October 2022

Citing hopes to better serve congregations, break down “ministry silos,” and reduce overall financial costs, the Christian Reformed Church is reorganizing staff of race relations, diversity, chaplaincy, disability concerns, faith formation, pastor church resources, safe church, social justice, and worship ministries into cross-ministry teams.

A group of pastors, scholars, and church leaders from the Christian Reformed Church in North America offering “a biblical rebuttal to cultural ideas” hosted the Convention of Confessional Christian Reformed Churches Aug. 2-3. It had 120 attendees from 22 regional groups of CRCs.

Laurie Hiemstra, an orthopedic surgeon in Banff, Alta., who grew up in the Christian Reformed Church, is the 77th person and first woman to lead the national association.

An advisory panel report to Canada’s Minister of National Defence recommends changes to chaplaincy in the Canadian Armed Forces. A Cardus review says those changes would be discriminatory.

Monica Schaap Pierce, the new executive director of Christian Churches Together, USA, sees the group’s “intentional focus on relationship-building … as important as ever given the urgency of unity in our divided world.”

Having written nearly 40 books across a number of genres: fiction, autobiography, theology, essays, and sermons, Frederick Buechner died Aug. 15.

Pope Francis apologized for 'the ways in which, regrettably, many Christians supported the colonizing mentality.'

Jim Kok loved being a pastor and touched many lives during his 65 years of ministry. He died July 3 at age 90.

Patient, humble, kind, and a gracious listener, John Van Ryn was a peacemaker who was able to stay calm in difficult situations. He died July 1 at age 90.

ThereforeGo Ministries’ annual SERVE had about half of pre-pandemic attendees but many first-time participants in their 2022 return to youth mission trips.

In June 2021 Pastor Joel Ringma put out a video request to his Terrace (B.C.) Christian Reformed Church community: consider registering as a living donor for a congregant who needs a kidney. One year later Ringma was the match undergoing surgery along with recipient Chad MacDonald, now recovering.

The cultural enrichment committee of Wyoming, Mich., was looking for a place for the city to hold its annual Juneteenth celebration. Dana Knight, a committee member, also found a new church home.