence with me doesn’t depend on my past or my current social status. You know me from the inside out. My human reputation waxes and wanes, soars and plummets. You are my solid rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.

I am secure in you.

I am supported by you.

Amie Spriensma lives I am equipped through your supreme in Allendale, Mich., power to endure and persist. where she is a member of Rusk CRC, a disabil- As your possession, formed by your ity advocate in Classis hand, I cannot flee from you—no Zeeland, and an online chaplain for Family Fire. matter what. She is an avid reader I could travel the greatest distance to the and coffee drinker who enjoys writing when remotest site on Earth and still be reach- the Spirit leads. able to you.

JUNE 2021 45 THEBANNER.ORG STILL

A Psalm on Time and Busyness

Today I am thankful and have to give praise

for time and the timeless and the shortness of days

and the fleetness of moments

and the myriad ways

I’m reminded to treasure this, now.

And today I am restful

but grateful for work

and most gratified that I know how.

Although leisure is lovely and always a perk,

there’s a joy in a job, one that pays

in one way or another; and therefore I bow

in gratitude, glad of reward

for the work I’d have done anyways

and for some I might not, feeling lazy

or afraid that I won’t do my best.

I give thanks for work done and work still left to do

and for chores that are daily

and danger to shirk,

and for tasks that compel or put me to the test

and will not leave my head

when I lie down to rest

and the ones I can easily, cleanly set down

at the ends of the busiest days

with a feeling of fullness,

more paid for than found,

that can make it a pleasure to laze.

And thank God for the way

that my work fills the day

and can keep pain away when I’m bleeding inside

or I’m burning for someone

or something I need

Jennifer Parker is a and need something that changes writer and teacher the passage of time from Mississippi currently based and the pull of its too-irresistible tide. in Guangdong Province, China.

JUNE 2021 46 THEBANNER.ORG Faith Alive’s most popular children’s ministry curriculum.

Created from a Reformed perspective, DWELL awakens kids’ imaginations to God’s ongoing story. It comes with easy-to-use leader resources, active and engaging lessons, and colorful story symbols that create visual timelines of events from the Bible.

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JUNE 2021 47 THEBANNER.ORG Simple Sessions for Complex Times

Available free to CRCs For these uncertain times in By Video: Whether pre-recorded children’s ministry, we’ve tailor- segments or live via video through Dwell Digital made 36 new stand-alone Dwell conference. sessions for use in a variety of situations to help make lesson At Church: If lower attendance planning a little easier. We call it requires you to combine into a Dwell Flex. multi-age class. Dwell Flex is...flexible! At Home: Send these easy lessons for families to do at home. These are simplified, single-page Dwell lesson plans that require no Dwell Flex sessions are available other materials and work within a now as part of a church’s Dwell wide range of ages and in multiple Digital subscription (and free to contexts, including: CRCs, thanks to ministry shares).

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