The Banner

Fall is apple time!

Finding a new church home can be a time of encouragement and spiritual growth.

A practical proposal for making Sunday worship integral to our weekday life.

Synod 2012 Reportedly, more than a few people want the church to preach the gospel without mentioning political, economic and social issues (News, July 2012). What gospel would that be? Not the good news of Jesus. He calls his followers to relieve suffering of the poor, the foreigners, the sick and prisoners (Matt. 25). John Calvin ceaselessly points out that relief of human suffering is a Christian duty. The poor deserve charity even when they are “contemptible and worthless” or have “provoked you with injuries and insults.” Why? Because they are made in God’s image and God values them no less than he values you (Institutes, Vol. 3, vii). In recent years, governments on both sides of the U.S.-Canadian border have increased income inequality, enforced austerity on the backs of the poor, imprisoned more people for longer terms and shirked necessary earth care. Jesus says taking no notice of the marginalized earns you hell. The gospel, stripped of social justice, is not good news.

Heaven is a real place filled with real people doing real things.

Jim Tuinstra worked for many years helping ex-offenders stay out of prison. He assumed his work would end when he retired from a faith-based social services agency in Grand Rapids, Mich.

In this stunning and stirring analysis, law professor Michelle Alexander argues that the “War on Drugs” has created a racial caste system in America akin to slavery and segregation.

This album features a highly original collaboration between banjo virtuoso Béla Fleck and jazz pianist Marcus Roberts.

Maranatha youth group makes Woodstock SERVE project memorable.

Granite Springs Church reaches out to kids with annual summer music and drama camp.

West Michigan Church Raises Funds for Men’s Shelter

Making sure kids have school supplies is the goal of Austinville CRC.

Community garden creates connections between church members and neighbors.

The fears we face are anything but fake.

Savoring the joys of the absence of evil.

Two years after a double lung transplant, George Keulen cycled 235 kilometers to raise awareness of a devastating disease.