Hospitality
After pondering General Secretary Rev. Zachary King's Banner article “Fostering Hearts of Hospitality,” I concluded that what he describes is not transformational hospitality. The example he offers from his own life—the meal provided to him and his family after he preached at a church—could as well be described as an act of thanks for the service he provided to the church. It could be, and likely was, an act of honoring him. … In Luke 14, at a Sabbath meal Jesus instructs those eating, “When you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed.” That's hospitality. Matthew 22 and 25 underscore that hospitality centers on inviting in the people that others ignore or reject. That's the heart of transformational hospitality. It transforms the inviter and invitee. Recognizing that King wrote his article with his eyes on Synod 2025, it prompts the question: Did Synod 2025 invite those outside our faith fellowship to join us at the table of divine hospitality, or did we spend time fighting over the best seats?
John L. Hoekwater // Chicago, Ill.
The Banner Saves
Last week my wife and I were visiting family in Seattle. Our son’s car was vandalized and my wife’s purse was stolen several hours before our scheduled return flight. Getting through TSA without valid ID is tricky but I was confident that the photo of my wife’s passport on my phone would get us through. All the digital evidence of her identity that we could show, was refused. I finally remembered that I had a copy of The Banner in my backpack with my wife’s name on it. This made the TSA agent happy and we were able to catch our flight. We were literally saved by The Banner.
Theo D. Beels // Grand Rapids, Mich.
Banner Changes
It's a crying shame for Shiao Chong to resign as editor of The Banner. His poignant analysis of two sides of issues was all because of Jesus's compassion for mankind. Thanks for your thoughtful writing.
R. Kok // St. Catharines, Ont.
My wife and I have been Banner readers for the 66+ years of our marriage. … We have been loyal supporters of The Banner and its mission. However, we do not support this most recent decision of our 2025 Synod. So how do we protest this change? Shiao Chong very understandably chose to resign in protest. We will not support The Banner financially as our protest this year. It is our hope that The Banner will once again be a place for discussion, dialogue, and debate, not just a mouthpiece for the denominational positions.
Calvin Hulstein // South Windsor, Conn.
In my graduate work on the Reformation, I studied John Calvin and Ignatius Loyola, the main architects of the 16th-century Protestant and Catholic reformations respectively. Both men believed strongly in the need for a well-educated clergy. Calvin said this was important so that they would be able to determine whether the teachings of the church are true. Loyola insisted that education should serve to show that the teachings of the church are true. Thus, the 13th rule of Loyola’s Spiritual Exercises expects his students to profess: “I will believe that the white object I see is black if that should be the decision of the hierarchical Church.” Loyola would have been much happier than Calvin at synod’s clamping down on those who have questions about its pronouncements and at the revision of The Banner’s mandate limiting the content of all future editions to teach us the approved teachings of the CRC.
Gary Duthler // Edmonton, Alta.
I do not agree with the direction synod is taking The Banner. I have always enjoyed hearing and reading varied opinions. I think we need to always keep learning and growing. Stifling conversation seems like a slippery slope, and our faith is not so weak that reading a differing opinion will shake it. I looked forward to Shiao Chong’s editorials. His gentle, thoughtful words always calmed my soul and renewed my faith in God and my fellow humans.
Karen Thompson // Calgary, Alta.
The decision of synod to muzzle voices in The Banner deeply disturbed us. Shiao Chong was an editor who we deeply admired for his integrity and pastoral leadership. We wish him blessings as he moves through new open doors. Funds which in the past were given as support for The Banner will now be directed elsewhere.
Jim Jacobs and Henrietta Hunse // St. Catharines, Ont.