The United Methodist Church, one of the largest denominations in the United States, has once again postponed its quadrennial meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic, delaying further a widely anticipated vote by delegates on a proposal to split the denomination.

Beckwith Hills Christian Reformed Church, in Grand Rapids, Mich., did a neighborhood assessment as part of the Church Renewal Lab. Efforts to build a new playground and make continuing community connections are a result.

Two or three times each year, Christian Reformed churches send representatives to their classis, a regional group of churches. Here is the report of classis meetings of the past several months.

Consejo Latino, an active network of Hispanic ministry leaders within the Christian Reformed Church and beyond, is connecting and training pastors seeking ordination in the CRC and helping interested churches to affiliate with the denomination.

Following the release of an independent investigation concluding sexual misconduct by international ministry founder Ravi Zacharias, the Christian and Missionary Alliance has revoked his ordination; Ravi Zacharias International Ministries Canada is disbanding.

Peter Kang’s life as a longtime minister and missionary was marked by a passionate dedication to Jesus Christ. He died Feb. 11.

When the Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church met Feb. 17-19, 2021, it discussed Synod 2021, the new ministry share pledges, governance restructuring, and senior management transitions.

The Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates, meeting by video conference Feb. 17-19, heard how member congregations are responding to the new pledge system for ministry share contributions. The overall amount is down from last year’s received shares.

In conducting what Chair Paul DeVries called the ‘material stuff’ of church work, the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates also did its best to see, hear, and care for one another at its February meeting.

The year-old process toward governance restructuring in the Christian Reformed Church is yet to be complete.

Colin Watson Sr., the denomination’s executive director, and John Bolt, director of finance and operations, are delaying planned retirements while a restructuring of the administration of the Christian Reformed Church continues. The CRC’s Council of Delegates has also authorized the appointment of a deputy to the executive director.

As the Council of Delegates of the Christian Reformed Church heard updates from ministries at its recent meeting, concerns presented from members of justice ministries staff prompted review and prayer.

For the second year in a row the ongoing difficulties and circumstances of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused the Christian Reformed Church’s Council of Delegates to cancel the denomination’s annual synod.

After a Feb. 5 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a ban on indoor worship gatherings, some groups are resuming indoor, in-person worship and some continue other options in a state where COVID-19 continues to spread.

Wayne Leys, who ministered in the Christian Reformed Church for 40 years, made discipleship a priority. He died Jan. 30.

A faithful servant of God with a pastor's heart and a gift for public prayer, Phil Kok died Jan. 23.

The board of Ravi Zacharias International Ministries, an organization founded by the now deceased Christian apologist, is making a public apology after an investigation verified allegations of sexual misconduct.

In January, Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, launched the Thrive Center, a center for teaching and delivering ABA, a therapeutic approach “individualized to each client’s strengths, needs, and goals.”

The Christian Reformed Church's Council of Delegates is meeting Feb. 17-19. The heavy agenda includes continued work on the governance structure between the U.S. and Canada, correspondence about the Human Sexuality Report, and whether or not Synod 2021 will be convened as planned, modified, or canceled due to COVID-19.

Ordained in 1958 and preaching throughout retirement, Garry Stoutmeyer lived his passion of preaching, teaching, and counseling. He died Jan. 5.

Nearly half of white evangelicals in the U.S. (49%) said their faith grew stronger due to the coronavirus outbreak—more than any other group, according to a new Pew Research survey.

For many schools, including the United Methodist Duke Divinity School in Durham, N.C., the Master of Divinity degree could be moving online for good.

In Phoenix, Ariz., a regional assembly of the Reformed Church in America and a classis of the Christian Reformed Church are cooperating to share resources and offer ministry in Orangewood Community Church, a joint church plant that hosted its first public worship service last June.