THE BANNER.ORG a Death a Funeral Without a Bible for Those Who Can’T Read

JULY/AUGUST 2020 THE BANNER.ORG A Death a Funeral Without A Bible for Those Who Can’t Read

Northern India: For 11 years, Pastor Kumar labored to build a church and had some success in an area where the vast majority of people have never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But when he received Talking Bibles to share with his non-reading church members, everything changed!

The Solar Talking Bible Everyone wants to listen to the Talking Bibles. The believers are Easy to use encouraged and new people are coming to follow Jesus like never Powerful speaker Solar powered before! People are now empowered and equipped to share God’s Word with others. Pastor Kumar says, “It’s like there was the time before the

DONATIONS FROM CANADA Talking Bible and there is the time after we received the Talking Bibles.” ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE THROUGH OUR WEBSITE! Talking Bibles can change a life, a family, a church, a community. Your partnership helps place Talking Bibles with non-readers who need to hear. Please, give the gift of God’s Word today.

Enhancing Trust “Accredited for special offerings” Talking Bibles International • www.talkingbibles.org JULY/AUGUST 2020 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_2020 June.indd 1 6/8/20 6:46 AM BREAKING BARRIERS BREAKING BARRIERS everybody belongs • everybody serves everybody belongs • everybody serves BREAKING BARRIERS everybody belongs • everybody serves BREAKING BARRIERS everybody belongs • everybody serves BREAKING BARRIERS everybody belongs • everybody serves

Summer 2020 A Bible for Those BREAKINGBARRIERS Who Can’t Read everybody belongs everybody serves Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder: Finding Hope Among Despair!

by Enrico Di Giandomenico FromBREAKING research and my work in training and supportingBARRIERS St. Francis Xavier Church, Stoney Creek ON caregivers who look after children, adolescents, and adults everybody with this disability, Ibelongs have found that caregivers, everybody serves either family or professional, need these four things: etal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) may be the leading cause of developmental delay in Training, training, and more training to really children and adults. Individuals with this lifelong understand this disability and to stay on top of all the F disability likely will require support throughout latest developments. their entire lives. This disability happens along a spectrum, sometimes being Support and coaching by someone who so mild that it is never recognized and understands the disability to provide sometimes resulting in behavioral, caregivers with reminders that this is part cognitive, and developmental delays. of the disability and to give best practice Because this disability has no cure, ideas. changes need to come from the supporting environment rather than Respite and/or relief. To be successful, from the individuals themselves. individuals with FASD need a stable and supportive living situation. To provide I have found three areas to be most that, caregivers require a few hours important for caregivers to pay regularly toBARRIERS clear themselves of the daily BREAKING BARRIERS BREAKING Northern India: For 11 years, Pastor Kumar labored to build a church attention to. The first is the difference stress and, at times, a weekend break to between the individual’s chronological serves regenerateeverybody • themselves forbelongs the day-to-day everybody serves everybody • belongs everybody and had some success in an area where the vast majority of people have age vs. their developmental living requirements. functioning. Typically, the individual never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But when he received Talking with FASD functions at half of their Grief and loss counseling. Caregivers have chronological age until the age of 18, at dreams and desires for our children. As Bibles to share with his non-reading church members, everything Enrico Di Giandomenico, Private which point they level off and remain Consultant-FASD we come to understand this disability and consistent. As we set our expectations learn of the limitations for our children, changed! of them, we need to keep this in mind. we may need support in accepting and BARRIERS BREAKING adjusting our desires for the children andserves adults that everybody • belongs everybody The Solar Talking Bible The second common feature is a delay in the speed we care for. Everyone wants to listen to the Talking Bibles. The believers are with which they process information. Once we ask Easy to use encouraged and new people are coming to follow Jesus like never them to complete a task, we need to give them 10 to In closing, I want to encourage, reassure, and give Powerful speaker 30 seconds to process that request so that they can hope to caregivers and those who are supporting before! People are now empowered and equipped to share God’s Word more effectively complete it. individuals with this disability. WhileBARRIERS the road is long, BREAKING Solar powered difficult, andserves lonely at times, thereeverybody • is great opportunitybelongs everybody with others. Pastor Kumar says, “It’s like there was the time before the The third common feature are the delays in their for success for our loved ones with FASD. Given the executive functioning and daily adaptive living skills. proper environment and supports from their team, Talking Bible and there is the time after we received the Talking Bibles.” While studies have shown that individuals with FASD they can grow to have full, happy, and successfully DONATIONS FROM CANADA are able to learn throughout their lifetime, they may interdependent lives. To all of the caregivers and ARE TAX-DEDUCTIBLE struggle in taking that learning and using it to help support people, thank you for all the hard work that BARRIERS BREAKING them in their day-to-day living. serves everybody • belongs everybody THROUGH OUR WEBSITE! Talking Bibles can change a life, a family, a church, a community. Your you do in supporting individuals with FASD. partnership helps place Talking Bibles with non-readers who need to hear. Please, give the gift of God’s Word today. More online Find a link to the rest of our summer edition, back issues of Breaking Barriers, editions in Español and in 한국어, and a BARRIERS BREAKING link for electronic subscription at our website (www.crcna.org/disability). Enhancing Trust serves everybody belongs everybody “Accredited for Thanks for reading this excerpt from the summer 2020 Breaking Barriers. This newsletter and the Disability Concerns special offerings” blog (network.crcna.org/disability), co-published by CRC and Reformed Church in American Disability Concerns Ministries, received two awards from the Associated Church Press this year: Best in Class, Award of Merit for Talking Bibles International • www.talkingbibles.org Breaking Barriers and for the blog. BARRIERS BREAKING JULY/AUGUST 2020 3 serves everybody THEBANNER.ORG belongs everybody 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_2020 June.indd 1 6/8/20 6:46 AM VOLUME 155, NUMBER 7

BY THE NUMBERS WHAT’S ONLINE FEATURES

The 2020 ministerial candidates (p. 46) Looking for more? Here are just a few of the are the most diverse yet—at least since stories you’ll find online at TheBanner.org. 2008 when demographic data was first (Try typing the headlines into the collected. Figures below represent ethnic search box.) minorities and women as a percentage of Ontario Church’s Community Food the total number of candidates. » Drive Sparked by the Spirit Progress Toward Diversity » Michigan Residents Worship from Their Balconies on Ascension Day 10 2020 » Churches Differ on Celebrating 2010-2019 8 Communion Online Combating Anti-Semitism Book: Cross Shadow by Andrew Huff 2008-2009 17 » Doug Bratt // Faithfulness to the gospel Audiobook: As Bright As Heaven by » requires we speak out against all forms of Susan Meissner injustice. » TV: Sweet Magnolias (Netflix)

Hope for the Politically Hopeless The Banner has teamed up with the Centre for Public Justice to release a series of articles online exploring the divisiveness of our times. Look for the articles online at TheBanner.org/political-home. 12

The Other 6: Baptisms and Birthdays Judy Ash // As the church, we are the intergenerational family of God.

A Death Without A Funeral Gayla Postma // What do you do when you lose someone, but not to death?

Cover: Steven was an average 2-year-old. In March of 1987, that child disappeared.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 4 THEBANNER.ORG CONTENTS

NEWS OUR SHARED MINISTRY Editor Kristen deRoo VanderBerg, 16 2020: The Synod That Wasn’t Director of CRCNA Communications and Marketing 21 Ministry Share Changes to Begin in 2022

22 Talking to Pastors After George Floyd’s Death

24 Pandemic Posts: Photos of COVID-19 Creativity

COLUMNS

7 Editorial: Speak Out Against Racism 42 Shiao Chong // In the name of Jesus, we are called to care. Why Church Matters 8 Faith Matters: Who Is My Neighbor? Cassie Westrate // Church is a living illustration of an alter- Thomas Beck // Our loyalty is not to anything but Jesus Christ. native life.

15 Cross Examination: Are Ancient Bible Stories 46 The View from Here: Church Matters Still Relevant? Colin Watson // We are the church. Mike Wagenman // We need to read them as they are intended to be read.

32 Candidates for Ministry: What Really Counts? David Koll // The 2020 ministerial candidates are the most diverse yet.

36 Discover: Breathe Rachel Lancashire // All animals need oxygen to live, but not all animals have lungs.

37 Mixed Media: Tech Less and Talk More The Banner is the magazine of the Christian Reformed Church Ann Byle // A writer play-tests a new game designed to build relationships. Editor Shiao Chong Associate Editor Sarah Delia Heth 39 Mixed Media: Stories for the Youngest News Editors Alissa Vernon, Gayla R. Postma Booklovers Mixed Media Editor Lorilee Craker Lorilee Craker // A special summer reading section especially Art Director Dean R. Heetderks for children. Designer Pete Euwema

Contact Us 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids MI 49508-1407 [email protected] 55 Still: Too Loud Address Changes and Subscriptions 800-777-7270 or visit TheBanner.org Rod Hugen // The phone was on speaker. Classified Advertising 616-224-0725 [email protected] Display Advertising 616-224-5882 [email protected] Editorial 616-224-0824 [email protected] News [email protected] If you haven’t given to The Banner Published monthly (except August). Periodicals postage paid at Grand Rapids, Mich. yet, please consider using the Postmaster, send address changes to: The Banner, 1700 28th Street SE, Grand Rapids MI enclosed envelope. Or give online at 49508-1407. Canadian publications mail agreement #40063614. Return undeliverable TheBanner.org/Donate. Thank you! 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. 155, No. 7, 2020. SUPPORT THE BANNER Member of Associated Church Press and Evangelical Press Association.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 5 THEBANNER.ORG We’re Counting on You! The Banner is a journalistic ministry that impacts lives. But we can’t do this without your financial support. This year, our campaign goal is $450,000.

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JULY/AUGUST 2020 6 THEBANNER.ORG

38253 Banner Donation Ad.indd 1 6/17/20 3:33 PM EDITORIAL Speak Out Against Racism

I join MY WIFE AND I were still newlyweds black lives, and in Canada Indigenous when we were in downtown Hamilton, lives too, many are speaking up that chorus Ont. As we were filing into a crowded against racism, including the CRC (p. elevator, a white man pushed me and 20). And I join that chorus in support of in support of said, “Out of my way, Chink!” Later, as black and Indigenous lives. I reached forward to press the button Black and Indigenous people are made for my floor, saying, “Excuse me,” black and in God’s image and deserve justice and he said: “There’s no excuse for you, equal treatment from individuals and Chink!” My wife, who is white, was Indigenous institutions. The CRC’s 1996 Synodical stunned. I didn’t know what to do. I Report, God’s Diverse and Unified had never experienced such blatant lives. Family, states that racism is a sin and racism before. Sure, I had experienced “may manifest itself interpersonally as the occasional drive-by “Go home” well as institutionally.” before, but never so in-my-face. All the way up the ride, I wondered if I Yet there are counter-voices among should say something. I was afraid to Christians who deny systemic confront the man. I also didn’t want racism; or who counter “black lives to be the angry minority person. My matter” with “all lives matter.” These Chinese upbringing emphasized Christians may be well-meaning, but peace, harmony, and self-effacement. I want them to know these actions are Everyone hurriedly streamed out of hurtful to most people of color, espe- the elevator when the doors opened, cially to black and Indigenous folks. ending an excruciatingly silent ride. I don’t have space here to argue for That overall silence from everyone systemic racism or fully explain why else made me, the only person of color saying “all lives matter” in response in that elevator ride, feel alone and is misguided. But can you imagine if I added to my self-doubts. I wonder now had spoken out in that elevator many if the silence to his first racial slur years ago, and, instead of support, the only emboldened the man to make his others started denying, “Oh, I didn’t second one. In hindsight, I probably hear a racial slur”? Or if they said, “You should have said something, firmly should be careful not to hurt his feel- but politely. But I was young, inexperi- ings; his feelings are important too”? enced, and unprepared. I would have been re-traumatized by the bystanders. And I believe that Shiao Chong is editor- In his article, “Combating Anti- is what many black and Indigenous in-chief of The Banner. Semitism,” Doug Bratt writes about He attends Fellowship people experience when they encoun- Christian Reformed how silence in the face of anti-Semi- ter such responses and denials to their Church in Toronto, Ont. tism is dangerous because silence cries for justice and equality. This protects and enables hatred and happens every time they cry out. Spanish and Korean violence to flourish (p. 10). Bratt urges translations of this People of color experience racial editorial are available Christians to speak out against anti- trauma from generations, or at least at TheBanner.org. Semitic racism. Indeed, out of love for God and neighbor, we have a duty to a lifetime, of racism. Such denials are 이 기사의 한글번역은 speak out against any form of racism. re-traumatizing many of them. TheBanner.org/korean . So, for Christ’s sake, please 에서 보실 수 있습니다 In the wake of senseless deaths of give a care. Este artículo está black Americans—George Floyd, disponible en español en Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor— TheBanner.org/spanish. and the global wave of protests for

JULY/AUGUST 2020 7 THEBANNER.ORG FAITH MATTERS Who Is My Neighbor?

Time after time, THIS YEAR, I taught in a sixth- The word “neighbor” had specific grade classroom that started the connotations for Jewish people. When Jesus converses beginning of the year divided. Some the expert in the law brings it up as of my students had spent the past an answer to how to receive eternal with those few years in the same classrooms life (Luke 10:25-27), he is referenc- and the same schools, and some ing a law from Leviticus 19:18: “Do not different from him were new to the school or even the seek revenge or bear a grudge against district. Immediately the conflict was anyone among your people, but love and breaks down felt in our learning community. It your neighbor as yourself. I am the felt as though every few hours I was Lord.” The Hebrew word used for political, ethnic, hosting discussions between groups “neighbor” in this verse is rea, which of students, or even the whole class, many at the time interpreted to mean cultural, and about the conflict that was occurring. a neighbor that looks like you—more More often than not, when we got to of a friend or someone you know than religious barriers the root of the problem it was, “They a stranger or someone just geographi- don’t know me; they aren’t one of us.” cally close. It came to be interpreted using care, praise, that your rea was your fellow Israelite, It would be an understatement to say not that guy you wave to when you the Jewish people and the Samaritan and conversation. take the trash out and have no other people in Jesus’ time had a conten- interaction with. The young lawyer tious relationship. Going back to the would have assumed this definition divisions of the tribes of Israel, geopo- when he asked Jesus who his neigh- litical differences divided the two bor was, and we can see that when peoples—this despite the fact that the verse says “but he wanted to both came from the same people that justify himself” at the beginning of wandered the desert together, claimed his question. The lawyer had probably the same God as their Father, and were followed the letter of the law by treat- all children of Israel. Long after the ing his fellow Israelites well his whole Israelites had settled in the promised life. The expert in the law assumed all land, Assyria conquered most of the he needed to do was treat well those northern kingdom and proceeded to who look like him, talk like him, and bring in people from other nations. act like him in order to follow the law This resulted in intermarrying and and therefore achieve salvation. children of mixed descent who would become the Samaritan people. In one little parable, Jesus informs the Shortly after this, the Jewish people lawyer and us that our neighbor, our were exiled from Judea courtesy of rea, is not only one who is like us. The Nebuchadnezzar II. Upon returning hatred between Jews and Samaritans to rebuild Jerusalem, an “Us vs. Them” was deep, even to the point of mentality took hold for a variety of complete non-association (John 4:9). reasons. Sprinkle in some temple Jesus is sending a clear message by destruction and desecration, and you having an injured Jew on the road and Thomas Beck is have yourself a full-blown feud. So a Samaritan there to help him physi- a middle school when Jesus tells the “expert in the law” cally and financially without question teacher in Michigan and is a member that a Samaritan is his neighbor to be of repayment. He is making it clear of the Christian loved as himself, it shakes his whole that no division can get in the way of Reformed Church. worldview. loving your neighbor as yourself.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 8 THEBANNER.ORG FAITH MATTERS

I think it is safe to say that in today’s He consistently meets people where freeing a murderer or the Son of God, world this parable is just as applicable they are and works on relationships let the hate in their hearts demand as it was 2,000 years ago. Whether peacefully, calmly, and with love. that the greatest act of evil in human between Republicans and Democrats history should take place. Let us look Now, it might be easy to say, “Of course or Vikings and Packers fans, there is so toward the example of the bloody, we would assist a bruised and bleed- much division nowadays it seems like beaten man carrying a cross up a hill ing man on the side of the road regard- a never-ending culture war is raging to die, and not to the crowd demand- less of their political or religious in the hearts and minds of most of our ing malice and retribution toward beliefs.” Maybe I am being naive, but society. People draw lines concern- that which challenged their beliefs I believe most people would call an ing who they support and who they and comfort. ambulance, wait with that person, and despise quickly and without reserva- do what they could to keep them alive. Love your neighbor, your rea. Love tion. A single trip to a comment section Oddly enough, it might be harder for everyone you come in contact with as on Facebook regarding anything politi- most of us to have a calm discussion Jesus would have loved them. cal makes you feel as though you are about a variety of topics than to assist wandering through a virtual battle- someone dying on the side of the road. ground. Many times it breaks my heart to see Christians engaging in I am just as guilty as the next person hostile rhetoric as though their lives of choosing to love my neighbor, my depend on it. rea, conditionally, choosing instead to throw stones at those across the The fact of the matter is that Jesus divide from me on a given issue. Jesus, aggressively challenged those within however, sets a clear example of what the church far more than those is expected. He builds bridges with the outside of it. He flipped tables in stones that might have been thrown, temples (Matt. 21:12) and confronted connects as people and not as enemies, religious leaders (Luke 11:37–54, Matt. and creates healthy and produc- 23:1–39) when he saw those of faith tive dialogue. doing what was antithetical to his word. Meanwhile, those who did not At the end of the day, it is not Donald look like him, did not believe what he Trump or Joe Biden to whom you are did, or were historically enemies of loyal. It is not a political party, a sports his nationality were treated gently. He team, or a church building that defines has a conversation with a Samaritan how you treat others. It is Christ, who woman at a well (John 4) and heals willingly got up on a cross for people a Roman centurion’s servant (Luke who did not believe in him, for people 7) and lepers (Luke 17). He heals a who, when given the choice between Canaanite woman’s daughter (Matt. 15), doesn’t condemn a woman about to be stoned (John 8), and so much more. Time after time, Jesus converses with those different from him and breaks down political, ethnic, cultural, and religious barriers using care, praise, and conversation. He does not condemn and rebuke those who have sinned, does not throw Scripture at those who do not share his faith, and does not hate those who are different.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 9 THEBANNER.ORG Combating Anti-Semitism

By Doug Bratt

remember little about my visit between 1935 and 1946. I wished to States. Many powerful voices clam- as a 12-year-old to Germany’s learn whether they had preached ored to limit the admittance of Jews Dachau Concentration Camp about the Holocaust as it was unfold- fleeing Europe, and those voices would Memorial Site. But I will ing. I hoped to discover that those have undoubtedly drowned out any never forget the silence of my ministers had publicly preached that called for love and acceptance of parents and grandfather who against its atrocities. their Jewish neighbors. visited it with my sister and me. That I After all, prominent newspapers But faithfulness to the gospel requires silence stretched out for what felt to and radio broadcasts were not silent that Christians speak out against all me like hours. about the Holocaust. They repeatedly forms of injustice and unrighteous- I have observed similar silence during wrote about the Nazis’ persecution ness—even if others ignore or drown subsequent visits to Holocaust sites of Jews. Even some Christian maga- out those voices. The Washington such as Germany’s Buchenwald zines and newspapers shared reports Metro Area Transit Authority has Memorial and Ukraine’s monument of the horrors Europe’s Jews were for some time run a campaign with to Jews massacred in Babi Yar outside experiencing. the slogan “If you see something, say Kiev. I have also heard silence settle something.” It is a call to riders to be However, very few of the nearly over visitors to the United States vigilant about both real and potential 200 American Protestant sermons Holocaust Memorial Museum. threats to other riders’ well-being. I reviewed even mentioned the Such silence in the face of the Holocaust. While a few preachers Those who would combat anti-Semi- Holocaust’s horrors is appropriate. wrote about that suffering, they said tism might adopt the same slogan: However, silence in the face of the virtually nothing about it in their “If you see something, say some- anti-Semitism that triggered that sermons. This admittedly tiny sample thing.” After all, love for both God genocide is inexcusable and persis- size suggests that American Protestant and our neighbors compels God’s tent. Such silence is, in fact, dangerous preachers were largely silent in the people to speak up and out when given that under its protection both face of Jewish persecution. others are harming, threatening, or hatred and violence, products of anti- even attempting to intimidate those Of course, it would be an exercise in Semitism, flourish. neighbors. fantasy to imagine that preachers’ While I was on sabbatical leave, I sermons could have stemmed the tide Nearly all of us have seen, heard, or reviewed the sermons of 12 American of anti-Semitism that characterized so read about recent acts of anti-Semitic Protestant pastors who preached much of the mid-20th century United violence. In the past year attackers

JULY/AUGUST 2020 10 THEBANNER.ORG have murdered Jews in Pennsylvania Yet, as we wait and pray for their salva- and New Jersey simply because they tion, we treat Jewish people and their were Jewish. While those attacks have Faithfulness faith with respect. As we cultivate been reported, silence sometimes relationships with them, we deliber- hangs over other acts of anti-Semitic to the gospel ately view them as people God creates violence and harassment, such as the in God’s image. We seek to learn more use of racial slurs and expressions of requires about their faith and its nuances. We racial stereotypes. pray and work for Jewish people’s well-being. Christians can begin to combat such that Christians anti-Semitism by keeping ourselves Luke’s account of Jesus’ parable of the aware of its manifestations. We must speak out against Good Samaritan may help to shape our pay close attention to media reports relationships with our Jewish neigh- of acts of anti-Semitism and not allow all forms of injus- bors and fight anti-Semitism. One of ourselves to become desensitized to Jesus’ contemporaries wishes to iden- casual anti-Semitic racism. Not only tice and unrigh- tify the neighbors whom God calls him must Christians maintain awareness to love. Jesus instead teaches him how of anti-Semitism, we also have the teousness—even to be a neighbor. duty to speak out when we read about, In the parable we learn a great hear of, and especially witness it. if others ignore or deal about Jesus through the Good We must speak out against those acts drown out those Samaritan’s sacrificial care for the with our family members, friends, assaulted traveler representing each co-workers and neighbors. Pastors and voices. of us. Jesus also teaches his follow- other church leaders also are obligated ers much about our own care for our to seek ways to publicly condemn “traveling” neighbors. For centuries such acts. people have brutalized and left for dead countless “travelers” who are At the same time, Christians ought to Yet Jews and Christians sometimes Jewish. Christians have found many actively look for ways to cultivate rela- silently walk past each other, so a local reasons to pass them by on the other tionships with Jewish people. While rabbi’s outreach to me as a pastor was side of the road. we differ on some extremely impor- a marvelous grace. We have for a few tant tenets of our faith, Jews and years periodically met to talk about But Jesus summons his followers to Christians share both a conviction many things. While standing near respond to God’s amazing grace not by of our creation in God’s image and a his son’s playpen in his study in their passing by, but by ministering to them. commitment to the Old Testament’s synagogue, we discussed challenges God invites Christians to respond to testimony to God’s covenantal busy clergy face in trying to be good anti-Semitism by actively and even faithfulness. spouses and parents. self-sacrificially caring for our Jewish neighbors, who have been the victims Of course, while Jewish people are The rabbi treated me to my first deli- of so much violence. Christians’ neighbors, some of them cious breakfast of a bagel with smoked are not our nearby neighbors. Some salmon and cream cheese. He invited Jesus’ followers long for our Jewish Christians don’t live, work, or shop me to a screening of a film about the neighbors to share space with us not near Jewish people. Even when Holocaust where he proudly intro- only in the body of Christ, but in the Christians and Jews are neighbors, we duced me as his friend to members of new creation. Until that day, we must don’t always have much contact with his synagogue. We have also promised faithfully respond to God’s call us to each other. to pray for each other. love them the way God loves us.

However, Christians who do have Of course, any interfaith activity is Rev. Doug Bratt is a pastor nearby Jewish neighbors can combat always fraught with hazards. The of the Silver Spring anti-Semitism by developing closer elephant in the room with most of Christian Reformed Church relationships with them. I live, work, our Jewish neighbors is our radically in Silver Spring, Md. He has and worship in a neighborhood in different understanding of the person been an ordained minister in the Christian Reformed which many Jewish people live and and role of Jesus Christ. Since we long Church for nearly 33 years. worship. In fact, Jewish people walk for God to make room for our Jewish past our church and our home on neighbors in the new creation, we also their way to various activities in their long for them to receive God’s grace synagogues. through faith in Jesus Christ.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 11 THEBANNER.ORG THE OTHER 6 Baptisms and Birthdays

As the church, A Birthday have all been there, but his family by It was my oldest son’s 16th birthday, the blood of Christ was, and it felt like we are the and I was having all kinds of emotions every one of them stood in line after about it. Not only was Brody another the service waiting to welcome Brody intergenerational year older—and another foot taller, it into their church family. seemed—but he was getting his driv- As I thought about that weekend, I family of God—all er’s license that week. He had his first thought about all the relationships girlfriend. His shoulders were starting Brody enjoyed with the people who ages, in one place, to look like full-grown man shoulders, stood in that line. Images flooded my and he had started shaving. He was mind—images of dropping Brody off doing life together. growing at lightning speed, and my in the nursery, of his Sunday school mom-heart couldn’t keep up. teachers and his Cadet leaders. Images It was also a Sunday morning. As we of people buying Brody’s pizzas for sat in church waiting for the worship school fundraisers, of congregation service to begin, Brody passed a nudge members watching him in the school down the pew through his siblings to play, helping him with his animals get my attention. He was pointing at at the county fair, cheering for him something in the bulletin. I scanned at football games, bringing meals for the pages of my own bulletin, and I him and his dad when his little broth- knew it when I saw it: we were baptiz- ers and sister were born. These were ing a little boy named Brody during also the same people who stood in line the service. I gave my Brody a nod to congratulate him when he made and a smile as my mind started whirl- profession of faith. Each of those rela- ing with memories of his baptism 15 tionships has affected his outlook years earlier. on life and what it means to live out his faith. A Baptism We planned Brody’s baptism for when Our Promises Are the ‘Why’ he was 8 months old so my family Families are, by definition, intergener- could all be there. My parents came, as ational. And as the church, we are the did my three sisters with their fami- intergenerational family of God—all lies. One of my sisters, an ordained ages, in one place, doing life together. pastor, would baptize Brody, and Most churches are quite diligent to another sister would sing a special make sure people of all ages have a song I had found. It was going to be a place within their congregation. Just very special day for our family. And think about all the programs churches then the stomach flu hit. One by one, put together for children, youth, and the cousins and in-laws all got sick. adults. We want people to feel like they have a place in the church. We By the time Sunday morning rolled want them to stay with us, be a part of around, there weren’t very many Trudy Ash is a regional God’s family, grow in their faith, and catalyzer for Faith family members who could make it to bless others. Formation Ministries. the service. But as my husband and I She lives in Milaca, stood in front of the church and made But there’s intergenerational ministry Minn., with her our promises and then listened to the and there’s an intergenerational mind- husband and four kids. They attend Pease CRC promises of the congregation, I real- set. Both need to be present for the in Pease, Minn. ized Brody’s blood family might not church to thrive.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 12 THEBANNER.ORG THE OTHER 6 Photo by Yoann Boyer/Unsplash

Intergenerational ministry is about and his family. As I looked around the denomination. The question I believe the programs and procedures we room, the tears came as I saw many of every church should be asking is implement in our churches to help the same faces who had promised to this: Are these relationships happen- every generation grow in faith and love my Brody now promising to love ing because of an intergenerational service. An intergenerational mind- this new little Brody as they had prom- program, or because our congrega- set is a way of doing life with other ised to so many other of God’s children tion operates out of an intergenera- generations that just comes naturally over the years. tional mindset? Are we living out of and happens with or without an event the baptism promises we make, or are What a picture of belonging! And or program. we just going through the motions of these people were not just doing lip programs and events? As I sat in church watching the service. They were promising to get to baptism of another Brody, I saw an know these families in personal and Both the ministry and the mindset are intergenerational mindset being supportive ways. I doubt they refer needed. Programs and events are what promised to this little boy through the to it as having an intergenerational bring generations together and give congregation’s baptism promises: mindset—they just call it love. But it is opportunity for relationships to start very clear to me that Brody’s church and grow. But the mindset is what “We promise to love, encourage, and family knows him. And my Brody sustains the relationships between the support these brothers and sisters by knows them, too. He is at home in this events and what encourages care and teaching the gospel of God’s love, by building, with these people. He feels support outside the church building. being an example of Christian faith safe. He feels accepted. He knows he Later that week, Brody passed his and character, and by giving the strong belongs and he knows he is loved. driver’s test, and he didn’t leave home support of God’s family in fellowship, forever. He went on his first official prayer, and service.” It hit me that I had spent the past 16 years watching God work out date with his girlfriend, and he came Those promises are the “why” behind his promises to Brody within and home afterward. That is what we each church program we organize through this beautiful family we call want for our kids. We want them to be and each event we put together. More our church, and it wouldn’t end now part of a family where they feel they importantly, they’re the “why” behind that he was 16. This family of God will belong so they come back home even each story of care and support that continue to shape who Brody is and when they have the freedom to leave. happens outside of our programs. how he views the church for the rest of Thank you, Pease Christian Reformed his life. People of all generations have Church, for giving my Brody a place A Place to Belong poured themselves into his life, and to belong. On the Sunday morning of baby he will be stronger in his faith and his Brody’s baptism and my Brody’s 16th commitment to Christ because of it. birthday, I stood up with my church family, people of all generations, and An Intergenerational Mindset promised to love, encourage, and There are beautiful stories of genera- support someone else’s little Brody tions doing life together all over our

JULY/AUGUST 2020 13 THEBANNER.ORG Conﬁdently support your local church and other ministries in ways that increase your Kingdom impact.

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psalms resources Calvin Institute of Christian Worship worship.calvin.edu

JULY/AUGUST 2020 14 THEBANNER.ORG CROSS EXAMINATION Are Ancient Bible Stories Still Relevant?

He read Genesis 1— ONE DAY A BIOLOGY PROFESSOR at theists/believers) are profoundly inter- my university emailed me to ask if ested in these ancient biblical stories for the first time in I was familiar with Genesis. “That’s even if we don’t share the same view of odd,” I thought. I replied that I was, and Scripture’s authority or inspiration. I’d be happy to talk about it with him. his life—and when he Especially so with the most ancient I remember our first meeting vividly. We stories, the Bible invites us into a (pre- finished there were chatted over coffee about what gave rise scientific) world that is multilayered, to his interest in Genesis. He explained richly textured, and existentially tears streaming down that each year he has Christian students impactful. When we allow Scripture who challenge him with their under- to dig deep into our imaginations, it his face. standing of Genesis. He explained that can reveal things about ourselves, he’d never read Genesis, and as an athe- about our world, and about life that we ist he was reluctant to do so. But he didn’t would never encounter by more didac- feel he could engage in those discussions tic or rational means. because of his lack of personal engage- The more secular voices in society ment with Genesis. today seem to be under the impression I gave him a Bible and told him we that the Bible is on its way to obscurity could read it together and discuss it in the modern world. It’s almost as if if he wanted. He read Genesis 1—for some believe the Bible is outdated and superstitious, while science gives us a the first time in his life—and when he more solid way of thinking. finished there were tears streaming down his face. “That’s the most beauti- But one of the greatest cultural ful thing I’ve ever read,” he said. phenomena over the past couple of years has been a relatively unknown Can we still read the oldest stories in Canadian university professor reflect- the Bible today? Of course we can! But ing on the psychological significance we need to read them as they were of the ancient biblical stories. Those intended to be read. The oldest stories videos have been viewed many in the Bible were not written from a millions of times and have sparked a scientific perspective, and when we general interest in the persistent rele- force them to operate that way they vance of the Bible for life today. become dull, flat, and simplistic. But if we read them as ancient wisdom that The reason for the surprisingly high probes the deepest metaphysical ques- level of curiosity among unbelievers is tions of existence, they come alive with the same as that of the biology profes- dynamic and imaginative power that sor who emailed me out of the blue one opens up all kinds of conversations. day. That email turned into a yearlong series of weekly meetings of reading Mike Wagenman is the Since the dawn of the Enlightenment Christian Reformed and discussing together the opening 11 and the scientific revolution, campus minister and a chapters of Genesis—words he’d never professor of theology Christians have mistakenly felt that read before. at Western University the only way to retain the author- in London, Ont., and ity of Scripture is to make Scripture When we finished with Genesis, we a part-time New fit into a scientific paradigm of what moved on to Mark’s gospel. In the Testament instruc- counts as truth. But in my experience end, it was the oldest stories in the tor at Redeemer Bible that opened the door to this biol- University College. He of bearing witness to the gospel on a attends Forest City public university campus, contempo- ogy professor’s conversion to faith Community Church. rary people (atheists, agnostics, and in Jesus.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 15 THEBANNER.ORG Overview 2020: The Synod That Wasn’t

SYNOD 2020 NEWS

Meeting on behalf of Synod 2020 to conduct the business of the church deemed necessary 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.

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 » 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 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- 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 200 delegates and all its ups and downs, modified laying on of hands. 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

Conducting the business of the church disadvantages were mitigated in part that the officers of Synod 2019 decided by the fact that the (Council) members 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.” by the oddness of it all. Not a Rubber Stamp 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, But that didn’t mean it all passed easily. synod veteran from Classis Thornapple 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

JULY/AUGUST 2020 16 THEBANNER.ORG SYNOD 2020 NEWS

not to rubber-stamp previous (Council) Governance decisions,” he said. “We discussed and The Council decided to continue moving carefully weighed each item of business, ahead with restructuring the gover- taking into consideration overtures and nance of the CRC along U.S. and Canadian communications that we received from lines despite a protest from two Ontario classes and individuals.” churches (p. 21). “It certainly would have A case in point was the plan for recogniz- been good to have synod speak into ing the 25th anniversary of the ordination the vexing and complicated process of restructuring,” De Vries said. “But that of women in the CRC (p. 19). The plan was wasn’t to be this year.” initially proposed back in February and recommended by the Council to Synod The Council also continued the work 2020. However, the plan was scaled down of previous synods in identifying and significantly when Council was acting on preventing abuse of power by leaders. It behalf of Synod 2020, in order to be sensi- approved a mandatory training program Emmett Harrison: It’s time to lament, tive to people who hold a different bibli- for all those entering vocational minis- repent, and repair.” cal interpretation of the role of women in try in the CRC, candidates, pastors from other denominations, and commissioned the church. lament, repent, and repair,” said Emmett pastors (p. 22). De Vries said changing the Council’s own Harrison. “If we only mourn, we go nowhere,” said Sheila Holmes (p. 21). proposal isn’t as strange as it might seem. Holmes felt the Council overstepped its boundaries in including commissioned “When synod meets, it almost always Several CRC leaders had issued a state- pastors, noting that commissioned tweaks and adjusts the recommenda- ment online June 4. The Council issued its pastors are in the purview of classes. tions of the Council of Delegates.” That is own resolution, but only after fractious how the system is supposed to work, he Other Matters debate (p. 20). said, whether synod meets or not. The Council confirmed the appointment Hoping for a Return to Normal On the other hand, Sheila Holmes, Classis of Colin Watson as interim executive All the delegates who spoke with The Hackensack, yet another synod veteran, director for the coming year. Watson Banner are hoping for a return to a was not in favor of some of the actions was appointed acting executive director normal synod next year. the Council took. “There were things (for after the abrupt resignation of former which) I felt the church needed to hear executive director Steven Timmermans. Sparks said it is much better to meet from a much broader voice than the Timmermans was granted emeritation as in person with four-person delega- (Council),” she said. executive director. tions from each classis. “The fellowship and conversations among delegates at The Council approved Back To God Ministry Shares ‘normal’ synods are important for bridge- Ministries International’s request to building between agencies/ministries The Council approved immediate imple- change its name to ReFrame Ministries: and the classes of the CRC,” he said. mentation of the Reimagining Ministry God’s Story, Today’s Media. Shares program that will see churches Koopmans said the special meeting of the pledging support for shared denomi- Struggling with Racism Council went very well. “But I dare say it national ministries instead of being The struggle with racism going on all over left most of us longing for a return to the assessed a specific ministry share North America and around the world also broader and more public venue of busi- amount per member after denomina- came to the Council. Delegates took part ness as usual at synod!” in a time of lament over what is happen- tional budgets are already created (p. 21). —Gayla R. Postma, news editor Although it was adopted in principle by ing, hearing challenging words from two Synod 2019, several delegates advised delegates who are black. “It’s time to holding off for a year, noting that many classis meetings (regional groups of churches) that would have considered the report were canceled due to COVID-19.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 17 THEBANNER.ORG SYNOD 2020 NEWS Leadership CRC Candidates for Ministry CRC Governance Get Virtual Send-off Restructure Continues

With Synod 2020 canceled, candidates approved for ministry in the At its special June meeting, the Christian Reformed Church’s Christian Reformed Church did not get the usual send-off ceremony, Council of Delegates decided to continue the work of traditionally a highlight of the annual synod. governance restructuring despite a protest from two Ontario congregations. Instead, the Council of Delegates, acting on behalf of Synod 2020, approved their candidacy and hosted a special presentation June Restructuring along American and Canadian lines was 17 via Zoom. David Koll, Candidacy Committee director, and Jul announced in February after legal counsel advised that Medenblik, president of Calvin Theological Seminary, were among direction and control of Canadian resources had to be those who spoke words of encouragement to the candidates. handled by Canadian delegates to the Council (known A PowerPoint presentation showed the photo and name of each collectively as Canada Corporation) to be in compliance with candidate as each name was read. Many of the candidates joined the Canadian tax law. Initial steps included identifying distinct Zoom call. A recording of the ceremony was subsequently provided leadership and budgets for each ministry in each coun- for candidates, their families and friends. try. (See “Restructuring Gives CRC in Canada More Ministry Control,” April 2020, p. 18.) There are 36 candidates this year. Eight are women and 15 are persons of color. Koll noted that for the first time ever, women and The Council made additional recommendations at its May persons of color outnumber the white male candidates (p. 32). meeting, including what it called a “skeleton plan” for how the restructuring might look. It proposed that each country One of the candidates this year is Christopher Tibben. “Things were appoint an independent executive director who would work much different than any of us expected,” he said. “We all understand collaboratively with his or her counterpart on the other side why it has to be this way. The joys of being graduated, confirmed, and of the border. Additionally, an ecclesiastical officer would be officially a candidate is great no matter what form it comes in! I know appointed to “help shepherd the denomination forward in this is the sentiment of my fellow students as well.” a way that fosters unity across the border, emphasizes our Koll said, “I’m hoping this event, in the context of the virus limitations, shared faith, synodical positions, and ecclesiastical polity, will stay in their memory and their heart as a point of encouragement and advances the denomination’s global ecclesiastical goals.” as they move into ministry.” The church councils of Community CRC in Kitchener, Ont., Following the presentation, the delegates raised their hands to their and First CRC in Owen Sound, Ont., protested the changes screens to pray over the candidates. being made. In a letter (see bit.ly/Communication5), they —Gayla R. Postma, news editor said they had requested access to documents regarding the changes but were denied. They wrote that the realignment “effectively split the denomination into two national churches” and, further, that there has been “an egregious lack of transparency in the process and decisions made.”

Andy DeRuyter, president of the Canada Corporation, told The Banner that they had not been formally approached by either of the two congregations prior to the letter being sent to the full Council. He noted that in implementing the restructure changes they had drawn extensively on the experience of World Renew and how it navigates cross- border issues. World Renew, the global development ministry of the CRC with its own governance structure, has a co-director in each country and two national boards that together form the Joint Ministry Council. He also noted Delegates raised their hands to their screens to pray a blessing over the candidates. Canada Corporation had consulted with three lawyers and the staff from the Canadian Council of Christian Charities.

The Council of Delegates, on behalf of Synod 2020, reaf- firmed its desire for unity during a difficult process.

—Gayla R. Postma, news editor

JULY/AUGUST 2020 18 THEBANNER.ORG SYNOD 2020 NEWS

Recognition of 25th Anniversary of Women’s Ordination to be Scaled Back

The 25th anniversary of women’s ordination in the Christian Reformed Church will be recognized denominationally in the summer of 2021, starting with 30 minutes at the annual synod in June and wrapping up at the CRC’s Inspire 2021 conference two months later.

The plan for recognizing the anniversary was considerably scaled back from what had been proposed by Denise Posie, recently retired CRC director of leadership diversity, and also recommended in February to Synod 2020 by the Council of Delegates.

The proposal included a series of events that would start in September 2020 and last for 15 months.

However, in its June meeting to address Nine female pastors delegated to Synod 2015. synod matters that couldn’t wait until Synod 2021, the Council of Delegates sensitive to both positions and in the what Classis Minnkota was also in agree- decided to scale back the plan out of spirit of love, unity, mutual submission, ment with.” sensitivity for those who do not believe and cooperation, we have limited the Roger Sparks, the Council delegate from women should hold ecclesiastical office. celebrating opportunities to a smaller Classis Minnkota, thanked the committee ‘official’ time frame.” The CRC currently states that views for its wording. “I want to say personally I opposing women’s ordination and Neither side was fully satisfied with appreciate what I’m hearing in the discus- those affirming it are equally valid bibli- the decision. sion,” he said. cal positions. (See crcna.org, position Elsa Fennema, an at-large delegate, was Although the time frame was shortened, statements.) disappointed that the time frame had denominational staff will still provide Because of that, Classis Minnkota (a been reduced. “It’s been an uphill climb resources to churches and classes that regional group of churches) had asked all the way. This doesn’t seem to spend want to celebrate as they choose, includ- the Council, on behalf of Synod 2020, not much time recognizing the ordination of ing outside of that two-month period. to endorse the original proposal, stating women. It seems a pittance to me.” After the decision, Posie told The Banner that it “celebrates a view that is opposed On the other hand, Tyler Wagenmaker, that she appreciates the women who by many in the denomination” (Agenda for Classis Zeeland, wanted to add recogni- serve as pastors, commissioned pastors, Synod 2020, p. 314). tion of women’s ministry that is unor- or chaplains, as well as women in so many A small advisory committee considered dained. “This has been a divisive issue other roles, ordained and non-ordained. the staff proposal and the Minnkota in the past,” he said. “This is an opportu- “Above all, my heart’s desire is for every request and recommended that the nity to move past some of that divisive- woman to be affirmed in their calling and Council approve a scaled-back recogni- ness and use staff and resources to help use of gifts,” she said. “That is so impor- tion. Michelle Kool, a pastor from Classis congregations on both sides.” tant because God has placed us in ministry to graciously and powerfully impact Alberta North, chaired that advisory Kool noted that the language from the the world for God’s glory.” committee. She said the initial proposal committee’s proposal was specifically of 15 months of celebrating opportuni- agreed on with a representative from —Gayla R. Postma, news editor ties is difficult for the churches who hold the church in Minnkota that wrote the the biblical view that does not support overture (request). “What you see here is women’s ordination. “To be faithful to our two denominational position statements,

JULY/AUGUST 2020 19 THEBANNER.ORG SYNOD 2020 NEWS Race Relations CRC Struggles to Respond to Racism Following Death of George Floyd

Most Christian Reformed Church ministry leaders signed their names to a June 4 statement about the deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor. Director of Diversity Reginald Smith declined to sign it. And the CRC’s Council of Delegates wrote its own resolution, adopted after significant debate.

The statement from the ministry leaders said that “while these incidents create moments of crisis in the lives of non-black people, they actually expose centuries-long patterns of racism and prejudice in the United States that are lived every day by people of color.” (See network.crcna.org/racial-reconciliation.)

“These high profile cases are not anoma- lies,” the statement reads. “Instead, they underline the systemic nature of racism Debate took place over the line support- Classis Minnkota, and Tony Lara of Classis and its pervasiveness in our culture.” ing the denominational leaders and their Arizona registered their negative votes. The 19 leaders who signed the statement statement. invited church members to join them in Statements Do Not Change Elsa Fennema, an at-large delegate, moving beyond “thoughts and prayers,” Hearts and Minds spoke in favor of it. “It is important that noting that pursuing change is costly and we say something, even if we don’t agree Absent from the signatories to the June 4 will require sacrifice, especially for white with every jot and tittle.” statement was Reginald Smith, the CRC’s members of the community. “We believe director of diversity where, he says, he that such sacrifice is not only necessary; Tyler Wagenmaker, Classis Zeeland, was gets to work with the fastest-growing it also reflects the type of sacrificial love not in favor. “There are some significant segment of the CRC: ethnic and multira- Jesus showed most gloriously on the statements here that are problematic,” cial congregations. cross,” the statement reads. he said. “We haven’t discussed the term “I am really wary of statements,” he told ‘systemic racism.’ That’s a loaded term.” The Banner. Council of Delegates He also expressed concern about some of Statement the links posted at the end of the leaders’ He said statements do not change hearts At a special meeting, the CRC’s Council of statement, calling them very troubling. and minds. “I know our denomination has a tough time dealing with race,” he said. Delegates supported the leaders with a Colin Watson, interim executive director “We deny its history, feel sorry about it, resolution of its own. of the CRC, pointed out the note at the and find an office to take responsibil- It reads, “By this resolution, the Council end of the statement that says the lead- ity, and we move on to our culture wars. I of Delegates, acting on behalf of Synod, ers “do not necessarily endorse every link have seen this routine too many times.” declares its abhorrence regarding the or every statement on their websites.“ sin of systemic racism; declares its He said another statement is a total Bruce DeKam, Classis Northern Michigan, support of our denominational lead- waste of time if hearts and minds are also voted against the Council’s resolu- ers who signed the statement about the not pricked by something greater or tion because he didn’t like the statement death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, profound. “I know our church knows what written by the denominational leaders. and Breonna Taylor; and declares its to do,” he said. “It just isn’t going to do it. hope that in the midst of our struggle In the end, the Council’s resolution Statements will not change this dilemma.” against racism the power of the gospel passed 31 to 8. DeKam, Wagenmaker, —Gayla R. Postma, news editor of justice and grace in Jesus Christ can be Ralph Wigboldus of Classis Huron, George displayed.” Young of Classis Hudson, Roger Sparks of

JULY/AUGUST 2020 20 THEBANNER.ORG SYNOD 2020 NEWS Money Council of Delegates Ministry Share Changes Laments Racism to Begin in 2022

At its special meeting on For fiscal year 2022, the denominational budget will be based behalf of Synod 2020, the on and funded by the amount of giving pledged by churches and Council of Delegates their classes (regions of churches). (See “Synod 2019 Upends conducted a short service Ministry Share System,” July/August, 2019.) The new method is June 17 lamenting the called Ministry Shares Reimagined (Agenda for Synod 2019, p. 110). racism being experienced That means that later this year, each church council will be by so many. asked to prayerfully consider how much its congregation can Recently retired pastor and will give for their ministry shares. Each classis will evaluate Emmett Harrison, Classis the collective commitments and report to the denominational Grand Rapids East, called offices how much it will pledge by Feb. 1, 2021. racism a pandemic within a The denominational agencies and educational institutions will pandemic. “COVID-19 kills then, for the first time, develop budgets based on that pledged black people at three times amount. Until now they have established budgets first and then the rate of white people,” asked for the money to meet them. he said. “It takes a higher Rev. Sheila Holmes toll with those with under- The denomination has used the ministry share process since the lying health issues, which are more prevalent among black, mid-19th century, collecting what were then called assessments. brown, and Indigenous people. In the middle of this unprec- It worked well for decades. However, in recent years, the amount edented crisis, we witnessed murder of another black man. We actually remitted by the churches has steadily dropped, regard- are confronted with callous disregard for black bodies. Enough less of what amount was asked for. In 2016, only 58% of what was is enough. Before we can move on, we must lament, repent, requested was actually received. and repair.” Synod 2019 approved the Ministry Shares Reimagined process Delegates were led in a reading of “A Litany for Those Not Ready in principle, recommending that Synod 2020 implement it. The for Healing,” by Yolanda Pierce of Princeton University, followed Council of Delegates took up the matter in its special June meet- by a message from Sheila Holmes. ing convened in the absence of synod. One church in southern Ontario sent a communication requesting that implementa- Holmes, a longtime pastor from Classis Hackensack, has been on tion be held off for a year, stating that it is too weighty a matter the Council of Delegates since its inception and before that sat to be decided independently of synod (Agenda for Synod 2020 on the Board of Trustees. She has been a delegate to and an offi- Supplement, p. 64). cer of the CRC’s annual synod. Several Canadian delegates also wanted implementation She told delegates that she has watched the CRC struggle with delayed until Synod 2021. Ralph Wigboldus, Classis Huron, noted racism for 50 years. “We’ve gone from setting up programs and that changes in the governance structure have left a number of institutions, to synodical committees, to multiethnic confer- things in flux, and COVID-19 has caused so much disruption that ences, to diversity in leadership programs. We continue to many churches are on hold. talk, and we may even continue to lament,” she said. “We take Aaltje van Grootheest, a Canadian delegate at large, agreed. a moment. I believe the moment is sincere. But until our lives “We’re too early trying to do this. We need the year coming up to connect with one another and we are willing to ask the Holy get everything organized.” Spirit to change our hearts and attitudes, nothing changes.” Most delegates were not convinced to delay implementation, Holmes told delegates, “I’m not an angry black woman, but I’m a saying the concept had already been approved by Synod 2019 in hurt black woman. Even in the church I have not been seen as an principle. equal. I’ve seen black pastors become discouraged.” The Council voted 28-15 to move ahead with implementation. “This is not about programs,” she continued, “but about relation- Wigboldus, van Grootheest, and Mark Vande Zande, Classis ships, about trust and respect.” Heartland, registered negative votes. She ended by telling delegates there is a time to lament and —Gayla R. Postma, news editor mourn, but also a time for action. “If we only mourn, we go nowhere.”

—Gayla R. Postma, news editor

JULY/AUGUST 2020 21 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Pastor Training for Indiana Church Preventing Abuse of Celebrates 150 Years Power Approved The Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Munster Church, historically the Delegates, acting on behalf of Synod 2020 at a special first church in Munster, Ind., will meeting, approved a training program for pastors to celebrate 150 years of ministry help them recognize and prevent abuse of power. this August.

The training will be mandatory for all candidates for Trees will have a lot to do with ministry in the CRC, all pastors transferring in from the commemoration. Pastor other denominations, and all those entering voca- Jim Hollendoner is prepar- tional ministry as a commissioned pastor. ing a sermon series, “Rooted,” acknowledging the legacy of the A task force appointed by Synod 2019 created the Lord at Munster Church. program to further the denomination’s work on preventing abuse of power at all leadership levels. “We are like a family tree,” said Task force members included representatives from Jill Wiltjer, co-leader of the Calvin University, Calvin Theological Seminary, CRC planning committee. “So many Human Resources, Pastor Church Resources, Safe churches have branched off Church Ministry, and the Candidacy Committee. from Munster.”

The program consists of four one-hour online Wiltjer and her co-leader, Lisa modules and might be adapted in the future for use Schutt, are creating a metal in other contexts. The training modules will be final- tree display with plaques list- ized and made available in an online learning plat- ing the names of Munster’s form by the end of 2020. It will be included in the church plants hanging from requirements for all 2021 candidates for ministry. the branches. At a celebratory After it is launched in English, it will be translated into dinner planned for September, Korean and Spanish. guests will receive their own commemorative ornaments. Some delegates argued that synod cannot tell classes (regional groups of churches) what to do in the case Hollendoner is eager to cele- of commissioned pastors because those pastors are brate the past 150 years but A tree is a recurring symbol for Munster approved for a role only within a classis. Kathy Smith, said the church should also look Church’s 150th anniversary celebrations. a CRC Church Order expert, said that while the office forward to the next 150 years. of commissioned pastor is local in scope, the position “The only way you can (continue being filled is one approved denominationally by way to) be here is by recognizing God’s sovereignty and being in tune with the of synodical deputies representing synod. community,” he said.

George Young, Classis Hudson, wanted to know how One of the church’s longest-serving pastors, Johan Monsma, pastored the a training program will prevent someone from abus- church from 1926 to 1948. During World War II, Monsma was known for writing power. Sam Sutter, Classis Atlantic Northeast, ing letters to 25 soldiers who were members or attendants of the church said that no amount of training can completely every month they were at war. The group came to be called “Jo’s Boys.” prevent abuse. “But there is a lot we can learn about Lugene A. Bazuin, who pastored the church from 1963 to 1992, hosted a abuse, about how to recognize it. We want to help radio show called “Munster Christian Reformed Church’s Evening Service.” people have some idea about what this looks like,” That period was considered the church’s heyday due to the hundreds of Sutter said. people reached through the radio program. —Gayla R. Postma, news editor “Over the years, the pastors have kept the same vision: to be a lighthouse for wayward ships,” Hollendoner said. While that vision might be carried out differently today—using Facebook and YouTube and a downloadable app instead of the radio—“Loving God, Loving People” has been the mission of the church throughout.

—Callie Feyen

JULY/AUGUST 2020 22 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Lament, Prayer, Future Change: Talking to Pastors After George Floyd’s Death

On May 25, George Floyd, a black man, it was just a very intentional, desired died in Minneapolis, Minn., after a white prayer time. … It was quite something.” police officer kneeled on the back of his Koppendrayer said there will be conver- neck for nearly nine minutes while arrest- sations at Trinity Hill about what it means ing him. That officer faces a charge of to live in a multiracial society: “We just second-degree murder and two other have to talk about the fact that to be charges. Three other officers were white in America is different than being charged with aiding and abetting second- black in America, and let’s not pretend degree murder. All four were fired from that it’s not.” the police force. Protests, vandalism, and clashes with law enforcement erupted Pastor Perrin Werner of Grace CRC in in many cities across the U.S. following Inver Grove Heights, Minn., said he the incident. ministers in “the most diverse church that I have been a part of—academically, On June 1, a week after Floyd died, three racially, financially, even politically—and Christian Reformed pastors in churches it’s also the most tight-knit.” near Minneapolis, spoke to The Banner He made phone calls to people he knew about ministering in their congregations A member of Calvary CRC reads Psalm 6 in would be especially affected by the and their city at this time. a service of lament shared on events because of where they lived or YouTube June 1. Calvary CRC in Edina, Minn., is right on worked, and he encountered raw feelings. the town’s border with Minneapolis. put together a 25-minute video service, Pastor Nick Van Beek said his congre- To many, the events feel “personal, posted on YouTube June 1, that included gation includes people living or work- impactful, infuriating, and scary, and three church members reading psalms ing in the city whose “world has been there’s a fair amount of powerlessness in and praying. turned inside out,” and it also includes what we can do,” Werner said. “It’s a fluid environment, and we’re trying to figure those within the affluent suburb of Edina Arlan Koppendrayer, pastor of the emerg- out how best we can minister to the who are more removed and reluctant ing Christian Reformed congregation different contexts.” to engage, “content to just let the city Trinity Hill Church in Chanhassen, Minn., handle it and we’ll see what happens.” said a number of people are very shaken One family who lives within the city Van Beek said that parishioners in a by the rioting, and pastorally he’s minis- worked to clean up the streets on several Zoom (online video platform) conversa- tering to people who “are at the end of mornings. Werner gathered help from tion on Sunday night acknowledged that their nerves.” He said it’s all the more some other pastors to put together a they’re “struggling to know what to do difficult to counsel them in a time when care package for soldiers deployed to with our sadness and our anger and our entering separate households is against Minneapolis. indifference.” public health rules to prevent the spread “It’s tough,” Werner said. “The protest- of COVID-19. ers need a voice—they absolutely need a Van Beek said he’s trying to listen to his voice—and it’s hard because the voice, I parishioners. His email inbox has been While his congregation is conducting think, is being obscured by the riots. So flooded with dozens of ideas about services on Facebook Live, members try how do we allow peaceful protests and how the church should be responding to cultivate more personal connections in hear what that community has to say, with short-term relief and longer-term Sunday-evening Zoom meetings. (while) at the same time we’re bringing in community transformation. “We really encourage people to take extra law enforcement and the National “Relief is a start,” he said, “but I think it’s part in that,” Koppendrayer said, noting Guard, and it just feels like an escalation clear to many in my congregation that that the unstructured time of shar- in some ways.” the role of the church goes beyond relief, ing is always followed by prayer. This “Nothing is easy about this,” Werner said. especially when something so dramatic past Sunday “they wanted to pray for and tragic happens in our city.” —Alissa Vernon, news editor Minneapolis, they wanted to pray for Asked by one of his parishioners to help the Twin Cities, they wanted to pray for the church start with lament, Van Beek people that they know in the cities, and

JULY/AUGUST 2020 23 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Pandemic Posts

Through the months of March, April, May, and June, ministries of Christian Reformed congregations in North America adapted to John VanHemert, a retired CRC pastor, and his wife, public health recommendations made to help slow the spread Jean, visited family members on Mother’s Day across of COVID-19. The Banner highlighted several of these innovative the ditch border between the state of Washington and the approaches, gestures of support, and creative projects on its province of British Columbia near the VanHemerts’ home in Facebook page. Lynden, Wash. The border was closed to nonessential travel at the time. The VanHemerts are members of First CRC in Here are some of the stories we shared: Lynden and have four adult children and many grandchildren who live in British Columbia. The VanHemert children On April 15, about a month after pastors of First CRC in are members of Duncan (B.C.) CRC and of Immanuel CRC and Demotte, Ind., began preaching to an empty sanctuary Willoughby CRC in Langley, B.C. while recording the weekly service, they got a surprise. Church administrators Shannon and Deb had printed life- sized photos of several church members to make the pews seem less empty.

New Westminster CRC in Burnaby, B.C., created a supportive effort they called “Triple Blessing,” collecting donations to purchase meals from local restaurants to then share with health care workers. The church’s office Members of Community CRC of Meadowvale in administrator, Jenny Eastwood, said on May 22 that they Mississauga, Ont., shared love with their neighbors had completed their fifth “mission” delivering meals to with notes, window messages, and flower deliveries. “While different care centers. the church building may be closed to all regular activity,” Pastor Sam Cooper said, “we wanted the community to know we are still here and they are not alone.”

JULY/AUGUST 2020 24 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Pastor Peter Jonker taught children (and other viewers) how to wash their hands while singing the doxology “Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow.” LaGrave Avenue CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich., posted this video as part of their Social media channels were full of posts from people online service March 15. completing creative projects this spring. A post from Greenwood Studio, a woodworking shop owned by Sherman Street (Grand Rapids, Mich.) CRC member Marc Wiegers, showed a hanging light fixture made from a cache of World Renew’s iconic “Peter Fish” coin banks.

Bethel CRC in Sioux Center, Iowa, ran its first livestream-only service Sunday, March 15. Renee Wielenga shared a photo of her 2-year-old daughter in front of the screen while Pastor John Lee preached. Hannah Keen, children’s ministries coordinator at Bellevue (Wash.) CRC, shared a photo of a collaborative project that members of her church worked on together while separated. Forty-five separately colored paper “tiles” made up “A Portrait of Jesus,” an image from Illustrated Ministries. “It was a fun, fairly straightforward way of including the whole congregation in part of our worship service even when we are sheltering in place and feeling pretty isolated at times,” Keen said.

Westview CRC in Grand Rapids, Mich., provided a prayer box for neighbors to share concerns with Pastor Pete Byma, who said in early April he had picked up a hand- ful of handwritten prayer requests.

For more stories of ministry during COVID-19, including a New Mexico CRC serving as a food distribution hub in Classis Red Mesa; an update from Holland Christian Homes’ Grace Manor in Brampton, Ont., one of five long-term care homes in the province cited in a harsh report about conditions in the facilities but not subject to the government appointment of temporary management; and local ministry grants helping churches respond to community COVID-19 needs, please see thebanner.org/tags/covid-19.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 25 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Classis Watch: Spring 2020

Two or three times each year, Cascade of Hope CRC, Denver, Colo.; Christian Reformed churches send Fox Valley CRC, Crystal Lake, Ill.; representatives to their classis, a and Comstock (Mich.) CRC closed. regional group of churches. Many of the actions taken by classes Synod 2020 are governed by the CRC’s Church Synod 2020 was canceled due to Order, the rules that govern COVID-19. However, all commu- denominational life. Here are nications and overtures are still some of the actions by classes in received. Some were dealt with by the past few months: a special meeting of the Council of Delegates (see pp. 16-22). The rest The COVID-19 pandemic forced Photo by Wendy de Jong will be deferred to Synod 2021. many classes to change their meeting Classis Niagara conducted the clas- format or cancel meetings. Classis Alberta sis exam of Terence Schilstra via Zoom Classis Minnkota requested that Synod North, meeting in mid-March, reduced online conferencing. 2020 not adopt the proposal to recog- its meeting from two days to one. Classes nize the 25th anniversary of the ordi- Chatham, Huron, Red Mesa, and Hamilton Joella Ranaivason and Erin Stout were nation of women, asking that synod canceled their May meetings. Classes Grand honorably released. redouble its efforts to respect the Rapids East, Niagara, Toronto, and Quinte convictions of and seek feedback from met in May via Zoom video conferencing. Michael Dadson was released in the people with different views on women status of one deposed. in office before making such proposals Those welcomed into ministry in the (see “Recognition of 25th Anniversary of Christian Reformed Church include Ministers granted emeritus status Women’s Ordination Scaled Back,” p. 19). seminary graduates Shawn Richardson, (retired): Revs. Peter Stellingwerff, Dan Crapo, Cris Harper, and Terence Andrew Vanden Akker, Yoon Whan Classis Minnkota sent a communication Schilstra (Church Order Articles 6 and 10). Kim, David Weemhoff, Cecil van to Synod 2020 noting that even though Welcomed into ministry in the CRC from Niejenhuis, and Tom Van Engen (Church Synod 1995 declared that both comple- another denomination following a satis- Order Art. 18). mentarian and egalitarian views are faith- factory colloquium doctum (doctrinal ful interpretations of the Word of God, conversation) establishing soundness of Commissioned Pastors synodical practice since that time has doctrine, sanctity of life, and knowledge Commissioned pastors are called become markedly egalitarian, making and appreciation of Christian Reformed to specific roles within their clas- it difficult for complementarians to practice was Rev. Eunsang Hwang participate in good conscience. sis. Honorably released were Khary (Church Order Art. 8, p. 23). Bridgewater (Grand Rapids East) and Classis Minnkota sent a communication Ministers released from a congrega- Nola Visser (Alberta North). to Synod 2020 supporting the use of the tion: Rev. Chelsey Harmon from Christ Great Lakes Catechism on Marriage Steven Timmermans (Grand Rapids East) Community Church in Nanaimo, B.C.; and Sexuality. Rev. Stephen Moerman from Peace CRC, was granted commissioned pastor Menno, S.D.; Rev. Tom van Milligen from emeritus status. Classis B.C. North-West appointed a team Georgetown (Ont.) CRC (Church Order Art. to consider if a realignment of Christian 17a, p. 34). New Ministries and Ministry Reformed congregations and congre- Changes gations of the Reformed Church in Leaving ministry in the CRC America might be a way forward for An emerging (unorganized) church does not our two denominations through the Churches and classes make a declaration have its own council and is under the care divisive issues of marriage and human reflecting a resigned minister’s status that of a council of a neighboring CRC. An orga- sexuality. A communication about this is appropriate to the way and spirit in which nized church has its own council (Church was sent to Synod 2020. the minister acted during the time leading Order Art. 38). up to and including resignation from office. —Gayla R. Postma, news editor Those designations are honorably released; Dream Church, Buena Park, Calif., released; dismissed; and in the status of changed its name to Springing one deposed (Church Order Art. 14). Fountain CRC.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 26 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Noteworthy IN MEMORIAM IN MEMORIAM

Churches for Middle East Peace, a coalition that actively promotes a comprehensive resolution to conflicts in the Middle East, released a letter to Congress on June 2 “opposing unilateral annexation of the Occupied West Bank.” The Christian Reformed Rev. Dick C. Los Rev. Roger A. Kok Church is a member of CMEP. Colin P. Watson Sr., acting 1923-2020 1938-2020 executive director of the CRCNA, signed the letter along with 26 other Christian leaders. A compassionate man with a pasto- Pastor Rog Kok died May 12 after 31 years of serving Christian Watson also signed a May 11 letter, organized by ral heart, Dick Los was appreci- Reformed congregations in the the Christian social justice organization Sojourners, ated for his humility, wisdom, calm U.S. He was 82. Everywhere he that carried signatures of 23 Christian leaders asking demeanor, sense of humor, and served, Kok cared deeply about for American coronavirus economic stimulus legis- ability to meet people where they people inside and outside the lation to include measures to ensure “an inclusive were. Los died May 13 at age 97. church walls. He is remembered and fair voting process” this fall. Born in Sassenheim, the for innovative worship services Netherlands, the son of a bulb and insightful and inspirational grower, Los knew from a young sermons delivered with a booming age that he wanted to be a pastor. voice. He loved to sing. He studied at the seminary in Following ordination in 1969, Kok Kampen and from home during pastored Palo Alto (Calif.) CRC; World War II. Pease (Minn.) CRC; Rogers Heights Ordained in 1950, Los began CRC, Wyoming, Mich.; Holland ministry in Stellendam, the Heights CRC, Holland, Mich.; and Netherlands, and moved to Shawnee Park CRC, Grand Rapids, Ferwert before accepting a call to Mich. He retired in 2000. Canada in 1959. He then served six Kok’s favorite hobby was golf. churches in Ontario: Georgetown Readers of The Banner in the 1980s and ’90s might Every year, he and three friends CRC; Mountainview CRC (Grimsby); remember reading about the Atlantic Stewardship went to Myrtle Beach, S.C., where Ebenezer CRC (Jarvis); Cephas Bank, a northern New Jersey-based bank founded by they played 36 holes a day for a CRC (Peterborough); Covenant members of Midland CRC on the principle of tithing a week. He loved golf for the sport CRC (Woodstock); and First CRC tenth of its profits to charities. Having operated that and for the fellowship. He liked to (Kemptville). Los also served the way since 1985, the bank merged with New Jersey- tease, and he laughed a lot. “Dad denomination in other ways. In based Columbia Bank earlier this year. Pictured here was a really fun grandpa,” one of 1973 he was on the first synodical is Paul Van Ostenbridge (center), the bank’s CEO for its his children said. “He didn’t sit on 35-year run, with Bill Hanse (left) and John Steen, two study committee about women in the sidelines watching the grand- Midland CRC members who still served on the bank’s ecclesiastical office. kids have fun; he joined right in board of directors when it decided to sell. Los’ main hobby was vegetable with them.” Christian evangelist and gardening. After retirement in Kok is survived by Joyce, his wife apologist Ravi Zacharias, 1988, he got into woodworking. of 62 years; four daughters and founder of Ravi Zacharias He worked part time as pastor to their spouses; 10 grandchildren; International Ministries, seniors and preached monthly and three great-grandchildren. He died May 19. He had been until he was 78. was preceded in death by grand- diagnosed with cancer a few son Curtis. Survived by six children and their months earlier. spouses, 24 grandchildren, and —Janet A. Greidanus 48 great-grandchildren, Los was

Ravi ZachariasRavi International Ministries predeceased in 2009 by Alice, his wife for almost 59 years. READ MORE ONLINE —Janet A. Greidanus

JULY/AUGUST 2020 27 THEBANNER.ORG NEWS

Calvin University Announces World Renew Remembers Changes to Faculty Expectations Past Director John DeHaan

Calvin University announced revisions to its faculty handbook this spring that expand the expectations of trustees, administrators, and faculty members. Members of Calvin’s board of trustees and faculty senate unanimously affirmed the changes, communicating that they represent a deepening of Calvin’s commitment to Reformed teaching and the Christian Reformed Church in North America.

Two specific changes mark a significant break from past policy. Faculty are now encouraged to send their children to Christian schools but are no longer required to do so, and church membership must no longer be only in a Christian Reformed congregation or a church in ecclesiastical fellowship with the CRC, but may be in a Calvin-supporting Protestant congregation.

Calvin representatives say through the new evaluative category of “Reformed Christian Commitment,” faculty will be expected to show Photo by Gary Nederveld evidence of their beliefs and not mere compliance. “The intent is to make John DeHaan was remembered by his family May 9 in a explicit an expectation that has always been implicit and to provide small, physically distanced, outdoor gathering at Calvin resources to help the faculty meet that expectation,” said Craig Lubben, University. chair of Calvin’s board of trustees. John DeHaan, former executive director of the Christian Kevin den Dulk, associate provost, said “a very rigorous program of Reformed World Relief Committee (now known as World faculty development” supports the expanded requirements. Every new Renew), died May 7. faculty member takes a one-month seminar through Calvin’s Kuyper Institute for Global Faculty Development and continues to access DeHaan led the organization for 20 years, until 1998, the Institute’s resources and mentorship throughout their career at just before the transition into geographically based Calvin. The goal is to equip faculty with “a Christian world-and-life view organizational teams. Current World Renew co-director grounded in a Reformed understanding of faith and cultural engage- (U.S.) Carol Bremer-Bennett said, “John was a much- ment,” as described in Calvin’s announcement about the founding of the loved leader and change agent at World Renew, and it Institute in 2018. is because of him we are making and measuring such a huge impact in the world today.” Given that the stated purpose of Calvin University remains the same—to provide students with courses that “are of a positively Reformed char- Andrew Ryskamp, who retired from World Renew in acter entirely in accord with the doctrinal standards of the Christian 2015, followed DeHaan as director of CRWRC-USA and Reformed Church of North America”—Lubben said Calvin is now asking, had worked under DeHaan’s leadership as director of “How do we adapt to the changing culture so as to achieve the mission?” Diaconal Ministries for 13 years. “John was first of all a The handbook revisions make room for faculty who come from diverse mentor to me,” Ryskamp said. “He challenged me intel- backgrounds while assuring their commitment to Reformed Christianity. lectually in areas such as organizational theory and always modeled Christ-centered servant leadership. He The board has discussed changes to the faculty handbook for many reminded us always to keep learning, growing, and (to) years. President Michael Le Roy asked the board to consider specific revi- innovate into the ever-changing context of our church sions in October 2019. The board asked for recommendations that came and world.” in February, and after a roundtable discussion and conversations with faculty and administration, the board confirmed the changes May 8. Ida Kaastra Mutoigo, co-director (Canada) of World Renew, shared a reflection with The Banner that she said Calvin’s Covenant for Faculty Members, established in 2012 by the CRC’s she also shared with DeHaan’s family: “John was deeply synod (the annual general assembly), has not changed. loved and appreciated; he was a faithful and very active —Maia VanderMeer follower of Christ. His legacy in World Renew continues to live on with the many values he cultivated in our culture and hearts.”

—Alissa Vernon, news editor READ MORE ONLINE

JULY/AUGUST 2020 28 THEBANNER.ORG A Death Without a Funeral

By Gayla Postma

n March 25, 1987, we a wonderful boy had died. We had a has not experienced the profound loss lost our youngest child. death without a funeral. that those of us who knew him from Gone forever was the birth live with. You see, Steven is still with us. He’s 35 2-year-old, blond- years old, a hulk of a good-looking man What do we do with that loss? You haired, blue-eyed joy with the cognitive level of a 16-month- can’t really have a funeral for someone named Steven Richard. old. He doesn’t speak, wears diapers, who is still living. Yet a loss like this is We prayed, our community prayed, O and must be supervised every minute in fact a death in the family. our family prayed that God would heal of his waking hours. him, but that didn’t happen. Ambiguous Loss But our Steven, the one I had given We didn’t have a funeral. Instead we birth to, is gone. At age 2, he suffered I recently came across two books that all just kept praying that God would what are called status seizures. They told me what we have experienced has bring back the little boy we knew went on in his brain for more than 18 a name: ambiguous loss. It’s a loss that and loved. Perhaps we would get a hours, long after doctors had put him has no finite end short of actual physi- Lazarus miracle. in a comatose state to relieve his body cal death, a loss not unlike what many It didn’t happen. of the physical trauma. Five days later, people experience when caring for a he emerged from the coma, changed loved one with Alzheimer’s disease, Eventually, we just stopped praying forever. No cause was ever determined. or one who has had a stroke, or one for that miracle. Steven was no longer like Steven who has had a traumatic on the weekly prayer list in the church Do we love the Steven we still have brain injury. bulletin. Everyone’s lives but ours in our lives? Yes! Does he bring joy to seemed to go back to normal. All the those who love him? Of course! But The first book is Hit Hard: Our hopes and dreams we once held for anyone who has met him after 1987 Family’s Journey of Letting Go of What

JULY/AUGUST 2020 29 THEBANNER.ORG Was—and Learning to Live Well with worker would come and give us three What Is, by Pat and Tammy McLeod, hours off, and then the worker would chaplains at Harvard University. They call an hour beforehand and say, wrote the book after their 18-year- “Sorry, I just can’t do this.” old son received a devastating brain Teachers and aides at his school had injury on the football field. Through a stretch where they wore helmets that book I found Ambiguous Loss: for their own protection. Attempts to Learning to Live with Unresolved Grief, force Steven to do something he didn’t by Pauline Boss, who spent decades want, like have a diaper change, could researching and talking with people be met with kicking, biting, and pinch- who have experienced ambiguous ing. A boy who could give me a black loss. Boss calls such ambiguous loss eye was not the boy I had given birth to. the most difficult of all losses because there is no closure. We pleaded with our social services caseworker for more money to hire Boss also noted that “if uncertainty more help. All we could get was continues, families often respond enough to pay for 10 hours a week of with absolutes, either acting as if the help at minimum wage when what we person is completely gone or denying Steven is flanked by his brothers at needed was more like 70 hours a week. that anything has changed.” That was a wedding celebration. evident in the McLeods’ story, and it When Steven was 8 years old, I knew Steven’s brain and allow him to certainly resonated in our family. For I was headed for a crisis. We had communicate with us. But it didn’t. several years, my husband, Gary, and I managed to find a respite bed in a Picture communication symbols: ditto. couldn’t seem to get on the same page. nearby city for one week so we could Signing: double ditto. travel to Michigan to take Steven’s For the next six years, I was Steven’s And then there were Steven’s older brothers to visit my parents. As we champion. I attended endless doctors’ brothers, one five years older than drove the 10 hours home, I dreaded appointments. I drove him to physi- Steven, the other two years older. No picking up Steven more and more cal therapy, occupational therapy, carefree childhood for them. Theirs the closer we got. I finally knew we speech therapy, sensory integration became a life of vigilance. Leaving had reached the end. Living with that therapy. When Steven came out of a front door or a back gate ajar was level of stress was simply unsustain- his coma, he couldn’t sit, stand, see, not just an annoyance. It was a threat able. It was like a slow-motion break- hear, speak. Over a few months, he to Steven’s safety. Having friends down for me. sat, stood, walked, and eventually over much was difficult—it’s hard to ran. He regained sight and hearing. explain to a friend why your brother We begged the Children’s Aid Society Obviously he was making progress, so just threw his orange juice across (similar to Child and Family Services) iIt was only a matter of time before the table. As parents, we were avail- to take him, to find a placement— he regained speech and cognitive able to them only through a haze of anything. They refused, saying they understanding. emotions and worries dominated by could not take in a well-cared-for child. So we did the unthinkable. We Except that he didn’t. their brother. abandoned him. We orchestrated the As I navigated the medical systems, Begging for Help event by having a friend bring him determined by sheer force of will to the CAS office while we left town. Then we moved to a different part that this would get better, Gary with- We were unreachable. It took all day, of the province. The support of our drew further and further into loss and but finally the CAS took him. After a beloved caregiver, who helped us more sadness. For a person with a visceral few days, reassured we would not be than she was ever paid for, was gone. need for calm and predictability, living arrested for child abandonment, we Our supportive church community with chaos on two ever-growing legs returned home. and friends were no longer close by. was devastating. He did everything he Steven required one-to-one supervi- Steven was placed in a series of respite could to help and to cope. But sadness sion every waking hour. The people locations and a few weeks later was enveloped him. He had lost his son. in our new community did what they placed with a good foster family who It didn’t help that every new ther- could, but Steven’s needs were so over- looked after only him. When the first apy we tried would give us hope but whelming that even paid workers family retired, he received another then plummet us back to hopeless- worked only a shift or two before quit- good placement. They have workers ness when it didn’t work. Facilitated ting. We would hang on by our finger- who were paid to look after him for communication would surely unlock nails till the appointed hour when a several hours almost every day. Finally

JULY/AUGUST 2020 30 THEBANNER.ORG he had the support we were not able in the countryside. I see Steven very brothers insisted that Steven be pres- to obtain. little except in the summer, when his ent at their weddings, knowing he worker brings him to our house most could end up being very disruptive. But it came at a price, another ambigu- afternoons to let him enjoy our pool Both of them traveled from a distance ous loss perhaps even worse than the and the freedom to run in a completely to see Steven’s graduation ceremony first. Steven was still our son, but now enclosed backyard. Sometimes I when he aged out of the special needs others were acting as his parents. Was choose to be outside to enjoy his pres- school at 21. I still his mother? Good mothers do not ence. Sometimes I don’t. abandon their children. Our three grandchildren see their Some might question my choices. For uncle Steven a lot in the summer Never a Right Answer now, this is what works for us. “It’s not and simply accept him as he is. Ever The tables turned in our marriage. The a question of having the right answer,” excited and eager to have pool fun loss of Steven from our home made wrote Boss. We must keep creat- with Uncle Steven, they can also sense Gary long to see him, to have him stay ing “the best possible answer for the when he needs to be left alone. After at our house every weekend so we moment, and know that process will bringing up children in a household wouldn’t lose touch with him, to hear not stop as long as we live.” so fraught with emotional chaos, his infectious laugh. And every time the grandchildren are a balm to my We still grieve. His birthdays espe- I saw him, it was like ripping off the Steven-scarred soul. cially are a time of ambiguity. We want scab of a still very raw wound. In my to celebrate him, but we will never get The healing we prayed for did not reading, I discovered that this chang- over the loss of him. come in the form we had hoped for. ing of roles and still being on different Healing will never be complete on this pages is not uncommon. Not All Loss side of heaven. But healing has come to each of us in different ways. Eventually I was hospitalized with It isn’t all loss. I have learned a lot severe depression brought on by about what it means to be a child of It’s an ambiguous healing, just as it trauma. Boss describes such trauma as God regardless of what gifts or skills is an ambiguous loss. It isn’t perfect similar to post-traumatic stress disor- one brings to the table. By worldly or “right.” But for now, for today, it der except “it is not post-anything.” standards, Steven brings nothing to is enough. The trauma doesn’t end. the table, yet he is every bit as much With help from doctors, Gary and I a child of God as the rest of us. He has Gayla Postma is news came to an agreement on how much the capacity to bring joy to people just editor for The Banner. I would see Steven. Sometimes that by being who he is, not by what he can She and her husband do. He is an image bearer simply by Gary are members of meant Gary would go see him alone. Williamsburg (Ont.) being who he is. That’s a tough lesson Other times it meant Steven would Christian come to our house, but I would go stay for a results-oriented person like me. Reformed Church. with a friend for the weekend. Later Our marriage has survived and even on we started having Steven visit once thrived, though statistics tell us that every three weeks, but only for one 85% of marriages end in the face of the night instead of the whole weekend. death or traumatic illness of a child. That continued until about three years We can now mostly find our way to the ago when Gary, due to a serious illness, same page of our loss and grief. could no longer provide primary care I don’t know how Steven’s broth- 1. Have you experienced an ambigu- that included strenuous tasks such ers feel about what happened in our ous loss or known someone who has? as corralling a grown man who didn’t family. We don’t really talk about it. Describe the experience. want to be corralled just to put him in But I know they have become adults the car. Steven had long since grown 2. How do we show grace and with incredible empathy for people too strong to be physically contained compassion to families, marriages, who are marginalized, whether by one person. And when we did have or relationships torn by diffi- socially or mentally or physically or to take him on together with physical cult crises? emotionally. One son gives special force, we were once again emotionally care to the people he sees every day 3. How can the local church commu- devastated. who live on the street. Steven’s other nity be a support for and minister to Although we no longer regularly have brother is actively involved in his families or individuals facing such Steven in our home, Gary continues church’s Friendship Group and brings crises in their lives? to spend time with him throughout his oldest daughter, age 9, so she will READ MORE ONLINE the year. They’ll take long, slow drives learn to be a friend and mentor. Both

JULY/AUGUST 2020 31 THEBANNER.ORG CANDIDATES What Really Counts?

This year, 2020, IN ACTS 2, as the Pentecost story outnumbering the 17 white males, a concludes, we’re told that “about three number of whom do not have Dutch is the first year thousand were added to their number surnames. This makes 36 people that day” (Acts 2:41). And in Acts 11:24, approved this year to serve the church in our history speaking of the diverse church in in ordained pastoral ministry. Each Antioch, we’re told “a great number of of them counts and is precious in the where over 50% people were brought to the Lord.” sight of God. Yet their diversity as a group is noteworthy. In between these verses are stories of of our candidates conflict and strife, much of it having They face a context with struggles to do with elitism, ethnic pride, and similar to those faced by the church in are “minority” an unwillingness to live into authen- Acts. In a diverse world, the church is tic unity. The early church had a hard still learning how to deal with diver- by previous time truly buying into God’s plan for sity. In our North American setting, diversity. Recall Peter’s speech of prophetic calls for justice and righ- definitions. confession in Acts 10: “I now realize teousness are so easily politicized. The how true it is that God does not show tasks of ministry these 36 people will favoritism but accepts from every face are as diverse as they are. These nation people who fear him and do candidates are gifts of God to facili- what is right” (Acts 10:34-35). Recall tate our call to live into the diverse and the difficulty the first church council unified kingdom of God. in Jerusalem had in understanding I invite you to rejoice in these candi- God’s design (Acts 15). dates and to pray for them. And I invite What does this have to do with us and you to give yourself fully to the vision with our 2020 candidates? Well, let’s of Revelation 7, where we behold “a note that our denomination began as great multitude that no one can count, a monolithic group of people, immi- from every nation, tribe, people and grants from one country. As recently language, standing before the throne as 40 years ago, our Acts of Synod noted and before the Lamb” (Rev. 7:9). that 1% of the Christian Reformed For contact information, biographi- Church in North America was ethnic cal information, eligibility status, minority (Acts of Synod 1980, p. 374). and testimonies from each candi- This statement was offered in a tone date, visit the Candidacy Committee of rejoicing in progress made. In the website at crcna.org/candidacy. year 2000, just 20 years ago, synod approved 34 candidates, 27 of whom were white males, the vast majority having Dutch surnames. Of the other seven, three were female and four were people of color.

This year, 2020, is the first year in our history where over 50% of our candi- Rev. David Koll is direc- dates are “minority” by previous defi- tor of candidacy for the nitions. The minority has become the Candidacy Committee majority. The following pages picture of the Christian Reformed Church 15 people of color (four of whom in North America. are female) and four other females

JULY/AUGUST 2020 32 THEBANNER.ORG CANDIDATES

Namju Bae Maria Beversluis David Bouma Richard Britton III Andrea Bult

Jaebok Choi Erik deLange Derek Ellens Derek Elmi-Buursma Eric D. Freeman

Cary Gephart Noelle Meggie Jacobs Travis Jamieson Kelsi Jones Kennedy Muli Kailiti

Hyung Jun Kim Jinsol Kim Jiyong Kim Seongjun Kim Jeff M. Liou

JULY/AUGUST 2020 33 THEBANNER.ORG CANDIDATES

Bryzon Wanjala Masiboh Loice Mueni Minito Jeremy Oosterhouse K. O. Ahnna Ellie Cho Park

Jennifer Rozema Hannah G Saxton Nathaniel A Schmidt Jeremy Scripps Mike Slofstra

Lynn Song Joshua Stammis Christopher Tibben Steven Vandyk Nathan Voss

Cory B. Willson

JULY/AUGUST 2020 34 THEBANNER.ORG Get the latest from your denomination! Subscribe to CRC News to receive news, upcoming events, missionary stories, and more every Wednesday. crcna.org/Subscribe

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JULY/AUGUST 2020 35 THEBANNER.ORG DISCOVER Breathe

ALTHOUGH YOU ARE PROBABLY NOT their breath? No! Researchers found thinking about it, you are breathing that birds do stop their songs to right now. We can control our breathe, but these mini-breaths are so breathing, but we don’t need to worry fast that we do not notice. about making ourselves do it. Even if Lungfish have gills to breathe under- we forget, our brain will keep it going— water and lungs to breathe air. which is good, because we need to Because they live in places where breathe to live! The cells that make their watery home can dry up, they up our bodies use oxygen from the can burrow into the mud and go into air to work. a sort of hibernation to survive the When we take a breath, our lungs fill dry season. with air. Lungs are made up of tubes Our God is an incredible designer, and that act as airways plus tiny sacs God’s amazing creation points us to called alveoli. Alveoli are so tiny that God. Psalm 150:6 says, “Let everything there are hundreds of millions of them that has breath praise the Lord.” So in your lungs. Oxygen moves out of take a big, deep breath and sing or these alveoli into the blood to be trans- shout your praise to God! ported all over the body.

All animals need oxygen to live, but not all animals have lungs. Animals breathe in many different ways. Insects breathe through holes along the sides of their bodies, fish have gills that take oxygen out of the water, and frogs can breathe through their skin!

Whales and dolphins cannot breathe underwater like fish can. They have to come up to the surface. But they only have to expose the tops of their heads. Why? Because that is where their nostrils are! These are called blowholes. Some whales have two blowholes, but dolphins and beluga whales have just one. Blowholes are covered by flaps that keep water out. When whales surface, the flap opens, and the creatures exhale hard, blow- Rachel Lancashire is a ing away all the water from the open- Barghigiani freelance writer with ing. Then they inhale fresh air, and the an educational back-

by Anita flap closes again. Dolphins can hold ground in wildlife. She their breath for around 10 minutes, grew up in the Christian Reformed Church but some whales can stay underwater and currently attends for up to two hours! Gilmour Memorial Baptist Church Some birds seem to sing without a

Illustration for The Banner for Illustration in Selwyn, Ont. break for a long time. Are they holding

JULY/AUGUST 2020 36 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA Tech Less and Talk More: A Review of The Rank Game

“We wanted to FAMILIES AND FRIENDS looking to build connections and have fun in create something the process need look no further than The Rank Game, a new game created that appeals to a by Chip and Dana Brown. The West Michigan couple’s motto of “tech less person’s sense of and talk more” is brought to life in this entertaining game.

fun and sense of The Rank Game features cards list- ing four items to be ranked in order of belonging.” preference by a Ranker. Guessers use The main game includes cards on a score sheet to record their guesses as a variety of topics, scoring sheets, to the Ranker’s order, getting a point and several blank cards to create for each correct answer. For example, specialized lists. There are 11 expan- one card says Bugs Bunny, Flintstones, sion packs on topics such as Culture Road Runner, and Sylvester & Tweety, Vulture, The Faith Pack, Relationship so the Ranker ranks from most to Goals, and Sports & Outdoors. The least which classic cartoon he or she main game costs $30; expansion packs likes, with Guessers trying to predict are $15 apiece. correctly. A new Ranker ranks for the The Rank Game, available for next round, through ten rounds. purchase at therankgame.com, was “We wanted to create something that a great way to get the people at my appeals to a person’s sense of fun and house talking, debating, and laugh- sense of belonging,” said Chip Brown. ing. It offered my family hours of good “Within a few rounds, you find that you fun and great discussion, and it truly are building relationships.” prompted “tech less and talk more.”

The idea for the game came two decades ago as the Browns stood in line waiting for a museum to open. To pass the time, they asked their friends to rank their four favorite classic rock bands. From there the lists of things to rank grew, until the Browns began to think about a game. Each of them worked at one time for Disney, with experiences that affected the design and the interactive strength of the game.

“We put structure around those questions, created a wide variety of catego- Ann Byle is a freelance ries, play-tested it extensively, and the writer for local and result is a game that takes little to no national publications instruction and is something everyone and the author or coau- thor of several books. can enjoy today,” Chip Brown said. She and her family live in Grand Rapids, Mich.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 37 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem, and Madness

If nothing else, the IT’S TIME TO TAKE A STEP BACK and her network of animal rights support- reflect on what happened at the end ers to shut down his lucrative business, series underscores of March 2020. I’m talking about Tiger Exotic descends tragically into para- King, the Netflix documentary that noia while grasping for money and the fact that became a streaming sensation. notoriety. Tiger King attracted 19 million view- During my second viewing, the people are ers during the 10 days following its shameless profiteering from glorious release March 20. By April 22, 64 animals created by God but housed depraved and in million Netflix subscribers had in substandard conditions remained watched the series. Many journalists hard to take. It also was difficult to need of a Savior. noted ironically how a series on tigers watch cult-like leaders of private zoos in captivity benefited from the captive exploit their hapless employees. Tiger audience of viewers sheltering in their King revels in displaying a sleazy soci- homes to avoid catching COVID-19. ety where even the seemingly upright, such as Baskin, live under a cloud of If you don’t know what Tiger King criminal suspicion. If nothing else, the is about and don’t care, congratula- series underscores the fact that people tions to you. You have probably spent are depraved and in need of a Savior. six hours of your life on more worthy By Tiger King’s seventh and final pursuits. At the beginning of April, episode, I understood better from an I’ll admit I succumbed to the social artistic standpoint what bothered media buzz and watched two episodes me about the series. While it claims of Tiger King before I gave up. Despite to be a documentary investigating a various explanations and justifica- crime, Tiger King is closer to reality TV, tions, the show’s interest somehow in which the plot is carefully scripted escaped me. to bring out the maximum number of I just watched the entire series to see twists and turns over the maximum if my initial reaction had changed. number of episodes. By episode four, I There’s no denying that Joseph realized I had stopped taking notes. I Schreibvogel, otherwise known as was profoundly bored; the entire story Joe Exotic, the Tiger King, makes for could easily have been told in under eye-catching TV. In the genre of true- two hours. crime investigations, the documen- Like ventilators, N95 masks, and social tary sets out to explain how Exotic, a distancing, Tiger King will be tied self-described gun-toting, gay redneck nonetheless to our collective memory with a mullet, went from being the of the COVID-19 pandemic. But remem- king of his own Oklahoma animal park ber too that a show about tigers should to being a federal prisoner, charged be anything but crass and boring. with a murder-for-hire plot directed at (Netflix, Rated TV-MA for language, Carole Baskin, the owner of an animal smoking, and animal harm) Otto Selles teaches sanctuary in Tampa, Fla. French at Calvin University in Grand Going back in time, we see Exotic at Rapids, Mich., and his flamboyant prime, a showman in attends Neland Avenue Christian the mold of P. T. Barnum, milking the Reformed Church public for hundreds of dollars apiece in Grand Rapids. to pet baby tigers. When Baskin uses

JULY/AUGUST 2020 38 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA Stories for the Youngest Booklovers: Good Reads That Transcend Age

You Are So Wonderful We Dream of Space Wondrous Rex Stretchy By Jacqueline J. By Erin By Patricia McHandsome Lewis, illustrated by Entrada Kelly MacLachlan By Judy Schachner

Jeremy Tugeau Reviewed by Natalie Hart Reviewed by Sonya Reviewed by Jenny deGroot VanderVeen Feddema Reviewed by Sonya It is January 1986, and The McHandsomes are a VanderVeen Feddema 12-year-old twins Bird and When 7-year-old Grace and big kitty clan. There are This updated edition of the Fitch and their big brother, her writer aunt, Lily, try nine of them, and they live 2003 children’s picture book Charlie, are all in the seventh to write a story, both are together in a box “with no You Are So Wonderful begins grade (Charlie for the second stymied by the writing one in charge.” But Stretchy with the words of Psalm time) studying the Space process. So Aunt Lily adver- is different in so many ways. 139:13-14 (Contemporary Shuttle Challenger mission. tises her need for an assis- There comes a day when English Version): “You are Bird feels excited and tant “for inspiration and some Stretchy decides to leave his the one who put me together purposeful: she wants to be magic!” Lily and Grace are overcrowded home and find inside my mother’s body, and a space shuttle commander. amazed when a man wearing adventure in the city. It is I praise you because of the Fitch can’t manage his feel- a top hat brings a Labrador exciting, scary, and challeng- wonderful way you created ings, and he lashes out at retriever to Lily’s house and ing all at once. But then he me.” With a focus on God’s everyone. Charlie feels as if says, “I have brought you sets his eyes on a young lass creativity and boundless he’s not good at anything. It’s magic.” So begins the unveil- named Beanie McBride, and love for creation, author heartbreaking to see how ing of wondrous Rex’s surpris- there is an instant connec- Jacqueline Lewis’ exuberant disconnected their family ing gifts and the enchanting tion. Author Judy Schachner text and illustrator Jeremy is and how casually cruel role he plays in Lily’s and loves cats and is well known Tugeau’s joyful artwork cele- their friendships are, but the Grace’s attempts to write. for creating the Skippyjon Jones series about an unstop- brate the diversity of God’s Challenger explosion (which In this short chapter book pable Siamese cat. This people as they enjoy life in a Bird watches live in her school for children ages 8 and delightful and funny offering city park. Children of all ages, auditorium) is a turning point, older, Patricia MacLachlan, is the perfect picture book for ethnic groups, and abilities and the novel ends on a hope- renowned author of Sarah, any child who loves animals, run, swing, laugh, play, eat, ful note. A great book for Plain and Tall, narrates a especially cats. (Penguin smile, enjoy ice cream, and adults and children to read magical tale in her character- Random House) more as loving parents and together, this one will surely istic gentle, sweet manner. caregivers keep watch over start conversations. (Katherine Tegen Books) each of them, each a gift from God. (Beaming Books)

JULY/AUGUST 2020 39 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA

Sparky Helps Mary Winged Wonders: When Charley Met The Jesus Storybook Make New Friends Solving the Monarch Emma Bible By Caryn Migration Mystery By Amy Webb, (Audiobook) Rivadeneira By Meeg Pincus, illustrated by By Sally Lloyd-Jones

Reviewed by Lorilee Craker illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard Reviewed by Lorilee Craker

Young readers will adore Yas Imamura Reviewed by Sonya Eleven years ago, my new VanderVeen Feddema Sparky, a lively, loving mix Reviewed by Sonya neighbor told me she was of border collie and Bernese VanderVeen Feddema When Charley goes with his using the The Jesus Storybook mountain dog, and they’ll Bible for her personal devo- In this vividly and energeti- mother to the park, they cheer him on as he finds tions. “I just feel so loved by cally illustrated children’s encounter a girl with no a new home with Tasha, a God,” she said. Author Sally picture book, young read- hands who is sitting in a trainer of “Helper Hounds” Lloyd-Jones wrote this chil- ers learn about the Great wheelchair. Charley blurts (also the name of this book dren’s Bible as a sweeping Monarch Migration, a mystery out, “Why does she look so series). Exuberant Sparky just story of God’s “never ending, that for centuries puzzled weird, Mommy?” His mother wants to help, and after grad- never giving up, unbreak- North American common gently admonishes him uating from obedience school ing, always and forever folk and scientists alike until and urges him to introduce with top marks, he gets his love.” Into each story she 1976, when the butterflies’ himself to the girl. chance. Enter Mary, a shy girl masterfully weaves progres- roosting place was discovered Charley meets Emma and facing her first day of school sive revelation, the idea high in Mexico’s Sierra Madre learns that Emma was born in a new state. Sparky models that God reveals himself in mountains. with limb differences and that how to “settle,” listen, trust, Scripture to humanity over she drives her own wheel- and be yourself, even when Pincus ends her book with a time, from Genesis through chair. Illustrator Merrilee things are hard, as Sparky’s challenge: “Today, there’s a the New Testament. Written Liddiard’s winsome portraits encounter with Mary’s cat new burning monarch ques- to be read aloud, this audio- of Charley and Emma and proved to be. Sweet, engaging, tion: How will they survive? book, narrated gently author Amy Webb’s simple and packed with tidbits about Who can keep them alive?” and winsomely by British story teach children to see dog behavior, Sparky is a book Her answer is simple: each of actor David Suchet, gives a that differences are to be worth barking over. Perfect us can play a part to ensure panoramic view of the Bible celebrated. Christian parents for dog lovers ages 6-9. (Red the monarchs’ survival. in three hours. Perfect for and caregivers might want Chair Press) family road trips or for listen- Winged Wonders includes to use this book’s end notes ing at bedtime, this audio- informative notes and is to help them take steps book is one to savor again and an excellent resource for to encourage children to again. (Zondervan) Christian parents and caregiv- establish friendships with ers to point children to God’s kids of different abilities. majestic creation and the (Beaming Books) mandate for us to care for it. (Sleeping Bear Press)

JULY/AUGUST 2020 40 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA

Cub Ten Little Eggs: A Mañanaland The Blackbird Girls By Cynthia Copeland Celebration of Family By Pam Muñoz Ryan By Anne Blankman

Reviewed by Lorilee Craker By Mary Hassinger, Reviewed by Sonya Reviewed by Sonya VanderVeen Feddema VanderVeen Feddema Set in 1972-73, this book is illustrated by a graphic memoir of author Jess Mikhail Eleven-year-old Maximiliano On April 26, 1986, in Pripyat, Cynthia Copeland’s seventh- Cordoba (Max) lives with Papa Ukraine, Soviet Union, Reviewed by Sonya grade year, when she navi- and Buelo, his grandfather, 11-year-old Valentina Kaplan VanderVeen Feddema gated bullies, friendship “somewhere in the Americas.” notices unnaturally colored tangles, a first crush, and In this amusing, whimsical His homeland, Santa Maria, smoke churning up from the her burgeoning desire to be picture book for very young borders a nation character- Chernobyl Nuclear Power a journalist. Her dad, while children, a serene mama bird ized by oppression and politi- Plant, where her father is loving, continually encour- cradles her precious nest and cal unrest whose citizens finishing his shift. Soon ages Cindy’s younger broth- studies the 10 eggs of differ- often flee through Santa Valentina and her neighbors, ers in their future careers but ing colors and sizes crowded Maria to safer havens. including her bullying class- inside. She is filled with mate, Oksana, are being evac- doesn’t seem to see Cindy as An unexpected visitor pres- questions about what each uated even as the communist someone who might excel at ents Max with a challenge he egg will be. government pretends noth- a career someday. But when never could have imagined. ing is drastically wrong. In a bold, young female journal- Through rhyming verse, read- So begins Max’s dangerous this riveting historical novel, ist takes her under her wing, ers count down to discover journey for a cause he is only author Anne Blankman skill- Cindy shows her family, her the mystery of each egg’s beginning to understand, one fully weaves together in town, and even the mean girls occupant. One by one, the that will stretch his courage to alternating perspectives at school how brave journal- eggs crack open. A bluebird the breaking point and force the stories of Valentina and ism can change a neighbor- is joined by a brave-looking him to sacrifice like never Oksana in 1986 and Rifka, hood—or a nation. Though eaglet, a leggy flamingo, a before. This stirring novel for Cub Valentina’s grandmother, in designed for readers 8-12, colorful toucan, a confused middle-grade readers, by the 1941 Ukraine. Though the is perfect for any budding platypus, and a friendly author of the beloved modern book is recommended for writer, graphic artist, or (thankfully) alligator. In the classic Esperanza Rising, is ages 9 and older, it is better photographer who longs to crowded nest that night, the emotionally rich and relevant suited for mature readers make a difference with words mama bird adoringly gath- to the current worldwide real- ages 12 and older because and pictures. (Algonquin ers the newborns under her ities of refugees and migrants. it deals with the harsh and Young Readers) protective wings. Illustrator (Scholastic) painful realities of abuse Jess Mikhail’s comical artwork and war. (Viking Books for enhances Mary Hassinger’s Young Readers) joyful narrative that celebrates families—no matter their makeup. (Zonderkidz)

JULY/AUGUST 2020 41 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

Why Church Matters Photo by Resonate missionaries Benand Amy Meyer

JULY/AUGUST 2020 42 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

By Cassie Westrate, Resonate Global Mission

he church in North America is shrinking. People they needed. Guadalupe’s sons completed a profession of who were once faithful attendees of Sunday faith class and have decided to be baptized. worship are no longer showing up. More and more “Although they still have doubts and question why God people are self-identifying as religious “nones” on would allow (their father to be kidnapped) … the gospel they surveys. And across the country, church doors are hear preached at New Life Church is like an anchor in their Tpermanently closing. lives,” Meyer said. But as we learned during the COVID-19 crisis, church matters. The community that church can provide makes a Church Matters in Creating Communities Where People Belong difference within and without the four walls of a building. “We all want to belong,” said Larry Spalink, a Resonate “Church is a living illustration or picture of an alternative missionary who works with churches in Japan, a country life—one that is focused on following Jesus and his ways,” where less than 2% of the population identifies as Christian. said Kevin DeRaaf, who directs ministry in North America Spalink works with local pastors in Japan to strengthen for Resonate Global Mission. churches. He said it’s human nature to want to belong, but in Resonate, the mission agency of the Christian Reformed Japan, the sense of belonging is a little different than in a more Church in North America, is an extension of each CRC individualistic culture like North America’s. Being part of a congregation in Canada and the United States. Together with community is an important part of someone’s identity, and the you, it plants, strengthens, and equips the global church to church has the opportunity to provide that space for people. follow Jesus in local communities. Here’s a glimpse of why One day, while Spalink was practicing with the choir at a church matters to communities throughout the world. church, he noticed a woman sitting in a pew listening to them. The woman was baptized in a church several years ago, but Church Matters When People Are Learning the Truth of the Gospel when members of her church had a falling out, it confused and “The church matters because it is the community of faith hurt her. She left her church community and drifted around. where God’s story is read, interpreted, and believed,” said The woman had visited the church a few times, but one morn- Ben Meyer, a Resonate missionary in Mexico. ing something changed for her. As she was listening to the Ben and his wife, Amy, are working to plant and establish choir sing, Spalink went to her and said, “Why don’t you join?” New Life Church in Guadalajara. They’ve seen firsthand how She did, and shortly after that, she recommitted her life to New Life’s faith community has been a place where people Christ and became an engaged member of that church. The can wrestle with doubts. woman reported that what really drew her in was being About 10 years ago, for example, Guadalupe’s husband was invited to join the choir. kidnapped. She and her two young sons never heard from “I find many who visit and become part of the church are him again. With no family in the area to lean on, they felt those who have failed to find a place elsewhere to be alone in their grief and confusion. Guadalupe believed in accepted as they are and to belong, and even be welcomed to God but had trouble understanding how God could let some- participate,” Spalink said. thing like this happen.

“In the midst of the current COVID crisis, or any crisis, the Church Matters Because People Are Caring for One Another shocking immediacy of our present reality can cause us to “Church matters because it is the community where we experience temporary amnesia with regard to the gospel,” discover our brokenness and our giftedness, our needs and said Meyer. “Does God love us? Did Christ redeem us? Is the our talents. It is where we are shaped into the character Spirit making all things new?” of Christ and formed into who God created us to be,” said A year ago, Guadalupe and her children started worshiping Mark Van Andel, co-pastor of Hesed Community Church, a with New Life Church and found the supportive community Resonate partner in Detroit, Mich.

Sharing resources and gifts has become a hallmark of Hesed Hesed serves local neighborhoods through ministry houses Community Church, a CRC church plant in Detroit, Mich. that provide discipleship opportunities as well as food and

JULY/AUGUST 2020 43 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

other resources. Van Andel has seen God at work in Hesed available to answer these questions as they came up. Over through the way the church engages its community. In time, many people accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior. Today, January, for example, a woman attempting to escape a diffi- the village now has clean drinking water, a school for chil- cult situation moved across the street from one of the minis- dren, and a church that continues to grow. try houses with her children. Church Matters Because Believers Are Loving their Neighbors “Our faith community immediately enfolded her,” said Van Andel. They offered her food and other resources, and when “I sense we’re learning through COVID-19 restrictions that the coronavirus pandemic hit, she saw how the commu- the church is not limited to a church building and what goes nity worked together to care for one another. Without being on in that facility,” said Karen Wilk, pastor of Neighborhood asked, she began to cook for her neighbors. She and her chil- Life in Alberta and a Resonate Go Local catalyst. dren started caring for the community garden, where they “Church looks like God’s people hanging out in their neighbor- weeded and planted spring vegetables. hood, with their neighbors, as neighbors … discerning and “This type of sharing resources and gifts has become a hall- joining in what the Spirit is already doing there—and in so mark of our faith community,” Van Andel said. doing, learning what it means to love God and their neighbors.”

That expression of church is what Resonate’s Go Local initia- Church Matters Because Believers are Sharing the Gospel tive is all about, Wilk said. When Jander and Tiffany Talen “(Church) matters in bringing the message of hope and joined the Go Local cohort at Maranatha CRC in Calgary, salvation to a helpless and broken world,” said Resonate Alta., they started paying closer attention to how the Holy missionary Istifanus Bahago, who works with the CRC in Spirit was working in their neighborhood. Sierra Leone. One day, the Talens were walking in their neighborhood When Bahago and his colleagues visited the village of Yirah when they noticed apples piling up on the ground around Filaya Badela a few years ago, the people didn’t have access a tree in someone’s yard. The couple decided to ask the to clean drinking water or a school for their children. As a homeowner if they could use some of the apples that had predominantly Muslim village, the people had also never fallen. When they knocked on the door, an older gentle- heard the hope of the gospel. man answered. He was happy to give them some apples. In In partnership with World Renew, the CRC in Sierra Leone exchange, the Talens later brought over an apple cake for worked with the community to start a school and provide him as a way to say thank you. Since then, the relationship clean water. The people were baffled: why would strangers between the Talens and these neighbors has grown. help them? “We appreciate Go Local because it made us think about “The people wanted to know who we were and why we being better neighbors,” said Jander Talen. “Tiffany and I are showed them such love,” said Bahago. “We told them the taking the approach that these people around us need to be story of salvation: how God sent Jesus to redeem mankind, loved, just like us.” and his love is for all who accept him.” Church Matters Because People Are Growing People had a lot of questions about Jesus. The CRC in Sierra Leone sent an evangelist to live in the community and be “(Church) is an experience of community where people are learning that life is not about themselves, and (they) are learning to grow in their love for God and for others in tangi- ble ways,” DeRaaf said.

The church in North America might be shrinking, but Resonate ministry leaders throughout the world still witness God at work every day. In some countries, such as Sierra Leone, the church is growing rapidly in the number of people who are coming to Christ. In others, the growth of the church might be slower, but people are still finding love, hope, and grace in the gospel.

And no matter where Resonate is working, ministry leaders are seeing believers grow in their identity as children of God, in their gifts and callings, and in their love for neighbors.

A church plant in the village of Yirah Filaya Badela in “It isn’t perfect, and that’s exactly the point,” said DeRaaf. Sierra Leone. “Church matters most when people are growing in their

Photo by Resonate missionary Resonate by Photo Istifanus Bahago capacity to love, serve, and forgive.”

JULY/AUGUST 2020 44 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

Small Things Done with Great Love

MY CHURCH IN TRURO, N.S., is small. It has fewer than 100 members and fewer than 50 regular attendees. We’re also located outside of Truro’s downtown core. Like many congregations across North America, this past spring was hard on my community. Really hard. Our small church wanted to help.

As a diaconal coach for Diaconal Ministries Canada, I often hear stories of big churches doing amazing community ministry, especially in times of crisis. It is easy for deacons in my church to feel discouraged about our smallness. Yet we know we have a faithful congregation that loves to work together.

Our church has worked through the Karla Winham helped deliver muffins to a local organization as part of John Calvin “Discover Your Gifts” workshops, so Christian Reformed Church’s COVID-19 response in Truro, N.S. everyone is aware of the areas of giftedness they can contribute. We also know the value of collaboration. While early-childhood educator, posted a We thank God for these organizations we can’t be all things to all people, we children’s story time each week, invit- that spread love to people in our town can partner with and support other ing each child of our congregation by and the opportunity to connect with local organizations doing great work. name to watch and listen. our neighbors through them. During the COVID-19 crisis, our church After all the local parks had closed Yes, we are a small church, but we leaned into both of these to love and down, families in the neighborhood serve a mighty God who gives us serve our community. began using the church parking lot gifts and abilities and who multiplies Several church members with gifts to get outside, socially distancing as our work when it’s done for God’s of service and hospitality had extra they played hopscotch, biked, or drew glory. Though we can’t launch big, time on their hands for cooking. The with chalk. flashy responses in times of need, deacons worked with them to arrange we continue to find ways to use our While our diaconate always has funds weekly meals for seniors, families gifts to do a whole bunch of little and groceries for anyone requiring things, both to uphold and encourage with young kids, members’ friends assistance, they don’t always have one another and to reach out to our who had fallen on hard times, and ways to reach those most in need—or community. anyone else who wanted or needed even know who they are. Our deacons meals. We thank God for those with Small things done with great love can asked some local organizations gifts of administration who made make a big difference! how we could join in their work. We this possible! donated grocery gift cards to the local —Karla Winham, We also used our gifts to reach out to homeless shelter and to a new refugee Diaconal Ministries Canada families with young children. Some family. We gave financial support to of our church’s teachers donated a Christian counseling service. Those books, games, and homemade toys in our congregation who have baking and made care packages for these skills launched a “Ministry of Muffins” families. Another former deacon, an for the local family resource center.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 45 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

The View from Here Church Matters

OUR WORLD CHANGED a few months We are the church. that this fund has been able to help ago. Mid-March was the start of a new, several churches as they try to offer forced adventure due to the COVID-19 We are called to resources to their economically pandemic. At the time, I must confess deprived communities. We would that I expected a few weeks of discom- love and honor invite every U.S. congregation that has fort as I sheltered at home and then a not been critically affected to consider fairly rapid return to our previous defi- God and to show donating to the fund so that others nition of normalcy. How wrong I was. might be blessed. This could be our Acts 2 moment—churches coming At the time of writing this, there were that love to all of together to help congregations in need 1.5 million COVID-19 cases in the U.S. as they serve their communities well. and more than 92,000 deaths. Though our neighbors. the case numbers in Canada are I am grateful for how God has gifted significantly lower, the conditions are each of you for such a time as this. May no less serious for those in impacted sharpening each other so we can all God strengthen you greatly as you locations. We’ve been physically be even better at ministering to our continue to minister in these difficult, distancing for months, the Council of congregations and communities. In different times. And may communities Delegates meeting in May took place many cases, this has included an who have never heard of the Christian entirely online, and Synod 2020 was increase in congregational care for Reformed Church before this crisis be canceled. Yet in the midst of all of this those who are not members of our able to say to their children and future change and societal chaos, the church churches but are experiencing critical generations, “We saw God at work is standing tall. needs at this time. through an organization called the Christian Reformed Church in North To be sure, there have been significant We are the church. We are called to America during the greatest crisis of adjustments that churches have had to love and honor God and to show that our time.” make. Most of the congregations of the love to all of our neighbors. I believe Christian Reformed Church in North that God is pleased with how the America, for example, have adapted CRCNA has been living out this calling Colin P. Watson Sr. is acting in this time. executive director of the well to creating an online presence. I Christian Reformed Church am greatly impressed with the creativ- At the same time, we know that navi- in North America. ity and determination of pastors and gating this pandemic has not been Spanish and Korean trans- leaders and their support teams as easy. The CRCNA has a significant lations of this article they diligently work to ensure that number of smaller and emerging are available at the message of the gospel continues to churches who have suffered signifi- TheBanner.org. reach people. cant financial hardship during this TheBanner.org/korean 이 기사의 한글번역은 crisis. Yet even these financial strug- . I also love the fact that best practices 에서 보실 수 있습니다 and experiences are being shared at gles have been an opportunity for the entire church to coalesce around serv- Este artículo está disponible en español en an accelerated rate. Ministries and TheBanner.org/spanish. congregations are listening to and ing each other. The CRCNA established the COVID- 19 Church Engagement Fund (U.S. only) as a way to supplement the various governmental financial support programs available to churches and other organizations. We are pleased

JULY/AUGUST 2020 46 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

Making Church Home in Japan

FOR SAGI, ATTENDING CHURCH often feels like a burden.

“On Sundays, after a long, stressful week, it’s hard to find the motivation to go to church,” Sagi said. “It’s not that I don’t like church or don’t believe in God, but work and day-to-day life make it hard.”

Sagi lives in Japan, so her “day-today life” includes living in a place where less than 2% of the population openly professes Christianity. One of the reasons it’s so rare is that being a Christian and attending church is often seen as shameful and dishonoring your family, friends, and co-workers.

“That shame is such a burden that Videos from BTGMI’s Japanese ministry team show what being part of a church some believers even wait for their community entails, from games to worship to shared meals. parents to pass away before attending church for the first time,” says Rev. Masao Yamashita. The typical barriers that keep people For Sagi, Yamashita’s advice was to like Sagi from attending church begin find small reasons to motivate her As the Japanese ministry leader for to break down. to attend church. He also encour- Back to God Ministries International, aged her to start viewing her church Yamashita wants to help people like But the barriers don’t end with one as her second home, where she is Sagi. He knows the importance of visit to church. always welcome. building connections with other Yamashita remembers a period in his believers. With most churches in Japan closed life when he wasn’t attending church because of COVID-19, Yamashita and Working closely with Reformed regularly. When he did attend, people BTGMI’s Japanese ministry team Church in Japan congregations across would usually comment on his lack of recognize that there will be even more the country, Yamashita helps pastors attendance. people like Sagi once churches reopen. and church members create videos Yamashita strives to make church feel Please pray for these people who faith- introducing the church to people more like going home. fully follow BTGMI’s programs each in their area. The video series, The week but need encouragement to take Church in My Town, gives people inter- “You don’t need a reason to go home,” the next step in their faith. ested in church a glimpse into the Yamashita said. “It should be the same building and the people who make up with the church. God is always there, —Brian Clark, the church. saying, ‘Welcome home.’” Back to God Ministries International

Such videos, along with radio programs and online devotionals, create an easy, relatable, and safe entry point into the Christian faith.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 47 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

Varying Views on The New City Catechism

PASTOR JOE GROENEVELD was at a He wrote in the overture: “The New conference in 2017 when he came City Catechism is a great resource across a copy of the just-published The for the CRCNA that will assist in the New City Catechism. instruction of its members, especially children and youth. … (It) speaks to Edited by Collin Hansen and put essential matters in our society and together with help from Pastor Tim will be useful for study, faith forma- Keller, The New City Catechism is based tion, teaching, and worship.” on John Calvin’s Geneva Catechism, the Westminster Shorter and Larger Synod decided not to make it a contem- Catechism, and the Heidelberg porary testimony and referred it to Catechism. Intended for all ages, it Faith Formation Ministries for curric- contains 52 questions and answers. ulum review and potential use by Each question is followed by a Bible churches. verse, commentary, and a prayer. That review was completed and a “I appreciated that it has short, simple report sent to the Council of Delegates questions and answers, and it struck in May. In addition to offering an over- me that it was on a level younger all assessment of the catechism’s people and people just coming to the strengths and weaknesses, FFM asked Pastor Joe Groeneveld sees The faith might be able to learn from,” the COD to send the catechism to New City Catechism as a helpful Groeneveld said. “I thought it could churches to review, with their reac- faith-building resource for a be a document that might fit into tions then compiled and sent to synod. variety of ages. being a contemporary testimony for “The place in which we landed was the church.” not a ‘yes’ or a ‘no,’” said Chris Schoon, A special category created by the director of Faith Formation Ministries. “The catechism could be used in youth synod of the Christian Reformed “We looked at how we can engage with ministry, but that might depend on the Church of North America, contempo- it and asked that churches help to group. Also, we don’t see it as being a rary testimonies are defined on the enter into a conversation about it.” main discipleship tool,” Schoon said. denominational website as “state- In its report, FFM saw strength in the Faith Formation Ministries makes ments of faith that serve the CRCNA— catechism’s teacher resource, which some good points, Groeneveld said, its congregations and members—and “provides an outline and suggestions and he remains open to them because speak to essential matters in a given that help teachers develop a predict- he doesn’t see the catechism as a time period.” Currently, the denomina- able and accessible pattern for the perfect document. tion has two contemporary testimo- lesson plans.” nies: Our World Belongs to God and The “To some extent, it seems the FFM’s report gives more critique than praise,” Belhar Confession. But there are concerns. The language used in The New City Catechism is far he said. “I know (the catechism) has With the backing of his church council too complex for upper-elementary flaws, but it is solid. … Every so often at Williamsburg CRC in Williamsburg, students, FFM said, and its content we use it in my church. We use it as a Ont., Groeneveld wrote an overture to “assumes that participants have a supplement in worship and (for) work- Synod 2019 asking synod to consider Christian faith background, under- ing with the youth when we see it fits.” making The New City Catechism a stand terms like ‘worship’ and ‘forgive- contemporary testimony. —Chris Meehan, ness’ and are familiar with the basic CRC Communications narrative arc of Scripture. … There also are no accommodations suggested for those with intellectual or physical disabilities.”

JULY/AUGUST 2020 48 THEBANNER.ORG OUR MINISTRY

Love in Action

FOR CAROL VAN ESS-DYKEMA, the work of World Renew is quite simple: loving the world through more than just words. In Van Ess-Dykema’s estimation, that work has always hinged upon partnership with church deacons, both in North America and throughout the world: “Not everyone in the church is called to be a preacher or to be an elder,” she said. “World Renew gives opportunities to people called to be the hands and feet of Christ.”

Daughter of Lou Van Ess, World Renew’s first director, Van Ess-Dykema remembers World Renew from its early beginnings in 1962 as the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee. Over the years, she recalls Carol Van Ess-Dykema (center, in red) is pictured with the group of Global World Renew’s active love coming in Volunteer Program participants with whom she journeyed to Honduras to learn all shapes and sizes, and she remem- about sustainable urban development in the country and the ongoing work of bers longing to join in that work. World Renew. Upon earning her master’s degree at the University of Michigan during the 1970s, Van Ess-Dykema eagerly for a brief time during the 1980s to Van Ess-Dykema’s trip reminded accepted a World Renew assignment collect data for her doctoral disserta- her that World Renew has endured in Honduras. Based in Tegucigalpa, tion for Georgetown University, Van because of a commitment to the local Van Ess-Dykema worked to respond Ess-Dykema didn’t return to Honduras church and God’s people. Through the to Hurricane Fifi and grow local liter- until February 2020, this time as a church’s faith and support, communi- acy initiatives. During her three-year member of World Renew’s Global ties around the world have found real stint, she also discovered the power Volunteer Program. She hoped the trip hope by embracing a love in action of ecumenical cooperation between would help her discover how the coun- that runs deeper than words. the Christian Reformed, Moravian, try had changed and what the work of —Katy Johnson, and Presbyterian missionaries in World Renew there now entailed. She World Renew Honduras. wasn’t disappointed.

Together, deacons from the local “I saw the realities that Honduras churches worked with World Renew to is currently facing,” she said. “We meet the immediate disaster needs of learned about unemployment, migra- the Honduran people. Over time, the tion out of the country, and about the deacons helped World Renew tran- gangs who are destabilizing commu- sition from disaster relief work to nities where World Renew is trying community development programs to work. But World Renew contin- so local families could find opportu- ues to have an impact because it still nity through farming, small business leverages partner relationships with development, education, health, and, churches. It still prioritizes the local most importantly, their faith. Except people’s expertise and knowledge.”

JULY/AUGUST 2020 49 THEBANNER.ORG ADS

DEADLINES: 8/3/20 for September; 8/31/20 PRICES: Most ads are $0.42US per character TO ADVERTISE: Place your classified ad online October. Subject to availability. Details online. (min. 150 characters including punctuation and at thebanner.org/classifieds or email it to clas- US Advertising in The Banner does not imply editorial spaces). A discounted rate of $0.35 per charac- [email protected] or fax it to 616-224-0834. endorsement. ter and $50 per photo applies to Anniversaries, Questions? Call 616-224-0725. Birthdays, Obituaries, Denominational and Classical Announcements, and Congregational Announcements.

Denominational Announcements Birthday THELMA ELGERSMA (nee Schultz), 610 N. Eastern Street, Sanborn IA 51248, plans to THE CLASSIS ILLIANA STUDENT FUND invites BIRTHDAY 100 YEARS celebrate her 90th birthday on July 18. Mar- all Classis Illiana students studying for minis- ried to the late Wes Elgersma and mom to try in the CRCNA and with financial need to CHRISTINE BEEZHOLD (Vander Laan) of Ever- Doug, Tim, Starla, Gloria, Barry and Fred, apply for student fund support. Contact fund green Park, IL celebrates her 100th birthday she is also blessed with 13 grandchildren, 31 chair Daniel Roels at pastor.dan.roels@gmail. on July 25. Wife of late Christian Beezhold for great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grand- com. 62 years. Happy Birthday w/love from your children. Praise God From Whom All Blessings children Chris & Christine, Jan & Bob, Rudy & Flow! Church Positions Available Karen, Bob & Betty and your 8 grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren! WILLIAM K. STOB celebrates his 90th birth- CHILDREN'S MINISTRY DIRECTOR OPENING day on July 29. His life has been blessed with Shalom CRC of Sioux Falls, SD a growing and GERALDINE (JERRI) VANDERWERP PRINS of his wife of 68 years, Delores (DeWitt), and his vibrant congregation, is seeking a dynamic 2354 Edington Ct. SE Grand Rapids, MI former- three daughters: Deanne Dyk (Dean), Tamora Children’s Ministry Director. Please visit our ly of Holland, MI celebrates her 100th birth- Kooy (John), and Carlin Rykse (Russ). He is the website at www.shalomcrc.org for a job de- day on July 8, 2020. Wife of the late John Prins grandfather to 9 grandchildren and 16 great- scription and application information. and mother of Joan (Ed) Stuursma and Rose- grandchildren. Congratulations Dad! We are mary Prins. God is good. “Her children rise up grateful for your leadership and love all these LEAD PASTOR - Aylmer CRC in Aylmer, On- and call her blessed”. Prov. 31:28 years. 8378 SE Sanctuary Dr. Hobe Sound, FL tario is seeking a Lead Pastor gifted in the 33455. [email protected]. areas of shepherding and teaching. We are GERTRUDE HEKMAN (VAN TILL) 2565 - 44th prayerfully searching for a self motivated and St. S. E. Grand Rapids, MI 49512 will celebrate Anniversary compassionate Pastor who is devoted to pro- her 100th birthday on July 16, 2020. Her 7 viding Reformed preaching, passionate about WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 70 YEARS children and spouses, 17 grandchildren (5 in nurturing our spiritual growth and equipping heaven) and 31 1/2 great grandchildren cel- SCHOOLLAND, John and Helen will celebrate us for community outreach. If this is a posi- ebrate with her. We love you, Mom! 70 yrs. of marriage on Aug. 8. John will be 95 tion you may feel God’s calling to, we would on Aug. 17. They have been blessed with 4 love to speak with you. Please contact Lisa at BIRTHDAY 95 YEARS children, Judy Postma (Pete deceased), Jerry 519-520-1220 or email bruceandlisavk@hot- (deceased), Gary(Gail), Renee (Ted) Viss. They mail.com. Job description and church profile ROBERT WASSENAR, 11020 Raleigh, West- have 13 grandchildren and will have 33 great are available on the Portal. chester, IL 60154, celebrates his 95th birth- grandchildren by the end of Aug. Praise be to day on July 13. His wife Jean and children God for the blessing of God-fearing parents! PASTORAL OPPORTUNITY at Second Church Sharon and Jack Eriks, Sandra and Andy in the small but quickly growing town of Al- Kranenborg, Ronald and Cathy, Linda and WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 68 YEARS lendale, Michigan. We are searching and Verle Norris; along with 11 grandchildren and praying for our next Senior Pastor. We invite 11 great-grandchildren thank God for his life. AN DER WIELE, Sam & Mary Van Der Wiele you to access our Church Profile for details We love you! will celebrate their 68th wedding anniversary of who we are as a church family at second- on August 21. The family is grateful for God's churchallendale.org or to email Nels Johnston BIRTHDAY 90 YEARS faithfulness and love which fills their mar- at [email protected] with more questions or riage and shapes our family. to submit a resume. We look forward to hear- BERNICE J. BOSMA (11016 New Mexico Ct. ing from you! Orland Park, IL, 60467) celebrates her 90th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 65 YEARS birthday on July 4! It is with grateful hearts GENZINK, Jerry and Leo- SENIOR PASTOR Prairie Edge CRC of Portage, that we, her family, praise God for the bless- na (Busscher) are cele- Michigan is seeking a Senior Pastor, passion- ing she is to so many. “Be joyful in hope, pa- brating their 65 th wed- ate in preaching God’s Word and equipping tient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans ding anniversary. They us to live and reflect the Word of God in our 12:12. were married on June 7, lives. We seek to connect people with Jesus 1955 at Graafschap Chris- and His Kingdom. If you have an interest in CORNELIA GERARDA VAN BERKEL-MÖHLE tian Reformed Church. serving Prairie Edge, please contact us at: celebrated her 90th birthday on May 20. Cor- God has blessed them [email protected] rie and her husband Adriaan enjoyed the spe- with four children: Roger and Sharon Sneller, cial occasion online with family. Congratula- Larry and Marcia Genzink, Steve and Pam SENIOR PASTOR Ivanrest Christian Reformed tions may be sent to 35 Victoria Ave. E., Apt. Genzink and Bob and Jane Genzink. They Church in Grandville, MI is seeking an experi- 726, Brandon MB R7A 1Y7 enced Senior Pastor to guide and nurture our also have been blessed with 16 grandchil- congregation while equipping us to be ser- JACK BLOEM celebrated his 90th birthday on dren and 22 great grandchildren. Their children and their spouses are so grateful for vant leaders and witnesses to the community July 5. Praising God with him for God's faith- the excellent example of Christian love and and beyond. This position will also lead a staff fulness are his children Russ & Jackie Bloem, marriage they demonstrate every day. The of 10. For more information on this opportu- Ken and Stephanie Bloem, Phil and Mary Ellen family recognized this significant event with nity, please visit www.ivanrest.org and click Bloem, Kathy and Brad De Boer,10 grandchil- a celebratory dinner. on Pastor Search. dren and 6 great grandchildren.

JULY/AUGUST 2020 50 THEBANNER.ORG WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 60 YEARS Annette was widowed in 1990, eventu- After two decades of widowhood, Annette was ally retired from nursing, and returned to surprised by joy with marriage on her 81st ZUIDERVEEN, Henry and her hometown of Grand Rapids where she birthday to widowed pastor Ralph Bronkema, Verla will celebrate their maintained activity within her home church, bringing a new lease on each of their lives until 60th anniversary on Au- Brookside CRC. She enjoyed knitting for ba- Ralph passed away in 2018. Annette’s brother gust 26, 2020. Congratula- bies and sewing doll clothes for her grand- Harold Minnema also preceded her in death; tions and love from your kids, as well as traveling the world and stay- she is survived by a sister, Carol (Charlie) family: Mark and Julie, ing in touch with extended family across the Scheuermann, as well as in-law siblings Barb Marc and Sharon, Scott country. For two decades of her widowhood, Minnema, Miriam Schaafsma, and David (Kay) and Pam, grandchildren the extended Cooke family was especially Cooke. Annette leaves behind 6 children and and great-grandchildren. Praising God for his appreciative of Annette’s annual tradition their spouses (Bruce & Lisa, Holland, MI; Steve faithfulness! of hosting everyone at lakeshore lodges in & Merly, Philippines; Kathy & Dave Dykstra, VAN MANEN, Jack and Johanna celebrated West Michigan during the Christmas season, Hudsonville, MI; Dan & Theona, Grand Rapids, their 60th wedding anniversary on June 24. which always assured an energetic and noisy MI; Jim & Beth, Grand Haven, MI; and Gwen & God blessed them with 4 children:Jeff & Dean- time with the ever-expanding collection of Tom DeHorn, Granger, IN) 17 grandchildren na Van Manen, Julie & Jon Kuyers, Joy & Joel Cooke grandchildren and great-grandchil- and 20 great-grandchildren, as well as a rich Rusticus, Jill & Chris Larsen, 12 grandchildren, dren. legacy of love for God and her family. and 1 great grandson. Thank you for your constant love and prayers. Praise God for his faithfulness! WEDDING ANNIVERSARY 50 YEARS Hope Starts With You SYTSMA, William and Jenny (Diekjakobs) of Holland, Michigan celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on August 8 with gratitude for God’s faithfulness. A time of joyful celebration is planned with their children and grandchildren: Jim Sytsma, Amy Drown (husband Daron, five children), and Mark Sytsma (wife Katie, four children).

Obituaries BOLTHUIS, Francis E., age 88, of Grand Rap- ids, went home to be with his Lord on Friday, May 22, 2020 of natural causes. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, children, stepchil- dren, grandchildren, great grandchildren and brother. "Mr. B" taught hundreds of school children as a music educator for 45 years. Fran was a founding member of the Grand Rapids Symphonic Band and a church choir director.

COOKE, Annette (Minne- ma) passed away on May 15, 2020 at age 90 after a full life filled with love for her Lord and her family. Annette was born in 1929 in Grand Rapids, MI to John & Pearl Minnema. She attended Grand Rapids Christian High School, Calvin College, and was a graduate of Blodgett nursing program. At Calvin she met and married Edward Cooke who graduated from Calvin Your Gift Makes Mental Health Services Affordable Theological Seminary. Together they served diverse ministries within the Christian Reformed denomination, including churches in Tracy, IA; Holland, MI; Rehoboth, NM; West Sayville, NY; Last year, the Pine Rest Patient Assistance Fund provided DeMotte, IN; Bellflower, CA; and Kalamazoo, financial aid to nearly 2,000 men, women and children. This MI. Annette loved music (giving piano lessons year, we are projecting a much higher need for treatment and to many students over the years) and frequent- requests for financial assistance. Please help us today by making ly played the organ for church, sang soprano in choir, and led women’s groups alongside the a gift to the Patient Assistance Fund at pinerest.org/donate. ministry of her husband, while also raising a family and continuing to work part-time as a nurse in each of the states where they lived. Moving around so much during a lifetime of pastoral service, she remarked it was important to “Bloom where you are transplanted!” pinerest.org/traverse-city JULY/AUGUST 2020 51 THEBANNER.ORG DE JONG, Sam (Sybolt) en- before his death. Sam is survived by his wife, DERUITER, Evelyn L., nee tered into eternity with his Anna, who provided him with loving care in Kok, age 89, of Crestwood, Savior, Jesus Christ, on the final years of his life. He is also survived IL formerly of New Hol- March 30, 2020. Sam was by his children: (Heidi) with children Jared land, SD, went to be with born March 8, 1934, in (Krista), Vanessa, Nick (Hannah), Marc (Kath- her Lord on Sunday morn- Poppingawier, Friesland, leen), and Kevin (Marissa); Albert with chil- ing May 31, 2020. Loving the Netherlands to Folkert dren Shannon, Alicia (Kyle), Sofia, and Natan- mother of Benjamin DeRu- and Grietje de Jong. At the ya; Theresa (Gene) Roosendaal with children iter, Debra (Dwayne) Kuip- age of 20, Sam immigrated to Southern Cali- Lora, Tim (Marisa), Katy, and Hannah; Grace er, and the late Daniel DeRuiter. Cherished fornia to find greater opportunities and there (Greg) Mallett with Anneke (Kyle); Harmen grandmother of Dan Carbray, Chris Muller, he met his wife, Anna Raap. They were mar- (Sue) with children Amanda and Katie; Ste- Shannon, Austin, Jadyn Kuiper, and Josie De- ried on August 26, 1958 in Bellflower, Califor- phen (Lani) with children Peter, Jesse and Ruiter. Evelyn was preceded in death by her nia. In 1962 they moved with their 2 sons to Alex; along with 5 great-grandchildren and 5 parents and six siblings. Dear aunt of many Marysville, Washington, where they operated siblings in the Netherlands. Sam was preced- nieces and nephews. a dairy farm and were blessed with 4 more ed in death by his son, Frank, plus parents children. Sam lived on that farm until 3 years and 2 siblings in the Netherlands. DEVRIES, Neva, of Minneapolis, MN went to be with her Lord and Savior on June 4, one day before her 93rd birthday. Missionary midwife in Nigeria 1954 to 1976. Predeceased by brother, Richard. Survived by brothers John (Marilyn) and Kenneth and nieces and nephews. Memo- rials preferred to Resonate Global Mission.

MARTIN, Kenneth `'Ken", age 85 of Newton, NJ went to be with his Lord and Savior May 24, 2020 due to complications from Parkin- son's Disease. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Alice Devries Martin, and six children: Stephen (Sue) Martin, Kevin (Wilma) Martin, Daniel (Susan) Martin, Kathy Martin, Sandra (Jean-Mark) Lenze and Christy (Charles) BI- end. Ken was thankful for his eleven grandchildren and his great-grandson. Ken was an active member of his church and served on many boards and committees. His great work ethic, generous giving of himself, and the wisdom he imparted will be greatly missed.

NAGELKERK, John Jacob, age 94, of Grand Rapids, MI, passed away May 28, 2020. He was preceded in death by his wife, Evelyn, and is survived by his children, Bill and Har- riett Nagelkerk, Bob Nagelkerk, Tom and Jean Nagelkerk, Jack Nagelkerk, and Tim and Kathy Nagelkerk; 22 grandchildren; and 14 great grandchildren.

VERMEULEN, James, passed away peacefully at home on Easter Sunday morning, April 12, 2020, in Plymouth, MI. Loving husband of Syl- via (De Lange) for 67 years. Preceded in death I will be your by his daughter, Debra Hoksbergen (2016) and her husband, Stan (2017). Loving father of Kris- ta (Tim) Schaafsma, Jim (Nancy) Vermeulen and Ken (Shelly) Vermeulen. His 11 grandchildren champion. and 18 great-grandchildren were blessed by him and will truly miss him. Jim worshiped his —Jill, Hospice Nurse Practitioner Savior, Jesus Christ, cherished his family and generously served his community throughout his 88 years of life. He embraced life enthusias- tically and encouraged those around him. In-home Hospice Care • Trillium Woods • Bereavement Services ZINKAND, Mary, age 92, • Pastoral Services • Palliative Care died on Feb 27, 2020 in Rochester NY. Preceded in death by husband of 65 For information on Faith Hospice In-Home Care or our years, John, and daughter, Trillium Woods in-patient facility, contact 616-235-5113 Jeanie. Survived by chil- or faithhospicecare.org. dren Laurie (John) Selles, Dan (Elizabeth), Heidi (Dave Dill), Kathy (Chris) Kaporis, son-in-law

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JULY/AUGUST 2020 54 THEBANNER.ORG STILL Too Loud

She sat in the far SHE HELD THE PHONE in front of her who grimaced and made the trek over face and yelled into it, “The windshield to our loud friend. She whispered softly corner of the Cozy wiper motor is done gone bad and they to the woman. I couldn’t make out what want $300 to replace it and to fix up she said. “Wait a minute!” the woman Corner Cafe, her some other stuff. I ain’t got no $300 to hollered into her phone. “The waitress is spend on my car. I guess I’ll just hafta tryin’ to tell me somethin’ … .” stop drivin’ in the rain.” grinding voice The owner repeated what she’d said. The The phone was on speaker, so we woman responded, “Yer gonna hafta echoing in every all got to hear a bit of her friend’s speak up, darlin’, I’m deaf as a stump!” attempts to console her. The consola- nook and cranny The third repetition was louder and tion included exclamations of sorrow, firmer. “Would you please turn down some commiserations regarding her of the restaurant. the volume. You’re being so loud it’s situation, and a scathing rebuke of the disturbing our other customers.” auto repair industry. “They’re tellin’ me I’m bein’ too loud,” “I don’t need no sympathy!” our fellow she bellowed into the phone. “I gotta go.” diner loudly retorted. “I can take care She scanned her phone, searching for of my business. I ain’t no charity case.” which button to hit. She finally found it The friend’s response got lost in the and hit it with a vengeance. She looked up, glaring at us, slowly going table by clatter of dishes and the clang of table around the room. Lots of eyes clean silverware being dumped in a were suddenly looking at the floor. container at a nearby server station. “Sorry, everybody!” she shouted to “I don’t need you all up in my bizness,” nobody in particular. “Didn’t mean no she roared into the phone. “You just harm.” She sopped a slice of sourdough need to keep yer nose on yer face.” toast into the runny, sunny-side-up Of course, we were all up in her eggs and devoured it in two large bites. business. We couldn’t help but be. She sat in silence. We all did. Everyone within 50 yards was all up in The folks who had complained about her business. She sat in the far corner her noise waved our server over and of the Cozy Corner Cafe, her grind- asked to pay her bill. The server looked ing voice echoing in every nook and confused, but eventually produced the cranny of the restaurant. check. “Please don’t tell her it was us,” Despite being upset at her friend’s nosi- the man said. “Just tell her it’s a gift ness, the conversation raged on. The from a stranger.” auto industry was bad. The government Fifteen minutes later, her plate cleaned, was pure evil. The church, since Pastor she called out for her check. The server Bill had gone, was not doing well either. quietly said something and the lady Friends and family members were looked up at her sharply. “Ya mean some- worthless in times of trouble. “Ain’t body just paid it outta kindness? Hmm. nobody gives a hoot ’bout no poor old Maybe people ain’t so bad after all.” Rod Hugen is pastor lady.” She shouted, and we heard it all. She gathered up a large cloth bag of The Village Church A couple in the next booth complained and leader of the and her oversized black purse and Tucson Cluster, a to our server about the noise. The server tottered to the door. She turned back church-planting effort shrugged her shoulders and went and and waved, “Thank y’all. Have a good in Tucson, Ariz. whispered something to the manager, day now.”

JULY/AUGUST 2020 55 THEBANNER.ORG MOTHERScarry a resilient strength. To provide for their children and protect their land. To plant seeds and grow dreams. To renew hope and rebuild homes where only rubble lies. Around the world, mothers keep fighting to free their families from poverty. Each day their courage calls to us, “Come and join our fight.”

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Help Free a Family at worldrenew.net/Free-a-Family JULY/AUGUST 2020 56 THEBANNER.ORG